Updated on Aug 31, 2023 1:55 PM EDT
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Shower curtains might be perfectly functional, but a glass shower door offers the same function with an enhanced modern style and an elegant feel. The doors let in light, make bathrooms feel more spacious, and highlight carefully chosen decor like tiles and shower fixtures. A variety of shower doors are available to suit most any design style and bathroom size.
While choosing a shower door might seem simple, a number of important considerations are often weighed. This guide will explore several important features to think about and offers choices by category for some of the best shower doors to fit a variety of bathrooms.
We did extensive research into glass shower doors to curate a list of some of the best on the market. Our list of recommendations provides several options for both hinged and sliding doors, all of which cover a wide range of dimensions that are sure to fit most shoppers’ sizing requirements. We made sure to include options suitable for smaller bathroom spaces all the way up to expansive suites. Almost all of our top picks also offer a selection of hardware finishes, from classic stainless steel and chrome options to more contemporary bronze, gold, and matte black picks.
Since installation is a major factor for some shoppers, our list includes options that are DIY-friendly for those looking to tackle the project themselves. That said, some of the higher-end options on this list are quite heavy—and may require a helping hand during installation—and others that may be better suited to professional installation. Lastly, we gathered our top picks across a range of budgets to make sure to include a mix of affordable options—typically the framed or semi-frameless shower doors—alongside the luxury models, most of which are frameless shower doors.
The following list of recommendations for some of the best shower doors consider dimensions, materials, style, installation options, and overall quality to ensure a stylish and functional overhaul. One of these shower doors might be the perfect pick for your shower upgrade.
Hinged shower doors such as this DreamLine Unidoor Frameless door give a bathroom a traditional feeling and are best suited for large bathrooms with plenty of clearance for the door to swing open. This model has a fully frameless design with ⅜-inch-thick tempered glass. The glass door has a ClearMax coating that’s designed to repel water and prevent staining.
The door is 72 inches tall and 30 inches wide, making it a fitting choice for many alcove showers. DreamLine recommends professional installation for this model because it’s not adjustable for varying widths or out-of-plumb walls. The door is, however, reversible and can open on the left or right. The door’s handle and hinge hardware come in a chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or satin-black finish.
Get the DreamLine Unidoor shower door at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
A frameless shower door such as this sliding Enigma-X door from DreamLine makes a bathroom feel airy and spacious, putting the focus on the tilework and fixtures. This model has brushed stainless steel hardware and slides effortlessly. It’s designed with one fixed panel and one sliding glass panel that can be installed to open on the left or right.
The door leaves a walk-in opening of between 22 and 26 inches. The ⅜-inch tempered glass door is finished with a ClearMax water- and stain-resistant coating. It’s important to note that this model doesn’t accommodate out-of-plumb adjustments and requires level walls. Therefore, professional installation is required. It’s 76 inches tall and can fit shower openings between 56 and 60 inches wide.
Get the DreamLine Enigma-X shower door at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Sliding shower doors with frameless or semi-frameless designs can be pricey, but this one by Delta sells for an affordable price, yet has many features of more expensive models. The door comes in ¼-inch tempered clear glass, but it’s also available in a number of frosted and etched patterns for added privacy. The clear glass version pairs with either nickel or bronze hardware.
This door includes two knobs and a handle that can double as a towel bar, plus a reversible top track with a simple finish on one side and a more detailed design on the other. The height of the door is 70 inches, and it’s made to fit openings of between 43⅜ inches and 47⅜ inches wide.
Get the Delta shower door at The Home Depot.
A fully frameless shower door looks modern and elegant, allowing the shower’s tile or stonework to be on full display while also making the space feel larger. The Vigo Elan model has thick ⅜-inch clear tempered glass and is available with chrome, matte black, matte gold, or stainless steel hardware. Vigo coats all finishes in seven layers of material to prevent rust, corrosion, and scratches. The door also comes in a choice of black-tinted glass to provide a unique aesthetic. The round roller disk sliding system ensures a tight fit and allows for adjustments.
The shower door is 74 inches tall and designed to fit wall openings between 68 and 72 inches wide. It can install with either a left or right opening. All mounting hardware and clear installation instructions come with the door, allowing DIY-savvy buyers to install this model without hiring a professional.
