If your shower door has been dropped or damaged, you can still repair it But if you’re tired of your old shower door, if you’re remodeling your bathroom, or if you’re installing a new shower – shopping for a shower door should be the next to-do on your list. And with the many options you can find on the market; you might get overwhelmed.
Here are some helpful tips for choosing the right shower door:
1. Set a standard with the shower door that you want
Because all bathrooms are different, you have to establish some clear expectations and standards when shopping for a shower door. If you are simply replacing a shower door for an existing bathroom, take a look around your bathroom and decide where you want the door’s hardware and track to be, and match it with the finishes already there. For instance, if you have silver faucets and silver toilet flushes, you may want to go for a shower door with silver hardware.
If you’re having a fresh start, make sure it coordinates with other items in your bathroom. Set up a plan for a design theme and aesthetic you want to achieve, as well as the color scheme you want for your new bathroom.
Ask yourself some of these questions:
- How much space do I have?
- How much privacy do I need with the shower?
- How accessible does my shower need to be?
- What aesthetic am I going for?
- How much is my budget?
- Answer these simple questions to simplify your search.
2. Measure your space
Take careful measurements of your space to make sure it will fit your space. Write it down on a notebook or your phone’s notepad app, so you can get back to it when you’re shopping. No matter how lovely and perfect a shower door is – if it doesn’t fit your space, it will do you no good.
Measure both the height and the width of your current shower door or planned door space. Measure it to the nearest 1/16th of an inch at the widest point. It’s also advisable to measure in several different places – the width at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom of the shower door. Hopefully, all three would match up, but if not, always go with the biggest measurement.
3. Choose from framed or frameless doors
Frameless doors are all the rage when it comes to bathroom trends today. For one, they look nice because the seamless design looks minimalistic and modern. It allows you to show off your shower interiors, especially if you installed gorgeous tile walls and a sleek showerhead.
Besides the aesthetics, frameless doors also benefit a homeowner by being easier to clean. They are resistant to molds because they have fewer crevices for molds to sneak into. The lack of frames also means there are fewer areas for soap scum to build upon. Scrubbing the frameless shower door is rarely needed – all you need is to wipe it down regularly.
But for a door to last long without a frame, it must be made of thicker, higher-quality glass like tempered glass, so expect frameless doors to be costlier. Also, there is no room for error when installing this type of door properly – even the slightest gaps in the panels increase the risk of water leaking out of the shower and for the draft to enter. So, when choosing a frameless door, you need the help of a professional to install it, which adds to the already high cost. Generally, a frameless shower costs twice as much as a basic, metal-enclosed shower door.
Meanwhile, a framed shower door is made of glass, with an aluminum frame installed as an additional barrier to protect the rest of the bathroom from being splashed on. You will need extra diligence to clean a shower door frame because it can accumulate soap and scum buildup. Plus, a framed door gives a more traditional and old-fashioned look.
The plus side of having a framed door is that you will have a smaller chance of leaks than getting a frameless door. You also get the opportunity to match the metal with other hardware in the bathroom to create a more cohesive style. Also, framed doors have versatile installation methods that can fit over any existing shower design.
Framed shower doors are also more affordable, and you can choose from designs that can be as eye-catching as their frameless counterparts.
If you can’t make up your mind, semi-frameless doors are also available. It’s a great choice if you like the contemporary look of a frameless one, but the layout of your bathroom or your budget won’t allow it.
4. Decide if a hinged or a sliding door is suitable for your shower
Sliding doors are great whether your bathroom has a bathtub/shower combination or is lacking space. Because the slider is built into the frame of the shower, there’s no need to consider the space for the shower door to open. It’s the perfect option if space is an issue, but if your shower or bathtub is on the smaller side, it might not be an option. Usually, sliding glass doors are designed for stalls that are at least 60 inches wide.
If you have a narrower stall, you may have difficulty finding a sliding door model that will fit. If this is your case, then a hinged door is the best option. Hinged doors are also great in bathrooms, with sufficient space for the door to open.
Hinged shower doors work like any household door – they open either inward or outward. A popular design is a fixed panel with a hinged door attached. The panel protects a portion of the shower, while a door offers access from inside and out.
In most cases, shower doors open out. But it’s possible to install doors that open inward if it’s the better option. When choosing a hinged door, make sure that it has sufficient space inside the shower area if it opens inward. If it opens outward, check if there will be sufficient space to use the toilet and sink while the shower door is open.
