Showers typically fall under three types and the shower door you pick mostly depends on the design. There are bath tub showers, walk-in enclosures located in a corner and alcove stand-alone stalls.
A 4th type, barrier-free showers, is a subset of alcove showers or corner showers. This type of setup has a doorless design with a modern look. It can likewise provide a smooth entry to enhance availability for wheelchairs.
In addition to the type of shower enclosure you have, you'll require to think about the bathroom's design, the measurements of the opening and the offered area around the shower to figure out the direction in which the door opens.
Bypass or Sliding Doors
Bypass or moving shower doors are a typical solution for a small bathroom or bath tub showers.
- Consist of two and often three panels that move along each other on tracks
- Sliding door operation requires no floor area for opening door
- Ideal for large openings, with a typical opening of 60-inches broad
- Some designs are developed for alcove walk-in showers
Pivot or Hinged Doors
Hinged shower doors swing open from a single side on corner or alcove walk-ins.
- Ideal for openings that are too narrow to accommodate a bypass door
- Can be integrated with inline repaired panels in wide alcove enclosures
- Some models have hinges to enable door to swing both inward and outside
Round Doors
Round shower doors are a space-saving alternative for corner walk-in shower stalls.
- Ideal for corner standalone showers
- Often reversible for right or left access
- Open by slider or design can have a bypass operation or hinged opening
- Curved glass style reduces the shower's footprint in the restroom
- Attached to the top and bottom of the frame for stability and smooth operation
Neo-Angle Doors
Neo-angle doors are designed to fit neo-angle shower enclosures for corner installations.
- Take up less floor space than a rectangular shape style
- Some designs have reversible doors for left or right entry
Barrier-Free
Barrier-free showers have a fixed door panel near the shower head.
- Fixed door panel shields spray from the bathroom floor, but no door at the opposite end
- Design can make a restroom feel larger and modern-day
- Opening is typically wider than conventional shower doors, providing simpler access for those who need it
Dimensions and Measuring
Precise measuring is vital to make sure a correct suitable for your shower door.
The majority of brand-new shower doors can be changed slightly to fit a range of openings and accommodate walls that aren't perfectly square. Even so, the door you select should very closely match both the width and height of your shower's opening.
Tip: If the enclosure area is new, do not take any measurements until the shower is complete and the walls are finished. Product on the wall, such as backerboard and tile, can lower the wall-to-wall width by as much as 1-inch on each side.
Follow these steps for precise measuring:
- Measure the opening width. If these differ, pick a door using the bigger width for a bypass door or the smaller sized width for a pivot door.
Figure out the distance from the top of the tub edge or shower base to the top of the wall unit or tile wall where you desire the door to be located. Select a door with a height less than or equal to the tiniest of these measurements.
Pointer: Single panel doors are seldom broader than 36-inches broad. For bigger openings, pair a door with a stationary inline panel.
If you are thinking about a hinged door, be sure that the door has room to swing open without striking any blockages. Extend a tape measure to the width of the door. Hold one end of the tape go here where the door hinge will be located and pivot the other end to make sure there is clearance for opening.
Frame Design
Shower doors are framed or frameless.
Framed doors
- Have aluminum, stainless steel or composite material framing the glass panel
- Include a track that gathers and traps water, needing regular cleansing
- Framed pivot shower doors just open outward
- A variety of finishes are readily available to match your decor
Frameless doors
- Have a newer design style with through-the-glass mounted hardware and various densities of glass
- Easier to keep tidy
- Create a feeling of spaciousness
- Frameless pivot doors often can open in or out
Glass
The thickness of the glass in your shower door depends on structural and style aspects, such as whether the door is framed or frameless. Glass density isn't a concern for framed doors because the glass is secured in a metal frame. Normally, the thicker and much heavier the glass is, the more steady and smoother gliding the door will be.
Clear glass shower doors showcase tile and stonework in the shower and can make the little area of your restroom feel bigger.
Frosted, textured or patterned glass shower doors use differing levels of privacy and can add a stylish aspect to the bathroom.
Pacific Mirror & Glass LLC is Kauai's Glass Shop for Mirrors, Shower Enclosures, Storefront Glass, Glass Railings, Sliding Patio Doors and more.
For more information contact:
Pacific Mirror & Glass LLC
5675 Kawaihau Rd Ste B2
Kapaa, HI 96746
(808) 635-9696
https://www.pacificmirrorandglass.com/