Nowadays, bathroom and restroom doors are made from a variety of materials. In European countries, wood has not been used exclusively for these purposes for a long time. Today, hinged and sliding glass models are becoming increasingly popular. They allow you not only to create an original bathroom design, but also add zest to the overall style of the apartment’s interior. Many people mistakenly believe that glass doors in the bathroom are too bold a decision. Innovative technologies of our day provide a wide range of such products. You can choose the design, finishing and fittings that suit the decor of your apartment. Let's consider what glass systems for bathrooms are offered on the modern building materials market.
Specifics of bathroom doors
Unlike ordinary living rooms, the bathroom is a room with high humidity, steam and, more often than not, a small volume. These two factors must be taken into account when choosing a door.
If the room is of impressive size, it has a shower stall with a good partition, and the washbasin and everything else is located far enough from the door, then it can be made of any material. In the case where the bathtub and washbasin are located in such a way that splashes from them will fly onto the sash, then it should be made of moisture-resistant material.
Wooden products perform well at a humidity of no more than 60%; at higher values, the coating begins to swell on them and cracks appear. The most vulnerable places are the ends at the top and bottom, since not all manufacturers cover them with a protective layer. This does not happen with glass and plastic. Therefore, you should give preference to these materials.
Ventilation is also of great importance. If it does not exist or it does not function well, then the most inert material is all the more necessary. There are special door models with a small ventilation grille.
What's special about glass doors?
Transparent fabrics have many positive characteristics, which makes them quite popular when arranging a bathroom, as well as combined bathrooms.
Among other things, we can highlight:
- Resistant to water and temperature. Unlike wooden structures, glass is not afraid of high humidity, and it is also not afraid of steam or temperature fluctuations.
- Sufficient strength. If you make a door from tempered glass with a thickness of 7-10 mm, then it is quite difficult to break it. The canvas will crack only if brute force or strong impacts with metal objects are used.
- Small thickness and space saving. Since the doors are not too thick, compared to plastic and especially wooden panels, the entire structure is not massive. And if you install a sliding system, the space savings will be significant.
- Original form of construction. Glass, due to its formation in a heated state, allows you to create convex shapes; radial glass doors for the bathroom can be made from it.
- Endless finishing options. The color and texture of glass vary. Some finishing methods are carried out only in the factory, some can be done at home by updating the glass door to the bathroom on your own.
In addition, such partitions are easy to care for and simply wash. The most common glass cleaner will keep your door clean in one minute.
Traces of water, detergents, and fingerprints are easily removed from the transparent fabric. Unlike chipboard, when the temperature rises, glass does not emit any toxic compounds, it is odorless, and does not cause allergies.
Since the door is transparent (even partially), the light is clearly visible through it, and you can easily determine whether the room is occupied or not. No need to knock or pull the handle. For an apartment where a large family lives, this point is important, and a bathroom with a glass door becomes a practical option.
Materials
Before we begin to consider materials in more detail, we should dwell on what characteristics they must meet. The following requirements apply to toilet and bathroom doors.
Taking these points into account will help you make the optimal choice of door leaf:
- Resistant to water and hot steam;
- High insulating (heat, sound, light) qualities;
- Strength and durability;
- Resistance to deformation over time;
- Ease of use and maintenance;
- Aesthetic component;
- Environmentally friendly.
Next, you should consider what products are offered on the modern market:
- To make classic wooden doors, premium wood is used, for example, linden, oak, beech, and mahogany. The wood must undergo special drying and processing. Before installation, it is advisable to apply water-repellent and disinfectants to the canvas, then varnish it. So, with high humidity and water ingress, the canvas will swell, and due to dampness it can become moldy and deformed. Regular care will help extend the life of wooden doors. The advantages of this model are its noble appearance, excellent insulating qualities, environmental friendliness of the material, and durability. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the price and the need for periodic restoration.
