For many homeowners, the bathroom is a haven for relaxation after a long day. It’s where you’d want to unwind after dealing with the day’s stress. For this reason, it pays to invest in building a bathroom that suits your personal style and needs. When planning your bathroom’s décor, every detail matters – from vanity light bars to shower doors. With different types of shower doors to choose from, finding the best one can still be a struggle.
A new shower door installed in your bathroom is one way to upgrade its look. In this handy guide, we’ve rounded up the different types of shower doors you can choose from.
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Pivot Shower Doors
Also known as swing-open doors, pivot shower doors are installed in standalone shower space. They open outward from a single side. They are typically 36 inches wide. If yours has wider openings, opt for a double-hinged mount so the door can pivot inward and outward. If you wish to have a revolving shower door, your contractor can have the pivot hinge center mounted.
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Bypass Shower Doors
More popularly known as sliding shower doors, bypass doors are perfect for showers with wide openings. They are commonly used in bathtub showers with stationary panels and corner standalone showers. Among the different types of shower doors, they’re the type which take up the least amount of space. They do not expand inside or outside of the shower, making them perfect when you have limited space. They’d usually consist of two to three sliding panels only. They simply slide in the tracks or with the help of mechanical rollers.
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Neo-Angle Shower Doors
Got a small bathroom? Looking to save space? Then neo-angle shower doors are for you! Best suited for corner showers, they consist of three panels: the door and an angled panel on each side. They are usually installed to swing open from left or right.
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Round Shower Doors
Unlike the other types of shower doors, round shower doors open inward. For seamless operation and stability, they’re attached to the top and bottom of the frame. With its curved design, you can enjoy a more spacious bathing area. They’re also ideal for corner standalone showers.
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Bifold Shower Doors
Also called bath screens, bifold shower doors are simply a combination of bypass shower doors and pivot doors. They consist of several panels attached by a hinge. Typically, one of the glass panels is fixed and the two fold in on hinges. They do not swing out widely, making efficient use of space.
Should You Go For Framed or Frameless Shower Doors?
Most of the types of shower doors discussed above are either framed or frameless. Let’s look at how they differ from each other.
Framed Shower Doors
Framed shower doors feature aluminum or other composite material framing the glass panel. They only open inward which limits design options and layout. They normally come with a track which collects water. The tracks which trap water need regular cleaning. They also feature seals, sweeps, and magnetic hardware around the door, making it easy to install them anywhere.
Frameless Shower Doors
Frameless shower doors feature heavy-duty glass and pivots for support. Most homeowners opt for this type of shower doors and for good reason. There are variety of design options to choose from. They come in any style or size, giving more way for customization. These shower doors can open in or out, depending on your design needs. Since there are no frames, they are easier to clean and maintain. More importantly, the lack of frames provides a more spacious and modern feel.
What are the Shower Door Glass Types?
Shower doors are almost always made of glass. They come in various styles, making the selection process for your bathroom a bit tougher. Below are a few shower door glass types you can choose from.
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Clear Glass
Traditional showers commonly use clear glass. They allow light to pass through and are very easy to maintain.
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Frosted Glass
If privacy is your main goal, then frosted glass is for you. This shower door glass type is for people who crave for privacy. It features a soft and satin-like appearance and allows for soft light to pass through. Only one side of frosted glass features an etched pattern while the other is plain smooth.
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Rain Glass
You’ll know you’re looking at rain glass when you see a distinctive appearance of crystal rain patterns. Like frosted glass, it’s textured on one side and smooth on the other. It also provides privacy and obscures watermarks, fingerprints, and minor stains.
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Tinted Glass
If you want to prevent light from passing through, tinted glass is what suits you. Aside from offering you the privacy that you need, it comes in gray, bronze, and black tones. Just take your pick!
Call Glass King for Installation of Different Types of Shower Doors
Glass King is Arizona’s most trusted company when it comes to home and glass repair and installation. We have a team of skilled professionals can install your shower door at a price you can afford. Call us today at 480-389-5656 or email us at info@glassking.com. We’ll get in touch with you shortly.
