Stepping into a relaxing shower can be the highlight of anyone's day. But dealing with water splashes, leaks, and lack of privacy from standard shower curtains can quickly dampen the experience. This is where thoughtfully selected bathtub shower doors come in handy!
The right enclosure makes all the difference when it comes to enjoying your bathroom time. Bathtub shower doors are available in a range of styles, sizes, and opening mechanisms to match your space and needs. Choosing a properly fitted door not only contains water in the stall, but also prevents flooding hazards and moisture damage over time. The improved sealing also helps lock in heat for a more comforting shower.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that impact your bathtub shower door selection - the types of doors, standard vs custom sizing, and standard tub dimension to measure. Understanding these key considerations will set you up to pick the perfect door kit or work with a professional installer. With the wide variety of modern options, you’re sure to find a look that matches your bathroom décor too.
What are Bathtub Shower Doors
A bathtub shower door is an enclosure that surrounds the open side of a bathtub to prevent water from splashing outside of the immediate showering area. Shower doors are installed over bathtubs rather than walk-in showers to allow bathing as well as showering.
The main purpose of bathtub shower doors is containment. They act as a barrier to keeping water inside the tub during a shower. This serves several benefits compared to a shower curtain:
- Improved moisture control - Shower doors form a more watertight seal than fabric curtains, keeping floors drier and preventing potential water damage, mold, and mildew growth.
- Enhanced warmth - Glass doors also better hold in heat for a more comfortable showering temperature.
- Increased accessibility - Various opening mechanisms like swing hinges and sliding tracks allow easy entry compared to climbing over a curtain.
- Greater aesthetics - Sleek framed or frameless glass doors simply look nicer than vinyl curtains and coordinate with modern bathroom styles.
- Higher durability - Metal and glass doors last longer than fabric alternatives.
With advantages from functionality to visual appeal, it’s no wonder bathtub shower doors are a popular upgrade over standard curtains.
Types of Bathtub Shower Doors
Similar to different types of bathtubs, you can find different bathtub shower door types as well. Let’s see how you can pick the best one out of them.
Sliding Shower Doors for Tubs (Bypass Doors)
Sliding bathtub shower doors consist of two panels that slide along parallel tracks. One panel slides to open, allowing entry and exit while the other remains stationary as a splash guard.
Ideal Bathroom Layouts
Sliding doors are well-suited for longer, rectangular tubs. They can slide into niches or pockets out of the way.
Standard Sizes & Dimensions
Typical dimensions range from 56-60 inches in height. Width can vary from 48 inches for a standard tub up to 72 inches for a double sized one. Make sure to match it with the average bathtub size to get the best results.
Pros:
- Space saving
- Smooth opening mechanism
- High water containment when closed
Cons:
- Can leak over time if rollers don't glide well
- More expensive than hinged doors.
Pivot Bathtub Shower Doors (Swinging Doors)
Pivot Bathtub doors have hinges allowing each door panel to swing open into or out of the tub enclosure. Some styles have two swinging panels while others have one swinging door next to a fixed panel.
Space Requirements
Swinging mechanisms require adequate bathroom space for the doors to open fully without hitting walls or fixtures.
Standard Sizes & Dimensions
Swing doors come to heights ranging from 56 to 60 inches typically. Widths span standard 48 to 60 inches for a basic tub up to 72 inches wide for a double tub. It is ideal if you have a freestanding tub at home.
Pros
- Affordable
- Classic look
- No floor tracks to clean
Cons
- Limited space can restrict full range of motion
- Seals leak over time.
Bi-Fold Shower Doors for Tubs
Bi-fold shower doors consist of two panels that collapse accordion-style to open and close. Hinges along the edges allow the panels to fold inwards and outwards.
Suitability for Small Bathrooms
Compact bi-folding mechanism ideal for smaller bathrooms where swinging or sliding doors may be impractical. Folded panels nest out of the way.
Standard Sizes & Dimensions
Average heights between 56 and 60 inches. Widths typically range from 48 inches for a basic tub up to 60 inches for a standard double tub.
Pros
- Space saving for tight bathrooms
- Smooth opening and closing motion
Cons
- Multiple hinges can lead to leakage over time
- Pricier than basic options
Frameless vs. Framed Bathtub Shower Doors
Framed shower doors have metal edging surrounding tempered glass. Frameless doors have a sleek, clean look with glass panels edge-to-edge without visible framing.
Impact on Installation & Maintenance
Frameless shower doors require meticulous measuring and perfectly plumb walls for specialized hardware to mount glass. No metal framing means glass bears all weight.
Standard Sizes & Dimensions
Typical heights range from 56 to 60 inches for both frameless and framed doors. Widths span from 48 inches up to 60 or 72 inches for larger tubs.
Pros of Frameless Doors
- Contemporary styling
- Seamless glass
- Unobstructed views.
Cons of Frameless Doors
- Difficult DIY, heavy glass panels
- Prone to chipping.
