Soaking in a relaxing bath is one of the best ways to unwind after a busy day. But, uncontrolled water splashes, leaks, and a lack of privacy can lower the quality of your bath time. A thoughtfully chosen and installed door on your bathtub will solve most of these issues and improve your bath time.
Bathtub doors are available in various sizes, styles, and opening mechanisms to cater to customer needs and preferences. You can choose between framed and frameless glass doors and between hinged, pivot, sliding, and bi-fold doors for your tub. Selecting the right fit for your bathtub keeps water inside, preventing water damage and saving you the struggle of cleaning after every bath. The improved sealing also locks in moisture and warmth to give you a spa-like bathing experience.
In this guide to selecting the right bathtub door, we'll explore factors to consider when installing a bathtub door, to help you choose the right door for your tub.
What are Bathtub Shower Doors, and Why Do You Need One?
A bathtub shower door is a glass barrier placed on the open side of the bathtub to contain water in the designated shower area. While containment is their main purpose, bathtub shower doors offer more benefits than bathroom curtains.
- Keep your bathroom floor dry: A door on your bathtub will keep in water better than shower curtains. This keeps the floor dry, preventing accidental slips, water damage, and mold growth.
- Clean and hygienic: Fabric shower curtains retain moisture, which attracts stains, and mold, accelerating wear and tear. Glass does not retain moisture and is easy to clean.
- Enhanced warmth: Enjoy longer and warmer baths and showers with a glass door. A glass door on your tub retains warm steamy air while keeping out cold air.
- Increased accessibility: Bathtub doors have various opening mechanisms to facilitate access to your bath area. You can choose from sliding, swing, or bi-fold doors.
- Modern aesthetics: Sleek frameless glass doors look better than fabric curtains and complement modern bathroom decor.
- A timeless Investment: Glass bathtub doors last longer than their fabric alternatives. Installing a door on your bathtub is a worthy home improvement project that increases its value and attractiveness to potential buyers.
Types of Bathtub Shower Doors
There are several types and styles of bathtub doors to suit your style and preferences. Each type has particular applications and works best in certain settings. Let's explore each in detail to help you determine which works for you.
1. Fixed Bathtub Doors
Fixed bathtub doors do not move, they act as walls around the tub to prevent water splashing out of the shower area. They may cover half or the whole length of the bathtub and are convenient for small bathrooms without allowance for moving doors. They are easy to install as they do not involve provision for door clearances.
2. Pivot Bathtub Doors
Pivot doors are also referred to as swinging doors. Pivot doors open (rotate) outward or inward in one smooth motion. They are also suited for smaller bathrooms without much space for hinged or sliding doors.
3. Sliding Bathtub Doors
Sliding bathtub doors come in single or double panels that slide along movable tracks, allowing entry and exit out of the tub. In the closed position, the door panels act as screens containing water inside the bath area. Sliding doors are well-suited for longer tubs in bigger bathrooms with spaces and nooks where they can slide away.
4. Hinged Bathtub Doors
Hinged doors swing outwards to allow entry into or exit out of the bathtub. Unlike pivot doors, their hinges are on the side of the panel, allowing for a full-length swing. They are ideal in large bathrooms with enough space. When buying hinged bathtub doors, look for seal-through hinges with leak protection.
5. Folding Bathtub Doors
Folding or bi-fold bathtub doors are ideal for smaller bathrooms where sliding or swinging doors take up a lot of space. They consist of two panels that fold accordion-style with hinges on the edges to fold inward or outward. They are practical for tubs with narrow openings and walls on both sides.
Bathtub Door Frame Types
You can choose from three bathtub door frame types to satisfy your needs, preferences, and bathroom style.
1. Framed Bathtub Doors
Framed bathtub doors have a metal frame on each side of the glass panel. The frame support allows the use of thinner glass panels, lowering the cost of framed bathtub doors. They are also easier to install as the metal frame is already in place. However, framed bathtub doors offer dated aesthetics and are difficult to clean.
2. Semi Frameless Bathtub Doors
Semi-frameless bathtub doors offer the feel of an open, airy space while providing frame support on either the sides or the top and bottom of the panels. Semi-frameless tub doors come at an average price point, they require a thicker glass panel than framed doors.
3. Frameless Bathtub Doors
Frameless bathtub doors allow for contemporary styling with unobstructed views, giving the illusion of space even in small bathrooms. Frameless bathtub doors are made of thick glass which does not need framing. Despite coming at a higher price point, frameless does are strong, last long, and are worth the price.
Bathtub Door Glass Types
With the types of bathtub doors and framing styles in mind, you can now choose a suitable bathtub door glass. Bathtub door glass can be either clear, fostered, or patterned. Factors to consider when choosing bathtub door glass type include style, privacy, lighting, and the illusion of space.
1. Clear Bathtub Doors
A clear glass door allows you to showcase your bathroom's modern design, smart shower tiles, and antique fixtures. A clear frameless glass door provides the illusion of space, making rather small bathrooms feel big, open, and airy. Clear glass allows most of the light to pass and is ideal for bathrooms where you do not have lighting fixtures right above your bathtub. Clear bathtub doors offer less privacy, making them unsuitable for shared bathrooms.
2. Frosted Bathtub Doors
Frosted bathtub glass doors provide privacy in shared bathrooms while still allowing some light through the translucent glass. Frosted glass conceals water stains, fingerprints, and smudges well, to remain elegant all the time.
3. Patterned Bathtub Doors
You can choose from abstract designs, floral, or botanicals to make a splash in your bathroom. Patterned bathtub doors come in a variety of styles and patterns and add a luxurious feel to your bathtub.
Get Your Bathtub Shower Door from Ace Decor and Save Big!
Choosing the right bathtub door for your bathroom is essential to its functionality and aesthetics. Other factors to consider when choosing a bathtub door type include space, lighting, and privacy. Your ideal bathtub door can range from a simple framed, hinged door to a frameless, patterned glass bathtub sliding door.
We offer a variety of bathtub door styles and types at Ace Decor to suit our clients' various needs and preferences. Feel free to browse our collection or consult our experts for professional advice on your next purchase. We have sliced our pocket-friendly prices even further so that you can save money on each purchase.
