Robert E. Otto, Inc. Glass

Showers / Tubs Enclosures: Frame-less enclosures:

Bath Enclosure Design Considerations

In the initial stages of designing a bath enclosure, it is important that the issue of safety be considered, along with the potential problems that may arise. Often, what is thought to be an installation problem is in reality a design error.

First and foremost, is the unit safe? Here is a list of considerations to ensure a safe, well-designed enclosure.

Do not hinge a door off a fixed panel using glass to glass hinges if the fixed panel is not supported at the top as in fig. #1. A door swinging off an unsupported fixed panel can cause the panel to flex and breakage can occur. If a door is to be hinged off a fixed panel using glass to glass hinges, one of the following criteria must be met:

The door must be hinged off a fixed panel that is secured at both the curb and the ceiling with either a u-channel or glass clamps as in fig. #2.

If the fixed panel does not go to the ceiling, the top of the fixed panel must be secured with a header or support bar as in fig. #3.

Hinges must meet both weight and door capacities. Weight limits will determine the thicknes of glass to be used, width of door, along with type and number of hinges to use on the door.