Choosing Between Hinged and Sliding Shower Door

When designing or renovating a bathroom, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is selecting the right shower door. The type of shower door you choose can significantly affect the functionality, aesthetics, and overall design of your bathroom.

Two of the most popular options are hinged and sliding shower doors. So, if you’re now sure which option is right for you, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What hinged and sliding shower doors are
• The pros and cons of hinged vs sliding shower doors
• Key factors to consider when choosing a shower door
• Common mistakes to avoid

But before we go into any more detail on the topics above, we’d first like to touch upon the impact a shower door can have on a bathroom's design.

Shower Doors and Their Impact on Bathroom Design

Shower doors are not just practical fixtures. They also play a significant role in the overall bathroom design. The right shower door can enhance the space by improving its functionality, aesthetics, and even contributing to a feeling of openness or elegance.

On the other hand, the wrong choice could result in a cramped or difficult-to-use bathroom. Choosing between hinged and sliding shower doors involves balancing the space available, your aesthetic preferences, and the features you need in a shower.

What Are Hinged and Sliding Shower Doors?

Hinged shower doors operate much like a standard door. They are attached to the shower enclosure by hinges, allowing them to open outward or inward. This type of door is often used in walk-in showers and enclosures with a fixed glass panel. Hinged shower doors are available in various styles, including single doors, bi-folds, and even more intricate designs.

Sliding shower doors, on the other hand, open by sliding along a track. This design is ideal for smaller bathrooms where a hinged door might be too cumbersome. Sliding doors are typically used in corner shower enclosures or bathtub-shower combinations, where there isn’t enough room for a door to swing open.

Pros and Cons of Hinged vs Sliding Shower Doors

There are several pros and cons to both hinged and sliding shower doors. Let’s take a look at each one, starting with the pros of hinged shower doors:

Pros of Hinged Shower Doors

• Elegant Look: Hinged doors often give a bathroom a sleek, high-end look. They’re more traditional and can be designed with more decorative glass options, making them a visually striking choice for many bathroom styles.
  Easy to Maintain: A simple hinge mechanism has fewer moving parts than a sliding door’s track system. This means a hinged door requires less cleaning and maintenance and is less susceptible to wear and tear.
• More Spacious Feel: Since hinged doors swing open, they often create the illusion of more space inside the shower. The absence of a track at the bottom can make the space feel more open.

Cons of Hinged Shower Doors

• Requires More Space: Hinged doors need enough space to swing open, which can be a limitation in smaller bathrooms. If your bathroom layout is tight, this could be a significant drawback.
• Installation and Cost: Hinged shower doors often require precise installation to ensure the hinges are sturdy and secure. They can be more expensive to install than sliding doors, especially if custom glass is involved.
  Water Splashing: Depending on the design, hinged doors can sometimes allow water to splash out of the shower, especially if the door swings outwards.

Pros of Sliding Shower Doors

• Space-Efficient: One of the biggest advantages of sliding doors is that they don’t require additional space to open, making them perfect for small bathrooms or areas with limited space.
• No Need for Extra Clearance: Because the doors slide along a track, you don’t need to worry about any swing clearance. This makes them an ideal choice for bathrooms with fixtures placed close to the shower.
• Easy to Open: Sliding doors are easier to open since they don’t require swing space. They are also a more accessible option for people with mobility issues.

Cons of Sliding Shower Doors

• Limited Aesthetic Appeal: Sliding shower doors may not have the same aesthetic elegance as hinged doors, especially when it comes to larger walk-in showers. They are often associated with more modern or minimalist designs rather than traditional or luxurious spaces.
• Potential Track Cleaning Issues: Sliding doors can accumulate grime and soap scum in the tracks, making cleaning a bit more tedious. Regular maintenance of the tracks is necessary to ensure the doors slide smoothly.
• Limited Entry Space: Depending on the design, sliding doors may limit the entry space into the shower, making it harder to move in and out, especially in a cramped bathroom.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing

Just like selecting the right wall cabinet for your needs, choosing a shower door should be based on both your aesthetic preferences and practical requirements. Some key factors to consider when choosing between a hinged or sliding shower door include:

Available Bathroom Space

The available space in your bathroom is one of the most important factors when choosing between hinged and sliding shower doors. If you have a compact bathroom, a sliding door is often the better choice as it doesn’t require any additional clearance to open.

Hinged doors, however, are more suited for larger bathrooms where the door can swing open without obstructing other elements in the room.

Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning

Both types of doors require regular cleaning, but hinged doors are generally easier to maintain because there are fewer moving parts. The tracks of sliding doors can accumulate soap scum and dirt, requiring regular cleaning to keep them functioning smoothly.

Hinged doors have fewer track issues but may require more attention to the hinges and the edges of the glass.

Accessibility and Safety

Accessibility is an important consideration, especially for households with children or elderly individuals. Hinged doors may offer a wider entry space, making it easier to enter and exit the shower.

Sliding doors, however, don't have to be swung outwards, making them easier to open for people with limited mobility.

Cost and Installation

Sliding doors are typically less expensive to install compared to hinged doors. Since hinged doors require precise installation of hinges and glass panels, they may involve higher installation costs.

Sliding doors often come in pre-fabricated units, which can be a more cost-effective option for many homeowners.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When choosing a shower door for a bathroom, people tend to make the following mistakes, which you should avoid:

Ignoring Bathroom Layout Constraints

One of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a shower door is failing to consider their bathroom layout. It’s important to assess the space available and determine whether a hinged or sliding door is better suited for your bathroom design.

Overlooking Maintenance Needs

While sliding doors might seem like an easy choice, their tracks require maintenance to prevent the build-up of grime. If you don’t keep up with track cleaning, the doors may become difficult to slide. Hinged doors have fewer issues, but you still need to check the hinges periodically.

Choosing Style Over Functionality

Choosing a shower door based on aesthetics alone can lead to disappointment if it doesn’t fit your bathroom layout or needs. Always try to strike a balance between style and functionality to ensure the door works efficiently while complementing the bathroom design.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between a hinged and sliding shower door depends on several factors, including available space, maintenance needs, and style preferences.

Hinged doors are ideal for larger bathrooms where space isn’t an issue and you want a more traditional or elegant look. Sliding doors, on the other hand, are perfect for smaller bathrooms where space-saving is crucial and ease of access is a priority.

If, after reading this article you’re still struggling with making the right choice, consider reading our expert guide to choosing a shower door. It goes into a lot more detail, which you’ll find valuable.