Get the Vigo shower door at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Even the smallest showers can feel luxurious with a clear shower door to make the space feel more expansive. It has a framed, hinged design with either chrome, matte black, or brushed nickel hardware, so it easily matches the most popular existing bathroom hardware finishes.
This door is made of tempered glass, and the full-length magnetic edges are designed to ensure a watertight seal. Because one edge acts as a full-length handle, there’s no visual obstruction from the interior of the shower. Installation is easy because of the four-piece modular design.
Get the Coastal shower door at The Home Depot.
Elevate a bathroom experience with the semi-frameless design of the Delavin glass door for tubs, seamlessly blending style and practicality.
With an adjustable width ranging from 56 to 59 inches, this tub door effortlessly fits various tub sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for many spaces. The innovative dual-sided sliding mechanism allows both doors to effortlessly glide open, providing easy access and enhancing convenience.
Crafted with a rustproof aluminum frame, the Delavin tub door guarantees long-lasting durability, even in humid bathroom environments. Its contemporary matte black finish not only adds a touch of elegance but also complements a wide range of interior styles.
Get the Delavin shower door at Amazon.
Many shower door models come with a manufacturer recommendation of professional installation, but others are easy enough for buyers to install themselves. This Levity model from Kohler is constructed with rollers for simple installation while also providing adjustability. The cushioned center guide ensures a smooth and quiet gliding action.
The Levity door has a semi-frameless design that’s 74 inches high by 56 ⅝ to 59 ⅝ inches wide. The ¼-inch-thick tempered glass shower door is finished with CleanCoat glass treatment that repels water and makes cleaning easier. Choose from a nickel, silver, or anodized brushed bronze finish for the framing and vertical blade handles.
Get the Kohler shower door at The Home Depot or Build With Ferguson.
While it’s easy to assume that all shower doors perform similarly, several factors affect their functionality. A shower door needs to have the correct dimensions for the space and a durable design that’s preferably made with high-quality materials. It needs to be watertight and most shoppers prefer a shower door that complements the bathroom’s decor. Keep reading to learn more about the most important features to look for when choosing the best shower door.
Shower doors are designed either to slide open or open on a hinge.
Shower doors have either a framed, semi-frameless, or frameless design.
Shower doors installation typically occurs near the end of a shower renovation, and taking precise measurements is essential to ensure a watertight fit. Take measurements after the tile and surround installation are complete.
Shower doors come in a wide variety of sizes and can be custom made to any height and width, but two standard sizes are most commonly found.
Most shower doors are constructed using tempered glass with either stainless steel or aluminum framing. The framing typically comes with a chrome finish, though a number of other options might be available, including matte black, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte gold.
The glass used for shower doors ranges in thickness with the most common sizes being ¼ inch and ⅜ inch. Clear glass shower doors are the most popular because of the modern aesthetic and tendency to make a bathroom feel larger. Clear glass requires, however, more maintenance when it comes to cleaning and provides no privacy in shared bathrooms. Frosted and opaque textured glass are both easier to maintain and provide increased privacy.
Shower door handles come in several different styles. They can align vertically or horizontally and can be simple and unobtrusive or designed to make a visual impact. Choose a shower door with a handle or towel bar in a style or finish that matches the other fixtures in the bathroom such as the showerhead, faucets, and drawer pulls.
Some models have built-in towel bars on the door’s exterior, which can be a great space-saving solution in small bathrooms.
Shower doors may or may not require professional installation, depending on the specific model. While installing some products is a weekend DIY project, others are more complex, and the manufacturer will recommend hiring an expert for the job. When hiring a professional, expect the job to take from 2 to 4 hours.
Each model also varies in width adjustability. Some are more forgiving and offer a couple of inches of wiggle room, while others require precision. Take note of whether the bathroom has walls that are out of plumb or vertically misaligned. Some products can accommodate these discrepancies, but others do not.
Also, consider how a door opens. Some shower door designs swing or slide in one direction only, and others offer the option of reversible installation for more versatility.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about shower doors.
First, measure the size of the space, then choose between a framed and frameless design. Next, consider whether a hinged or sliding door will be the best fit for the shower.
Thickness isn’t a primary consideration for framed shower doors, but for frameless doors, a thickness of at least ⅜ inch is required.
The difficulty of installation depends primarily on the model. Some can be installed by the buyer as a weekend DIY project, while others require hiring a professional.
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By Katie Barton, Additional research provided by Carol Benton
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