Measure Your Shower Space
To find the right shower door for your bathroom, you'll need to measure the size of your shower opening.
Shower Enclosure
Step 1: Measure the horizontal distance across the entrance of the shower at three points: the top, middle and bottom. Note the shortest measurement among these points. This is the width of the shower space.
Step 2: Measure the height from the top of the shower base to the upper edge of the entrance.
Step 3: Note if the showerhead is on the left or right side.
Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure
Step 1: Measure in three locations at the bottom of the opening: the left side, the middle and the right side.
Step 2: Measure the height from the top of the shower base to the upper edge of the entrance.
Step 3: Note if the door hinges will be on the left or right side.
90-Degree Shower Enclosure
Step 1: Measure the distance from the opening of the shower to the back wall. This is the depth of the shower space.
Step 2: Measure the width across the front of the opening.
Step 3: Measure the height from the top of the shower base to the upper edge of the entrance.
Step 4: Note if the door hinges will be on the left or right side.
Note any unusual features or barriers in the shower area, such as slanted ceilings or fixtures, that could impact the door's fit or operation. These factors should be considered when selecting the right door size and style.
Shower Door Sizes
While there are standard sizes for shower doors, custom sizes are available to accommodate different layouts and preferences.
Standard Dimensions
Shower doors come in standard sizes to fit most showers. The typical width of a shower door is 22 to 36 inches. The height is usually between 72 and 78 inches. These dimensions work for most bathrooms and help prevent water from leaking onto the floor.
Sliding doors are between 48 and 60 inches wide. Hinged doors are perfect for narrow spaces and are typically 24 to 36 inches wide.
Custom Sizes
Custom-sized shower doors work well for uniquely-shaped bathrooms or older homes with irregular dimensions. These doors can be made to fit according to the precise measurements of the door.
Matching Door Size to Bathroom Layout
Tailoring your door selection to fit your space's specific dimensions and layout can greatly improve functionality and visual appeal.
Small Bathrooms
Small bathrooms need smart storage tricks to save space. Sliding doors are great because they don't need extra space to open. Bi-fold doors are also a good choice because they fold inwards. They also require less space and provide easy access.
Large Bathrooms
You can choose from a wider range of doors with bigger bathrooms. Hinged doors or pivot doors can open wide and look nice in a big space. Frameless doors are also popular in spacious bathrooms, offering a sleek, modern look.
Unusual Layouts
If you have an unusual layout for your bathroom, custom-sized doors might work well. They help your door fit just right with particular dimensions set by you. If you have angled walls or corner showers, pivot doors work well. Custom sliding doors or bi-fold doors are ideal for customization.
Practical Considerations
Your shower door opening size depends on a number of essential factors.
Door Swing and Clearance
Choosing a shower door depends on your space. Hinged and pivot doors need room to swing open freely while sliding and bi-fold doors are perfect for tight spaces because they don't require any extra clearance.
Water Containment
Frameless doors often have special strips and seals to block water. Make sure it fits your shower pan snugly, no matter what door you choose. This helps prevent water from escaping through tiny gaps and keeps your bathroom floor dry.
Ease of Cleaning
Maintaining a clean shower door improves the overall look of your bathroom. Less dirt and grime builds up in frameless doors, making them easy to clean. Doors with tracks can store a large amount of soap scum and dirt. This can require more effort when it comes to cleaning.
Types of Shower Doors
Now that you've measured your space, you'll need to determine the type of shower door you'd like.
Door Types
- Sliding
- Hinged
- Pivot
- Bi-Fold
- Fixed
Frame Types
- Frameless
- Framed
We'll show you examples of each shower door and frame type and explain the benefits, so that you can choose the best one for your bathroom.
Frameless Shower Doors
Pros: They consist of minimal hardware and have a sleek look. They're easy to clean and have a spacious feel, so they work well in modern spaces.
Considerations: They're more expensive because the glass is thicker. They require professional installation to ensure there aren't any leaks.
Framed Shower Doors
Pros: They’re durable with a more traditional appearance. They're budget-friendly and offer better water containment than frameless doors.
Considerations: Due to the frame, they're more difficult to clean. The glass is thinner and the frame breaks up the visual flow, making it feel less spacious.
Sliding Shower Doors
Pros: They're perfect for small bathrooms because the door easily slides open and they don’t need extra room to swing open. They also offer good water containment.
Considerations: The tracks can be difficult to clean. They can have a narrow entry, so consider this if there are any mobility issues.
Hinged Shower Doors
Pros: They work well in large bathrooms due to their wide opening. They're easy to clean and have a sleek, modern look.
Considerations: Installation can be more expensive and the hardware requires occasional tightening. Water can also drip on the floor when opening the door.
Fixed Shower Doors
Pros: They're budget-friendly and work well in small spaces. They're very stable since they're stationary and there are no moving parts.
Considerations: Since the shower area isn't completely contained, water can splash onto the floor, there's less privacy and it can feel drafty.
Pivot Shower Doors
Pros: They work well in small bathrooms because the door requires less clearance. They have a sleek and modern appearance and are easy to clean.
Considerations: Installation can be complex, so we recommend hiring a pro. The door also opens into the bathroom, so water can leak onto the floor.
Bi-Fold Shower Doors
Pros: By folding inward, they save space and work well in compact bathrooms. If there are mobility issues, bi-fold doors are a good choice.
Considerations: Installation and maintenance can be more complex because of the moving parts. The folding panels are also more difficult to clean.
Let's Get Started
If you're ready to purchase a new shower door for your bathroom, it's important to measure the opening first. We'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to measure and then we'll explain the different types of shower doors that are available to purchase.
Choose from the following types:
- Sliding
- Hinged
- Pivot
- Bi-Fold
- Fixed
Once you've measured and select the door type, it's time to shop online or visit your local Lowe's store to purchase. Then we can install it for you.