Article: 6 Basic Shower Door Styles | How to Select One
6 Basic Shower Door Styles | How to Select One
Shower doors are essential glass panels designed to provide access to the shower enclosure while preventing water from splashing outside. Updating or installing new shower doors can significantly enhance both the appearance and functionality of your bathroom. As you begin your search for the perfect shower doors, you'll quickly realize that there are numerous options available. These choices range from style preferences to the type of glass—whether clear, frosted, or etched. However, before diving into these details, it's important to first decide on the basic type of door that suits your needs.
Below, we explore the various types of shower doors and the key factors to consider when selecting the ideal one for your bathroom.
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Bypass Door
Ideal for: Tub/shower combos; wide shower stalls with limited space.
Bypass doors are sliding doors that function similarly to patio doors, featuring two glass panels that glide along tracks attached to the shower enclosure. These doors are commonly used in both standalone showers and combination tub/shower setups. Bypass doors are space-efficient since they don't require room to swing out into the bathroom. While most have metal tracks, frameless options are available for a more modern look, though they come at a higher price.
Pros:
- Great for tub/shower combos
- Easy to install with framed styles
- Among the most affordable shower doors
Cons:
- Frameless styles are more challenging for DIY
- Potential for water leaks with frameless designs
- Tracks can be difficult to clean
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Hinged Door
Ideal for: Shower stalls with ample space for door swing.
A hinged shower door is a glass panel that opens by swinging in one direction on pivoting hinges, like a typical passage door in your home. The door hinge can be attached to a stationary glass panel or the wall or shower surround.
A hinged shower door is a glass panel that swings open on pivoting hinges, similar to a standard door. These doors are often used in standalone showers and require sufficient clearance for the door to swing outward, though inward-swinging options may also be available. Hinged doors typically rest against bottom tracks when closed, which can make cleaning more cumbersome.
Pros:
- Suitable for shower/tub combos
- Easy DIY installation with framed styles
- Relatively affordable with framed designs
Cons:
- Frames can complicate cleaning
- Wet doors may drip onto the floor
- Requires ample clearance, making it less ideal for small bathrooms
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Pivot Door
Ideal for: Modern showers, including curved glass designs.
Pivot doors are swinging doors with pivot hinges that allow them to open 180 degrees in either direction. These hinges can be mounted on the side or center of the door, creating a revolving effect. Pivot doors are a great choice for curbless showers, which are becoming increasingly popular for homes needing wheelchair accessibility.
Pros:
- Trackless design for easy cleaning
- Elegant, low-profile appearance perfect for luxury bathrooms
- Suitable for curbless, wheelchair-accessible showers
Cons:
- Can be more expensive
- Difficult for DIY installation
- Potential for water leaks
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Bath Screen Door
Ideal for: Limited spaces.
Bath screens, also known as bi-fold or tri-fold doors, consist of multiple glass panels, with one typically fixed and the others folding in on hinges. These doors operate like folding closet doors, making them ideal for tight spaces as they don't swing widely into the room. Bath screens are generally easy for DIY installation and are moderately priced.
Pros:
- Efficient use of space
- Simple DIY installation
- Affordable and suitable for shower/tub combos
Cons:
- Less watertight than solid panel doors
- Tracks can be difficult to clean
- More seams, less elegant than solid panels
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Neo-Angle Door
Ideal for: Corner showers in small bathrooms.
Neo-angle doors are designed for corner showers and cut across the 90-degree angle of a corner. This configuration includes two smaller side panels and a door in the center, typically opening outward. These doors are often framed, making them relatively easy to install, though cleaning can be more involved due to the tracks.
Pros:
- Space-saving for small bathrooms
- Easy DIY installation for most styles
Cons:
- Tracks complicate cleaning
- Generally affordable but may lack luxury features
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Steam Doors
Ideal for: Steam showers with airtight enclosures.
Steam doors are designed to be airtight, allowing a shower to double as a steam room. These doors extend from floor to ceiling and often include transoms above the door for venting. Typically made of solid glass panels with an airtight seal, steam doors are a luxury option that offers a spa-like experience at home.
Pros:
- Seals in steam for a spa-like experience
- Trackless design is easy to clean
- Ideal for luxury bathrooms
Cons:
- Challenging for DIY installation
- Most expensive type of shower door
- Not suitable for small bathrooms
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