Shower Doors Buying Guide

Your shower enclosure is obviously an essential part of your bathroom (well, unless you happen to have a bath instead!), so it's important that you choose exactly the right one to suit your requirements. If you happen to be building your enclosure into an alcove, or are constructing one using glass side panels, then you'll be needing a good quality shower door to provide that perfect finishing touch. In this guide we'll look at the various types of door available to you, and whether or not they will be suitable for your particular setting.

 

Different types of door

 

Hinged/pivot doors

These are your most commonly found type of shower door. They will open outwards and are great if you want a neat look to your recessed enclosure. You can get framed or frameless options depending on what your preference is. A good choice for the majority of bathrooms, the only place we wouldn't suggest using one is in very small settings as they can take up a bit of room when they swing out so it's best to make sure you have enough space available before investing in one.

 

Bi-fold doors

An ideal choice for smaller bathrooms and en-suites, bi-folding shower doors have a join in the middle which allows the door to fold in on itself when opened which is a practical way to save space. They will suit pretty much any bathroom too and are available in plenty of different sizes so you can easily find one that suits the exact measurements you need.

 

Sliding doors

These doors are great for adding a slightly more luxurious feel to bathrooms. Their sliding mechanism is also very practical and is great for saving space. Due to their size however, they are only really ideal for larger bathrooms as the door needs to be able to slide properly which means these items are often wider than other doors. Keep this in mind and take some measurements of your room before selecting a sliding shower door.

 

How easy are they to install?

Shower doors are not overly difficult items to fit yourself as long as you are familiar with this kind of installation. If you're a novice when it comes to DIY, or aren't overly confident in your capabilities then we recommend contacting a professional to install it for you as this should prevent any damage from occurring.

 

Are they easy to maintain?

In a nutshell, yes, shower doors are very easy to maintain. To keep them clean all you need is some white vinegar and a clean cloth. This will quickly remove any stains or water marks the glass may have picked up. Use a second, dry cloth to gently dab away any excess vinegar once rubbed in as this will avoid any unsightly streaking appearing. A shower squeegee is also a great, inexpensive tool that will leave a stunning, crystal clear finish.

 

How to Choose a Shower Door

 

1. How Big Is Your Bathroom?

The first thing that you want to take into consideration is the size of your bathroom, as some doors may be better suited for larger or smaller bathrooms. Hinged and pivot doors are better suited to larger bathrooms as they need more space to open and close. Whereas sliding and bi-folding doors do not require a lot of space to open and close, making them a great option for smaller bathrooms.

 

2. What Is Your Preferred Style?

Once you know which door type is the most suitable for your bathroom, you can start to think about what style you would like to achieve in your bathroom. A shower door can make a huge impact in your bathroom so it is important that you keep your style in mind. From modern matt black designs to traditional chrome finishes, the options are endless!

 

3. Measure Up

Most shower doors are available in a number of different sizes. So it is important that you measure correctly to ensure that you are choosing a door that is the right fit for your shower. 

 

4. Choose Your Door

Now that you have taken all these into consideration, you will be able to choose the shower door of your dreams that will not only fit your shower space but also work effectively for your bathroom size, shape and the aesthetic that you are looking to maintain.