How to Choose the Best Shower Doors and Bathtub Doors

Selecting a shower door is a matter of personal taste as well as fitting. When browsing options online or at the store, you'll need to think about:

• The size and layout of your shower or bathtub (you'll need precise measurements to ensure the door fits)
• The look you want to achieve
• The amount of privacy you require

Also, when installing a shower door, it's a good idea to inspect your current shower head and plumbing fixtures, and possibly consider replacing them. For help, see Choosing a Shower Head. If you're considering a shower update as part of a complete remodel, check out our Bathroom Planning Guide.

Be sure to carefully measure the width and height of your shower or bathtub entrance before deciding on a new door. Experts recommend determining measurements within 1/16 of an inch. Measure from top to bottom and vertically in two different places to ensure the dimensions of the space are consistent. Although showers and bathtubs vary, here are some typical dimensions:

Standard shower-bathtub combination width = 60 inches
Large stand-alone shower width = 54 to 60 inches
Small stand-alone shower width = 42 to 48 inches
Most popular bathtub door height = 57 to 62 inches
Most popular shower door height = 70 to 79 inches

Sliding, Bypass and Barn-Door-Style Shower Doors

• Consist of two or more panels that slide or roll on top- and/or bottom-mounted tracks
• Suited for wide openings, providing an average of 60 inches of entrance space
• Great for alcove showers, shower and tub combinations or smaller, narrow bathrooms, as these types of doors don’t swing out

Hinged and Pivot Shower Doors

• Can be mounted with single or double hinges to swing either inward or outward, like a traditional room door
• Intended for narrower corner and alcove stand-alone showers
• Hinged shower doors or pivot shower doors can be mounted to the shower wall or to fixed panels

Neo-Angle and Curved Shower Enclosures

• Intended exclusively for neo-angle or curved shower enclosures and bases
• Best for stand-alone showers installed in a corner
• Space-saving
• Swing left or right

• Shorter than standard shower doors and designed to fit shower-bathtub combinations
• They're available as sliding doors for a bathtub or bypass design
  
• Available in framed or frameless options and in a variety of glass styles

Framed Shower and Bathtub Doors
Framed shower doors and framed bathtub doors are often less expensive than frameless models, come in standard sizes and can support thinner glass. Many contain a rubber seal around the perimeter that prevents leaking but it’s also a breeding ground for mold and mildew, so these doors require more frequent cleaning with appropriate products.

Frameless Shower and Bathtub Doors
Frameless shower doors and frameless bathtub doors are an ideal choice for bathrooms with an open or modern design, plus they’re easiest to clean. Frameless doors can also be custom installed, which is a job best handled by a professional. The most popular glass thickness for a frameless door is 1/4 inch, followed by 3/8 inch and 5/16 inch. Keep in mind that a heavier glass door requires sturdier mounting.

Semi-Frameless Shower and Bathtub Doors
Semi-frameless shower doors and semi-frameless bathtub doors can vary in the amount of frame included, but most involve some sort of header structure. Like fully framed doors, semi-frameless doors typically come in standard sizes, which makes them a good compromise if you want the look of a frameless door but don’t want to invest in the expense of a custom product or want a frameless-style door you can easily install yourself.

Your choice of door glass mostly comes down to your bathroom's décor and your preference, but there are few differentiating factors:

• Clear glass doors are a more modern, stylish option. Because they provide more visibility to the shower interior, they're the preferred choice for elaborately patterned tiled showers you want to show off, and they can open up the look of a smaller bathroom. Privacy typically isn't an issue with clear shower doors if your bathroom door locks.
• Frosted glass doors are treated with an opaque finish and offer the most privacy. These doors can be more difficult to clean as their pattern makes it harder to see dirt and grime.
• Patterned and finished glass doors are etched with a variety of patterns, such as a raindrop or rainfall pattern, to offer some privacy but are more translucent than frosted glass.