When you begin a bathroom remodeling project, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of those decisions might be whether your walk-in shower or shower/bathtub combination has a door and what kind of door it is. Shower doors are a great option for bathrooms because they are much more mold-resistant than a shower curtain. There are quite a few options to choose from. Here are a few shower door options to consider for your bathroom remodel to help you decide:

1. Framed shower door
2. Frameless shower door
3. Semi-frameless shower door
4. Fixed shower door
5. Sliding shower door
6. Hinged shower door
7. Pivoting shower door
8. Steam shower door
9. Half-wall shower door
10. No shower door

1. Framed Shower Door

Framed shower doors have been around the longest and are a very standard kind of shower door. Framed shower doors have a thin panel of glass that is surrounded by metal framing. They are also one of the most durable shower door options because of the metal frame that keeps the door sturdy and stable.

Because these doors are the easiest to install, they tend to be the most budget-friendly option. Framed shower doors have a few different types of operating mechanisms, such as sliding, hinged, and pivot.

This type of shower door will require some maintenance and cleaning to keep mold at bay. If you have a lot of mold and mildew growth in your bathroom, this is one of the signs it’s time to remodel your bathroom. Using a squeegee on your glass-framed shower door can help remove excess moisture, helping to keep mildew and mold at bay.

2. Frameless Shower Door

Frameless shower doors are made entirely of glass and do not have any metal framing. Due to the lack of any framing, these doors tend to be very modern. To account for the lack of a supporting frame, the glass is much thicker to give stability and support to the door.

Frameless shower doors are easy to clean because the lack of a frame means fewer crevices for moisture to collect and hide. Even though there is no metal frame, these doors do not leak as long as a professional contractor does the installation.

A professional will ensure that this frameless door is cut to the exact shower dimensions, and a sweep and seal will also be used to keep the enclosure leak-proof. Making sure things are installed properly is just one of the reasons to use a home improvement contractor.

3. Semi-Frameless Shower Door

If you’re looking for a design that combines the best features of framed and frameless doors for your bathroom remodel, a semi-frameless door might be a good option to consider. A semi-frameless door has glass panels that have solid hinges and a minimal amount of framing on the sides. This type of door is perfect for a contemporary bathroom design.

These doors do require a little bit of cleaning and maintenance along the framing, but they tend to be easier to clean than framed shower doors. It’s important to have a professional install these doors to prevent any leaks.

4. Fixed Shower Door

For a space-saving style door, you may want to consider a fixed shower door. These doors have one glass panel that doesn’t move, functioning almost like a wall partition. Because these doors don’t move, you don’t need any extra floor space to allow them to open, making them a perfect pick for remodeling a small bathroom.

Fixed shower doors are simple, but still stylish. Their simplicity allows them to work in nearly any design style. However, because these are more like partitions with open space for entry, water may splash out. You may need to invest in some durable bathmats to keep your floors dry.

5. Sliding Shower Doors

Sliding glass doors are one of the most popular types of shower doors. These doors slide from side to side on a track and take up minimal space. With this type of shower door, you can choose from different types of shower glass panels that are installed on the track. You also have the option for all panels to move or for just one panel to move while the other stays immobile. If all panels move, this is called a bypass door.

Sliding shower doors do take up some width because of the double-panel sliding mechanism, but they’re great if you don’t want a door that swings outward. Soap scum can build up in the tracks, requiring some more routine maintenance and cleaning. However, sliding shower doors can work on a variety of shower styles as well as bathtub/shower combinations.

6. Hinged Shower Doors

This type of shower door works like any other typical door, as they open and close with a hinge function. In most cases, these doors tend to open outward, so they may not work as well in a small bathroom that doesn’t give them space to open.

Hinged shower doors come in a variety of styles, making them a great choice for almost any design style, but especially walk-in showers. This bigger opening is especially helpful for those with mobility issues. This is also a benefit of walk-in showers.

7. Pivoting Shower Door

Pivoting shower doors are a more luxurious counterpart to hinged shower doors. Instead of being hinged on the side and swinging open and closed from the side, these doors pivot open on a vertical hinge at the top and bottom of the door.

Either side can be pushed to “twist” or “spin” the door open. Pivot doors are a great option for small shower spaces because they don’t take up much wall space. However, you still do need to account for floor space for the door to swing out.

8. Steam Shower Door

A steam shower door is when the shower enclosure is enclosed entirely to seal off the shower area. With steam shower doors, glass panels extend from the floor/shower base to the ceiling to create a shower enclosure that keeps steam in. Steam shower doors are designed to allow entry to the shower enclosure and close to create an airtight enclosure to turn your walk-in shower into a steam room.

9. Half-Wall Shower Door

If you prefer a minimalist or modern shower design, you may want to consider a half-wall shower door. This shower remodeling idea features one side with a wall of about 3-4 feet in height. A glass panel sits on top of that wall to help keep water inside, while a door is on the other side of the wall. This allows your shower to feel open and airy, but keeps all of the water contained.

10. No Door

If you have a large bathroom or a large walk-in shower, you may opt to have no shower door. Having no shower door will give your bathroom a luxurious feel, and is a tip to turn your bathroom into a home spa.

Because there is no glass panel or framing for tracks, there’s minimal maintenance beyond caring for the tile or other shower wall material. This type of shower typically has no barrier, making it a great choice for those with mobility issues, especially wheelchair users. It’s also a helpful home remodeling idea for aging in place.

Remodel Your Bathroom With Zephyr Thomas

These are just a few shower door options to consider for your bathroom remodel. There are many benefits of a bathroom remodel, such as improving home value and creating a better bathroom layout. If you’re ready to begin the remodeling process or have questions, contact Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 to get started!

Check out the time-lapse video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team completing a master bathroom addition for this homeowner!