Thanks folks- We got the fixed panel installed today, and it looks great. Man it was stressful though!!! I think I drove poor DH crazy with having to stop every few minutes to carefully think through the next step, and arrange wood/towels/bubblewrap on every hard surface in sight! But its in, plumb and square and looks great. UNFORTUNATELY........ the fabricator seems to have sent the wrong hinges for the door. They seem to be the self-closing 90-degree type, and we needed the adjustable ones for the angled door. Of course they are closed until Tuesday, argh!! (This after they also forgot the setting blocks -which I luckily was able to find at a glass store that was open on Saturdays- so I am not sure I will recommend them. We'll see how they handle the hinge thing. Maybe we are just not seeing how they'd adjust, but I dont think so...) Anyway, I should have been showering in my new shower tonight, but looks like I will have to wait another week! On the plus side- we did not upgrade to Starfire glass (it wasn't offered and I did not think to ask) and after reading about it on GW here, I was worried about the green glass color, but it turns out it looks really, really great with the other palette in the room :) Tomorrow: vanity install! lennym: let me see how this company handles the hinge issue and then I'll post about them. They were the cheapest online vendor I found; maybe in this case you get what you pay for? They've been responsive and helpful thus far, though, and I know they are in the process of moving their showroom this weekend, so it may be a one-time honest mistake...

I'm sure if you shop around, you can find something less costly than the Perrin and Rowe with an exposed shower feed. Here's one from Grohe. From their web page: The Rainshower System adds a sophisticated, distinctively European flair to any stylish bathroom. The system accommodates the use of a Rainshower shower head and a hand shower with an exposed thermostat valve, shower arm, hand shower union, or tub spout with 1/2-inch hose connection. Because the system is surface-mounted, it is ideal for situations where the convenience and luxury of a Rainshower shower head and a hand shower are desired but major renovations are not possible  so not only does it look great, it's practical too. It comes in chrome or satin nickel. Here is a link that might be useful: Rainshower system

I loved Louisiana, we had a place on the river, and our memories are great ones! In regards to consumer loyalty, I think that has to be earned & appreciated. For example, we were going to buy our tile from The Tile Shop. The rep we had spent a good amount of time with us and during our second visit, not only were we promised contractor pricing but there had been a price hike and he promised to honor the original prices. I was so happy with this store & the rep, I was recommending them to anyone who was interested. However, once the rep (who's paid by commission) thought he had the sale "in the bag", he conveniently changed the pricing and when I questioned it, he just brushed it off saying this was the best he could do. He didn't even look at us when he said it, or offer any other explanation. Bottom line was "his best" wasn't what he had promised and quoted in writing previously. So the pricing increased 10% across the board, our discount was lowered and I was very annoyed. Unfortunately for the rep, when I'm annoyed, I go shopping, which is when I found a tile we liked just as well for substantially less. We saved over 500.00. My DH says we should have stuck with The Tile Shop because the guy spent so much time with us, I say he didn't deserve the loyalty because he didn't keep his word and was taking advantage. It's just my personal opinion, but I don't believe loyalty can't justify spending the amount of savings you are talking about, but only you can decide what is right for you. In regards to the differences in glass thickness, I think they are both safe and it's just a matter of preference and budget. I figured that if we're not happy with the door we got, they are easy enough to change and we upgrade later. HTH -- Lukki

On my last house, I had to decide if I wanted a frameless tub enclosure door or a shower curtain. I weighed the options.....we have hard water...and got the shower curtain. I can throw it away inbetween renters. A door would have protected the tile floors better than a shower curtain. And...there's a HUGE window above the tub, a door would have limited the light coming in the dappled glass. Curtains pull to the side... I also put a single canned light in ALL my showers . How much space between the top of the shower door and the showers framed in opening? We install shower heads @ 74" -84"....I usually look at windows and tile borders to decide on the height. Here.....labor can be 75% of a quote.....easily! Depends.....say on a tile job for instance. I got porcelain tile @ Lowes for .10cents a sq foot.....the labor to install it would be the same even if it was $20 a sq foot for the tile......unless I wanted every tile cut into 16 pieces and a picture of the Mona Lisa on the shower wall....then the labor might be 99% of my cost...:0) (DH jokes I cut my tile into too many pieces to get different looks....)