Selecting A Door For The Shower – Consider Bi-Fold

Selecting a shower door is far from a difficult task, but it is not as much fun as selecting wine and grape decor for the dining room or music wall art for the media room. However, your choice will be easier if you know the types of door available so you can make an informed decision. When looking at options for a shower door, you want one that allows you to have easy access into the shower. You also want a door that is designed to keep the water inside the shower area.

For space-saving and money-saving reasons, a bi-fold shower door is an option you would do well to consider. It is available in a number of sizes, frame options, and materials. Its design is a combination of a sliding shower door and a swinging shower door, both of which are commonly used for tubs and showers alike.

Types of shower doors

A sliding shower door, also known as a bypass door, has two or three sections. The sections slide along rollers in the frame at the top and bottom edges. Since they do not open in or out, sliding doors take up very little space. Although the door sections are easy to clean, the track or frame is hard to reach into and can get blocked up with dirt. A swinging or pivot shower door is hinged or pivoted and closes shut with the help of a magnetic catch. The door opens outward, which is useful when the shower area is tiny. Swinging shower doors require adequate space in the bathroom so the door does not hit other bathroom fixtures when open.

Bi-fold doors

Bi-fold shower doors are designed with a center fold so that its panels can be pushed together like an accordion. The door slides along a track typically located at the bottom of the door.  Bi-fold shower doors are great for small showers, as the door can be pushed far to the side, leaving a wide opening for entering and exiting the shower. It is also good for small bathrooms since the door does not open outward into the bathroom space. Moreover, a bi-fold door allows the water to drip inside the shower area after you have taken a shower.

One of the downsides to bi-fold shower doors is that the track can accumulate dirt and debris, making it difficult to keep clean. This also affects the sliding of the panels, as they can become stuck and limited in movement. When this happens, you will have to clear the track and inspect the rollers in case they need to be replaced.

Bi-fold shower doors are relatively inexpensive, and their practicality makes them suitable for all types of shower spaces. Many styles and sizes exist and you can have one customized to fit your shower. Generally, the door sizes run from 700mm to 1000mm. The glass door can be clear, frosted, or tinted, depending on your privacy and style preferences. They can be framed or frameless; the frames are typically available in white, silver, or chrome.

In summary, a bi-fold should be one of your considerations when selecting a shower door because of its practical use in small spaces and economical cost.