5. Pick your shower glass
Decide on the type of glass you prefer for your shower door: the material, opacity, and design.
For starters, you’ve got tempered glass and laminated glass. Most shower doors are made with tempered glass, which is the same kind of glass used in car windshields. In rare cases, laminated glass is also used. Laminated glass is made of a layer of plastic in between, which can help catch any glass if the door were to break.
After choosing the glass material, decide on its opacity. If you are looking for a shower door for a shared bathroom, it’s best to choose a frosted glass panel. It offers privacy, and it allows other people to use the sink or the toilet while someone is using the bathtub or shower. It’s also easier to maintain, as the frosty tint conceals grime and water spots.
On the other hand, clear glass shower doors open up space and make the room appear larger. It doesn’t offer privacy, but it does the purpose of keeping other parts of the bathroom dry. It’s a great choice for personal or master’s bedroom showers where privacy is not much of a need. If the natural light from a nearby window energizes your shower, a clear glass door is a classic choice. However, it needs constant cleaning and maintenance to maintain its pristine condition.
If you want privacy but the opaqueness of a frosted glass doesn’t appeal to you, etched glass is also an option. Etched glass combines clear and frosted glass, often with designs and patterns.
6. Set up a budget
From the start, you must be expecting to spend several hundred dollars on a new shower door. The cheapest kind can range anywhere from $100-$800, and these are generally the kind of shower doors that you install on a bathtub. Framed shower doors usually go for anywhere between $200-$1,000.
Things start to get more expensive when you choose custom shower doors. If your bathroom and shower have an unusual size and proportion, a custom door might be your only option.
Things to Consider Before Buying
It’s not as easy as just picking the most attractive door when you’re looking for a new shower door. There are a lot of things to remember, but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a difficult or lengthy task.
The following is a list of factors to take into consideration while looking for doors, ranging from measures and floor space to your budget and the best finish.
Measurements
The ideal shower enclosure door requires precise measurements. Once you’ve bought it, problems are expected if you get it wrong. Your new shower door shouldn’t arrive and then turn out to be the incorrect size.
Use a tape measure to get the most precise measurements rather than estimating. Please provide the dimensions in millimeters, preferably width, depth, and height.
Take the dimensions of the existing shower tray if you have an old shower door and are just replacing it to determine what you need.
Location of shower enclosure
The location of your shower enclosure may also affect which door you can have. There might not be as much room for a door in a corner shower as there is in the middle of a wall.
Consider where your shower is or will be located and select a door that fits best there.
Size of space
We understand that it may be tempting to spend a lot on your new shower enclosure door, but doing so will only cause problems when it comes time to install it. Following the taking of your measurements, make sure you stick by them and select a shower door that will fit into the space that has been allotted for it.
Shower enclosures are typically 800 × 800 and 900 x 900 millimeters in size. Sizes outside of this range could require the services of a specialized personalized apparel manufacturer.
Avoid buying a shower door that is excessively wide, tall, or deep. Avoid making your shower plans too large, especially if your bathroom is small, as this will make the space look very feng-shui-friendly and leave little room for movement.
On the other side, if your bathroom has a lot of space, you can choose a larger size because a smaller one might seem odd. Not to add that a tiny shower could make you feel a little confined!
Design
The design you want should then come to mind. There are several possible styles, making it difficult to settle on one. However, limiting your options somewhat with a fixed budget will help.
Which shower enclosure door you choose will depend on the size of your bathroom, the style of your current decor, and your personal preferences. Think on the appearance you desire. Do you desire a slick, polished appearance? Transparent glass doors would certainly elevate the space if that were the case.
Frosted glass is a great choice if you want additional seclusion. Not to add, they create gorgeous bathroom accessories.
Finish
The decor in your bathroom and your personal preferences will usually influence the finish you choose for your shower door. But there are some other elements.
Clear glass
Modern and fashionable, clear glass doors go well in most bathrooms. They are ideal for ornate or artistically tiled shower walls that you wish to showcase due to their great visibility. They can also create the appearance of extra space by opening up tiny bathrooms.
Frosted glass
Frosted glass doors provide excellent seclusion because of their opaque appearance. Additionally, they can make your shower a true focus point. They can be more difficult to keep clean, though, because the pattern tends to conceal dirt and grime better than transparent glass.
