Glass shower doors: a guarantee of coziness, comfort and beauty

The shower area in the bathroom should be separate from the rest of the room. This prevents splashing and excessive humidity in the room. The traditional shower curtain is a thing of the past, replaced by glass shower doors. This item provides more reliable protection, and with the right choice, it can create an original addition to the interior.

The glass shower door is not only practical, but also a stylish element in the interior

The purpose and function of the glass shower door

Shower doors are an integral part of modern bathrooms. They fulfill both practical and aesthetic functions. It is possible to install independent models or in combination with a shower cabin, which depends on the choice of the owners. Structures are made from different materials, but it is glass that allows you to effectively plan small areas. It is one of the elements of modern room design styles. More detailed characteristics of shower doors are given below.

The main function of the shower door is to prevent water splashing in the bathroom.

A shower cabin, unlike a bath, allows you to maximize space savings in small rooms for water treatments. Progressive solutions in the plumbing business and a wide range of products allow for the placement of the shower in previously unused places. For example, in niches or utility rooms, as well as an additional bathroom in large multi-storey private houses.

A convenient door allows you to minimize the used area. By preventing the spread of splashes and foam, it prevents the formation of puddles on the floor. A transparent material, in particular glass, allows to visually increase the space in the middle of the cab.In rooms where there may be several users, for example, in changing rooms of sports clubs, it is better to use a translucent or matte material for the walls and shower doors.

Glass shower doors are easy to use and easy to maintain

Glass shower doors are highly practical, easy to maintain and operate. It is enough to wash them regularly with special products. The main purpose of the structure is protection from moisture, which is more effective in the presence of high-quality fittings.

Useful advice! When choosing glass doors, you should pay attention not only to their impeccable appearance, but also to the material processing technology, which ensures its durability.

Convenient glass shower door for reduced floor space

Shower door: features of the choice of type and model

When choosing the option for decorating the entrance to the shower, you should remember that the door is not only reliable protection against splashes, but also an integral part of the overall interior of the entire room. Correctly selected door is convenient to use, improves comfort while taking water procedures and ensures maximum tightness. Below we will consider the conditions for the correct choice.

In an apartment where three people live, the shower doors are opened at least six times a day, so the mechanism responsible for opening the doors must be reliable. There are many products on the market now, which both simplifies and complicates the selection. Preference should be given to tried and tested European brands that guarantee the quality of both solid cabins and fittings. Hinges and rollers of Italian, German and Finnish production have good characteristics.

Long-term operation is guaranteed by the thickness of the material, which must exceed 4 mm. Thin glass requires special protection in the form of a transparent or frosted film coating. It should be noted that the plastic product may be thinner, but its quality is significantly inferior to glass.

A properly selected door should be comfortable and as tight as possible

It is important to measure the opening beforehand. On the side of the doors, you need to leave centimeter gaps. If this condition is neglected, the door will rub against the walls, which is accompanied by unpleasant sounds, difficulty in opening and the risk of damaging the glass sheet.

A special place belongs to the design of the shower door. A transparent door is a universal option. If the choice fell on a colored design or a model with drawings, spraying, stained-glass windows, then it is necessary to take into account that the product must fit into the overall interior. The main thing here is not extravagance, but minimalism and convenience.

In order for the shower door to last a long time, it is necessary to choose a high-quality mechanism

How to choose material for shower doors

Shower doors are made from a variety of materials. When making a choice in favor of one of them, you should know that this material must meet the following requirements:

• provide maximum shower functionality;
• have style and design compliance with the overall interior;
• to satisfy the personal preferences of the home owners.

Door material shower cabin should match the overall style of the bathroom

Some of the most popular shower door materials include:

• plastic;
• ordinary glass;
• strained glass;
• triplex;
• plexiglass.

The main advantage of plastic in comparison with glass is its low cost. It is this advantage that often attracts buyers. At the same time, it should be noted that the plastic shower door is only suitable for temporary structures. Another distinctive feature of plastic is the lightness of the material and ease of installation, which does not require special skills and abilities.

The most popular types of glass for showers are tempered glass, plexiglass and triplex

Useful advice! If the place in the niche for the installation of the structure has non-standard dimensions and shape, then it is better to make custom-made shower doors. The high cost is offset by the ease of use and durability of such a door.

