When it comes to home improvement and remodeling, if you’re not sure where to invest, making upgrades to the bathroom is a good place to start. Sleek, modern bathrooms featuring stylish shower enclosures can help increase the value of your home. Knowing the typical dimensions for bathroom fixtures can help you plan your remodeling project and execute a new and comfortable room layout. For your shower especially, you’ll want to know, what the standard size of a shower is. For major renovations, this information can help you decide how large of a shower, as well as other fixtures and details, you can accommodate.
Before You Begin Your Shower Remodel
As you’re getting started and researching the standard size of a shower, you’ll want to determine which shower unit will fit your bathroom. Start by measuring the space where your shower will be installed. Measure the height in two places: the base to the top of the wall unit and the depth. You also need to pay attention to the height of your ceiling. Take the necessary precautions to ensure your measurements are precise. You can contact a qualified shower door installer through Glass.com®. Our professionals can help with this process as well as your research in finding the standard size of a shower. If you’re even slightly off on your dimensions it could cause a lot of headaches in the form of time and money. This is particularly true if you buy the wrong fixtures for the space.
There are a number of other considerations to keep in mind as you begin the process. Here are some details about showers and glass shower enclosures to know when planning your bathroom upgrade.
Shower Position and Location
Where will the footprint of your new shower rest? Your choice of shower will depend upon the space you have available and the optimal location within your room. It’s often cost-effective to choose a new enclosure based upon the footprint of your current shower. However, with a good contractor and a qualified shower door installer, moving your shower’s location can be a simple process. To learn more about structuring your new enclosure, read our post about the top six shower door enclosure styles.
Glass Shower Enclosure or Shower Curtain?
Showers that include shower curtains are very different from glass shower enclosures. In many of today’s bathrooms, the current trend is a glass shower enclosure. This popular option may improve the ease of cleaning, makes the shower space look larger, and increase the amount of light in the room. For more information, read our post about shower glass v. shower curtains.
Unique Shower Design
If a traditional rectangular or square-shaped shower enclosure doesn’t appeal to your unique taste, consider a non-traditional or custom option. These showers, such as those with curved glass or neo-angle enclosures, vary widely with regards to footprint size and location within your bathroom. For design ideas, read our post about unique and luxury shower enclosures.
Keep in mind that sizes of showers vary based upon a balance between the space available in your bathroom and the space you need to feel comfortable in your shower. Be sure and account for any extras that you want in your shower space, such as shelving or a built-in bench. There are many available options for showers. You can learn more about the endless possibilities here.
Shower Enclosure Shape, Size and Style
Since there are so many different kinds of showers, there’s not a single standard size of a shower that will accommodate your bathroom upgrade. Given the many different options, you will find a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. Following are some of the most common sizes for showers, as well enclosures common to each size.
The Tub/Shower Combo – 60 x 30 x 72 Inches
This is often the default shower footprint for many homes, both new and old. The measurements of a porcelain tub/shower combo include the space required around the tub basin. Many homeowners with a tub-shower combo, choose to convert them into a glass shower enclosure. One reason for doing so is to create a modern, crisp, clean look, achieved easily with glass.
Shower Stall Minus Tub – 48 x 36 inches
The size of a glass shower enclosure will vary based upon a number of considerations. These include the amount of space you have in your bathroom, and whether you want it set inside an alcove of the bathroom or a standalone unit. Large glass shower enclosures are great when you have ample bathroom space to work with or if you’re converting the tub combo into a shower. Compared to a tub/shower combo, this option gives you more room to move around in.
Square-Shaped Showers – 32 x 32 inches, 34 x 34 inches, 36 x 36 inches
This shower can stand in the corner of your bathroom, along one wall, or alone with all four sides enclosed by glass.
The size and location of the fixtures in your bathroom can also improve your personal comfort within your bathroom. Keep in mind, though, that the shape, size and placement can also impact the amount of available shower space. You can read more about hardware options here.
Deciding on a new glass shower enclosure can be fun and exciting, and can add value to your home. When you’re ready, our experts can direct you to an installer who can help you create your dream shower. Visit our Info Center where you can find even more information about shower doors and other glass options for your bathroom renovation project.
