Choosing a shower door for your bathroom is an easy choice. Right?
Honestly, making even the slightest mistake here could lead to a bathroom door that simply doesn’t fit inside your restroom area. And, this indeed is a cause of little concern.
So, how do you go about making the right choice when buying a shower door? Keep reading to know more.
There are two common types of shower doors, namely:
- Glass sliding shower doors
- Glass hinged shower doors
In order to pick a suitable choice, let us have a closer look at their features and specifications first.
Types of Shower Doors
It’s not merely the question of choosing between sliding or hinged shower doors. In fact, there are further sub-types to these.
Here’s taking you through the most popular shower door styles:
- Sliding Shower Doors
It is the simplest sliding door also many times referred to as the bypass door. It won’t open either inside or out. Rather, it moves along a line across the other glass plates.
- Pivot Shower Door
A Pivot door is a hinged door type that swings. This door opens externally and is only a feasible option to try for the standalone shower arrangements.
Most of the bathrooms featuring pivot doors are way too low (under 60 inches) to accommodate the sliding door option.
- Round Shower Door
Round doors tend to open internally. And the arc gives you additional room inside the shower, which makes it a popular and preferred option.
Also, cleaning the curved shower is extremely easy as gunk isn’t going to build up in the corners.
- Bifold Shower Doors
They are a hybrid of hinged and sliding shower doors since they have got both tracks as well as hinges.
Shower Door Specifications
- A “borderless” shower structure uses robust tempered glass (usually 3/8″ to 1/2″ thick), which does not require metallic support along its outer edges. The effect is a futuristic and clean look, devoid of visual obstructions.
- A less expensive shower door feature is to go with a frameless shower door. It is imperative to look for bonded strips, firm handles and licensed glass coating to pull off a qualitative look.
- Framed glass shower doors bordered by a heavy-duty Aluminium lining works best for those looking for an affordable yet stylish option.
Hinged Door Features
Hinged shower doors can take up more room than sliding doors, but they do have several unique attributes to look up to. Let’s have a closer look at these.
Wider Opening
Since hinged doors can open outwards at a 90-degree angle, they provide a broader entrance space. Such kinds of doors are also better for individuals who are having mobility issues.
Easy to maintain
Hinged doors need no paths to operate, so there’s no need to stress about rust or a gloopy residue piling up. It eventually makes the cleaning process super quick and hassle-free. All in all, these types of shower doors happen to be the easiest to maintain.
Aesthetically Appealing
Such types of doors, particularly the ones without borders, blend seamlessly with the rest of the shower set-up and the walls around it. Big hinges or tracks no longer disturb construction.
Despite so many impressive features, there are a few downsides too that you need to know as well.
Space eaters
Hinged doors demand ample space to function. If your bathroom is a bit constricted, you won’t be able to mount this form of the shower door.
Water leakage issues
While you are taking a shower, some of the water may leak out through the hinged door. Once you are done bathing, you might have to clean the mess outside using a towel or mop.
Sliding Shower Door Features
Several features make glass sliding Shower Door as an absolute favourite with many homeowners. Let us have a quick look at these asunder.
Seamless appearance
You can match nearly any shower with a sliding door, irrespective of its size? They are constructed to impart a streamlined look to your bath. Since a sliding door will not stop the light from entering the tub, it will help bring together the rest of your bathroom architecture.
Utilitarian Handholds
Sliding door handles aren’t just namesake. You can double them up as a towel, bathrobe, and other cloth holders. Also, since they extend across the door’s entire length, you could dangle multiple articles, all at once.
Fit for constrained spaces
Restricted restrooms spaces don’t always have enough room accommodating a hinged door alongside a tub. Since a sliding shower door doesn’t sway inwards or outwards, they can save your bathroom a lot of space.
Shower and tub Accessibility
Most of the sliding glass doors can be accessed from either end of the shower or tub. The set-up isn’t just right when you switch on the water and get in, but it also makes it much simpler to clean the inside of the shower.
For all these sliding shower door commendable attributes, these panels have their fair share of disadvantages too. You must know these before making any choice.
Cramped Entry
A sliding shower door can only open so wide? This could cause a problem for individuals who need a broader gap to get in, including adults trying to give their kids or pets a bath.
Difficult to clean
While the sliding door facilitates clean-up inside the shower easy, washing the door itself may be challenging. Note that the sliding doors are sitting on tracks and over the period these channels will collect water, oils, soap and other residues. If you’re not vigilant, then they could also start rusting.
The better choice for your bathroom
So, what kind of door is perfect for your bathroom? It all depends on your personal inclinations and your restroom dimensions. If you don’t have plenty of space, you might want to go with a sliding shower door. However, if you have a huge bathroom area and want something sleek and contemporary, it’s a good alternative to consider a hinged glass shower door option in that case.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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