Patterned doors
Shower doors featuring patterns, such as droplets or a downpour, are created in a variety of ways. Although more transparent than frosted coatings, this provides privacy.
The Different Types of Shower Doors
As opposed to individuals who have walk-in showers installed, you’ll need to pick a door style to prevent water from leaking out. Different shower doors can be installed due to the diverse shapes and styles. We’ve listed the most typical shower door types below.
Hinged shower doors
Doors with hinges are probably the most straightforward design option. They work with both curved and straight shower enclosures, opening and closing on the hinged side.
To prevent water or steam damage to your bathroom, they offer a tight enclosure. You can choose one to fit your decor because it is a traditional and timeless door design and is frequently offered in a variety of styles.
Having said that, a hinged door is preferable for larger bathrooms because it opens into the space, requiring more room around the shower enclosure. For shower enclosures that are rectangular or square, hinged doors are a great alternative.
Pivot shower doors
Pivot doors are another elegantly straightforward door type that only opens and closes. In addition, depending on your preferences and the available space, they can be made to open inward or outward.
Pivot doors can sit flat against the shower enclosure wall and open extremely widely. Don’t store anything on that side that might prevent the door from opening the way because of this.
Pivoting doors are best for larger bathrooms because of how wide they open; otherwise, they could make a tiny space feel quite crowded.
If you have carpets or rugs, doors that open outward run the risk of soaking them up. Bathrooms with wet rooms or non-slip floors benefit from pivoting doors.
Sliding shower doors
Small bathrooms might benefit from sliding shower doors since they offer a narrow and compact shower enclosure. No matter what form enclosure you have, sliding doors are available that can be used with curved shower cubicles.
Another excellent choice for small bathrooms is sliding doors, which don’t require any additional space. You won’t have to worry about wasting any space because they don’t open outward.
Given that guest bathrooms are frequently smaller than master bathrooms, a sliding door would be excellent if you have one.
The only disadvantage is that they might have to squeeze into a smaller shower enclosure. However, as guest bathrooms are typically less frequently used than main restrooms, this is typically not a problem.
Bi-fold shower doors
Then there are bi-fold doors. Not only are they highly practical, but they also exude style and elegance. Your bi-folding door often has two or three folds, saving space while being significantly more fashionable than a conventional door.
Bi-fold doors look great in contemporary bathrooms and may make shower stalls focal points. A bi-fold door is what you need if you want to give your bathroom an instant boost of chicness and flair.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Shower Door?
The cost to install a new shower door typically ranges from $160 to $550. However, bear in mind that depending on the door type you select, this may change.
Frameless doors, which are more expensive than framed doors, are a good illustration of this. The type of glass you choose, particularly tempered glass, may have an impact on the cost. This particular toughened safety glass is far more durable and stable than conventional glass.
What is the Best Type of Shower Door?
This is entirely dependent upon your wants and the design of your bathroom at the time. The type of shower enclosure door you can have will depend on the size of your bathroom, so don’t forget to consider that.
It can be challenging to select one style from the many that are offered. Traditional transparent glass doors are great for giving the space a tidy and fashionable edge. A frosted glass door, on the other hand, is the finest choice for individuals who like greater privacy.
Framing is another factor. Typically, there are three options available: framed, semi-framed, and frameless. A frame that surrounds the glass panels of framed doors provides a definite border.
They are typically made of aluminum or a composite material, and they have a beautiful appearance. Additionally, they frequently come in a range of finishes, making it simpler for you to match the shower enclosure door to your bathroom.
Finally, there are frameless doors, which are significantly simpler to maintain. In contrast to framed doors, which can make the space feel more confined, they can make even a small bathroom appear larger.
A frameless door often has glass that is about 3/4 inches thick, making it much heavier and simpler to operate. The glass panels may also include a robust towel rail, increasing the practicality of your shower enclosure.
The ideal of both worlds is offered by semi-framed doors. The door itself is frameless but has metal around the edge, giving your shower a very upscale and modern appearance.
Conclusion
The practicality and appearance of your bathroom can be significantly improved by choosing the proper shower door. It is crucial to take into consideration aspects like your preferred material, desired level of seclusion, and the size and layout of your shower. Due to its attractive design and simple maintenance, frameless shower doors are a popular choice, although framed shower doors provide a more classic appearance and increased durability.