Shower niche - floor to ceiling glass?

[PinkCamelias]

I have to choose a glass screen for a walk in shower. It has two walls, one open (short) end, and one glass screen 140 cm long. The width of the shower niche is 80 cm, and the ceiling is 225 cm high (it's in an attic). The builders persuaded me against a floor to ceiling glass screen because they said that it's better to have a gap at the top for the steam to escape. I regret listening to them because I think that a gap of 20 cm will look odd, and I will need to get a support bar for the screen, which I don't like.

The cons of getting a floor to ceiling screen now is the increased cost (there is no ceiling channel prepared, and I don't even know if that would work because what if a joist is directly above the shower?, plus made to measure glass), and it's a guest bathroom, not a main one. The pros is of course aesthetics!

So I guess what I'm asking is WWYD? Or is it true that a shower niche like that would indeed benefit from extra ventilation space and I should just get a normal 2 m high screen? All the photos I've seen of floor to ceiling screens were either where the screen is much shorter, or the niche is much wider.

My builders recommended a gap too because of the steam. Presumably it’s best practice to do it that way so I’d stick with it. You don’t really notice where the glass begins and ends.

I looked at what is available to buy where I am and I'm wondering whether it's a good idea to get a reeded glass screen? I thought they're more expensive than clear glass so excluded it initially but now I see it's much of a muchness. I like the look of this glass and given the position of the shower right by the door I'm considering it for privacy reasons too. Does it sound like a good idea, or is clear glass better (no visual obstruction, bigger space)? I'm attaching the options I have, and a photo where the shower niche is on the left, loo and vanity opposite on the right.

I've got this one https://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/nuie-fluted-wet-room-glass-wrfl18590

It's 1850mm high and the room is 2.3m high. Looks great

Thanks @Reallybadidea ! Do you have any photos? Is your setup similar to mine?

This is immediately after installation. I think the layout is different to yours and it's not a loft room (just relatively low ceilings). We do have a shower niche and the whole room is completely mould and mildew free 18 months after fitting. I really do think a screen right to the ceiling is asking for trouble with ventilation.

Didn't add the photo!

If you don't allow the steam out, the shower area will stay wet and go mouldy. Which would you prefer, 20cm gap at the top of the screen or black mould in your shower???

Thank you @Reallybadidea ! It looks great!

Perhaps I wasn't clear @ashiningbeaconinspace , I'm not considering a floor to ceiling glass now as it would be too expensive, and it's hood to know that other people were advised the same. My shower would be open at one end, which I thought was enough, but o accept it wouldn't and the gap is necessary. My second question was about reeded or clear glass only (ready made screens are usually 2 m high).

Sorry, it's not a very high quality photo but hopefully you get the idea. I reckon reeded glass is actually easier than plain glass to keep looking clean because you can't see water marks/limescale etc.

Yes I do @Reallybadidea ! I was wondering how opaque this glass was, and whether it wouldn't visually close the space too much. It doesn't look like it would, so I'm seriously considering it. It's only a bit of a pity that the screen that I could get has a rather thick profile, ca. 4 cm. I found a thinner one, but with clear glass, and in inox, while I need chrome. I could get a beautiful thin profile made to measure screen, but it's just too expensive.