The main disadvantage of plastic is quick wear. Shower doors made of this material quickly lose their original presentable appearance. After the first months of use, traces of drips and salt deposits are deposited on the plastic. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly dry such a door after each shower. In addition, low-quality plastic gradually begins to exfoliate. If the choice still leans towards this material, then it is better to give preference to transparent models. Plastic with tint fade rather quickly, which makes the door look poor.

Glass shower door: advantages and disadvantages

A shower is a room with a high level of humidity, so the main function of the door is to protect against moisture penetration from the inside. Other advantages of glass models include:

A glass door with proper care will retain its original appearance for a long time

1. Strength and durability. Insignificant mechanical influences do not harm the structure. Strength characteristics are increased when using triplex or tempered glass.
2. Safety. Even if damaged, the fragments either acquire a rounded shape, or the remains of the doors remain on the protective film.
3. Resistance to different temperature conditions. Glass and thermoplastics can withstand large temperature fluctuations.
4. Pristine appearance for a long period. With proper care, glass retains its attractiveness for a long time.
5. Versatile design features. Glass shower doors fit perfectly into literally any room decoration style.
6. Easy to care for. The glass is easy to clean, giving it a fresh and shiny look.
7. Decorativeness. The use of different decoration methods will make the doors more attractive and original.
8. Atoxicity. Glass is a natural material that does not emit harmful substances.

High cost is the main disadvantage of glass doors

It should be noted that the glass doors to the shower room are equipped with high-quality fittings with an anti-corrosion coating, which provide additional protection during operation in a humid environment.

The main disadvantage of glass doors is their high cost. In addition, rather high costs are required for their transportation and installation, which must be carried out exclusively by professionals. Another disadvantage is the accumulation of condensation on the walls of the door, so you should worry about good ventilation of the room.

Glass shower doors fit perfectly into any interior style

Glass shower doors: aesthetics and practicality

The peculiarity of glass doors is a combination of aesthetic appeal and its practical use for its intended purpose. Therefore, modern manufacturers are worried not only about the reliability of the structure, but also about its beauty, style and decorative design. Glass as a material itself has a fascinating texture, and experienced designers and craftsmen make real masterpieces out of doors.

Useful advice! An alternative to the shower door in the bathroom can be a special partition. It provides less insulation, but serves as a reliable protection against the spread of excess moisture. The choice depends on personal preferences, the characteristics of the premises and financial capabilities.

Glass doors in the bathroom interior look stylish and organic

The wide range of designs includes options in plain, frosted or extra clear glass.Silk-screen printing will add originality to each door, allowing you to apply a variety of patterns and artistic images to glass.

Engraved designs, multi-colored coatings or toning give decorativeness. Such colors as blue, bronze, graphite are especially popular. The latest technology of sandblasting allows you to make the surface original and create exclusive patterns from matte and transparent parts.

Designers pay special attention to the texture of the material itself and accessories. Glass doors can be made to order, taking into account all the requirements of the owners of the house or apartment. This will provide an original and exclusive look to the bathroom, as well as make it possible to maintain the overall design of the room. It should be noted that custom-made doors will cost an order of magnitude more expensive than those purchased from mass production.

There is a wide range of glass shower doors on the market for every taste

Shower glass: material properties and structural features

Durability, practicality, reliability, ease of care, safety and a wide range of design solutions have made glass the most popular material in the manufacture of shower doors. At the same time, it should be noted that glass of a certain tempering and density is used for this purpose. The thickness of the material is usually 5-8 mm, which optimally combines protection and weight. Glass doors can have a different appearance and structure, be transparent, frosted or patterned.

Tempered glass is characterized by special properties. The level of shock resistance of this material is several times higher than that of ordinary glass. Additional protection is provided by a special film that prevents fragments from scattering in case of cracking.

Glass doors are reliable, durable and practical

The most expensive and at the same time the most reliable material is triplex. It is a structure of thin glass leaves, which are interconnected by a polymer material. The door from such a connection is almost impossible to break, so it is easy to transport and can be safely installed in a house with many children.

Related article:

Glass shower enclosure without pallet: a comfortable solution for the bathroom

Features of choice, taking into account the size and shape of the room, design options. Choice of fittings, advice on installation. Features of care.

