Plastic doors to the bathroom: expert advice on selection and installation

Many apartment owners choose plastic bathroom doors, even if they install structures made of other materials in the rest of the rooms.

The reason is simple - plastic is excellent for rooms with high humidity: it does not lose its original appearance for a long time, is easy to clean, does not rot or swell from water. A high-quality plastic door in the bathroom perfectly withstands splashes, condensation, and even if fungus appears in the room , this will not affect the hygienic material in any way.

However, only high-quality products have all these advantages. To choose exactly these, you should know and apply in practice a few simple rules.

Properties and physical characteristics of plastic

Door systems made of this material have minimal water absorption and high resistance to bacterial processes. This makes them an indispensable solution for the bathroom.

Options made from other materials, with the exception of glass, require antiseptic treatment.

PVC products are characterized by the following physical properties:

1. Relatively light weight.
2. Resistance to ignition and the ability to absorb the source of fire.
3. Resistance to chemical reagents, both mineral and organic.
4. Possibility of decoration with different textures.

In addition, the plastic sheet has sound and heat insulation properties, which allows you to protect the living area from noise from the shower room.

To ensure that metal-plastic bathroom doors remain in good working order for as long as possible, you should not use excessive force during their operation or manually weigh down the door. It is forbidden to place foreign objects under the sash or the space between the frame, because this can cause the product to warp and lead to bathroom repairs.

The plastic door to the bathroom does not deform under the influence of moisture.

The entire fabric should be washed regularly with soapy water or special compounds for plastic. To maintain the elasticity of the seal, it must be regularly treated with silicone oil. In addition, it is important to lubricate the moving elements of door hardware.

Adding metal

The disadvantages of PVC products include low elasticity, which increases the likelihood of deformation of the canvas under excessive loads. To eliminate the problem, door suppliers equip them with reinforced reinforcing inserts or install the leaf on a profile.

The integration of metal elements makes plastic doors static and minimizes temperature effects. The optimal profile thickness for reinforcement is from 1.2 to 1.5 mm. It all depends on the dimensions and shape of the structure.

When choosing a system, preference is given to models with reinforced side panels that are less subject to wear, stiffeners and a smooth surface.

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Pros and cons of the material

Plastic doors have the following properties:

1. 
   A plastic door has a number of advantages.
   Moisture resistance. PVC has zero water absorption, so it does not swell under the influence of high humidity and does not change its performance properties. Laminated and glass products have identical stability. But glass is a fragile material, and laminated models are much more expensive than plastic options.

2. Invulnerable to temperature changes. Almost all door panels, with the exception of glass and plastic options, are exposed to temperature in a shower room. And since plastic is safer and cheaper than glass, people choose it.
3. Flame resistant. Natural wood and MDF do not have the required degree of fire safety and will catch fire at the slightest contact with an open flame source. The PVC melts slowly, preventing the outbreak from expanding. The material ignites exclusively at temperatures above 1000°C.
4. Light weight. Plastic models are not made of solid fabric, but with voids inside. This simplifies installation of the system and increases its service life, as well as extends the service life of the box and fittings. In the event of a sudden opening or impact, the blade will cause less damage than a product made of wood or glass. This is an important point if there are elderly people, children or pets in the house.
5. Strength. Despite their lightness, PVC products for bathrooms and toilets are highly reliable and are equipped with stiffening ribs. They are resistant to mechanical stress and retain their factory condition even after prolonged use. But wooden models are superior to them in shock resistance.
6. Soundproofing properties. The bathroom is one of the noisy parts of the house, so it must be carefully isolated from the living area. Otherwise, the noise of falling water will be heard by both apartment owners and neighbors. Wooden panels do not provide adequate sound insulation, because... they are not airtight. PVC-based products are equipped with a rubber seal, which guarantees a tight fit to the door frame.
7. Easy to care for. Any household chemical that does not contain abrasive particles is suitable for processing plastic. Traces of dirt, stains and other defects can be easily removed with a damp sponge. In addition, the surface does not change its original appearance after exposure to detergents and does not wear out.

