Shower enclosure doors: sliding, hinged, folding — what to choose

What matters when choosing the door type

First, the bathroom area. Second, the entry opening width (minimum 600 mm recommended). Third, how often the doors will be cleaned. Fourth, whether there are children or elderly people in the household (a safety consideration).

4 main shower door types

1. Hinged

The classic — the door opens on hinges, outwards or inwards. Advantage: the largest entry opening (the full door width). Drawback: requires free space in front of the shower (~700 mm). Suitable for larger bathrooms. Price: from €480.

2. Sliding

The doors slide on a top track. Suitable for narrow bathrooms with no room for a swing. Entry opening is half the door width (~500 mm). Drawback: water and limescale build up in the track, so the track needs separate cleaning. Price: from €600.

3. Folding (accordion)

Several narrow panels fold to one side. Entry opening up to 80% of the total door width with minimal swing space. Ideal for very small bathrooms (4 m² or less). Drawback: more joints where soap can collect. Price: from €550.

4. Pivot (rotating)

The door rotates around an axis rather than on hinges. Opens both inwards and outwards — easy to clean, easy to operate. Advantage: both sides are easily accessible for cleaning. Suitable for families with children. Price: from €550.

Quick selection table by bathroom area

• < 4 m² → folding or doorless walk-in
• 4-6 m² → sliding or pivot
• 6-10 m² → hinged or pivot
• > 10 m² → hinged or walk-in

The importance of seals

For shower doors, sealing matters more than aesthetics — otherwise water will pool on the bathroom floor. Three seals are needed: a magnetic seal (on the vertical door edge — two magnets snap together when closed), a rubber profile (on the bottom edge, resting on the tray) and a silicone seal (at the wall joint). Seals are replaced every 5-7 years.

FAQ

Inwards or outwards?

Safety: the door should open outwards — if someone falls in the shower, the door won't block rescue. Convenience: if there's little space in front of the shower, inward-opening is used. For most families we recommend outwards.

Frameless or framed?

Frameless doors (no aluminium profile around the glass) look modern and are easier to clean, but cost about 20% more. Framed doors are cheaper with better sealing. Our recommendation: frameless with 8 mm tempered glass and high-quality hardware.

How long do shower doors last?

The glass lasts a glass's lifetime (25+ years). Hardware (hinges, magnets, seals) lasts 8-15 years depending on quality and care. Periodically renew the silicone seal at the tray edge and clean hardware without aggressive chemicals.