Recently, in shower cabins, the use of organic glass is quite often practiced, which is much lighter than triplex and tempered glass. This significantly reduces the cost of the product. But this material is more susceptible to scratches, chips and other mechanical damage.

Triplex is not only the most expensive, but also the most reliable material

Useful advice! When buying glass doors, you should pay special attention to the structure of the product itself, as well as to the presence of a protective coating. The film prevents glass cracking and chipping in case of mechanical damage.

Types of glass door openers in the shower

Shower doors can have a simple or complicated design, consist of one, two or more leaves. The opening and closing process is provided by different mechanisms. The choice of option depends on the area of ​​the room, the dimensions of the cabin itself or the place allocated for the shower, as well as on the complexion of the people living in the house. Species diversity (in accordance with this classification) is represented by several variations:

• sliding doors made of glass on rollers, which can be one-, two- or three-leaf;
• swing mechanism, which is the traditional way of opening the door inward or outward, while one or two shower doors are hinged to the base;

By the type of mechanism, doors are swing, sliding and accordion

• swing door with a different fastening method: it is connected not with ordinary, but with profile hinges;
• swing models on pivoting hinges that do not have fixed doors; they can open either in one direction or according to the principle of a pendulum;
• door with an accordion-type opening mechanism.

Any of the listed options has a number of advantages and disadvantages, so their choice is a purely individual matter. For example, a sliding shower door will help save space as much as possible, while moisture flows freely directly into the tray. To install the swing mechanism, additional space will be required.

Sliding shower doors: reasons for leadership in the ranking

Experts and users rightfully give the sliding mechanism the palm, as it has a number of advantages, in particular:

Sliding glass shower doors are the most popular among users

• practically does not take up space;
• the opening method does not imply the presence of space in front of the cab;
• the design is quite strong, provided that the walls are securely fastened and strong;
• ease of installation and assembly.

The action of the opening mechanism consists in the movement of the door along special rails that are attached to the protective walls at the top and bottom of the cab. Free movement of the shutters is provided by rollers and bearings. Another variant of the mechanism is an internal or closed device. The frame for glass sliding shower doors is made of different materials: metal alloy, pure aluminum or metal-plastic.

Removable or frameless models simplify maintenance of the structure. The door in such a product is held by one upper roller. Installation of special profiles with seals on magnets or on latches helps to ensure maximum adherence of the sashes to each other and to exclude moisture penetration outside.

Sliding doors are easy to install, durable and space-saving

The main condition for long-term operation of sliding shower doors is proper care and careful handling. It is necessary to use the mechanism smoothly, strong and sudden movements are unacceptable here. A simple sponge and mild detergents should be used to clean the booth to avoid scratches.

Useful advice! If the shower stall is very small or people of large build use it, then it is undesirable to install an opening sliding mechanism along the inner edge. This can cause inconvenience while taking water treatments.

Shower cabin with a swing door: advantages and disadvantages

The swing mechanism (wherever the door is located) is the most ancient and traditional. This fact does not exclude their widespread use in the design of bathrooms. The reliability and practicality of this method of opening doors is beyond doubt. The movement is provided by swivel canopies.

Swing doors are considered the most traditional

Hinged shower doors are either single or double. The leaves can be either the same or different in size. The advantage of the double-sided design is that it takes up much less space when open. The installation of such a model is somewhat more expensive, since it requires the installation of an additional set of accessories.

The doors are attached with hinges to the metal frame or directly to the wall. The tight fit of the sashes to each other and, as a result, excellent sealing of the shower room is guaranteed by special seals. High-quality hinges contribute to the quiet movement of the doors and their functionality. Equipping the door with an eccentric mechanism ensures that the door leaf is raised during opening and lowered when closed.

Models with a vertically positioned bearing profile are a more expensive variant of swing doors. Such hinges promote an even distribution of the weight of each door along its entire length. Thus, there are no distortions and deviations of the doors throughout the entire operation. This factor ensures reliable tightness of the room. The glass is protected from sharp blows by a special fixation system.

Hinged shower doors can be single or double

Unlike sliding structures, swing doors can be installed in a small shower cubicle, which is one door block wide. The design flaw is the need for additional space to open the doors.

Shower doors: pendulum system and accordion opening principle

The pendulum shower door opening mechanism is only permissible in spacious bathrooms. In order for the door leaf to fit freely, a clear calculation of the turning angle is necessary (without the occurrence of obstacles). The door is rotated around a central or offset axis. Sometimes the axis is the sash edge itself.

