Which Shower Door Style Works Best for Your Bathroom Remodel?

You’ve spent time researching the different types of shower wall materials and their pros and cons. Whether you’ve landed on classic tile and grout, modern acrylic wall panels, or luxurious natural stone, you still have another decision to make. What type of shower door works best for your bathroom? The problem is that this one isn’t just about aesthetic preferences; it’s also about size and functionality.

At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we’ve completed over 15,000 new tub and  walk in shower installations, which means we’ve installed over 15,000 curtain rods, sliding glass doors, hinge doors, and more. We’re well positioned to help each of our customers envision what different doors would look like in their space and decide what’s best-suited to the overall project. Read on to discover the basics of different shower doors and how to choose between them.

Table of Contents

1. Glass Doors vs. Shower Rods
2.  Popular Shower Door Styles
   1. Sliding Shower Doors
   2. Hinged Shower Doors
   3. Neo-Angle Doors
   4. Steam Doors
   5. Fixed Glass Enclosures
3.  Framed vs. Frameless Shower Doors

Glass Shower Doors vs. Shower Curtain Rods

We can’t talk about the different types of shower doors without mentioning their affordable counterpart: the traditional shower curtain rod. When you’re designing a brand-new shower, a curtain rod isn’t going to make that big of a difference to your final cost. A glass door, on the other hand, can add upwards of $1,000 to the bill. 

Shower curtain rods are a good choice if your goal is to build the most budget-friendly shower possible, whereas a glass shower door is preferable if you want a sleeker design with a bigger property value impact.

Popular Shower Door Styles

You’ve decided you want a shower door, rather than the simple curtain rod that comes with basic walk in showers or tub and shower combinations. Now, it’s time to think about the type of shower door that best suits your functional needs and aesthetic style.

Sliding Shower Doors 

Like barn doors, a sliding shower door moves back and forth on horizontal tracks. You can pair a sliding glass door with a fixed glass panel or have two sliding doors to increase entry and exit options. While this isn’t an option for stall showers (you’ll need a base width of at least 60”), it is a good option for bathrooms with a tight layout, since the doors don’t open outwards.

Hinged Shower Doors

Hinge shower doors work just like your typical door in that they open and close on a hinge. In most cases, they open outward. Unlike sliding shower doors, hinged shower doors work well with stall showers. That said, they may not work well in a small bathroom with a cramped layout, since they do need space to open.

Neo-Angle Doors

Neo-angle shower doors consist of three glass panels, one of which opens on a hinge. They are paired with corner showers with two shower walls, creating a five-sided enclosure. This is a good choice for small bathrooms or bathrooms that are broken up by partitions and other unconventional design features. Though they’re paired with smaller showers, they are not considered a low-cost shower door option because they require more labor (and expertise) to install.

Steam Doors

Not all shower doors are wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling. A steam door is not only both of those things, but it also has reinforced seams to create an airtight enclosure. Steam doors are generally hinged, meaning they need more room outside of the wet area to open but pair well with showers of any size. The purpose of a steam door is, as you may have guessed, to trap the steam generated while your shower runs, creating a sauna-like effect.

Fixed Glass Panels

This shower door option isn’t a door in the technical sense. Fixed glass panels don’t slide or swing open and closed. They are fixed in place, leaving the side furthest from the shower head open at all times. You’ll typically see this type of enclosure in large luxury showers, although they can also pair nicely with a tub and shower combination.

Framed vs. Frameless Shower Doors

The style of shower door you choose may also depend on your preference of framed or frameless glass. Framed shower doors are framed by sturdy aluminum, while frameless shower doors are not.

Customize Your Shower to Fit Your Needs and Your Budget

No shower is complete without a shower door or curtain. What you choose will impact your budget upfront, your shower’s functionality, and the long-term value of your bathroom remodel. With this guide, you can start customizing the shower that checks every box.

ZINTEX Remodeling Group is a family-owned bathroom remodeling company with locations in Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, and beyond. We specialize in mid-range acrylic shower systems and have completed thousands since 2001. How much would it cost to get a ZINTEX walk in shower? Find out in our walk in shower cost guide.