Traditional Shower Enclosures

A traditional shower enclosure brings period character into the part of the bathroom that's often the most modern-looking. Visible frames, classic hardware, decorative hinges and optional crosshatch or reeded glass detailing give these enclosures a heritage feel that sits naturally alongside freestanding baths, pedestal basins and high level cisterns.

Our range covers hinged doors, pivot doors, bi-fold panels and fixed screens in sizes to suit alcoves, corners and three-sided configurations. Available in chrome, brushed brass and polished nickel, each enclosure uses toughened safety glass and is engineered for daily use — period styling with the watertight performance of a modern enclosure.

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Traditional shower enclosures that belong in the room

In a traditionally styled bathroom, the shower enclosure can be the one element that feels out of place — a slab of frameless glass in a room full of mouldings and turned legs. A traditional shower enclosure solves that by treating the frame and hardware as design features rather than things to minimise. The result is a shower that feels like it was designed for the room, not borrowed from a different one.

What makes a traditional shower enclosure different?

The defining features are the frame and the hardware. Where modern enclosures strip metal back to the bare minimum, traditional designs make it visible and decorative. Broader frame profiles with bevelled or beaded edges. Substantial hinges with a period silhouette. Handles that echo the knob or crosshead details on your taps. Some models offer crosshatch glazing bars — a grid pattern applied to the glass that references Victorian and Edwardian glasswork — while others use reeded or fluted glass for a softer, more textured look. Clear glass remains an option if you want the frame detail without the patterning.

Framed traditional shower enclosures

A fully framed traditional shower enclosure has metal profiles around every edge of the glass — top, bottom, sides and door. This gives the enclosure a defined, structured appearance and provides maximum rigidity, which is particularly useful for larger openings. The frame profile is wider and more detailed than a modern equivalent, with subtle curves or chamfered edges that reinforce the period aesthetic. Framed enclosures also tend to be the most forgiving during installation, as the frame accommodates slight irregularities in walls and trays more easily than frameless designs.

Pivot and hinged doors for traditional enclosures

Pivot and hinged doors are the most common opening styles for traditional shower enclosures. A pivot door rotates on a point near the top and bottom of the glass, swinging outward to open — it's simple, reliable and gives you a wide entry without complex mechanisms. A hinged door opens on side-mounted hinges like a conventional door, which suits wider openings and creates a clean line when closed. Both options carry the weight of the glass comfortably within a traditional frame and allow for the chunkier, more decorative hinges that give these enclosures their character.

Bi-fold and sliding options

If space outside the shower is limited, a bi-fold traditional shower enclosure folds the door inward when opened, keeping water inside the enclosure while avoiding the swing radius of a hinged or pivot door. Sliding doors are less common in traditional ranges but are available in some collections — they're the most space-efficient option and work well for alcove installations where you can't afford the clearance for an outward-opening door. Both options retain the framed detailing and decorative hardware that define the traditional look.

Glass options — clear, crosshatch and reeded

The glass you choose for a traditional shower enclosure changes the feel significantly. Clear glass is the most open and lets light travel freely through the space — ideal if your bathroom is small or you want the enclosure to feel less enclosed. Crosshatch glass features a grid of applied glazing bars that break the surface into smaller panes, referencing the divided-light windows of period architecture — it's the most distinctively traditional option. Reeded or fluted glass has vertical ridges that obscure the view while still allowing light through, offering privacy with texture. All options use toughened safety glass as standard.

Hardware finishes

The frame and hardware finish is where a traditional shower enclosure connects to the rest of your bathroom. Chrome is the most popular and the easiest to coordinate — it pairs with almost any tile, paint colour or sanitaryware. Brushed brass brings warmth and authenticity, particularly in bathrooms with brass taps, towel rails and furniture handles. Polished nickel sits between the two — a warmer, softer metallic than chrome that suits heritage schemes without the full warmth of brass. Antique bronze and aged pewter finishes are available in some ranges for a more weathered, characterful look. As with any bathroom, keeping a consistent metallic finish across all your fittings makes the biggest difference to how considered the room feels.

Sizing and configuration

Traditional shower enclosures are available in standard sizes to suit the most common tray dimensions — typically 700mm, 760mm, 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm widths. Heights are generally 1850mm–1900mm. For alcove installations, you'll need a single door or door-and-side-panel combination. Corner installations use two side panels with a door, or a quadrant tray with a curved enclosure. Three-sided configurations suit recesses where only one wall is open. Most traditional enclosures include adjustment ranges in the wall profiles to accommodate walls that aren't perfectly plumb — check the product specification for the exact adjustment tolerance before ordering.

What is a traditional shower enclosure?

A traditional shower enclosure is a shower screen or door system designed with period-inspired styling — visible frames with decorative profiles, substantial hinges, classic handles and optional patterned glass such as crosshatch or reeded panels. Unlike modern frameless enclosures, traditional designs make the metalwork a feature rather than minimising it, giving the shower a heritage character that suits period and classic bathroom schemes.

What glass options are available for traditional shower enclosures?

Traditional shower enclosures are available with clear, crosshatch and reeded (fluted) glass. Clear glass is the most open and lets the most light through. Crosshatch glass features a grid of glazing bars that reference period divided-light windows — the most distinctively traditional choice. Reeded glass has vertical ridges that offer privacy while still allowing light in. All options use toughened safety glass as standard.

What finishes do traditional shower enclosures come in?

Our traditional shower enclosure range includes chrome, brushed brass, polished nickel and, in some collections, antique bronze and aged pewter. Chrome is the most versatile and widely available. Brushed brass adds warmth and suits heritage schemes. Polished nickel is a softer, warmer alternative to chrome. Match the enclosure finish to your taps, towel rails and furniture hardware for a cohesive look.

Will a traditional shower enclosure work in a small bathroom?

Yes. A bi-fold or sliding door traditional shower enclosure is specifically designed for tighter spaces — the door folds or slides rather than swinging outward, so you don't need clearance in front of the shower. Enclosures start at 700mm wide, which suits compact alcoves. If the room is very small, a single fixed panel in a traditional frame can also work as a shower screen over a bath, giving you period styling without a full enclosure footprint.

How do I choose the right size traditional shower enclosure?

Measure the width of your shower tray or recess at both top and bottom — walls in older properties are often not perfectly plumb. Match that measurement to the nearest standard enclosure size. Most traditional shower enclosures include an adjustment range of 20–30mm in the wall profiles to accommodate variations. Check the product specification for the exact adjustment tolerance. If you're replacing an existing enclosure, also confirm the tray shape (square, rectangular or quadrant) to ensure the new enclosure configuration matches.

Can I pair a traditional shower enclosure with modern tiles?

You can. A traditional shower enclosure paired with simple metro tiles, plain marble-effect panels or large-format neutral tiles creates a look that balances heritage character with a cleaner, less busy backdrop. The enclosure provides the period detailing while the simpler tile lets it stand out. Where it becomes more difficult is pairing a heavily patterned traditional enclosure (crosshatch glass, ornate frame) with equally busy tiles — keeping one element simple usually gives the better result.

Are traditional shower enclosures as watertight as modern ones?

Yes. Despite the more visible framing, traditional shower enclosures use the same sealing technology as modern designs — magnetic door strips, bottom sweeps and silicone-sealed wall channels that prevent water escaping. The frame profiles actually provide additional contact points for seals, which can make framed traditional enclosures more forgiving than frameless designs in terms of water containment. As with any enclosure, correct installation and properly sealed wall profiles are the key to a watertight finish.

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