10 Types of Shower Doors to Consider for Your Bathroom Renovation

The right bathroom upgrades can create a spa-like experience right at home. If you peel back your shower curtain and see dirt and mildew, you're not alone. Shower doors offer privacy in a form that's easier to keep clean and more stylish and durable at the same time. There are many types of shower doors to choose from, so we've gathered them in one guide for you to compare.

1. Fixed Shower Door

A fixed shower door has a single stationary glass panel near the shower head and an opening on the other side of the stall. This simple design divides the shower from the rest of the bathroom without additional hardware. Fixed shower doors may or may not have a lip or step at the shower entrance. Showers without a step are called barrier-free.

Best for: Individuals with accessibility needs

2. Hinged Shower Door

A hinged shower door is another simple design that operates much like the other doors in a home. Using hinges attached to a wall, stationary glass panel, or shower surround, the door swings in one direction to open. You can set the lower edge of the door at any height, but you’ll need enough clearance to open into the bathroom.

Best for: Stand-alone shower stalls

3. Pivot Shower Door

At first glance, a pivot shower door may seem indistinguishable from a hinged shower door. While both rely on a swinging mechanism, a pivot door can swing in both directions for versatility. Pivot doors can also be center-mounted for 360-degree rotation.

Best for: Showers with narrow openings for entry

4. Sliding Shower Door

Sliding shower doors come in two main types. The standard option is to have one fixed panel and another on a sliding track. However, homeowners can also opt for a bypass shower door, which has multiple panels on the track that can slide past one another.

Best for: Showers with wide openings or bathrooms with minimal floor space

5. Folding Shower Door

Folding shower doors feature two or more attached movable panels that fold inwards to open. They require little clearance to operate and can be arranged in different ways to strike a balance between accessibility and privacy. Bi-fold and tri-fold shower doors are the most common folding shower door configurations.

Best for: Small bathrooms or those with accessibility needs

6. Neo-Angle Shower Door

Neo-angle shower doors are designed to fit corner showers. Rather than a 90-degree angle box, the door of a neo-angle shower cuts across the corner of the stall and is centered between two side panels. The result is a diamond shape that saves floor space in the rest of the bathroom.

Best for: Corner showers in small bathrooms

7. Round Shower Door

Another space-saving corner shower design is the round shower door. Unlike the neo-angle shower, which features sharp corners and a swinging door, a round shower enclosure has a curved glass design that can slide or roll open to maximize bathroom space.

Best for: Corner showers in small bathrooms

8. Steam Shower Door

Homeowners can create a luxurious sauna experience in their shower using steam shower doors. These doors feature thick glass that extends from floor to ceiling, along with airtight seals that prevent steam from escaping the shower stall while closed. Movable panels in the doors, called transoms, act as vents to regulate user comfort while showering.

Best for: Those seeking to create a spa-like experience in their bathroom

9. Glass Tub Shower Door

If you have an existing bathtub that you're not ready to remove, you can still enclose it with a shower door. Glass tub enclosures can feature any type of door operation, whether you prefer a swinging or sliding mechanism. They allow for more privacy and durability than a standard shower curtain.

Best for: Tub showers

10. Partial Tub Shower Door

A partial tub shower door is the tub shower equivalent of a fixed shower door. Rather than fully enclosing the tub, a partial shower door is installed near the shower head and tub faucet to divide the shower from the rest of the bathroom. The enclosure can be curved, straight, or custom-cut into whatever shape the homeowner wants.

Best for: Tub showers

Things to Consider When Choosing a Shower Door

As you work through your bathroom remodel checklist, keep a few things in mind as you shop for a new shower door. The size and shape of your bathroom and the shower opening will determine which door types and opening mechanisms you'll have room for. You should also consider the maintenance requirements of each door style and your overall budget for materials.

Glass Types

Shower doors come in different types of glass, each with a distinct visual appeal. Some installations, particularly frameless designs, will benefit from tempered glass. This stronger option is more durable, breaking into round pieces rather than sharp shards.

As for the appearance of the glass, you have several options, each with its own unique look:

• Clear: Transparent, offering a sleek and modern look

• Frosted: Opaque with a soft, obscuring finish

• Tinted: Available in various shades, such as gray, bronze, or blue

• Textured: Features patterns or designs etched into the surface

• Fluted: Has vertical grooves running through the glass that allow light to pass through while maintaining privacy

Standard Shower Sizes

Shower doors tend to range from 22 to 36 inches wide. If you have an opening wider than 36 inches, you may need a door with multiple panels or a custom door designed for wider openings. To determine the size you'll need, follow these tips:

• Measure the width of your opening from wall to wall at the top and bottom.

• Measure the height from the base of the shower to the top of the wall on both sides.

• For door types that require clearance, hold one end of a tape measure at the edge of the opening and pivot it to see the swing distance you'll need.

To get the most accurate measurements, consider hiring a shower door installer. They'll have advice about which shower door types are best suited to your space.

Frame Types

Shower doors can be considered framed, frameless, or semi-frameless.

• Framed doors feature a frame of metal or other material around the glass panels. They are easier and more affordable to install but may require more maintenance.

• Frameless doors have no metal framing and minimalistic hardware. They're easier to clean and can make a bathroom feel more open, but installation is more complex, and the thicker glass required can add to your overall shower door cost.

• Semi-frameless doors feature a partial frame that runs along the side of the panels for support and stability. They balance the other two types' maintenance needs, budget requirements, and appearance.

Can I Install a Shower Door Myself?

Installing a shower door is a challenging project to take on yourself. You’ll need a good grasp of DIY skills, including drilling and leveling, and a time commitment of a few hours. There are four main steps you’ll need to be comfortable with:

1. Taking measurements to avoid fit issues

2. Installing the track or frame

3. Mounting the door panels

4. Sealing and finishing.

You’ll save on labor costs, but you may need to buy tools and supplies in addition to the cost of materials. 

For many, the project is best handled by a professional shower door installer in your area. They bring expertise and experience to the job, ensuring a polished result and saving you the time and headaches of a DIY attempt.