Which is better: a hinged or sliding door?
- Size of entryway
- Ideal for smaller bathrooms
- Maintenance
- Aesthetics
- Costs
- Ease of installation
- Ability to secure water inside
During the past years, more and more families in the Philippines have started to replace their shower curtains with shower doors. Shower doors are space-saving and sport a modern aesthetic, allowing you to completely transform the look and feel of a bathroom. There are different types of shower doors, with hinged and sliding shower doors being the most popular in the market. So, which one is the best fit for your home? In this blog, we discuss the difference between a hinged vs sliding shower door to help you get started.
What Are Sliding Shower Doors?
Sliding shower doors are oftentimes referred to as bypass doors. These are one of the most common types of doors on the market.
With sliding shower doors, the door opens horizontally by sliding. Some sliding shower doors are mounted on top of a track. However, modern versions can come trackless. Sliding shower doors may also be glass panel framed, semi-framed, or frameless.
What Are Hinged Shower Doors?
Hinged shower doors are also known as pivot doors. These types of doors have hinges installed on the side that allows them to open outwards. Some hinged shower doors have frames, while some are frameless and have side hinges that can be drilled into the wall.
Before you get started on your next bathroom renovation, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Read on.
Size Of Entryway
When it comes to the size of the entryway, hinged shower doors hold an advantage over sliding shower doors.
Hinged doors are known for opening up to a 90-degree angle outward. This means they can give a wider and safer entryway for people with reduced mobility such as senior citizens or disabled individuals that need a wheelchair to enter the shower area.
Sliding shower doors are fixed and the doors overlap with each other to open. As a result, the entryway into the shower enclosure becomes limited.
Ideal For Smaller Bathrooms
Do you have a smaller bathroom? Sliding shower doors are recommended for homeowners who want to make the most out of their bathroom space. As sliding shower doors don’t swing outward, they are a more efficient space-saving solution.
Although hinged shower doors create a wider entryway, they also require a considerable amount of space in front of them to open and close. This makes them less ideal for smaller bathrooms.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, hinged shower doors are more advantageous. Unlike sliding doors, hinged doors do not have any tracks at the bottom needed for opening or closing. The bottom track where the rollers sit can accumulate grime and soap water. Without routine cleaning, these can lead to mold and mildew.
In addition, sliding shower doors come with metal tracks that can rust over time. As a result, you will need to regularly maintain sliding shower doors. Nonetheless, it is also worth noting that modern sliding shower doors come trackless. This can make maintenance much easier.
Aesthetics
Sliding shower doors, especially the frameless versions, are extremely aesthetically pleasing. The frameless and wide glass panel gives your bathroom a seamless look. Sliding shower doors also let more light flow into the bathroom, creating a brighter-looking space. However, a hinged shower door can also seamlessly blend into a modern decor if the use of brackets and hinges is kept to a minimum.
Costs
For both hinged and sliding shower doors, the cost will depend on the variations. Simply put, semi-frameless and frameless hinged and sliding shower doors can be more expensive. Your choice of glass can also affect the total cost of the project.
Ease Of Installation
Hinged shower doors are easier to install than sliding shower doors. To install hinged doors, you will need to drill hinges on the bathroom wall. On the other hand, sliding shower doors require more hardware to be installed.
Ability To Secure Water Inside
Having water spill on the bathroom floors can create slipping accidents. This also makes cleaning take more time. Fortunately, sliding shower doors can keep water tightly inside the shower pan.
Since hinged sliding shower doors have hinges, there can be small gaps where water can escape. You may need to spend more time soaking up water after showering.
Key Takeaway
When it comes to choosing between a hinged vs sliding shower door, the final decision will depend on your specific needs. Consider how big your bathroom is. Think about your aesthetics. Both types of these shower doors have advantages and disadvantages.
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