When it comes time to determine the type of shower door for your enclosure, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
SPACE
Swing doors must have clearance to toilets and sinks. Sliding doors will not open sufficiently to work in small shower stalls. Knowing the space you have to work with is key to your selection.
UPKEEP
The more track you have, the more cleaning you will have to do. That said, current tracking systems are very upkeep-friendly and fairly simple to keep clean.
COST
Framed doors of any kind tend to be the least expensive, as you can use thinner glass. The frame, rather than the glass and supports, contributes to the structural strength of the door.
APPEARANCE
Many would argue appearance is the most important factor of all. You are spending a lot of effort and money on your shower enclosure. At the end of the day, make sure it is what you love.
Sliding Doors
Choose from both sides sliding on a track, or one side as fixed glass. Modern tracks, easy to clean. have a track with drip (weep) holes to drain water. Sliding doors are key when mounted over tubs. There are also trackless sliding doors, an upper-end feature. These doors are made of thicker glass with astrong upper track to carry the weight.
Swing-Hinged Doors*
The most popular choice of all. Traditional hinges work similar to the doors of your home, where several pieces are affixed to the side. Continuous hinges run the length of the door's side. This type of hinge has a self centering mechanism to always return to a closed position. Continuous hinges are used when walls are "out of square."
Swing Pivot Doors*
Pivot doors, swinging on the top and bottom, allows a very clean and sleek look. Most require less screw holes and are easier to open. Think of your refrigerator with no visible hinges – it has pivots at the top and bottom. Many doors with pivot-type hinges also have a continuous hinge that runs in a hidden rod in the trim for extra support.
*Can have stops removed to swing in and out. Most customers prefer to leave the stops in and have the doors swing out only. One advantage to a double swing is that you can open the door in the inward position to drip dry. Doors that swing inward only are not allowed by national building codes. Determining which type of hinge to choose for your shower door includes various factors.