- Unlike wood, glass sheets are not afraid of water and do not change shape, and are resistant to temperature changes. Modern models are made from heavy-duty material that well isolates the bathroom and toilet from other rooms. This glass is resistant to mechanical stress and looks aesthetically pleasing. Among the variety of models you can find glass panels with a matte tint, with a relief pattern, transparent, colored, tinted panels and with various metal, wooden and other inserts. The price of doors made of such material is quite high. Glass doors have their own operating nuances.
- They require constant care: interaction with water can leave stains on the glass, so it needs to be wiped frequently and thoroughly.
- The weight of the glass sheet is quite large, so the fastening design must be of very high quality.
- The glass will transmit light.
- Plastic sheets are resistant to moisture, light weight, do not allow light to pass through, have good heat and sound insulation, and do not require daily maintenance, so this option can be installed both in the bathroom and in the toilet. PVC doors can be decorated, coated with solutions and made to look like other materials. They can be any color. Considering the predisposition of plastic to deformation, modern manufacturers equip plastic doors with an aluminum base or reinforce them with metal.
It is worth noting that plastic products are suitable not only for installation in the home, but also in public places, for example, in restaurants, hospitals, and schools.
In an establishment with a large number of visitors, it is important to have a clean, comfortable and attractive restroom. Doors are constantly exposed to cleaning chemicals and must be able to withstand heavy traffic.
- Doors made of medium density fiberboard (MDF). The board is formed from various waste wood. Its fibers, when exposed to temperature, release the substance lingin and stick together. MDF boards can have different finishes.
- They can be treated with varnish and paints;
- Laminated doors are MDF sheets covered with paper impregnated with acrylic or melamine resins. Such doors are susceptible to moisture and deform over time; MDF will begin to swell;
- Veneered models are covered with a thin layer of various types of wood. They have a natural appearance and imitate their “brothers” from solid wood. But wood is not resistant to moisture, so manufacturers invented doors made of eco-veneer - an artificial polypropylene film with a wood texture. Eco-veneer is more resistant to moisture and abrasion than laminate.
The table below shows the characteristics of the main materials used in the production of doors.
| Material | pros | Minuses |
| Glass |
|
|
| Tree |
|
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| Plastic |
|
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| MDF/laminated/eco-veneer |
|
|
A few disadvantages
Compared to wooden doors, which are often installed in the bathroom, a glass system will cost more. Because finishing and fittings, as well as installation, contribute to the price of renovation work.
Another disadvantage of glass is its tendency to collect condensation. But this defect can be easily eliminated if the bathroom is equipped with good ventilation. Without it, the bathroom will not be able to function normally in any case, and fungus will quickly begin to appear. By the way, it “does not take root” on a smooth glass surface.
Another disadvantage of the material is that glass is a material with poor sound insulation. If the bedroom is located close to the bathroom, then this point will have to be taken into account.
Installation of plastic doors in the bathroom and toilet
Installation steps:
- Fixing the product in the opening using wedges.
- Checking and correcting the orientation of the structure using a level.
- Installation of fasteners, 3 pcs. on each side of the door, starting from the side where the awnings are located.
- Rigid reinforcement of the box using a level so as not to bend the profile and not disturb the orientation of the structure.
- Hanging the canvas on the hinges of the box.
The box must be sealed in the opening with polyurethane foam, having previously moistened the surface. The canvases must be closed until the sealant has completely dried. Only then do we install the platbands.
What does the price depend on?
The cost of a glass bathroom door is not the smallest compared to other options, but such products look beautiful when installed in pairs: at the entrance to the toilet and bathroom. Such systems are durable, so they manage to earn back the money spent.
The cost of a glass door is influenced by a combination of the following parameters:
- architectural specifics of the room, the need to manufacture not flat, but curved canvases;
- geometric dimensions: the larger the opening, the more expensive the door will cost;
- opening method;
- the type of material used, its thickness, which greatly affects strength;
- quality and quantity of fittings, their material and finish;
- installation method (on your own or with the assistance of a service team), the required amount of preparatory work;
- decorative finishing of the canvas.
