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If you’re a homeowner looking into a bathroom remodel, you may be researching shower doors. There are many different types, and choosing the best one for your renovation project depends on many factors, such as budget, style, floor space, aesthetics, and functionality. There are also three types of framing styles for shower doors. We’ll look at all the shower door options so you can make the best decision for your bathroom remodeling project. First, let’s look at the types of shower doors, and then the framing styles.
One of the most popular slower doors is the bypass door, also known as the sliding shower door. This door slides on a track from side to side, with one pane of glass bypassing the other. A bypass door takes up less room than other shower doors, since it does not need room to open up outward. This type of door can have one panel fixed, and one door that slides, or both panels can slide adjacent to each other.
Pros: Takes less space, works well for shower/tub combinations, not complicated to install, classic look.
Cons: The sliding track requires lots of cleaning. There also needs to be adequate space to install the track.
Best For: Shower/tub combos, space-saving bathroom layouts.
If you want the functionality of a bypass shower door without the cleaning and maintenance, a trackless shower door might be the solution you’re looking for. Trackless shower doors use less hardware than bypass shower doors, using a rolling system to move the doors side to side. The doors hang on wheellike rollers that move along the top, within a guide secured at the bottom. These shower doors provide a sleek and modern look.
Pros: Easier to clean than traditional bypass shower doors.
Cons: Slightly trickier to install than sliding bypass doors.
Best For: Low maintenance, space-saving showers.
Fixed shower doors have a single unmoving glass panel. This panel creates a separation between the shower area and the rest of the bathroom. This immovable door doesn’t require any room to swing or slide, but the downside is this type of door has a limited application. The fixed shower door is primarily for spacious bathrooms where the shower doesn’t have a full enclosure and the floor is waterproofed.
Pros: Easy to install, takes up little space.
Cons: Not designed for most traditional bathrooms.
Best For: Mudrooms, bathrooms with waterproofed floors, modern minimalist design.
Pivot shower doors function like a regular door, swinging on hinges attached to the shower enclosure at the top and bottom of the door. These work well for bathrooms with limited space. If you don’t have room for a sliding shower door, a pivot door may be the best option. These usually swing 180 degrees outward, but some models can swing inward or outward. Pivot shower doors also work well with corner showers.
Pros: Works well for small shower areas.
Cons: Requires more floor space than bypass shower doors.
Best For: Medium-sized to large bathrooms, walk-in showers.
Hinged shower doors are very similar to pivot shower doors, they both have a swinging mechanism. Hinged doors only open in one direction, either outward or inward – they do not swing both directions. Hinged shower doors are a bit less expensive than pivot shower doors. These doors can be installed in a wide variety of showers.
Pros: Very few moving parts. Can be installed in many different types of showers.
Cons: Require bathroom space to accommodate the door swinging outward.
Best For: Medium-sized to large bathrooms.
Neo-angle shower doors have a unique shape, and are designed to fit into corner showers. The shower enclosure has five sides, including two main glass walls, two side glass walls, and one door panel. The door swings in or out, allowing people to enter. This style of shower works well for bathrooms with limited shower space.
Pros: Saves space in smaller bathrooms. Has a modern, elegant aesthetic.
Cons: Requires a special shower base. Can be more complex to install. Can cost more than rectangular showers.
Best For: Corner showers in smaller bathrooms.
Steam shower doors are designed to seal in water vapor from the shower, and extend ceiling to floor. They are sealed airtight from all sides, trapping the steam inside. Even the hinges are specially designed to trap the steam inside the shower. The glass panels are thicker than normal shower doors.
Pros: Creates a luxurious steam shower, like a sauna or steam room at a spa.
Cons: One of the most expensive shower doors. Requires professional installation.
Best For: Creating a sauna-like experience in your own shower.
Bi-fold and tri-fold doors have multiple glass panels that fold inward on themselves. The panels are hinged together, with one panel remaining stationary, and the other(s) folding inward. These can be used for straight or curved showers. Bi-fold and tri-fold shower doors come in different sizes and styles.
Pros: Work well in bathrooms that don’t have a lot of space to work with.
Cons: Hinges and hardware require cleaning on a regular basis.
Best For: Small bathrooms; corner showers, half bathrooms.
Round shower doors are designed primarily for corner shower enclosures. They slide or roll open, and can be designed to open on the right hand or left and side. As the name suggests, the door itself is curved. These doors attach at the top and bottom of the shower frame.
Pros: Stylish unique door that looks beautiful.
Cons: Works for corner enclosures only.
Best For: Corner shower enclosures.
Now, let’s look at shower door framing styles.
Framed shower doors are the oldest variety, where a frame made of aluminum or composite materials holds the glass panels in place. This is the most cost-effective option, and there are many different styles and sizes of shower doors that use frames. Thinner panels of glass can be used, if the style of door requires. Water is kept inside the shower enclosure rather effectively, with water typically dripping downwards into tracks on which the door moves. The biggest downside of framed shower doors is the maintenance, as soap scum, mold, and mildew tend to accumulate over time. This is the sturdiest framing style for shower doors, with a versatile selection of finishes and glass panels.
With semi-frameless shower doors, there is a partial frame which runs along the outside perimeter of the door, although the individual glass panels are unframed. This is a lower maintenance type of framing style, that requires less maintenance and cleaning than a framed shower door. Semi-frameless shower doors offer a more contemporary aesthetic, at a lower price point than a true frameless door. The outer frame may run along the top, bottom, or sides, and will still require occasional cleaning along the outermost framing.
The most sleek and modern framing style for shower doors is frameless. A frameless shower door has an open, airy feel, with no outer frame. With a frameless shower enclosure, they used sturdy tempered glass, usually ⅜” to ½” thick, that does not require the support of metal around its exterior edge, making it durable and structurally sound. The frameless enclosure supports its own weight on whatever method it is mounted, usually hinges or clips. The result is clean-lined with elegant and modern looks that are free of visual obstructions. This helps showcase the stonework, design, and fixtures in your bathroom. Frameless shower doors cost about twice as much as framed shower doors, but they look very modern and minimalistic, making it perfect for high-end bathrooms. These are also the easiest shower doors to clean.
If you’re a homeowner in the Sacramento area and you’re considering a bathroom remodel, reach out to the premier home renovation contractor in the area, JC Construction & Remodeling. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners with beautiful home renovations. For more information, or to schedule a free consultation with one of our home remodeling experts, contact us today or call 916-644-7810.
JC Construction & Remodeling is more than just a construction company; we are your dedicated partners in transforming your vision into reality. With over a decade of industry experience, our locally owned and operated business has honed its craft, delivering exceptional home improvement solutions to our valued clients. Integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of our approach, guiding every interaction and decision we make. We understand that each project is unique.
Whether you’re looking to renovate your entire home or simply need a few repairs, our team is equipped with the expertise and resources to exceed your expectations. At JC Construction & Remodeling, quality is not just a goal; it’s a standard we uphold in every aspect of our work. Specializing in general home improvement and remodeling, we take immense pride in the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines our projects.
