Glass shower doors can slide or swing open, and be framed or unframed
Sliding
Sliding (or bypass) doors are perfect for small bathrooms, as they seemingly take up no space. They’re also great for enclosing tubs and getting rid of the stuffy feel of curtains, which can completely block off natural light if the only window is along the bathroom wall. They can come with various handles, vertical and horizontal, and roll on operating wheels.
Swinging
Swinging doors are great for master bathrooms because of the extra space they require to open. Two popular types of swinging shower glass doors are hinge and pivot. Hinge doors open in one direction, typically outward per building codes. Pivot doors open in both directions and require both the shower and the bathroom to be spacious.
Framed vs. unframed
Regardless of how your shower door opens, it can be framed or unframed. Framed shower doors have framing around the glass panels, making the door easier to install. Unframed doors are clear all around, making the shower appear more spacious. There are also semi-frameless doors, which usually costs more than a framed door but less than an unframed door. Framed doors are slightly more difficult to clean, as you’ll have to get around the frame edges.
Glass shower doors come in different transparencies
Residential glass is fully customizable from material to thickness, color, and transparency. Each glass company offers a different variety of options, but of particular interest for shower glass doors is transparency. Three common glass transparencies for residential showers are clear, frosted, and patterned.
Clear
Clear shower glass can be crystal clear or have a slight tint. Most homeowners use clear glass to make their bathroom appear larger or to show off their shower tile design. Clear glass is ideal for small, closed-off bathrooms with small windows. Light can pass through the glass door for extra illumination. These doors offer no privacy, so they’re not the best for bathrooms with open windows.
Frosted
Frosted shower glass is similar to those used in communal living spaces. They provide more privacy than clear glass. You can have part of the glass frosted, such as a thick horizontal strip along the middle, so that the top and bottom are clear. Or, if you’re working with a custom glass company, you can have patterns frosted onto clear glass. A downside of frosted glass is that light can’t flow through.
Patterned
Patterned shower glass turns your door into a piece of art with a smooth or textured finish. They can be combined with frosted glass for privacy, and give your door a multi-dimensional look. For example, you could have a frosted glass door with a bamboo or spiral texture. However, these doors block out light and can quickly become outdated.
