One of the most important finishing touches to a bathroom remodel is the type of shower door you install. Choosing the right one will have a strong impact on the looks and convenience of your bathroom, whether you're fitting sliding doors for a walk-in shower or hinged shower doors for a tub.
Find individual doors and shower door kits at Ace, as well as all the hardware and accessories you need to install, repair or replace your shower door.
Are Shower Doors Better than Shower Curtains?
Shower curtains can brighten up your bathroom and are very affordable. However, glass shower doors offer important benefits that shower curtains tend to lack.
Shower doors are sturdier, easier to keep clean, require less frequent replacing and are better at keeping water inside the shower or tub. Frosted shower doors offer added privacy for shared bathrooms.
Hinged Vs. Sliding Shower Doors
One of the first things you’ll need to decide on is the opening style that best suits the needs of your tub or shower.
Sliding Shower Doors
Also known as bypass doors, sliding shower doors are made from two panels that hang from a rack and glide past each other. They’re good options for larger showers. The sliding construction of bypass doors means they take up very little floor space and are convenient for wider bathtub showers. Most include a shower door handle for smooth opening and closing.
Hinged Shower Doors
Opening either inwardly or outwardly, hinged varieties can take up more room than sliding doors but are convenient for corner and cubicle showers. The hinges are most often fixed to the bathroom wall, and don’t need a shower frame.
Pivot Shower Doors
Pivot doors are similar to hinged shower doors but are supported by attachments above and below the door instead of at the side. With pivot doors, the weight is supported by the frame of the shower cubicle.
How Thick Should Shower Glass Be?
Shower door glass ranges from 3/16" up to half an inch thick. Thicker glass is tougher and a good choice for frameless doors, although it will need stronger support from its hinges, guides or pivots.
The glass itself can have a range of coatings and finishes for privacy and looks, including pebbled, frosted and rain effects.
Framed Vs. Frameless Shower Door Kits
Choose the type of frame that best suits your bathroom decor. Frameless doors are mainly glass and suit a modern design. However, an anodized aluminum frame offers a sturdier door with a long and corrosion-free life. Shower door frames are available with black, silver or white finishes.
Can I Install a Shower Door Kit Myself?
A shower door kit may be a good investment for the dedicated DIYer. Most kits include many of the things you need for a successful installation, like a base, wall surround, shower door and center drain. Doors can typically be installed to open from either the left or the right, giving you extra versatility.
Shower Door Accessories, Hardware, and Fittings
If you need a replacement shower door, you'll need the hardware and fittings to go with it. We stock a full range of hardware, including:
- Shower door hinges to fix your door firmly to the bathroom wall or shower enclosure.
- Sliding bottom guide to keep sliding shower doors on the straight and narrow with bottom floor guides and tracks.
- Door bumpers to protect hinged doors and surrounding bathroom fittings.
- Shower door rollers that make sliding glass shower doors open easily and smoothly.
- Shower door sweeps to seal the edges of frameless doors to keep water inside.
Shop Glass Shower Doors Near You at Ace Hardware
Choosing a shower or tub door is an important decision, so if you need any extra information or advice, please contact us online or at your local Ace Hardware store, and we'll be happy to help. Ace also offers a wide selection of shower surrounds, shower heads and accessories to completely revamp your entire shower. Find shower doors near you at your local Ace, or order online today for fast shipping to your home.
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