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SHOWER DOOR BUYING GUIDE
A glass shower door not only elevates the functionality of your shower space but it transforms your bathroom with luxurious style. Whether you choose a fixed panel for a modern walk-in aesthetic or you're working with a traditional alcove setup, the perfect shower door will accent your decor and become a stunning centerpiece in your bathroom remodel.
As a homeowner, you can step into a luxurious showering oasis every time if you choose the right shower doors. Our shower door buying guide will help you find the best shower door options for your bathroom space.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT SHOWER DOOR FOR YOUR BATHROOM: WHERE TO BEGIN
There are multiple key factors to consider when searching for your ideal shower door:
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Door size
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Bathroom layout
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Shower enclosure dimensions
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Desired aesthetic
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Privacy considerations
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Shower door frame support
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Door opening functionality
This shower door buying guide will help you account for all these factors before scheduling professional installation. That way, you can have peace of mind throughout your bathroom remodel.
Bathroom Layout and Shower Configuration
When choosing your shower door, your most important consideration should be your bathroom layout. You need a shower opening that will match the size and shape of your shower enclosure.
Take measurements to ensure you’re getting the right shower door size. Consider the amount of room you have directly outside your shower and how that will affect your ideal shower opening mechanism.
Desired Aesthetic
You should also consider the aesthetic you’re after. Some shower doors are minimalist and modern, while others are heavy-duty and have thick frames.
Privacy
Your shower door can offer extra privacy if you want it. Consider the type of glass you want on the door (frosted glass versus clear glass). Frosted glass will blur everything out as you shower, while clear glass bears it all for bathroom occupants to see.
How the Door Operates
Different types of shower doors have unique opening mechanisms. For example, some open both outward and inward, and others slide open or operate on a hinge. Some types of shower doors also come with different amounts of support (frameless versus framed or semi-framed shower doors). We’ll dive into more of these details in this shower door buying guide.
MEASURING FOR YOUR NEW SHOWER DOOR
It’s essential that you take accurate, precise measurements before buying a new shower door. There are standard sizes to choose from, but it’s important that these sizes align with your existing shower walls and openings. Use these tips for taking shower door measurements:
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Measuring Height: Take top-to-bottom measurements of your shower stall
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Measuring Width: Take wall-to-wall measurements (top, middle, and bottom)
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Measuring Depth: Measure from the back wall to the shower opening
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Measuring the Opening: Get the dimensions of the shower’s opening
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Tools: Use a tape measure, level, and pencil
Record all the measurements you take and have someone else verify them if possible. Then, you can compare them to the standard sizes we offer at Vintage Tub & Bath.
COMMON SIZES
In this shower door buying guide, it’s important to include the standard sizes of shower doors. Choosing the right size before your shower door installation will help your door function seamlessly.
The most common sizes for shower doors are:
Compare these shower door sizes to your measurements. Smaller bathrooms will need smaller shower doors, but you may be able to incorporate unique shower door styles to make up for it.
POPULAR CONFIGURATIONS
Your door configuration will determine where and how your shower door installation takes place. Consider your bathroom layout and the location of any important fixtures, like vanities or sinks, before choosing a shower door style.
Reversible
Reversible shower doors are designed to accommodate a wide variety of bathroom layouts. They can be installed with either a right-hand or left-hand opening and are a great choice for smaller bathrooms.
Left- and Right-Wall Installation
Your shower door installation type will be centered around your shower walls. For bypass shower doors, you need both left and right-wall openings, but the installation will depend on the shower walls surrounding the door frame.
Hinged doors will be installed either in the center or to the left or right of your shower’s center point. This depends on the existing opening in your shower enclosure.
TYPES OF SHOWER DOORS
When planning your bathroom remodel, consider the various types of shower doors to find the best fit for your space and style. Each type of shower door functions a bit differently, so make sure to compare your existing layout and functionality preferences when making this choice.
Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors can close accordion-style as you open them. They fold back on the hinges to slide the door open. This is a great option for smaller bathrooms if you need to save space.
Bypass Doors
Bypass doors are bi-directional sliding glass doors. This means you can slide both glass panels in either direction to open or close the shower doors. They exude contemporary style and enhanced convenience for easier accessibility.
Hinged Doors
Hinged shower doors operate just like normal household doors. They open outward into the bathroom and are ideal for larger spaces. Consider the space surrounding your shower walls when selecting the opening direction of your hinged door.
Pivot Doors
Pivot doors are like hinged doors, except they can open both inward and outward. You can adjust the direction that the door opens during the installation. Like hinged doors, you should account for the surrounding shower space when deciding whether to install a pivot door.
Screen Doors
Shower screen doors are stationary or fixed. They don’t move and serve as partitions between the shower and the rest of the bathroom. These are usually frameless shower doors made of a glass panel and are ideal for creating a contemporary walk-in shower space.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are similar to bypass doors, but only one panel moves back and forth. This means there’s either a right-side or left-side opening into the shower.
Swing Doors
Swing shower doors include both pivot and hinged doors. They simply swing in one or both directions to create an opening into the shower.
TYPES OF SHOWER DOOR FRAMES
Your shower door frame will determine the stability and aesthetics of your shower enclosure. There are three categories to choose from: framed, semi-framed, and frameless shower doors.
Frameless Doors
Frameless shower doors have no metal supports or framing around them. They consist only of glass panels. These are very modern and appeal to minimalist aesthetics.
Semi-Frameless Doors
Semi-frameless doors contain an outer frame but don’t have complete framing between the glass panels. Think of semi-frameless shower doors as “outlined” doors; you get some metal support without interrupting the clear glass panels in the middle.
Framed Doors
Shower doors with full frames have metal supports all throughout the door, including in between panels. Fully-framed shower doors can be styled to look more modern, but they’re usually not ideal for minimalist or ultra-modern bathroom designs.
GLASS TYPES
The glass type you choose for your shower doors will determine the level of privacy you get. There are more glass types than you may think, and we’ll detail them in this shower door buying guide.
Clear Glass
Clear glass speaks for itself: it offers a clear, uninterrupted view into and out of the shower. The material may respond to steam in the shower, but it ultimately remains clear when wiped clean.
Frosted Glass
Frosted glass offers a blurred view that obscures your body and the contents of the shower. It’s a wonderful privacy option if you have other occupants in your bathroom.
Obscure Glass
Obscure glass is any shower door glass that hides the inside of the shower from external view. Frosted glass, rain glass, and others are part of the obscure glass category. These can be made from thicker glass to offer more privacy.
Rain Glass
Rain glass is etched in a way that makes it look like streaks of rain are moving down the glass. This is a type of obscure glass that offers privacy and aesthetic appeal.
S-Curve Glass
S-curve glass offers a creative and unique touch to any shower door. The “S” shape in between glass panels accents your bathroom’s personality and charm with a modern look.
Smoke Gray Glass
Smoke gray glass is tinted darker to allow for some privacy. However, this glass is not obscure. It’s a good option for those who like low-lit, relaxing showers.
FINISH AND MATERIAL OPTIONS
Choose from our wide variety of materials and finishes to get the shower door look you’re after. Each of our durable materials holds up over time and suits numerous bathroom styles.
Some materials we offer include acrylic, tempered glass, aluminum, and vinyl. We also have finishes like oil rubbed bronze, matte black, brushed nickel, and stainless steel. When it comes time to choose the finished look for your shower, you have plenty of options.
NEW SHOWER DOORS: START YOUR BATHROOM REMODEL WITH VINTAGE TUB & BATH
Are you ready to finish your shower enclosure? Speak to one of our shower specialists at Vintage Tub & Bath to find your perfect shower doors today.
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