There are many types of shower doors exist. Selecting one without considering multiple aspects will not going to serve the purpose. This can lead you to confusion and wrong choices. It is necessary to get in-depth insights into the various shower types to avoid that.
This will help you select an appropriate shower door per your bathroom size and decor. This article aims to provide information on every single aspect of each type of shower door. Sounds curious? Don’t stop reading and scrolling!
Related reading: How to Install a Shower Door?
Shower Door – An Overview
The Shower door is a door that plays a key role in preventing water from coming out from the shower/bathtub area. It ensures access to a water-tight bathing area. Many types, styles, and designs exist in shower doors. Shower doors come in different materials, such as glass, plastic, or metal. You can choose anyone as per your requirements.
Types of Shower Doors
Many types exist when it comes to shower doors. Get insights on all of them right below:
Types Based on Structural Support
- Framed Shower Doors
- Frameless Shower Doors
- Semi-Frameless Shower Doors
Types Based on Closures
- Bi-Fold Shower Doors
- Sliding Shower Doors
- Pivotal Shower Doors
- Tri-Fold Shower Doors
- Stationary Panel
Types Based on Glass Used
- Frosted Glass Door
- Pebble Glass Door
- Tinted Glass Door
- Clear Glass Door
Types Based on Shower Shape
- Round Doors
- Neo Angle Shower Doors
Types Based on Structural Support
The key types, depending on the structural support, are as follows:
Framed Shower Doors
The framed shower doors use metal frames to support glass panels. These doors are widely available and have a lower cost associated. The option exists to choose different sizing, thickness, colors, or materials of frames in framed doors.
The good thing about these doors is that the metal frames use rubber seals to prevent water leakage. An undesirable about the frame doors is that they can easily trap debris or dust. So, cleaning these doors is hectic and effort-demanding.
Frameless Shower Doors
In these shower doors, there is no frame present. These doors are minimalist and more visually appealing. These shower doors require metal brackets to ensure solid installation regardless of frames. These brackets play a great role in holding the door in place. Another notable thing about frameless shower doors is that they utilize heavy and thick glass compared to frame doors.
The cost of these doors is high because they utilize more glass material. You can experience water leakage from these doors because of the absence of a frame.
Semi-Frameless Shower Doors
The semi-frameless shower doors are the doors that lie in between the framed and frameless doors. Some part of these doors contain frame, and some part is frameless. These doors usually have frames present on the bottom and the top, while the sides are frameless.
Unlike the frameless doors, these doors prevent water from leaking into the bathroom. The cost of these doors is slightly greater than that of the framed doors. Apart from this, these doors do not contribute to the minimalist look and aesthetics.
Types Based on Closures
Depending on closure, multiple types exist when it comes to shower doors. Get highlights on the key types down below:
Bi-Fold Shower Doors
The bi-fold shower doors are the doors that contain a hinge right between the two panels. This door type folds in an inward direction when you open it. You can save up sufficient space using this door type. There is no shortage in sizes for the bi-fold shower doors. You can get any size you want in these door types.
These doors have bigger frames than glass panels, which hinders the outside view from the shower area. Don’t choose the doors with thin frames and cheap quality as it will deteriorate the look of your bathroom.
Sliding Shower Door
Another name for these doors is bypass doors. You can slide the door behind the glass panel. This adds up to the space-saving. For even smaller and more compact bathrooms, these doors are highly desirable. These doors come in both frameless and framed options. At the same time, framed sliding door is the most popular among them.
The sliding doors are a cost-effective solution among other shower door options. The presence of frames on the bottom and top of the framed doors trap dirt and debris. Another undesirable of this door is that it features smaller openings.
Pivotal Shower Doors
The pivotal shower doors feature a hinge system on one side of the door. The other side contains a handle for door opening/closing. A notable thing about these doors is that you can install them on any shape shower enclosure.
The pivotal hinges are completely different from the regular hinges. This is because you can close or open these doors inward and outward. When installing these doors, make sure to put them in the center. This will allow you to get the most out of these doors.
Cleaning these doors is simple as they do not allow debris or dirt to accumulate. These doors allow you to personalize them in any way or shape. The opening of these doors is greater than those of the sliding doors.
Opening these doors in an outward direction requires space. Another thing is that these doors allow the water to escape because of both directions opening.
Tri-Fold Shower Doors
The Tri-fold doors are similar in function in comparison to the bi-fold. But the only difference is that two hinges exist in between, thus connecting up three glass panels. Also, you can use the tri-fold doors as bathtub doors.
One notable feature of this door is that it is compatible with multiple showers. Installing these doors you can save up plenty of space. The life of this door is less than that of a sliding or stationary door.
Stationary Panel
A stationary panel should be your top priority if you are after a cheap and cost-effective door. You can install this panel on the shower side. By installing this door or hindrance, you don’t need to install the curtains.
In the stationary panel, there are negligible moving components. The look and design of the stationary panel add up bathroom aesthetics and give it a modern look. Undesirable include you cannot enjoy complete privacy. You can also experience sufficient water leakage from this type of shower door.
Types Based on Glass Used
Now get highlights on the shower doors that can be used depending on the glass type:
Frosted Glass Door
The frosted glass doors refer to the shower doors, which feature a design similar to the steam building up. You can enjoy better and greater privacy with this door. This door is good when multiple people use a single bathroom.
The maintenance and cleaning of these doors is effortless and convenient. The only con of this glass door is that it prevents light reflectance and makes your bathroom appear darker.
Pebble Glass Door
The pebble glass door is a shower door that features slight opaqueness. Besides this, it caters to optimum distortion to objects and people on either glass side. No one can see clearly through this glass. Hence, it ensures optimum privacy. It adds up to the unique styling for glass doors.
Tinted Glass Door
If you are after a unique level of glass door for your bathroom, then tinted glass will serve the best. This glass features similar to the frosted glass, but the only addition is its multiple colors. When it comes to contemporary design, this glass is unmatchable.
This glass type ensures a complete level of privacy. The cons of this glass door is that not everyone finds it attractive. Apart from this, it adds up to the darkness of your bathroom by featuring zero reflectance.
Clear Glass Door
The term clear in the clear glass reflects that these doors are transparent. You can look through these doors. These doors are suitable for showing other details like tiling or bathroom fixtures, etc. They add up to the minimalist look of your bathroom and make them aesthetically pleasing.
You can add more openness to your bathrooms with clear shower doors. The cons is that you cannot enjoy complete privacy using these doors.
Types Based on Shower Shape
The shower shape also impacts the design of the door you are going to choose. Some of the key types of doors regarding the shower shape include:
Round Doors
The round doors are those shower doors that feature a contemporary look. They have a round shape. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a sliding or hinged one. With these doors, you can enjoy spacious corners for the shower.
You can add distinctive and unique styles using these doors. The person showering inside can enjoy sufficient space for a convenient shower. This shower door is costly and consumes valuable space in your bathroom.
Neo Angle Shower Doors
The Neon Angle doors are those shower doors that feature an angle within the door. These doors serve best when utilizing corner spaces for showers. It comprises three glass panels. Two remain stationary on either side, while the center one acts as a door. An option exists to use this door if you want to show off bathroom fixtures and tiles.
final words
The above is a detailed introduction to the types of bathroom doors. I hope that after reading this, you can choose the bathroom door that suits you according to your needs and make your life better. If you want to choose a bathroom door you like, George bathroom will be a good choice for you, You can click here to contact us, and we will reply to you within 30 minutes
