Kris recently asked, “We may need to install a tub/shower door due to the fabulous water pressure in the shower. is it possible to find a shower door that will complement the style and not look like an 80’s redo?” My thoughts:
First of all, you could find something vintage, preferably a door that included an etching of a naked woman, as above. I can’t remember where I got the photo, oopsy.
Note, though: Old shower doors may not be tempered glass, which means if you crash through them you could really seriously hurt yourself *another concern for owners of vintage home to be aware of.* Consult with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.
Some examples of vintage shower doors:
Above: A shower door with deer etched into it, like Amy’s 1953 Portland time capsule house.
…Fishes swimming in the sea, as in Shelly’s gray bathroom.
…Herons or cranes or egrets or whatever they are, as weed30 spotted in a time capsule house and posted on the Forum.
And ooh la la, this is a fine specimen — spotted over on Retro Ruth’s blog, NoPatternRequired. But warning: Don’t go look if you get upset by the house-flippers of old. This shower door got gutted for, big gulp now, large slabs of beige travertine or travertine knock-off yadda yadda yadda.
Or a vintage accordian-style shower door, like the one that Mary Deluxe spotted in a time capsule house…
Carrie has one of these folding shower doors, too.
Here’s another style of vintage shower door — notable for the chrome or steel or whatever metal that is triple-bar-thingie at the top. This is Randy’s Mermador shower door, and I think it must have been very high-end:
Here’s another lovely prewar (most likely) shower door that a reader spotted at Seattle’s Second Use. You know that post yesterday about the Streamline Moderne time capsule house? This is the kind of shower door you’d find in that sort of interior. This heavy, shiny metal framing is a moderne legacy.
Yet, the look continued on for a while. I captured this photo at an estate sale in Pittsfield — for a 1964 blue bathroom decked out with all kinds of Hall-Mack and Nutone accessories. It was a beauty!
I even go nuts for little things like the handles. And oh, the fluted (I think you call it… or reeded) glass.
Beyond naked vintage, For shower doors, I tend to recommend a simple, metal framed door with simple wavy ripple glass. You can get a peek at what I’m talkin’ about in this video about my blue bathroom renovation.
Metal, as in: Satin finish nickel in the above photo is from Basco. Ix-nay on the antique pewter, bronze, burnished copper, wrought iron, oil rubbed bronze etc. etc. that more rightly belong in contemporary homes.
Similarly, I went with the very simple “obscure” glass for the two showers in the bathrooms that I renovated. One of the good things about mid century bathrooms is that if you go with “period”, these simple finishes also tend to be the least expensive. Let other elements of your bathroom decor do the talking. Unless you can get naked ladies, of course.
Where to get a shower door? I went to my local glass and shower door shop — local guy, he could show me all the samples, he came to measure, and then installed. At the same time, I also had him install one of my mirrors. He was great.
MC Hirsch says
You may want to re-think using old shower doors. My aunt fell through the non-tempered glass “beautiful” doors, and nearly bled to death. Luckily (?) got away with just the loss of use of both arms due to ligaments being severed. Happy decorating. Tempered glass became required in 1977. Even that can cut you when it shatters, but nowhere near as badly.
Ruthie says
What is the proper term for the fully enclosed tile showers? I am sure “cave showers” as my Mother in law refers to them as isn’t correct.
pam kueber says
me no know
Joe Felice says
No tempered glass, but ours had metal wire inside the glass to hold it together.
Lydia says
Where can you find door like the cranes? I have a white tiled 1967 home and would love something like those, my is just the double no itching.
pam kueber says
The only cranes I know of: Vintage. Be careful of old glass though — it may not be tempered.
Terri says
I need a folding accordion style door to fit my tub/shower. Hardware still there just the door as this one fell apart. Clear or white only….
Thanks
Terri in PA
Carol says
http://www.showersolutionsusa.com/id24.html
This as a company that we found that makes accordian shower doors
pam kueber says
Wow! Awesome find, Carol, thank you!
Teri says
Carol,
Thanks a lot. will have to call! I hope they can make them for the hardware already installed from the 80’s That would be great!
Mucho Thanks!
Terri
Nina says
I have the first shower door pictured…the naked woman. I would LOVE to sell it. Any takers?
pam kueber says
Nina, you can list this on our buy/sell forum — https://retrorenovation.com/forums
You are more likely to find a buyer on craigslist… Good luck.
paula mayhew nichols says
i am interested in the naked lady shower door, but, i am too stupid to figure out how to use your page.
pam kueber says
There is not supposed to be any buying/selling here on the main blog or else it becomes chaos. See my note above – we have buy/sell forum.
Terri Smith says
If anyone has a set of Tub master bath shower doors to sell. I would like them?
I have a track and need replacement doors and can’t find anything to fit these tracks.
Thanks for any help!
Terri
Scranton, PA
mark says
recently closed on an old home with two vintage shower doors without tempered glass. frames are great and I hate to lose them even though I plan to rent the place. I’m considering having custom tempered glass made to fit the frames. any thoughts?
pam kueber says
Sounds like a good plan!
Josh says
Hi!
While my shower stall door is fine…..i’m having issues finding a period handle! Or any shower door handle, for that matter. I am looking for one similar to the one that is pictured above. I recently stayed at a crummy motel and the shower door had the perfect handle that I was tempted to take, because it was the perfect retro sideways “V” shape. Any ideas where I could find one, new or used? Thanks for the lovely site!
linda bruneau says
i have a vintage set of flamingo doors i purchased…my husband has discouraged me from installing them, because the old tracks are harder to clean out than the new. does anyone know if you can convert to the new tracks, but use the old doors?
Debbie says
Please let me know if you are interested in selling the flamingo doors. My house had these exact doors, but they were thrown out by the original owner before I closed on the house. I was heart broken.
Thanks, Debbie
Kathy says
Dear Debbie:
I have a shower door with a pelican etched on it. Would you be interested in it?
pam kueber says
Folks: No buying/selling here on the main blog or it quickly becomes chaos. If you have stuff to sell, list on craigslist or ebay.