If the room is non-standard, the decor is original, the product is additionally decorated with exquisite fittings, then the price of a glass door to the bathroom will be higher.
How does the installation work?
There are different designs of glass doors to the toilet, but they all have approximately the same installation scheme.
Its main stages are as follows:
- Installation of fasteners. For swing doors you need to install awnings, for sliding models you need to fix the rails. In this case, it is important to carry out the markings accurately, otherwise it will be impossible to adjust the position of the fasteners later.
- Door installation. It is hung on hinges or inserted into guides. Since the glass sheet is quite heavy and yet fragile, installation itself should not be carried out. The weak points of glass are the corners; if installed carelessly, they are the first to suffer.
- Installation of fittings. Handles must be mounted on the glass partition; they can be combined with a latch. It is also worth considering installing a stopper so that the opening door does not hit furniture, objects, or the wall.
As for the fittings, for installation in the bathroom you can choose handles with a latch or mount locking elements separately. A rather convenient combined option is round knob handles. They look neat and are easy to install. Such products are suitable for hinged glass doors for bathtubs and toilets. A separate lock can be mortise or overhead, made in the form of a latch. If it is made of moisture-resistant material, it will last forever due to its simple design.
Installation Features
Installation of a plastic door begins with preparing the doorway:
Doorway measurements
clear;
- level;
- treat with an antifungal agent.
First of all, the base is established. You need to use a building level and make sure that there are no distortions, no cracks or gaps.
Then the door leaf and all the necessary fittings are attached.
Design features should be taken into account.
- For swing doors, the door frame is mounted around the perimeter inside the opening in the wall. The canvas is attached using canopies.
Lining of wooden beams
- Sliding and sliding models require preliminary fastening of the upper and lower guides, as well as wall stops, to the wall. Rollers are attached to the door leaf and after that it is installed on the “rails”.
- It is better to entrust the installation of a folding door - an accordion or a model with a cassette mechanism - to specialists.
The final stage of installation is regulation. The door should open freely, without effort or interference. There should be no creaks or other extraneous sounds.
After installing the doors, it is important to wait until the polyurethane foam or other mortars have hardened, and only then begin using it.
Materials used
The main element of the design is a glass sash, but it is not ordinary, since the simplest types of material will crack from the first pop.
To ensure that glass doors for bathrooms and toilets are durable, safe, and last a long time, the following is used for their production:
- Strained glass. It is obtained from the usual one through special processing: heating almost until melting with fairly rapid cooling due to air blowing. This temperature contrast increases the mechanical strength of the material by 6-8, sometimes 10 times. Another important characteristic that glass acquires during the tempering process is the formation of blunt fragments. It is difficult to break a bathroom door made of tempered glass, but even if this happens, there will be no injuries or cuts. The only disadvantage of this material is the impossibility of cutting and drilling after hardening.
- Triplex. It is also obtained from ordinary glass, forming sheets and a polymer film between them like a pie. The layered structure makes the fabric thicker and more durable. The film that is inside glues the layers together so firmly that when cracking, not a single fragment falls out of such a monolith. The material turns out to be completely safe. But if you decide to buy glass doors for the bathroom with a canvas of this particular type, then it is worth remembering that its weight will be greater than the previous one, as well as the cost.
Metals are used to produce accessories, primarily canopies and handles. The most durable option is stainless steel. It is not afraid of moisture; its hinges can withstand significant weight of the door leaf.
Aluminum is also moisture resistant. It looks attractive and is inexpensive. This is the best option for light weight partitions.
Among non-ferrous metals, brass is in demand when equipping a bathroom. It looks beautiful, and due to various additives in the composition it will acquire the necessary strength. Both steel, brass, and aluminum do not rust and tolerate different temperatures and exposure to water and detergents.
Features of glass doors
Surprisingly, glass is an excellent soundproofing material. In combination with hermetic seals, the door leaves close tightly, preventing drafts and the penetration of unnecessary sounds.
