What Are Shower Doors Made Of?

There Are a Lot of Materials Used, But One is Generally Better Than The Others…

The right shower door generally enhances the look of your bathroom, but they are also designed with safety and durability in mind. There are a few materials commonly used to make shower doors, and we’ll go over what they are right now. If you want a shower door that is both elegant and durable, however, there is only one choice. You’ll have to read on to find out what that is.

Acrylic and Fiberglass

Acrylic and fiberglass are two somewhat popular materials for shower doors. Both are lightweight and cost less than glass doors. They’re also likely a little simpler to install. But they don’t typically look as nice and are less durable than their glass counterpart.

Glass Shower Doors

Glass shower doors are the most popular choice for their combination of elegance and durability. The tempered glass used in shower doors is heat-treated to improve strength, making it 4-5 times stronger than regular glass. If tempered glass did break, it would also fall into small, less harmful pieces than standard glass. This is an important safety feature, especially for children and the elderly.
Glass shower doors can be installed without a frame, giving them a more elegant look and feel. A frameless glass door shows off the tile work inside the shower and can make the whole bathroom appear larger.

With glass shower doors, you can enjoy choices such as:

Painted Glass – Back-painted glass is simply a sheet of glass painted on one side. You’ll enjoy the chosen paint color along with the sheen and clarity of glass.

StayCLEAN? – You’ll enjoy a lifetime of squeaky clean glass with a coating applied to both sides of the panel that makes your door both oil and water-resistant.

Shower Door Hardware Accessories

Glass shower doors require metallic hardware and accessories that match the elegant look of the door itself. When you go with a custom door, you can order hardware with a finish designed to match your bathroom fixtures.

Shower Door Frames

Shower door frames are typically made from aluminum because they’re lightweight, strong, and resistant to water damage. Some may be made of stainless steel or brass to give them a more polished look. But the frames on a shower door can also make it look bulky and take away from some of the natural elegance of the materials. Water can also pool inside the frame, leaving an ideal habitat for mold and mildew to take hold. This is why we prefer the glass, frameless approach to shower doors.

Types of Shower Doors

Along with the various materials, shower doors can come in different styles or types. As you search for shower doors, below are some of the most common styles and types you’ll likely come across.

Sliding Shower Doors

Sliding shower doors consist of two or more panels that slide along a track to open or close. They are ideal for a smaller bathroom with less space to open or close.

Hinged or Swinging Shower Doors

As you may have guessed, hinged doors are hung with hinges that allow the door to swing open or shut. Depending on your space and layout, they can be installed for an inward or outward swing. They’re also sometimes referred to as pivot doors.

Bi-Fold Shower Doors

Bi-fold doors consist of two panels that fold inward like an accordion. They can be used in small bathrooms as a means to save space.