Understanding Shower Glass Coatings: Are They Worth It?

Are you planning to install a new custom shower in your home? This is exciting, but wait—have you ever considered shower glass coatings? 

These coatings can be very useful in protecting and retaining the quality of your shower glass. 

It's worth considering if you want to keep your shower glass streak-free with minimal effort. 

This guide will thoroughly examine shower glass coatings, what they do, and why they might be a good investment for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Shower glass coatings are hydrophobic—this means they repel water to prevent mineral buildup, stains, and corrosion.
• Coatings cut cleaning time by stopping soap scum and hard water stains from sticking to the glass. They protect against mineral deposits from hard water.
• Coated glass maintains a streak-free, shiny appearance, enhancing aesthetic value.
• Professional coatings can last 15+ years, while DIY coatings like RainX require frequent reapplication.
• Professional application adds about 30% to the cost of a shower door, but the long-term savings and reduced maintenance can justify the expense.
• Some drawbacks include upfront costs and limited application timing (during manufacture).
• Shower glass coatings are especially useful in hard-water areas.
• The right decision will depend on personal preference, cleaning habits, and budget.

What Are Shower Glass Coatings?

Shower glass coatings are specially applied hydrophobic coatings to the surface of shower glass. 

“Hydrophobic” means something that repels water, which helps explain the coating’s effectiveness at preventing mineral buildup, stains, and corrosion over time. 

The coating is applied to shower doors during manufacturing. It’s also available as a DIY product that can be applied to an existing shower.

How Do Shower Glass Coatings Work?

The coatings’ main job is to make water, soap scum, and dirt roll off rather than stick to the glass. After weeks or months of exposure to soap and hard water, uncoated shower glass will be marred by mineral build-ups, ugly white streaks, and smears. 

A coating allows water to bead up and roll off instead of sticking, leaving the glass looking clean longer.

Head to this article next to learn about the benefits of heavy shower door glass.

The Benefits of Shower Glass Coatings

While there are several benefits to using shower glass coatings, we’ll cover the most popular and practical ones here. 

These include:

Less time cleaning: The clearest benefit is that treated glass requires much less cleaning. Soap scum and hard water stains can build up over time if there is no coating on the glass, making cleaning more difficult. 

Coated glass can remain cleaner for longer, and a more straightforward cleaning regimen can be employed when it does get dirty.

Protection against mineral deposits: Hard water that contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium minerals can be very hard on glass shower doors. 

Mineral deposits from hard water are difficult to clean off without harsh chemicals or professional restoration and can make glass shower doors unsightly or unusable. 

Glass coatings act as a barrier that helps to protect glass showers and tubs from mineral deposits and other stains. This prevents harsh chemicals or professional restoration and keeps the glass clear and shiny.

Longevity of your shower glass: If left untreated, shower glass will get etched or eroded over time due to everyday exposure to water.

Particularly in homes with hard water, shower glass can be damaged even more easily.

By coating your shower glass, you can avoid the damage to your shower glass doors caused by daily use, making your investment worthwhile and lasting longer.

Aesthetic value: Coated shower glass is also more visually appealing. Water beads on coated glass, so it doesn’t streak or stain, and it never looks dirty. All of this makes for nicer-looking glass! 

Curious about the benefits of custom showers? We cover those in this article. 

Durability: How Long Do Shower Glass Coatings Last?

Among the most important criteria to weigh when evaluating shower glass coatings is longevity: a professionally applied coating should last 15 years or longer. Such coatings typically carry a lifetime warranty, giving homeowners added peace of mind.

Yet DIY options such as RainX remain more of a temporary fix. Despite their convenience, most are reapplied every few weeks or months. 

Homeowners using DIY products should be prepared for ongoing maintenance to continue gaining the protective benefits.

Popular Shower Glass Coating Brands

Numerous brands sell commercial-grade and do-it-yourself shower glass coatings, each with its advantages and warranties:

• ShowerGuard: PPG’s ShowerGuard is applied during the glass manufacturing process. It has a lifetime warranty and offers long-lasting protection from mineral and acid build-up and corrosion. 
• Diamon-Fusion: Another super-star of the pro coatings, Diamon-Fusion will give you a lifetime warranty and is widely used for the same durability and water and stain repellency. 
• EnduroShield: This option is less expensive than the others. It offers a 10-year warranty and protection comparable to that of ShowerGuard and Diamon-Fusion.
• RainX: DIY, easy to apply, but frequent reapplications (every few weeks is common) and more affordable. RainX is less durable than professional coatings.

Cost Considerations

While the professional-grade version of this product would be optimally applied to your shower glass by a professional, even DIY coatings can jump the installation cost. 

According to data from Angie’s List, on average, this will add about 30% to the cost of a shower door, or roughly $500 more for a coated door than an uncoated one. 

This might seem like a pricey front-end investment, but with reduced cleaning time, protection from hard-water stains, and the extended life of your shower glass, it might be worth it for some homeowners. 

DIY coatings are much less expensive but require reapplication more often and possibly less protection over the long term. Homeowners will have to weigh the cost upfront against the cost of upkeep. 

The Drawbacks of Shower Glass Coatings

Even though there are some obvious advantages, there are also a few potential disadvantages to using shower glass coatings.

Keep these things in mind before investing in shower glass coatings:

Price: For some homeowners, the added cost of coating their shower glass could be the deciding factor. Though the long-term savings may offset the added cost, the upfront price tag might be a deterrent.

Timing of Application: The coatings that provide the most protection are applied during manufacture. Therefore, this protection cannot be added after installing the shower doors.

There are some DIY options for people with uncoated shower doors, but these are less tough and must be reapplied.

Continuing Care: Coated glass requires less cleaning than uncoated glass, but it’s not maintenance-free. Mild cleansers should be used routinely to prevent the buildup of soap scum. Avoid harsh abrasives to maintain the integrity of the coating. 

Is It Worth the Investment?

In the end, whether to hire a service to apply a shower glass coating is a matter of personal preferences, budget, and cleaning habits. 

The coating is more than worth the installation cost in hard-water areas, or for anybody who showers multiple times a day.

This is thanks to its:

• Reduced cleaning time
• Protection from mineral stains
• Extended shower glass lifespan

On the other hand, if you don’t mind the frequent scrubbing or live in a soft-water area, the benefits might not justify the extra cost.

Visit this article next: How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Shower Glass.

Final Thoughts on Shower Glass Coatings

Glass coatings for showers will help keep your shower looking shiny and new for longer periods. It also cuts back on time spent scrubbing away hard water stains and protects the glass from lasting damage. 

The cost of professional coatings may be high. However, the savings from reduced maintenance and longer-lasting glass life justify the initial expense for many homeowners. 

If you remain unsure, you can always ask a professional to evaluate your shower and water characteristics so they can make a suggestion. Ultimately, it’s about what you value most: convenience, beauty, or durability.

If you want to discuss your shower glass, including custom options, contact Coastal Closets & Showers in Stuart, FL, today.