Question about the shower glass

Hello Chris,

We been renovating for a while now and read your blog pretty often. Lots of helpful suggestions and thank you very much for that.

My question is about the shower glass height. What is the space between tiled shower ceiling and the glass? The shower fan is about 1 m away from the shower glass. We been told by some of the companies that the opening should be between 7 to 10 inches. Could that be smaller?

Thank you kindly for your help!

Julia

Hi Julia,

Thanks for writing – I’m glad to be able to help.

I think the main issue in the minds of the people who are advising you about the height of your shower glass is moisture on the ceiling. You want to allow enough space for air to circulate and dry out properly.  I think the advice you are getting (7 to 10 inches) is sound. You don’t want to have the persistent dampness of the shower leading to a battle with mildew.

That being said, the construction of your shower enclosure is one thing: how you use it on a daily basis is another. My wife makes me leave the shower doors open a bit after showering (we have the sliding type) so the shower can dry out completely. (Even though there is plenty of space above the enclosure for moisture to escape, and we have a fan fairly close to the shower). Our climate here in Santa Cruz County is pretty damp, and there is a lot of mold in the area. It’s a case-by-case type of situation based on where you live.

Steam showers are completely enclosed, and restrict air circulation completely. Having a shower stall that is completely tiled floor-to-ceiling helps to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If you have drywall in or above the intimidate area of your shower, it’s something to think about. Again, not just the way your shower is built, but how you will use it on a daily basis. Ultimately, it’s up to you.

Thanks for reading!

-Chris