Separately, it is worth noting the strength of the glass structure. Six to twelve millimeters, which is the optimal thickness of glass doors, will allow them to serve you for a long time.
If the base of your door is tempered glass, it is almost impossible to break it, unless you try to do it on purpose, because it is tens of times stronger than ordinary glass.
If there are children in the family, some experts recommend additionally “arming” the door with armor film. You can order a door not made of tempered glass, but using a triplex type system. In this case, a polymer layer is used in the manufacture of glass and under no circumstances will it be able to shatter upon impact. In case of severe damage (due to impact), it can only crumble into the structure.
What to do with transparency?
The thought that the bathroom door is glass horrifies many, since this material is primarily associated with transparency. But completely transparent partitions in bathrooms, as a rule, are not installed. No more than 5% of buyers agree to such doors. Most people prefer canvases whose transparency is about 40%.
This can be achieved in various ways:
- Matting. A frosted glass door to a bathroom is most often installed. This system looks stylish and insulates the bathroom well. Roughness is achieved on the surface of the material by treating it with sand particles under high pressure or chemical reagents. A completely matte canvas looks boring. Partially processed doors, in which matte areas alternate with transparent elements, are more in demand.
- Toning. At the glass manufacturing stage, pigments can be added to it, giving it shades. If you want to completely protect yourself from prying eyes, then it is enough to cover the door with a dark or even mirror film.
- Engraving. Laser processing allows you to create original patterns and curls on glass. At the same time, the lightness and airiness of the material is not lost.
- Pasting with film. The easiest way to change the appearance of a door, which you can do yourself. The film can be of any color, plain, with a pattern.
- Creating a stained glass window. A decorative panel made from pieces of multi-colored glass is a very beautiful interior element. Such canvases are difficult to produce, even if the stained glass window is just a small insert, so the price of a glass bathroom door with such a finish is quite high. A more affordable way to create stained glass, or rather to imitate it, is to paint (fill in the contours) with durable paints on glass.
- Embossing. When heated, glass can be given any shape and texture. If you install a door made of corrugated material in the bathroom, your stay in this room will be comfortable.
- Photo printing. The modern method of applying patterns is good because the coating is durable. This method allows you to recreate any image on the glass door to the bathroom and toilet.
If we talk about color and pattern, then it should match the style of the bathroom and apartment or house as a whole. You can purchase not completely glass products, but only with small inserts made of this material.
Doors that are located in the same hall or corridor should be in the same style and color, so it is better to immediately buy designs for the toilet, bathroom, utility room, if it is located nearby.
Different types of doors
The door at the entrance to the bathroom is not just a rectangle. It all depends on the architectural features of the building, the location and shape of the entrance, and its dimensions. If necessary, you can buy a glass door for the bathroom with a convex or concave panel. There are special radius designs that follow the curve of the bathroom walls.
More often, two types of structures are used for arranging bathrooms:
- Swing. A familiar option for everyone. If you need to buy glass doors for the bathroom and toilet, swing doors are most often chosen. They open in one direction: outward or inward. This depends on the size and other parameters of the room. The sash is hung on hinges, with which you can adjust the opening angle. The design of the doors is simple, no different from products made of wood or plastic. A box is mounted in the opening, hinges are installed on which the glass sheet is hung. The disadvantage of this type is the need for sufficient space so that the door can be opened. Since bathrooms often open onto the corridor, given its small area, there may be problems with the functioning of this type of system.
- Sliding. In this case, in the upper part or simultaneously at the top and bottom of the opening, strips (rails) are mounted along which the sash will be moved to the side. Since it moves parallel to the wall, it does not require any space to open. This allows you to install such doors in small rooms, when everything around is filled with furniture. The sash can slide into a niche equipped in the wall or simply behind a cabinet against the wall. Installing such models is a little more difficult.
