The doors for shower enclosures come in a few different styles, with sliding shower doors a useful choice in many cases. They need less space to open and close than a typical swing door and this makes them a good choice for a smaller bathroom. Since they do not open out into the bathroom in the manner of a swing door, they are also less likely to drip water on the bathroom floor, and this can make them a good option for any bathroom.
Homeowners that opt for sliding glass shower doors for their enclosure can choose from one of two options. The first is a framed glass sliding door and this typically uses thinner glass that requires a surrounding metal frame for support. The surrounding frame comes in a few styles, with metal and plastic surrounds available, and this provides options to tie the look of the surround into the interior design of the bathroom.
Those that prefer a larger expanse of glass, without the intrusion of a surrounding frame can opt for a frameless sliding glass door. The thicker glass used in the manufacture of this style is strong enough for the glass to stand in place without a supporting frame and this results in a cleaner, more open look. The thicker glass can also make the door safer and less likely to succumb to accidental damage.
The open look of glass doors can help bring the interior design of a shower out into the bathroom. Frameless sliding shower doors are a way in which to create this appearance and this style of door can be a particularly good choice for a small bathroom. The reduced space required for sliding doors to operate mean they will work even in the smallest of bathrooms, and the larger expanse of glass of the frameless style helps to create a more spacious feeling. Other advantages of the frameless sliding door style include that the thicker glass is less prone to damage and it is also a safer option as the stronger glass is much less likely to break.
The sliding shower door hardware used for the operation of a door typically comprises the top and bottom tracks, as well as the wheeled assemblies on which the door opens and closes. The hardware required will depend to a large extent on the type of door. For frameless doors, the top and bottom of the door most commonly sits inside the track, with the door sliding along this. Framed doors more typically have roller assemblies attached to the frame, top and bottom, with the rollers guided by the track as the door opens and closes.
Other hardware for sliding doors includes handles, and while these can be built into the door, a removable pull style handle can also be fixed to the door. In most cases the hardware for a sliding shower door will be replaceable. This enables homeowners to replace worn out and damaged parts, as well as change the parts to a different look if and when they redesign their bathroom.
The sliding shower door parts that make up a full door assembly include a few different components. This includes the door itself and this can be made of a few materials, including glass, plastic, and even wood in some cases. The hardware on doors includes handles and these can be built into the door or come as separate pieces which fix onto the door.
The operating parts for a sliding shower door typically include tracks and wheeled roller assemblies, with these sitting at the top and bottom of the door. Generally the hardware parts of a door will be removable and homeowners can use this to change the look of a door, as well as to replace damaged and worn out pieces.
Many people like the clean, contemporary appearance that glass produces in a bathroom, and a simple way to create this is to opt for frameless sliding glass shower doors. The advantages of using these include that they keep the attractive look of an enclosure interior on view, that they require less space to operate in comparison to a swing door, and that they can help to keep a bathroom door drier. It is important with this style of door to keep the tracks clean and free of debris to ensure they remain in good working order, although with a little care they can be a good choice of shower door to opt for.
For homeowners that have smaller bathrooms, or those that want to keep the floor of their bathroom drier, sliding shower doors can be a useful option to choose. The variety of options available ensures that finding a style of sliding door that fits in with the interior design of a bathroom should not be a problem.
Moen Shower Fixtures
Kohler Shower Stalls
Delta Shower Fixtures