Along with other shower essentials, a shower door is also a crucial thing. Shower doors usually vary according to the restroom design and people’s preferences. Whenever you go to the market, you’ll see various shower door varieties. The bypass shower door and the sliding shower door are commonly used in average washrooms.
Well, there’s not much difference between a bypass shower door and a sliding shower door. A bypass shower door is two sliding doors circumventing each other. Meanwhile, a sliding door is a single door sliding on a track. You must be thinking about which one is better for your bathroom. Don’t be concerned.
In this article, you’ll explore everything about bypass shower doors and sliding shower doors. Here we go.
What Do You Know About A Bypass Shower Door?
The bypass shower door is used in every second household. You can also call it a sliding door. The bypass shower door usually contains two and sometimes three tempered glass or plastic panels. You have to fix these panels inside the aluminium trails.
There will be two tracks; one board will be adjusted at the top and the other at the bottom. For many of you, the phrase bypass shower door may make little sense as you know that a bypass brings you to your terminus through an alternative lane.
You must understand that the word bypass does not direct to the user but to the doors. In the bypass shower door, an entry is enacted by another door.
It might not be apparent with a quick glimpse, but one door is always in front of the other in bypass shower doors. Here are the essential features of bypass shower doors.
- The upper trail keeps the shower doors in line and prevents them from tilting over.
- The bottom track collects and drains the water to the bathtub via weep holes.
- Towel bars are present on the doors for your convenience.
The bottom track must be caulked to prevent water intrusion. You should check the caulking at least once or twice a year. The bypass shower door comes in the following types.
- Framed metal bypass shower door
- Frameless glass bypass shower door
Pros
- Saves bathroom space
- Readily available at any home center
- Less exacting tolerances
- Towel bars
- Simple for kids
- Easy to install
Cons
- The noise of rattling doors
- Frameless shower doors can be heavy and difficult to move.
- Require frequent cleaning
What Do You Know About A Sliding Shower Door?
A sliding shower door is a door that slides on a track. Bypass shower doors are also included in the sliding doors. Most cupboards also consist of sliding doors of different materials. Sliding shower doors usually have treads at the bottom and two upright sides.
The most common type of sliding shower door is a frameless glass door. If you’re looking for frameless doors with clear glass, don’t be concerned. You can easily find a clear glass shower door that puts into the design’s grace.
Many of you may prioritize privacy in the shower spot. If yes, frosted glass is the best choice. The best thing about a frosted glass door is you can clean it without any hassle.
Here are a few finest glass preferences for your shower door.
- Transition Glass
- Edited Patterned Glass
- Niebla Glass
The transition glass is evident on the top and bottom while frosted in the middle of the door. On the other hand, Niebla’s glass is almost opaque.
How To Install?
The bypass shower door may be more easily installed than the frameless glass door. First of all, you should contact a professional for the installation of a sliding glass door.
Nonetheless, if you want to install a shower door on your own, here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Estimate the width of the shower entrance and the length of the tub boundary or the shower floor from wall to wall.
- Trim the jamb paths, the ground track, and the rubric to conform using a hacksaw.
- While installing frameless doors, you only have to worry about the header.
- Tape the treads in position and dot the nail spots.
- Drill gaps for all the tracks and parts you need to inaugurate.
- If the enclosure is tile or stone, use a masonry bit and fixture a conical anchor into each hole to clasp the screw.
- Settle down the channels utilizing the hardware included.
- Spot silicone caulk along the underside of the bottom manner before lodging it.
- If the door set consists of a fixed panel, install that according to the manufacturer’s teachings.
- Hang the door from the header using the rollers delivered with the set.
- Accommodate the rollers to ensure smooth function.
- Latch all the tracks on both flanks with silicone caulk.
- Now, install the door handles, and that’s it.
Pros
- Perfect for small restrooms
- Make both sides of the tub/shower accessible
- Functional handles
- Provides your bathroom with a seamless aesthetic look
- Two entry opportunities
- A design upgrade from curtains
Cons
- The bottom track collect residue and soap
- Limited access space
- Hard to clean bottom trails
Types Of Shower Doors
There are numerous types of bypass shower doors and sliding shower doors. The following table provides quick access to shower door types and their specifications.
| Shower Door | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Trackless Shower Doors | Trackless doors consist of Pivot doors and hinge doors. Pivot doors are wobbling shower doors that relax on a floor-mounted hinge that authorizes a 180-degree rotation. The door swings on hinges anchored directly to the wall are known as hinged doors. |
| Bi-Fold Shower Doors | It consists of several glass panels. An excellent choice for small bathrooms. Don’t require a lot of clearance. |
| Curved Shower Doors | The curved glass wall provides more space in a small area. It makes the entrance and exit easier to the shower. |
| Neo-Angle Shower Doors | It is the best choice for corner showers. It is organized to open out into the room to maximize the area. |
| Frameless Shower Doors | Frameless doors need thicker glass for strength which can be expensive. |
Bottom Line
Hopefully, you have understood the difference between a bypass shower door and a sliding shower door. You have all the features, including the pros and cons of each shower glass, in this writing.
Now, you can also install your own glass shower door at home without any expert. You must skim the article carefully and pick up the essential information you need.