When you think of shower doors, what comes to mind?
Perhaps something sleek, modern, and minimalist?
Well, that’s a common assumption given the type of shower doors often seen in hotels or high-end properties.
However, shower door hardware is about more than just aesthetics. It also impacts the ease with which you can use your shower.
Here are some things you should know before choosing your new set of shower door hardware.
Have you ever gotten into your shower only to find that it’s not as accessible as you would like it to be?
Maybe the handle was difficult to reach or it was placed so high up on the wall that standing underneath it felt almost impossible.
If so, then you know how important it is to choose the right Shower Door Hardware.
What Is Shower Door Hardware?
Shower door hardware is the hardware that is used to install and hold shower doors in place. It’s important to note that the term “shower doors” refers only to the doors at the entrance of the shower, and not the entire wall that separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom.
The shower door hardware includes the hinges, handles, and latches that are used to secure the doors. If you’re upgrading your existing doors or installing new ones for the first time, you’ll also have to purchase shower door hardware.
Types of Shower Door Hardware
There are several common types of shower door hardware. The choice you make will depend on your specific needs.
- -Hinges – As their name suggests, hinges are used to attach the door to the wall. There are many different styles of hinges, and each one will come with its own set of instructions. The hinge that you choose will be dependent on the type of shower door you have.
- – Handles – Handles are used to open and close the door. There are many different types of handles, and they come in a variety of shapes and styles.
- – Latches – Latches are used to secure the door in place. There are many different types of latches, but regardless of what type you choose, it’s important to place them in a place that’s accessible to everyone in your household. If a latch is too high up, you’ll risk injuring yourself every time you attempt to use it.
- – Slide-in Shower Doors These shower doors are mounted directly to the shower walls, and sometimes also to the floor. These doors are often used in commercial settings, but they’re also suitable for residential use.
- – Corner Shower Doors: Corner shower doors are installed in the same manner as slide-in shower doors. The main difference is that corner shower doors are installed at a 90-degree angle. Corner shower doors are generally used in smaller spaces.
- – Bottom-mounted Shower Doors: These shower doors are mounted to the bottom of the wall and floor, and they swing open upwards. Bottom-mounted shower doors are often used in commercial settings, but they can also be installed in residential environments.
Why Is Choosing The Right Type Important?
Choosing the right type of shower door hardware will make it easier to use your shower, while also making your bathroom look more appealing.
The more accessible your shower is, the more likely you are to use it.
Now, you might be thinking that it doesn’t really matter what type of shower door hardware you choose, as long as it works.
However, the type of shower door hardware you choose can have a major impact on the ease with which you can use your shower.
For example, if you choose a type of shower door hardware that is mounted on the ground, you’ll have to bend down to use it.
The longer you have to spend bending down, the less likely you are to use your shower.
The same goes for choosing shower door hardware that has to be reached from a high place. Sure, it might work, but it’s not very practical.
How to Choose the Right Type for You?
When choosing the right type of shower door hardware for your specific needs, it’s important to take several things into account.
- Your specific needs
- What are your needs when it comes to your shower? Do you want something that is easy to use, or are you willing to sacrifice some ease of use in exchange for aesthetics? What’s your budget like? The specific needs you have will affect your choice of shower door hardware.
- Your specific space
- What are the dimensions of your shower? What types of surfaces does it have? Does the door have to be located in a certain spot? All of these things will affect your choice of shower door hardware.
- The type of door you have
- You might be aware that there are different types of shower doors, such as sliding and corner shower doors. These different types of doors require different types of hardware. Therefore, before choosing a specific type of shower door hardware, you should first decide what type of door you have.
Slide-in Shower Doors
These shower doors are mounted directly to the shower walls, and sometimes also to the floor.
These doors are often used in commercial settings, but they’re also suitable for residential use. When choosing slide-in shower doors, you’ll want to make sure they are compatible with the wall type in your bathroom.
If your walls are made of concrete or cinder blocks, you’ll want to find a shower door that is specially designed for those types of materials.
You’ll also want to make sure the doors are compatible with your existing floor, as well as your bathroom’s water pressure.
Corner Shower Doors
Corner shower doors are installed in the same manner as slide-in shower doors.
The main difference is that corner shower doors are installed at a 90-degree angle. Corner shower doors are generally used in smaller spaces.
When choosing corner shower doors, you’ll want to make sure they come in the correct dimensions.
You’ll also want to ensure they are compatible with your bathroom’s water pressure, and that they can be installed using the correct materials.
Bottom-mounted Shower Doors
These shower doors are mounted to the bottom of the wall and floor, and they swing open upwards.
Bottom-mounted shower doors are often used in commercial settings, but they can also be installed in residential environments.
When choosing bottom-mounted shower doors, you’ll want to make sure they come in the correct dimensions.
You’ll also want to ensure they are compatible with your bathroom’s water pressure, and that they can be installed using the correct materials.
Conclusion
One of the most important aspects of bathroom renovation is choosing the right type of shower door hardware.
It’s the first thing that people see when they open the door, so it needs to look good. It also needs to function properly and be accessible.
Choosing the right shower door hardware can be difficult, especially when there are so many different types to choose from. To make the process easier, start by determining what your specific needs are. Once you’ve done that, you can begin to narrow down your choices.
