Types of Shower Doors – get the one you need

Wondering about Shower Doors and how to choose the right one?

When you are researching shower doors it can be baffling when you look at the variety available. When choosing shower doors for your needs you need to consider the size and space that you have to deal with – and also consider how the shower door will open and close.

You might have limited space in the bathroom so need a shower door that opens into the shower enclosure itself, or you might have a bit of extra space and can have one that slides across or opens outwards. We try to offer some clarity here and as always our helpful and friendly team are on hand on 0818 888 000 to help in any way needed.

What are Bi Fold Shower Doors?

Bi Fold Showers doors are a combination of a hinged door and a sliding door. When you go to open the door, the middle part of the door hinges back into the shower enclosure itself – in the shape of a V.

These are particularly suited to small bathrooms or bathrooms that have an area of restricted space where the shower is located. There is no reason why using a Bi Fold Shower Door needs to be any less attractive than any other design – you often just need to work with the space you have.

What are sliding shower doors?

Sliding Shower Doors are also great for bathrooms with limited space and mean you don’t lose any space in the shower enclosure itself. This is particularly useful if you don’t want to squeeze past a hinged door getting in and out of the shower. They just slide behind each other.

They don’t need any extra room to open up outside of the shower enclosure so don’t take up any of that room. The extra space inside the shower enclosure can be more comfortable or a place to add accessories such as shelving for bottles etc.

What are Pivot Shower Doors?

A Pivot Shower Doors would be the traditional type of shower door installed where space is not an issue. Normally they pivot out into the bathroom but you can also get models that open both inwards and outwards.

When they are opened outwards they will take up space in the bathroom and you need to consider splashes and drips too after the wet shower has been running.

These types of doors should always be able to open outwards however. Should someone have a medical emergency whilst in the shower – you will need to be able to access them.

What are Recess Shower Doors?

A Recess Shower Door is designed to sit in a recess or cove within the bathroom where the walls will be on both sides of the shower door.

These are normally hinged or have a pivot as there is not room for a sliding door approach as the door has nowhere to go to. These types of shower doors can open both inwards and outwards but can’t only open inwards for health and safety purposes – you always need to be able to get access to someone who might have had a medical emergency for example.

What are Quadrant Shower Doors?

A Quadrant Shower Door is placed in shower enclosures in the corner of bathrooms where the two side walls of the shower enclosure are against the bathroom walls.

Quadrant Shower Enclosures can be a great space saver in small to medium size bathrooms and often the shower doors will slide when opening – thus not taking up any additional space in the bathroom itself.

What are Corner Entry Shower Doors?

A Corner Entry Shower Door allow you to access the shower enclosure at the corner of it – both side of the entry will slide or fold away. These are perfect for small or compact bathrooms and used mainly when there is no partition or cubicle wall.

These shower enclosures are positioned in the corner of the bathroom so help you utilise as much space as possible.