Bathroom doors with glass inserts, depending on the width of the opening, can consist of one panel or two. For large passages, two sashes are used to more evenly distribute the load on the hinges and avoid distortions.
When choosing a box for the bathroom, you need to remember that the walls in this room are not too thick.
The height of a standard glass door is 1980 mm. Width may vary. It starts from 610 mm. If the need arises, you can always order glass doors of non-standard shape and size. The radius parameters are different. This is due to their specific design. The minimum width of such products is 1 meter. The height of such doors can be standard 1980 mm.
Since glass doors have a smaller height compared to others, this should not be forgotten if you plan to install the same structures in different rooms. Also, a threshold must be installed in the bathroom to prevent possible flooding. Its minimum height is 5 cm.
What kind of doors should a bathroom have?
The bathroom and toilet are places with a special microclimate. There is high humidity in this room, therefore the materials used for the manufacture of interior items, doors and partitions must have certain properties.
Ideal bathroom doors should have the following qualities:
- practicality;
- ease of care;
- ability to withstand humidity and temperature changes;
- do not succumb to corrosive processes, etc.
Photo 1. Single-leaf swing glass door to the bathroom.
Even if the room is properly ventilated, there will still be humid air in it, and doors should be chosen taking this fact into account. Another condition that a bathroom door must have is high sound insulation. Glass surfaces perfectly block sounds and do not release heat.
An important characteristic of a bathroom door in a modern home is its stylish appearance, harmoniously combined with the overall style of the house. Not all doors in a room have to be the same. Bathroom models initially have significant differences and may differ from others.
Basic rules of care
The method of caring for and cleaning glass doors in the bathroom and toilet is not much different from washing windows and any other surfaces made of this material.
Here are the main recommendations:
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth or any window cleaner. Only powders with abrasive particles should not be used. This applies to ordinary glass, and especially decorated canvases (covered with film, stained glass).
- There are special products that repel water and allow the sashes to stay clean longer. They must be used to care for the door once a week.
- Metal fittings also need cleaning. It is better to wipe it with a cloth. You should not use serious “chemistry”: it slowly corrodes the coating and often leaves stains on metal surfaces.
- Door hinges need to be adjusted from time to time, especially if the door begins to squeak. Canopies, as well as all moving parts of the handle and latches must be periodically lubricated with machine oil.
Following these simple rules will allow you to maintain the attractive appearance of your glass partition longer.
A bathroom with a glass door is a modern design solution. This is also a very practical and convenient option, because for rooms with high humidity, glass is the material that can withstand specific conditions better than others. Doors made from it in the bathroom look beautiful, they do not deteriorate from water and steam, and are easy to care for. To make your stay in the bathroom comfortable, the canvas can be decorated in various ways, reducing its transparency.
What types of doors are most often used for bathrooms and toilets?
- Veneered doors. One of the most popular segments of doors for bathrooms. Combines an attractive appearance, naturalness, and long service life. Such products are door products based on an MDF frame, a facing board covered with a thin layer of natural veneer. A door of this type looks rich, natural, and has a wide variety of shades, which allows you to create an interior in any style.
- Laminated doors. Inexpensive and practical types of doors. Covered on top with a special laminated film, which reliably protects the product from mechanical influences, water, and retains color and shade without changes for a long time. This category of doors has a huge assortment in terms of color choice, and therefore enjoys increased attention and interest from buyers. However, laminated doors look and feel very different from veneered doors.
- Doors covered with PVC film. In fact, they are a slightly modified version of laminated ones. These doors are covered on the outside with a special colored PVC film that is resistant to steam, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation. Withstands mechanical stress (scratches, friction), practically does not change color over time.
- Glass doors. They are considered a premium product segment due to the use of special durable and processed grades of glass. They combine reliability, practicality, and rich appearance. Combined with a mirrored, corrugated, frosted surface, glass allows you to create individual design solutions.
Buying interior doors for a bathroom is not an easy task. The market is overflowing with offers and most buyers are looking for options that combine benefits and practicality.