Opening according to the "accordion" principle is also an unpopular way. There are soft and hard options. In the second case, the material and installation of the system itself are quite costly. To achieve the required waterproofing, you need to purchase high-quality fittings for connecting the accordion elements. It can consist of two or more parts. This option is more like the principle of closing a book cover.

Doors with an accordion-type opening mechanism are the most expensive

Soft materials fold into folds by folding and pull together at one point. The structure is attached to a stable frame. In this case, we are not talking about a glass door. The material can be soft plastic or dense polyethylene.

Useful advice! Shower glass is the best choice for doors. The material is much more expensive than plastic, but more wear-resistant. For those who want to save money, plexiglass is a budget option - something between glass and plastic. It should be noted that this material is less durable and less aesthetic than glass.

This mechanism has its advantages:

• saving space;
• the device does not go beyond the opening;
• the door can be partially opened;
• the possibility of using inexpensive materials.

Accordion glass doors can consist of one or two leaves

Experts refer to the disadvantages of the accordion system:

• unreliable isolation level;
• weak strength of the mechanism;
• the complexity of washing and cleaning.

Shower door to a niche: features of the choice of options

An inexpensive and at the same time compact option is to place a shower in a niche. The implementation of such an idea is possible even in a small bathroom. The simplest version is to erect a structure in the form of two lined walls or to erect a partition to the size of the shower room parallel to the main wall. A tray and a door to the shower niche are installed between them.

Accommodation shower in a niche - it is convenient, compact and financially beneficial

Components for this design can be bought at almost any hardware store. When choosing materials, you need to pay attention to how the door for the shower niche will open. If the space is less than 1 m, then the device can be a sliding, swing or accordion type. Swing doors are much more expensive, as they are made of tempered glass, their thickness is at least 6 mm. Tightness is ensured by special profiles and magnets.

Installation of sliding doors is possible in almost any niche, the maximum limit is 170 cm. Such structures consist of several parts. In the double version, one door is installed on the rollers, in the triple version - two movable parts. If there are four doors in the niche, then two of them are stationary, and two are movable.The glass thickness of such products does not exceed 4 mm.

If space permits, then swing glass doors can be installed in the niche.

Giving preference to the sliding type, special attention should be paid to the rollers for the shower doors. They are single and double, the difference lies in their reliability. An important role is played by a silicone seal that fits the structure. It is of fundamental importance that the door for shower enclosures in the niche is made of tempered glass. Breaking, such glass will disintegrate into even parts, which are impossible to injure.

When choosing glass doors for a shower in a niche, it is important to consider the design. Fancy models are more expensive, but do not always match the overall interior. Therefore, it is better to give preference to seasoned, but practical options.

It is possible to install any type of glass doors in the shower niche

Choosing the right size glass shower door

For a shower, the door format must be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the opening. This is especially important when calculating the size of a niche door. In this case, their location is limited and it is impossible to change it in case of an error. But the height can be chosen arbitrary - within the ceiling height. The optimal point of the upper part of the doors ranges from 200 to 220 cm. The height of the door is usually made on a par with the entire structure, so as not to disturb the overall harmony.

The situation is simpler if the niche where the doorway is planned to be installed is wider. After all, it can be easily narrowed with a fixed insert on the frame. For symmetry, two columns can be installed. The door width is calculated depending on the size of the users. Standard models are available in sizes 80, 90, 100 and 120 cm.

Useful advice! The Easy Clean inscription on the doors for the shower stall in the trade network means that they have been treated with a special agent that provides easy glass cleaning. The water runs off the surface without leaving calcium stains and streaks. Thus, the coating prevents the formation of plaque and mildew.

It is important to measure the opening as accurately as possible so as not to be mistaken with the size of the door

Features of installing doors in a glass shower and the choice of fittings

The swing mechanism assumes a fairly simple installation. The main thing is not to overtighten the screws, as this can lead to cracks. Installation of sliding doors is more complicated and includes several stages:

• installation of the roller mechanism at the top;
• installation of lower rollers;
• installation of a seal around the perimeter of the doors;
• installation of doors on rollers;
• installation of stops at the bottom and plugs of the roller mechanism.

