Adding shower doors or bathtub doorsas part of a bathroom remodeling project is a common home improvement.
However, as in most things, you get what you pay for. But with shower and tub doors that statement has a lot of meaning. It is very easy for manufacturers to skimp on quality while still providing a product that has aesthetic appeal, in the short term. In the long term, inexpensive products will bend, warp, discolor and generally fall apart.
Figure 1 - Glass shower door
Areas that make differences are in:
- The mechanics that make the door(s) swivel or slide. Some manufacturers will use plastic glides, others will use nylon, some will have doors that slide on roller bearings from the top (hung door), while less expensive units will have the doors slide in a channel. Pay very close attention to the mechanism and ask what the manufacturers' guarantee is.
- The quality of the panel. Is it ABS, plexi-glass or another plastic material that will likely yellow and/or form a haze with age. The better quality doors are made of shatter resistant glass. It should also be noted that it generally requires special cleaners and additional care when cleaning plastics versus glass. Plastics can easily be scratched with household cleaners, because many cleaners have an abrasive as part of their cleaning formula.
- The quality of the panel. Is it ABS, plexi-glass or another plastic material that will likely yellow and/or form a haze with age. The better quality doors are made of shatter resistant glass. It should also be noted that it generally requires special cleaners and additional care when cleaning plastics versus glass. Plastics can easily be scratched with household cleaners, because many cleaners have an abrasive as part of their cleaning formula.
- Check the mounting methods and strength of door handles or knobs. Door handles and knobs on shower or tub doors usually end up being places where towels are hung. Can the door handles and knobs stand-up to having towels pulled up and over them constantly.
- How do the doors seal? Is there gasket material or is sealing based on a metal to metal fit? Water damage to walls and floors is one of the most common problems with poorly or incorrectly installed shower and tub doors. Follow the manufacturer's instructions - he really does know more about his product than you do!
Shop where you can actually see and operate the door that you are planning on purchasing installed in a display. Doors that are broken in display units are highly likely to break when installed in your home. Never accept the statement people abuse the display models
The abuse in a showroom is just a shortening of the wear it will receive when it's installed in your home.
You should also consider the usage. If you have one bathroom and six children, those doors will take a great deal of abuse. If on the other hand it is a guest bathroom, that might be used three or four weeks every year, even the least expensive shower or tub doors will probably outlast the house.
Additional information on remodeling bathrooms.