Important advantages of PVC doors are their relatively low cost and minimal costs for installation and subsequent operation.

The negative aspects include:

1. Softness. Plastic is susceptible to scratches, so if you are not careful, the door will lose its aesthetics.
2. Unnaturalness. The material does not combine well with the interior of the living areas.

When installing the canvas, it is important to provide for the presence of a threshold.

By what criteria to choose

When choosing plastic doors, you need to take into account both personal preferences and the parameters of the bathroom.

When choosing plastic doors, you need to take into account the parameters of the bathroom.

Next you need to calculate the dimensions of the structure. When choosing swing products, the calculation result is rounded down, and in the case of sliding products, rounded up.

If the opening has dimensions of 690x2000 mm, when determining the height, you need to take into account the threshold or lack thereof. For installation, a swing version with a width of 600 mm is suitable, where 90 mm is the installation gap. The sliding leaf must have a width of up to 700 mm.

The condition of the fittings should not cause any complaints. The cost of good components is at least 10% of the total price of the doors.

The final criterion is the compatibility of the design with the overall concept of the interior. The surface should have a color one tone darker than the walls. Such a solution will provide a harmonious contrast.

Choosing a plastic door

It is not difficult to choose the solutions under consideration - the main thing is to know how to determine the criteria by which you can select the required option.

The first step is to decide on the door design you like: sliding, sliding, hinged, or folding.

Next, you need to take measurements of the doorway using a tape measure. The obtained data can be communicated to the seller, who will select the required door size.

Please note that the width of the door frame will not exactly match the width of the doorway and will be slightly smaller. In the case of a folding door, on the contrary, the leaf will be slightly wider than the doorway. Qualified salespeople will help you choose the required door size.

Once the door size is selected, you should choose a specific option based on personal preferences. The colors used for the decoration of the insert, the design - all this is determined in accordance with the personal preferences of the buyer.

It is worth paying attention to the texture of the plastic. The material must be smooth and non-porous. The fact is that in conditions of high humidity, dirt can become clogged into the porous material, which will negatively affect the overall appearance of the plastic and spoil the purchasing experience.

The chosen option must be of high quality. The quality of materials and mechanisms determines the reliability and service life of the door. A subjective criterion of good quality can be price. The manufacturer also plays an important role when choosing. A good manufacturer that has proven itself in the market will never put up a low-quality product for sale.

Types of door structures

Plastic products are classified according to several criteria:

1. Opening method: folding, sliding, hinged.
2. Features of the canvas - with partial or full glazing and blind.
3. The number of valves is 1- and 2-leaf.
4. Product shape: rectangular, arched, standard.

Swing system

Swing doors consist of 2 parts:

1. Box.
2. Movable canvas.

Hinged doors are the most reliable and common option.
The elements are connected using canopies, which use movable hinges. Depending on the design, such products are 1- and 2-leaf.

Double models are mounted on a wide opening. In this case, the user can leave 2 sides movable or secure one in a fixed position.

This type of PVC door is suitable for spacious rooms with large plumbing fixtures. The disadvantage of the swing system is the need for space for the movement of the sashes. The advantages include a tight fit to the canvas, which provides high thermal and sound insulation.

Sliding doors

Sliding systems are in demand for rooms with limited space, because... they slide along the wall. The design does not have good tightness, therefore it is inferior in sound and heat insulation properties to other types. But it is inexpensive and easy to install without outside help.

Sliding doors are a very stylish and modern option.

The door structure includes a guide above the opening, movable rollers, a leaf and a lower stop. Sliding doors are used as an alternative solution. They consist of 2 guides and 2 sashes.

Folding accordion

Folding doors are popular because they save usable space, because... they fold like an accordion. They are characterized by a complex design, but simple installation. The product is installed in a finished box, secured with clips on the sides and top.

Folding doors are an interesting alternative to conventional swing doors.

In addition, the canvas can be placed in a radial opening to expand planning possibilities. The negative side of the system is low sound insulation.

