Styles of Shower Doors and Glass Options

Shower doors should be best suited to fit the type of remodeling you want your bathroom to undergo.
A home’s value can either increase or decrease depending on if homeowners make the right choices based on relevant and practical information regarding remodeling. Elements such as fixtures, color scheme, and shower enclosures can be small or large determining factors on the future of your precious investment, especially if you are planning on selling at any time. Importantly, choosing the right style on a shower door for your bathroom is key in a successful bathroom remodel project that displays the exact aesthetic appeal you are looking for.

Our team is dedicated to carefully researching and properly executing all aspects of shower doors installation. With a wide range of options to choose from that includes dozens of variations of shower glass doors, any bathroom style can be fitted and upgraded to your liking.  Online stores sell glass shower doors, frame-in or frameless shower doors which are available in types such as those found in bypass doors,  round doors, and pivot doors. Among materials to choose from are tinted glass, natural or clear glass, frosted glass and rain glass. Feel free to write down important notes regarding the following shower glass door options that are worth considering:

Sliding Shower Doors
Sliding door, also known as bypass doors and among the most popular sliding shower door types, slide from side to side. These take up no space at all so they are perfect for corners, shower enclosures, shower/tub combinations or standalone bathtubs.

1. Trackless Doors
For a non-intrusive method that avoids the use of a track along the doorway, swinging doors are a great option for the shower. The pivot door and hinged door are variations that can be used separately or interchangeably at once.

Pivot doors are known for their modern, sleek look they bring to newer homes. They function by swinging  inward and outward and rest along a hinge mounted to the floor which allows for their 180-degree rotation. Depending on the available space, the hinge is attached on either side of the door via a 180-degree pivot or a center mount that allows for a full 360-degree rotation. Notably, although they are nice to look at, they’re not ideal for small spaces.

On the other hand, hinged doors swing on hinges that are directly anchored to a wall or can be attached to a stationary glass panel or the surrounding shower. This makes it easier for the door’s lower edge to be set at whichever height the bathroom requires. It simply acts more like an actual door in that it has a limited angle on the hinge that swings in one direction. Its simple design is commonly used for stand-alone shower stalls since they require less space than pivot doors, although some clearance is needed in the bathroom.

2. Neo-Angle Shower Doors
A neo-angle door may be the best option for you if you are working with little-to-no space, tight or corner showers. These door types cut out a diamond-shaped floor space due to a 90-degree angle which is created by a corner shower that has two side panels across and a flat front edge The door is then centered between the two panels. This type of shower door installation is ideal for maximizing both inside and outside shower space.

3. Bi-Fold Shower Doors
Bi-fold shower doors, also referred to as tri-fold shower doors or bath screens, are comprised of multiple glass panels in which one is fixed and the others fold. The fixed panel is usually attached to the surrounding shower or wall and the other two panels that fold outward on a hinge, just like closet doors or bi-fold screens. These are a great fit for areas that don’t require much clearance space and are looking to save on space in smaller bathrooms.

4. Steam Shower Doors
A steam door has the purpose of keeping steam inside the shower and helps the stall serve as a steam room. To keep the steam in, the door must fit tightly from floor to ceiling and along the sides. The hinges are designed to be airtight to prevent steam from escaping, and the panels come equipped with air-tight seals. These doors come with moveable panels—called transoms—that act as vents.

5. Curved Shower Doors
Curved shower doors are a great match to any small space  or corner shower stall due to its ease and high functionality that is very desirable.  This curved glass enclosure fits on a rounded shower tray or sits flush with tile floors and is guided along a track-like bypass door. Since it has no sharp corner angles, entering and exiting the shower is done without having to squeeze through a small space. Cleaning is also much easier since dirt and grime can’t build up in between cracks.

6. Frameless Shower Doors
Frameless shower doors are a great choice for those looking to put detailed tile work on display or for the least intrusive option as possible. Frameless doors can make a room appear larger, more open and vibrant instead of reducing a small space even more with an out of place shower stall. It’s important to consider that frameless doors are a costlier investment-at least double the cost of glass for a framed shower door-  since the glass needs to be thicker for added stability.

Glass Options
Multiple types of material are available for the various door styles that exist. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Clear Glass
Clear glass is a clean look, lets the most light in, gives a bathroom space a much larger appearance and is the most popular shower enclosure on the market today. It does have to be frequently cleaned for hygienic purposes in order to avoid streaks of dirt, grime or other filmy residue caused by common everyday use. It can start to become time-consuming if you are the type of person that needs a sparkling bathroom at all times, to have to wipe glass down at the first sign of spots or streaks.

2. Frosted Glass
Frosted glass is a perfect combination between minimal maintenance and versatility in the style options to choose from. It’s great  for anyone looking for privacy without giving up the visibility that shines through with some natural light being allowed in from outside the stall.  This glass type conceals streaks and spots better than clear glass so it requires less cleaning, and it’s available across a myriad of color schemes and designs.

3. Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is available in numerous grayish, black or bronze tones which give a sleek and refined appearance to any bathroom. Glass can be slightly tinted for an opaque appearance or as dark as possible to now allow almost any light in. While dark tones are naturally more private, you may have to find creative ways to build light into the shower stall to be used as needed.

4. Rain Glass
Similar to frosted glass, rain offers privacy, is less susceptible to water streaks and filmy residue and allows a great amount of light in. It can be made in unique designs which are ideal to incorporate different styles, textures and designs just the way you want your bathroom to look. It has a natural element to it on one side that is made to look like water droplets while the other side remains smooth.

The shower stall is one of the main areas to focus on if you want your bathroom to cause the right impact. Whether you want your bathroom to be mainly about function or if you are looking for it to give off a relaxing, energizing vibe, there are a wide variety of options that achieve the desired results. Take the time to carefully plan what is most important and the best way to attain it. Design your space with your unique style in mind, and choose the right shower doors.