Showers generally fall under three types and the shower door you pick mostly depends upon the design. There are bath tub showers, walk-in enclosures located in a corner and alcove stand-alone stalls.
A fourth type, barrier-free showers, is a subset of alcove showers or corner showers. This kind of installation has a doorless design with a modern look. It can also supply a smooth entry to enhance availability for wheelchairs.
In addition to the type of shower enclosure you have, you'll need to consider the restroom's layout, the dimensions of the opening and the available 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 restroom or bathtub showers.
- Consist of two and in some cases 3 panels that slide along each other on tracks
- Sliding door operation requires no floor area for opening door
- Ideal for wide openings, with a typical opening of 60-inches broad
- Some designs are created 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 combined with inline repaired panels in large alcove enclosures
- Some designs have hinges to allow door to swing both inward and outward
Round Doors
Round shower doors are a space-saving choice for corner walk-in shower stalls.
- Ideal for corner standalone showers
- Often reversible for best or left gain access to
- Open by slider or style can have a bypass operation or hinged opening
- Curved glass design decreases the shower's footprint in the bathroom
- Attached to the top and bottom of the frame for stability and smooth operation
Neo-Angle Doors
Neo-angle doors are developed to fit neo-angle shower enclosures for corner setups.
- Take up less flooring space than a rectangle design
- Some designs have reversible doors for left or ideal entry
Barrier-Free
Barrier-free showers have a fixed door panel near the shower head.
- Fixed door panel guards spray from the bathroom flooring, however no door at the opposite end
- Design can make a restroom feel larger and modern-day
- Opening is typically larger than standard shower doors, providing simpler gain access to for those who require it
Dimensions and Measuring
Accurate measuring is important to make sure a correct fit for your shower door.
Most new shower doors can be adjusted 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. Material on the wall, such as backerboard and tile, can reduce 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 width for a pivot door.
- Measure the opening height. Identify the distance from the top of the tub edge or shower base to the top of the wall system or tile wall where you desire the door to be located. Measure vertically at both sides. The measurement must be to the nearby 1/16-inch. Select a door with a height less than or equal to the smallest of these measurements.
Suggestion: Single panel doors are seldom broader than 36-inches wide. For bigger openings, set a door with a stationary inline panel.
If you are thinking about a hinged door, make certain that the door has room to swing open without hitting any blockages. Extend a measuring tape to the width of the door. Hold one end of the tape where the door hinge will lie and pivot the other end to ensure 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, requiring regular cleansing
- Framed pivot shower doors just open outward
- A variety of finishes are available to complement your design
Frameless doors
- Have a more more here recent design style with through-the-glass mounted hardware and different thicknesses of glass
- Easier to keep tidy
- Create a sensation of spaciousness
- Frameless pivot doors frequently can open in or out
Glass
The density of the glass in your shower door depends on structural and design factors, such as whether the door is framed or frameless. Glass thickness isn't a concern for framed doors due to the fact that the glass is protected in a metal frame. Usually, 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 space of your restroom feel bigger.
Frosted, textured or patterned glass shower doors provide differing levels of personal privacy and can include a trendy element 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/