Before installing the doors on rollers, you need to check their integrity and the quality of the seals. Omissions can lead to water leakage and steam penetration into the room. As a rule, seals serve well throughout the year, then they lose elasticity and become covered with cracks.

Installation of sliding doors is more complicated than the installation of swing structures

The choice of fittings is the final, but no less important stage in the installation of glass doors for a bathroom or shower. One of the main elements is the hinges. They must be suitable for the intended load, made of durable metal, and coated with an anti-corrosion agent. Chrome, brass, nickel, bronze and steel hinges are suitable for this.

The choice of shower handles is quite varied. In appearance they look like handles-staples, handles-buttons or handles-plates. Also, products can be simple, rotary or pretentious, patterned. They are installed only outside or on both sides, fastened with screws with special nylon washers.

Corner, line and height connectors give the cab an attractive look, making it complete. In addition, they ensure the tightness of the joints. The corner size of the connector matches the corners of the structure.This value can be equal to 90 ° right angle or it will have a higher value.

Door fittings should be of high quality and in harmony with the overall design of the room

Factory decorating glass shower doors

The decorated product gives an aesthetic appearance to the entire room and contributes to a good mood. The decoration is carried out both in industrial and at home. If the factory decorations are visible immediately upon purchase, then the result of the handmade work will become evident only after its completion.

In production, for decorating doors, a variety of professional equipment is used, which allows you to make sandblasting, mosaic figures, engraving or apply special stickers and a film coating with a pattern. In the program of machines with numerical control, any picture is set, which subsequently appears on glass or plastic.

The production decor has several disadvantages. In particular, decorated doors are expensive and the designs are mostly serial, which leads to the loss of exclusivity of doors in the shower.

The decorated glass door will look stylish and original

Useful advice! To be original, you can order door decoration by choosing a picture you like from the catalog or by offering your own sketch with a clear indication of the size and resolution. The program may simply not detect a fuzzy image.

Ways to decorate shower doors with your own hands

Modern equipment, available to a wide range of consumers, allows you to decorate glass doors at home. The main advantage of handmade work is exclusivity and uniqueness, which makes it especially valuable. You will need an engraver for engraving. Drawings and patterns on plexiglass look very beautiful. Under the influence of light refraction, thin lines appear deeper, a 3D effect of the picture appears. Engraving on triplex and tempered glass requires special skills and the use of diamond tips.

The next way to decorate yourself is stained glass painting. For this, ordinary brushes and special paints are used, which are relatively inexpensive. The main conditions for successful work are imagination, artistic skills and a little time. For operational work, you can use templates and stencils.

To decorate the door with your own hands, you can use Oracal film

Self-adhesive Oracal film is also used as a decor with their own hands. Its variety of textures and colors will help create a uniquely vibrant composition. The main advantage of this decoration method is quick dismantling. Therefore, a motive that is already boring can be easily replaced with a new composition.

Selection of glass shower doors: photos of models from leading manufacturers

The sanitary ware market is saturated with a variety of models of both fully equipped shower cabins and individual elements. Cezares shower doors take the leading position among them. The manufacturer specializes in both swing and sliding models. Cezares shower doors in a niche are also made in various variations. A special place in the list of models is occupied by single structures in the opening or doors with an additional section. This option makes it possible to install a door in a niche of any width, filling the missing space with an additional column.

A distinctive feature of Caesaris shower doors is that they are made mainly of transparent glass, and the use of matte material is inherent only in some collections. Each model is equipped with high quality steel hinges that ensure smooth door opening. The warranty period is 15 years.

The Italian company Cezares produces a variety of high quality shower doors

Royal Glass of Water RGW is a fairly young company in the plumbing equipment market, established in 2007. The brand is known for its products that are characterized by the safety of bathroom equipment.

RGW shower doors are made of laminated multi-layer and extremely durable Triplex glass. It can only be broken under very strong mechanical stress. At the same time, RGW products do not fly apart, but form a web in the middle of the frame, which makes the products as safe as possible. It was Royal Glass of Water that became the inventor of the method of coating glass surfaces with Glass Easy Cleaning, thanks to which there are no traces of stains and streaks on the surface.

Glass doors are the most practical shower solution. Having studied the features of the material, the rules for selection, installation and decoration, you can safely go shopping. The selected model and accessories, subject to the recommendations listed above, will serve faithfully for a long time in any house or apartment.