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Buyers Guide: Shower Doors
Jul
Are you on the hunt for a new shower door? Whether you’re installing a brand new shower or upgrading your current one, it’s crucial to get the right one. Although choosing shower enclosure doors may sound simple, there’s actually a lot more to it than you think.
Which design do you go for? How much bathroom space do you have? Which finish should you choose? It may start to feel a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry. The task of choosing your new shower enclosure doesn’t have to be tremendously difficult.
That’s why we’ve created this buyer’s guide about shower doors to help make your decision easy and stress-free from start to finish! We’ll show you how to start shopping for an enclosure for your bathroom and what you should be looking for in your new purchase.
We’ll look at some important factors to consider before buying a new door and what types are typically available.
If you’re still not sure, don’t panic. We’ve prepared a great FAQ section that you’ll find really handy. Want to know more? Then read on to find out how to choose a shower enclosure door.
Things to consider before buying
When you’re shopping for a new shower enclosure door, it isn’t quite as simple as just choosing the prettiest one. There are quite a few things to keep in mind but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a complicated and time-consuming job.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of things to consider when looking at doors, from measurements and floor space to your budget and the most suitable finish.
Measurements
Getting the measurements right is crucial for choosing the correct shower enclosure door. Get it wrong and you’re inevitably going to experience issues once you’ve bought it. The last thing you want is for your new shower door to arrive and then discover it’s the wrong size!
Instead of guessing, use a tape measure as this will give you the most accurate measurements. Be sure to get the width, depth, and height preferably in millimetres.
If you have an old shower door and are simply replacing it, take the measurements of the existing shower tray to find out what you need.
Location of shower enclosure
Where you have your shower enclosure may also dictate which door you can have. Corner showers may not have as much room for a door as a shower in the middle of a wall.
Take into account where your shower is, or will be, and choose a door that’s most suitable for its location.
Size of space
We know it may be tempting to go big when buying your new shower enclosure door, but this will only lead to hiccups when it comes to installing it! Once you’ve taken your measurements, be sure to stick to them and choose a shower door that will fit into its designated space.
Some common sizes of shower enclosures include 800 x 800mm and 900 x 900mm. Sizes that are outside of this range may need to be made by a specialist bespoke company.
Whatever you do, be sure not to buy a shower door that’s too wide, tall, or deep. Try not to go too big with your shower plans, especially if you don’t have a big bathroom, as it won’t look very feng shui friendly and there won’t be much room to move around comfortably.
On the other hand, if your bathroom is very generous in size, you can go for a bigger size as a small one might look a bit strange. Not to mention a small shower may give you a slightly claustrophobic feel!
Budge
When you’re shopping for anything new, it’s easy to get carried away and start looking at products you just can’t afford. To avoid depressing yourself like that, decide how much you can comfortably afford and stick to that budget.
Having a clear budget will save you lots of time and avoid any procrastination! Many online shops allow you to filter the products by price when searching, which can make your decision a lot easier!
Not only does this keep you more focused on buying a shower enclosure door in your price range, but it helps remove the temptation to overspend unnecessarily. All shower doors have the same function so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you have to lower your budget.
Keep in mind as well, that if you’re installing a new enclosure, you’ll have to look at shower trays too. This could raise the cost even more, as well as other essential shower accessories.
Design
Next, think about the design you want. There are lots of different styles available and it can be tricky choosing just one! Having a strict budget will help you to really narrow your choices though.
The size of your bathroom and your current decor will also be a factor in which shower enclosure door you buy and also, your personal preference. Consider the look you want to create. Do you want a clean and sophisticated look? If so, transparent glass doors will add real elegance to the room.
If you want more privacy, frosted glass is a perfect option. Not to mention they also make very attractive bathroom accessories.
Finish
Your choice of shower door finish typically depends on the decor in your bathroom and your personal tastes.
Which type of door is best for a shower?
Shower doors can either slide, fold, hinge or pivot open. For a small bathroom, sliding or bifold doors are the best option as they open inwards. Pivot and hinged doors, on the other hand, open out into the room, so they're better for bigger bathrooms.
How do I choose a shower glass door?
Use the width at the widest point to select the appropriate size. Choose a shower door that has a maximum width equal to or greater than the maximum width of your tub or shower opening. Decide on the style of glass you prefer. If privacy is paramount, choose a glass with a pattern or texture.