Design ideas with photos

The appearance of the door structure must correspond to the overall design concept of the bathroom. The classic product has a rectangular shape and is painted white.

Plastic doors are ideal for the bathroom.

Finding beautiful bathroom doors is not so easy.

Plastic doors are resistant to moisture and have a low cost.

Modern bathroom doors are true works of art.

Plastic doors are easy to clean and do not require special care products.

But options with unusual colors and configurations are available for sale. They are complemented with glass or metal inserts, laminated to resemble natural wood and decorated with other elements. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you should look at ready-made design ideas.

Design potential of plastic doors

The traditional color for all plastic structures is white, and the standard shape is rectangular. However, if desired, you can order designs of any shades and configurations, with inserts made of transparent, colored, frosted, corrugated glass.

Laminated models with a natural wood finish look very attractive.

Many people order double-sided doors whose front surfaces have different colors or shades. You can decorate the structure using stylized fittings.

Doors made from combined materials look very interesting, the inserts of which are decorated with thematic designs or patterns.

You can choose several door leaf options:

• Solid. The most common option is without inserts and special frills.
• Paneled. These are models with a durable frame into which thinner panels are inserted.
• Combined. Plastic is most often combined with glass or metal elements, less often wooden. The inserts are either located in the door leaf or secured using special guides.

The external finish can be smooth or rough, imitating the surface of natural materials.

An excellent design solution is to choose a model in a contrasting color. This door serves as a bright accent piece in the bathroom interior.

Textured models look beautiful, but from a purely practical point of view they are inconvenient. Dirt accumulates in small depressions, which is much more difficult to wash off than from smooth surfaces.

The customer always has the opportunity to choose a finish made in the same style as on other doors in the apartment. In this case, plastic bath doors will not stand out from the rest of the interior elements and will fit well into the overall design.

Designer models of plastic doors are significantly more expensive than the usual white ones, but the finish of such products does not wear out over time, is not afraid of external influences, and does not lose its original appearance for a long time. These doors do not need to be painted.

If, when comparing the cost of doors made of different materials, we take into account the period during which they do not lose their attractiveness and functionality, it turns out that plastic models of unusual shapes and colors are not so expensive. They fully pay for their cost.

If the surface of the door is rough, then the recesses should not be too deep so as not to complicate maintenance. Option – textured surfaces in non-marking tones, for example, natural wood

Briefly about installation

Installation methods may vary depending on the type of door system. But the general scheme of door installation work comes down to the following steps:

1. Fastening the system with wedges.
2. Estimation of orientation by building level.
3. Installation of fasteners.
4. Installation of the canvas.

Sliding systems

The opening for this structure is prepared according to the same principles as for swing products. Then you need to equip a plastic profile with stops and guides. The parts are fixed using self-tapping screws.

Sliding door opening diagrams.

Rollers are used to strengthen the sashes, after which they are mounted in guides. Before completing the work, use a level to check the correct orientation and adjust the fittings.

Swing structures

To prepare the opening, you must first remove the old box and get rid of the remnants of crumbling plaster. Then you should treat the surface with an antifungal agent and partially disassemble the door to separate the leaf from the frame.

Schemes of swing structures.

At the next stage, the frame should be secured and leveled using wooden wedges or secured with anchors. The installation accuracy is assessed using a laser level.

A plastic frame often “plays” under load, so it is important to avoid excessive mechanical forces. The correct orientation of the profile is checked after each screwing in of the screws. The installation sites are treated with sealant to protect the metal from moisture.

Then the canvas is fixed to the profile and the position of the structure is assessed again. If there are distortions, they are eliminated immediately.

Installing an accordion

Such systems are mounted on self-tapping screws, for which holes are pre-prepared at equal distances. Some models are mounted on clips (they are included in the kit). The assembly of the canvas is carried out taking into account the step-by-step instructions. In this case, the strips can be connected to each other or separated by spacers.

Installation diagram of the accordion door.

Next, the door needs to be inserted into the guides and latched tightly. The final stage will be the installation of the handle and assessment of the quality of installation.