Walk-in showers

What does walk-in mean and why choose an open shower enclosure?

The term “walk-in” comes from English and literally means “to walk in.” In practice, it refers to a pass-through shower that you can enter easily without opening a door.

A typical walk-in shower includes:

• fixed glass panel(s)
• an open entry
• often no shower tray (“level-floor” installation)

This creates an open shower that visually enlarges the space and exudes luxury.

Why choose a walk-in shower?

Walk-in showers offer several advantages over traditional shower enclosures:

• Barrier-free access – ideal for families with children, seniors, or people with limited mobility.
• Modern design – a minimalist frameless walk-in panel looks elegant and timeless.
• Easy maintenance – cleaning a single large glass surface is much faster and more convenient than scrubbing complex profiles and folds of sliding doors.
• Flexible layouts – each walk-in shower can be adapted to the bathroom layout.
• Durability – no hinges, tracks, rollers, or magnetic seals means no wear on mechanical parts.

What to consider before buying a walk-in shower?

Choosing an open shower space requires more careful planning than purchasing a traditional enclosed box. Because there are no doors, you must assess the room’s technical possibilities right from the start. Here’s an overview of key questions to resolve before selecting a model.

Focus on the following points during project planning:

• Does your floor allow for a shower drain installation? A doorless walk-in shower requires perfect water drainage, best achieved with floor-level channels and drains. Sufficient construction height is needed for the siphon installation.
• Is the floor slope correct? To prevent water from spilling into the rest of the room, the shower floor must have an optimal slope toward the drain, ideally 1.5–2%.
• Where will you place the shower faucet and head? The position of the overhead shower significantly affects the water spray direction. It should aim toward the longest glass panel of the walk-in enclosure.
• How will you handle ventilation? A freely accessible walk-in shower naturally releases more humidity into the bathroom than a closed cabin, so a quality exhaust fan is essential.
• Do you have underfloor heating? If yes, it’s beneficial to extend heating cables or pipes under the shower area to help wet tiles dry faster after showering.

Answering these questions will help you avoid unpleasant surprises during installation. Proper preparation is half the success.

How to choose and determine the size of a walk-in shower?

When planning dimensions, one basic rule applies: the larger the panel, the less water will escape from the shower area. Size is the most important parameter for overall user comfort.

We often receive questions about optimal walk-in shower size. For full functionality, the main glass panel should be at least 120 cm long, ideally 140–160 cm. This length safely contains the majority of splashing water. The entry width should be approximately 60–70 cm to allow comfortable passage for all family members.

If space is limited and the main panel can only be 90–100 cm long, we recommend a model with an additional pivot panel. This short glass piece (usually 30–40 cm wide) can be angled inside the shower to create an effective water barrier without compromising the open-space design.

Panel width

We offer solutions for any space. Panel widths range from compact 35 cm (used as side or auxiliary panels) to generous 160 cm models for spacious showering.

Recommendations:

• Minimum width: approx. 80–90 cm
• Comfortable width: 100–120 cm
• Luxury: 140 cm and above

Type of glass infill

The glass material significantly affects shower appearance and privacy. Three main options are available:

• Clear glass – classic, maximizes light, does not visually reduce space.
• Textured glass – adds design effects, gently diffuses light, partially conceals the interior.
• Frosted glass (sandblasted or satin) – offers maximum privacy while masking water spots or soap residue.

Frame and stabilizing bar color

Metal elements should harmonize with other bathroom fittings, such as shower faucets or accessories. Choose classic high-gloss chrome, pure white, or modern matte black for an industrial touch.

Construction type

Structurally, two options are available:

• Framed construction – glass is edged with a surrounding profile, enhancing panel strength and simplifying installation on uneven walls.
• Frameless construction – glass is held only by minimal wall profiles and subtle ceiling or wall braces, creating a perfectly clean, uninterrupted look.

Modern technologies and product surfaces

A quality doorless shower enclosure relies on advanced technologies for ease of use and maintenance.

All premium models in our selection are made of tempered safety glass 6–10 mm thick. This glass is extremely strong and impact-resistant. If broken, it shatters into small blunt fragments that do not cause serious injury.

A standard feature today is a special glass surface treatment, marketed as AntiCalc, EasyClean, or Coated Glass. This invisible nano-layer smooths the glass surface so water forms small droplets that run off rather than creating a continuous film. This minimizes limescale and dirt, making regular cleaning quick and easy.

Note: Even the best protective layer requires your help. To maintain a spotless appearance, use a rubber squeegee or window vacuum after each shower. This simple routine takes less than a minute but saves hours of scrubbing.

Installing a walk-in shower

Installing a walk-in panel requires precision and care. Even small deviations can cause glass instability or improper water drainage. 

SANITINO Tip: In addition to the glass, correctly choose and install other shower components. Proper shower faucet installation step by step is key, whether wall-mounted or elegant concealed. 

Walk-in shower maintenance

Maintaining an open shower enclosure is very simple. Use only gentle liquid bathroom cleaners and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive powders, steel wool, or harsh chemicals that could permanently damage the protective nano-layer. Regularly inspect silicone joints at the floor and walls to prevent water leakage under the tiles.

Trusted walk-in shower brands at SANITINO

Quality craftsmanship and stability are critical for open shower enclosures since the glass panel must safely stand without support from an opposing wall or door. At SANITINO, we work only with verified manufacturers who guarantee top quality and safety.

Our selection features popular brands such as Ravak, Ideal Standard, kielle, Aqualine, Polysan, Cersanit, Jika, Mereo, Gelco, and more.

Why buy walk-in showers from SANITINO?

Purchasing bathroom equipment from our e-shop provides numerous advantages that simplify your renovation. At SANITINO, we pride ourselves on an extensive and diverse selection of hundreds of walk-in shower models in various sizes, shapes, and designs. Most products are constantly in stock at our modern logistics center, enabling fast dispatch and quick delivery directly to your home. Selected models also include free shipping, which benefits your budget.

All products are sourced directly from reputable international and local manufacturers, guaranteeing 100% authenticity, top quality per item, and fair pricing. We regularly prepare promotional offers so you can purchase branded equipment at unbeatable prices.

If you are unsure about the correct dimensions, compatibility with the shower drain, or technical aspects of floor slope, our technical support is fully available. Our trained specialists will help you choose the best solution for your bathroom. Enjoy convenient online shopping with guaranteed reliability and create your dream walk-in shower with SANITINO today.