Pros of Framed Doors
- Easier installation
- Framed edges help reinforce glass
Cons of Framed Doors
- Obstructive metal edging
- Dated aesthetics
Standard Sizes and Dimensions of Bathtub Shower Doors
Having a good idea of the bathtub standard size is ideal before you proceed with making a selection. Then you can go ahead with different types of tubs.
Width and Height Considerations
The width of a bathtub shower door is dictated by the width of the tub itself. Standard bathtub sizes range from 22 to 36 inches wide, with 60 inches being a common longer tub size. Corresponding shower doors come in finished widths spanning this tub range. Always keep standard bathtub dimensions as the base when looking for what you need.
The typical tub dimensions correspond to shower door heights. The shower door height is based on the ceiling height of the bathroom. Most doors stand approximately 72 inches tall. This leaves sufficient head clearance for ease of entry and exit. Some designs go up to 80 inches for higher ceilings or extended height effect.
Custom shower door sizes outside the norm are possible as well. An accurate assessment of the tub and available space by a skilled installer can accommodate unique bathroom layouts.
Glass Thickness Options
Two common glass thicknesses for shower doors are 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch. The thickness impacts aesthetics, durability, and weight capacity.
1/2 inch glass is heavier but provides a sturdier, higher end look and feel. The increased thickness makes it more resistant to damage from impacts. It also better supports frameless designs.
3/8 inch glass has visual distortions but allows for lighter weight doors. This thickness works well for standard framed doors and is often more affordable.
Space Requirements for Different Door Types
Sliding Shower Doors
Sliding shower doors need very little clearance to operate properly. A slim wall or floor track allows the doors to glide smoothly back and forth sideways. When open, they can recess into wall pockets or stack neatly to one end of the tub.
This space-saving functionality makes sliding designs ideal for smaller bathrooms. No swinging or folding clearance is necessary. They can transform even narrow recesses into functional shower spaces.
Pivot Shower Doors
Hinged pivot shower doors require reasonable clearance to swing fully open without obstruction. Swing radius, handle projections, and door width when ajar should be considered.
Most building codes specify 22 to 24 inches clearance in front of a pivot shower door. Corner installations help maximize roominess for the door's range of motion. Wall-mounted designs hinged on one side conserve space versus two-panel styles.
Bi-Fold Shower Doors
Bi-fold shower doors neatly collapse accordion-style into themselves using embedded hinges. The panels fold inward or outwards in a sequence, stacking parallel against each other when fully open.
This compact, nested design makes bi-fold doors highly suitable for smaller bathrooms. No additional floor space beyond the tub’s perimeter is needed for them to fully close or open. The minimal swing radius also allows versatile installation even along walls or in alcoves.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bathtub Shower Door
Selecting the perfect bathtub shower door involves evaluating several key factors to ensure it fits seamlessly into your bathroom's design and functionality. From measuring your space to considering your aesthetic preferences, budget, and maintenance requirements, this section covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Bathroom Layout and Space
The dimensions and layout of the bathroom itself will dictate what shower door sizes and opening mechanisms will fit. Sliding or bi-folding doors are great space-savers, while pivot doors require wider clearance. Custom doors can be made for any bath configuration.
Aesthetic Preferences
Shower door materials and styling should match the existing fixtures and flow with the bathroom’s motif. Frameless glass makes a sleek, contemporary statement. Mirrored doors enhance light and dimensions. Clean lines, finishes, and metal accents can tie together an intended style.
Budget Constraints
Simple tub doors with basic frames or seals run at a lower cost. Upgrades like custom sizes, niche hinges, engraving, specialty glass and metal build expense. Factor heightened installation expertise and labor time needed for intricate doors.
Installation and Maintenance
Standard tub doors have simplified DIY installation instructions. More complex doors may require professional measuring and calibration with the tub, walls, and flooring for proper fitting and operation.
Easy-clean glass, drip guards, squeegees, and antibacterial treatments simplify maintenance. Check hinges, tracks, and seals periodically to realign or replace deteriorated parts and prevent leakage or corrosion.
Conclusion
Bathtub shower doors come in a variety of types, sizes, and dimensions to match any bath configuration and design aesthetic. Key points include standard widths spanning 22 to 36 inches and heights around 72 inches. Sliding, swinging, and bi-folding opening mechanisms each have specialized space and clearance requirements. Along with this, you should also know how big are the tubs in bathhouses as well.
Choosing the appropriate tub door is essential for functionality and for complementing your bathroom’s motif. Assessing your existing layout, style preferences, budget, installation needs, and maintenance tolerance will guide the ideal door selection. Customization is also available for unique spaces or needs.
Visit our Sunny Shower Online Shop to explore your perfect bathtub shower door solution and consult with our product experts. We offer a wide selection of top brands and models along with size recommendations, aesthetic design services, experienced installers, and warranty coverage. Invest in a high-quality, durable shower door customized for your home today!
