How to choose the right shower door shape for your bathroom
The concept of a shower door is fairly simple and straightforward; a pane of glass that allows you to enter the shower and retains water within the enclosure. However, there are many shapes and styles to choose from. So, if you are planning to replace your old shower door or install a new one, you need to make sure you make the right choice for your shower door needs.
The most common shapes include rectangular, new angle, curved, corner, semi-oval or quadrant shower doors.
Some of these shapes are more common than others, but all of them are common in most American bathrooms.
What determines the shape of a shower door?
The shape of the shower door is primarily influenced by the location of the enclosure within the bathroom. For example, it may be located halfway between two walls, in the corner of a room, or in some cases, it may even be located alone in the center of a room. Of course, showers are also often combined with bathtubs.
These different orientations determine how many glass panels may be needed and what shapes may or may not be available.
If you're still not sure which shower door shape is right for you, we've provided a brief guide below with a description of each shape:
square shower door
Not surprisingly, one of the most popular shapes is the square shower door, which is perfect for any size bathroom, especially smaller bathrooms. It can be easily installed on the wall or corner. This design also provides a modern and stylish look without taking up too much space and provides more space in the bathroom than a quadrant-style enclosure.
Square shower doors are also ideal for areas with more space, such as large bathrooms, making it easy to fit their modest footprint where it's most convenient, leaving more room for other amenities.
Another advantage of this shape is that, due to its popularity, there are more options when it comes to glass types and glass hardware. However, compared to a curved shower door, for example, there may be fewer of the same options available.
Rectangular shower door
The shape of a rectangular shower enclosure is of course very similar to a square, but it is also more versatile as the width can be customized to suit your needs. For example, if you have a larger bathroom and space is not an issue, a rectangular shower door may be your best choice.
The enclosure can be installed in a corner with 2 sides along a flat wall on 3 sides, as part of a bath unit, or in some cases it can even be a stand-alone unit.
The average size of a rectangular enclosure in the United States is approximately 60 inches wide by 42 inches deep.
A well-designed rectangular shower enclosure can add a touch of class to any bathroom. Whether you have a standard shower cubicle or plan to create a new one, glass shower doors are becoming increasingly popular, with rectangular structures the most obvious choice for many bathrooms.
One of the most common shower types, rectangular shower enclosures are extremely versatile when it comes to customization. There are a variety of framed and semi-frameless models with designs and finishes that accentuate the bathroom's décor, as well as frameless models that convey understated elegance and sophistication.
Another advantage of frameless shower doors is that they help create the feeling of a larger space without compromising the appearance of tiles, wallpaper or other accessories.
New angle shower door
New Angle Shower Doors are a space-saving option for corner showers with an angular design. The new angular design is an enclosure with two connecting walls and three glazed sides, creating a diamond-shaped appearance best suited to large corner areas.
This shower door type typically comes with a swing door that opens outward and away from the center panel of the enclosure, so it's important to have enough space to accommodate its larger footprint.
This shower type gets its name from the angle of its center panel, which looks like a cube with flat corners.
Side panels can be made from a variety of glass combinations, fully glazed or half glazed, making it one of our most versatile shower door shapes.
An important factor to consider when choosing a new angle shower is the angle of the door, which usually faces the center of the bathroom. If you have enough space in your center, this might be a good option for you!
curved shower door
Homeowners who like curved and semi-circular shower doors will love it for its sleek and modern design. These cases exude upscale sophistication, and they often come with a price tag to match.
In addition to being beautiful, curved shower doors are also more space-saving, making them a great choice for small bathrooms and corner units.
corner shower door
One of the most common configurations in modern homes is the corner shower, which consists of two glass sides connected to each other and to the wall. They can be curved or square.
When frameless, this design allows for plenty of natural light and makes the bathroom look more open, which is why you'll find corner units in almost every small bathroom with a shower. This is one of the reasons why corner shower doors are such a popular choice for historic homes.
The classic design of the corner shower door will always remain relevant, so going out of style will never be an issue.
Sometimes shower stalls have a half wall (also called a knee wall or partition wall) on one side, used due to the architectural elements of the room. The lower half of the wall is usually tiled because the shower is located next to the bath, vanity or toilet.
Before planning a new corner shower door, it's important to understand how it opens and how much space is available for a swing door. If space is at a premium, you might consider other types of doors that don't swing outward, such as bi-fold doors or barn doors.
Semi-oval or quadrant shower door
One of the most popular shower door types is the quadrant shower door. This design features a curved glass front that fits into tight corners and makes the most of any space.
There are two types of quadrant shower enclosures: standard and offset. The standard type has both sides of the same length and is basically square with one corner rounded, while the offset is larger and is also rounded but rectangular. Both are usually chosen as corner elements.
If you want to maximize your bathroom space, you can't go wrong with a quadrant shower enclosure. This type of enclosure has ends that resemble a square shower enclosure with curved and straight sides in the middle. Its design allows you to maximize the space between the wall and bathroom.
The curved sides of the semi-oval shower door give it a modern look and are perfect for small spaces. Sliding doors make it very easy to get in and out of the shower without increasing the overall footprint of the enclosure. If you are looking to modernize or update the look of your bathroom, a quadrant shower door may be just the solution you are looking for.
Because quadrants are so popular, there are many styles and designs available for a variety of glass types and configurations. In most cases, they will come with sliding doors, which is the most efficient enclosure style. In many cases, it is also possible to find a variety of quadrant or semi-oval shower enclosures with pivot or hinged doors.
