Blog

The debate between walk-in and enclosed showers isn’t about trends. It’s about function, space, and how you actually live in your bathroom. After three decades of fabricating custom shower enclosures, we’ve installed both configurations in thousands of South Florida homes, and the “better” option always depends on your specific situation.

Walk-in showers offer that seamless, spa-like aesthetic with minimal barriers. Enclosed showers contain water, conserve heat, and work in tighter spaces. Neither is universally superior – but one will suit your bathroom better than the other.

What Defines a Walk-In Shower

A walk-in shower eliminates the traditional door entirely, using strategically placed glass panels to create a partially open bathing area. Water containment relies on proper floor slope, drainage placement, and thoughtful layout rather than a fully enclosed box.

The appeal is visual. Without a door swinging into your bathroom or a frame breaking up sightlines, the space feels larger and more modern. Walk-ins work beautifully in master bathrooms where square footage isn’t an issue and the open design enhances the room’s flow.

The Case for Enclosed Showers

Enclosed showers use glass panels and a door to create a complete barrier around your shower area. This containment serves practical purposes: keeping water where it belongs, maintaining warmth during your shower, and preventing steam from affecting the rest of your bathroom.

For bathrooms under 60 square feet, enclosed designs make more sense. They’re more forgiving with placement – you’re not dependent on perfect drainage angles to prevent water escape. The door also traps heat, which matters in air-conditioned South Florida homes where temperature loss happens quickly.

Space Requirements and Bathroom Size

Walk-in showers need room. You’re looking at a minimum of 36×36 inches for the shower itself, but the real space consideration is what happens outside that footprint. Without a door, you need clearance for water splash and adequate distance from other fixtures.

Enclosed showers work in smaller bathrooms because the door contains everything. A 32×32 inch enclosed shower functions perfectly well in a compact bathroom. We’ve fabricated enclosed enclosures for bathrooms as small as 40 square feet where a walk-in would have been impractical.

The layout matters as much as total square footage. A narrow bathroom benefits from an enclosed design even if you have decent overall space, because walk-ins perform best in more square or open floor plans.

Water Containment and Splash Zones

Here’s what surprises homeowners about walk-ins: water still splashes. Even with a carefully positioned showerhead and proper floor pitch, you’ll get some water migration beyond the glass panels. That means your floor needs proper waterproofing beyond just the shower area.

Enclosed showers keep water where you want it. The door creates a seal (when properly installed with quality hardware), and steam stays contained. Your bathroom floor, walls, and other fixtures stay drier. This matters for longevity – less moisture exposure means less maintenance on everything from grout to paint.

Accessibility and Aging-in-Place Considerations

Walk-in showers eliminate the threshold barrier, making entry easier for people with mobility issues. No step to navigate means safer access, particularly for older adults or anyone using mobility aids. The curbless entry is one of the primary reasons homeowners choose walk-ins during bathroom renovations.

That said, enclosed showers don’t have to mean difficult entry. Low-profile thresholds exist, and properly designed enclosed showers can accommodate accessibility needs while still containing water effectively. We’ve fabricated both configurations for aging-in-place renovations – it depends on the specific mobility requirements.

Heating Efficiency and Comfort

Step into an enclosed shower on a winter morning in South Florida (yes, we have those), and you’ll notice the temperature difference immediately. The enclosed space traps steam and heat, creating a warmer shower experience. This matters more than people expect, especially in homes with aggressive AC.

Walk-in showers lose heat constantly. There’s no barrier keeping warm air in, so your water heater works harder and your shower feels cooler. If you prefer very hot showers or have circulation issues where warmth matters, enclosed designs offer better comfort.

Cleaning and Maintenance Reality

Walk-in showers have less glass to clean, which sounds appealing until you realize you’re cleaning more floor area. Without a door containing splatter, you’re wiping down a larger section of bathroom floor after each shower. The floor also requires more frequent attention to prevent soap buildup and water spots.

Enclosed showers concentrate cleaning efforts on the glass panels and door. More glass surface means more potential for hard water staining, but the overall cleaning footprint is smaller. Comparing framed vs frameless shower doors also means comparing maintenance – frameless designs have fewer crevices where mold and soap scum accumulate.

Cost Considerations: Materials and Installation

Walk-in showers often cost more upfront. You’re paying for specialized floor preparation, enhanced waterproofing, proper drainage systems, and the labor to ensure everything slopes correctly. The glass panels themselves cost less than a full enclosure, but the surrounding work adds up.

Enclosed showers have more predictable costs. Standard enclosure installation is straightforward for experienced installers, and while you’re purchasing more glass and hardware, you’re spending less on floor preparation. The total project cost typically runs lower for enclosed designs in standard bathrooms.

Why The Original Frameless Shower Doors Delivers Both Options Better

We’ve been fabricating custom shower enclosures since before “frameless” became an industry standard. Every panel we create – whether for walk-in or enclosed configurations – is measured specifically for your bathroom and fabricated in our Coral Springs facility.

Our custom glass shower solutions use SGCC-certified tempered glass, custom-etched with your name as proof it was made for you alone. The StayCLEAN® coating we apply reduces water spotting and soap scum adhesion, addressing the primary maintenance concern for both shower types. Our proprietary ClearSlide® and Olexis™ systems offer smooth operation for enclosed designs, while our walk-in installations use precision-placed panels that maximize water containment.

We don’t push one configuration over another. Our factory-trained installers (certified through our Frameless University™ program) assess your bathroom’s actual layout, your usage patterns, and your priorities, then recommend what will genuinely work best.

Making the Right Choice for Your Bathroom

Start with your bathroom dimensions and layout. Under 50 square feet? Enclosed makes more practical sense. Above 80 square feet with good floor plan flow? Walk-in becomes viable.

Consider who uses the bathroom. If accessibility is a current or future concern, walk-ins offer easier entry. If you have young children who create maximum splash, enclosed contains chaos better.

Think about your climate control. Homes with strong AC benefit from enclosed showers’ heat retention. If temperature during showering doesn’t concern you, walk-ins work fine.

The Hybrid Approach: Partial Enclosures

You’re not limited to fully open or completely enclosed. Partial enclosures use a door with strategically placed glass panels, creating more containment than a pure walk-in while maintaining some visual openness.

This middle-ground option works well in medium-sized bathrooms (50-70 square feet) where you want the aesthetic benefits of a walk-in but need better water control. We fabricate these configurations regularly – they’re increasingly popular in South Florida condos where bathroom sizes fall in that moderate range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do walk-in showers make small bathrooms look bigger?

Yes, but only if the bathroom is already above 50 square feet. In very small bathrooms, walk-ins can actually make the space feel less functional because water containment becomes problematic.

Can you add a door to a walk-in shower later?

Usually yes, if the original installation included proper blocking and waterproofing. We’ve retrofitted doors onto walk-in showers for homeowners who found the open design too impractical.

Which shower type adds more home value?

Neither consistently outperforms the other. Well-executed enclosed showers and properly designed walk-ins both appeal to buyers. Quality of materials and installation matters more than configuration.

How do you prevent water from escaping a walk-in shower?

Proper floor slope (minimum 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain), strategic showerhead placement, and adequate glass panel coverage. Professional installation is critical – DIY walk-ins frequently have drainage issues.

Are enclosed showers outdated?

Not remotely. High-quality frameless enclosed showers remain current and desirable. The “dated” look comes from framed enclosures with heavy metal borders, not enclosed configurations themselves.

What’s the minimum size for a walk-in shower?

36×36 inches is the absolute minimum for the shower footprint itself, but you need additional bathroom space for practical function. We don’t recommend walk-ins in bathrooms under 50 square feet total.