Shower Doors

Shower doors

When choosing shower doors in New Zealand it is important to consider a few factors before making your choice.

Is there enough clearance for the doors to open outwards? Is the shower large enough to have doors open inwards while still accommodating the occupant? Sliding doors with rollers can economise on space and be convenient, except for when the grooves need to be cleaned thoroughly.

Simple details like which side the handle is on can either go unnoticed or become an annoying hindrance every morning. Style preference is also a major factor in New Zealand. Curved doors can be chic and rare whereas frameless folding doors can exhibit edgy modernity. 

If possible it is recommended that buyers in New Zealand (who aren’t commissioning custom-made doors) use the door in both directions in-store before making a purchase. Also, it’s important to become familiar with the cleaning and maintenance duties required for specific types of doors prior to purchase.

Types of shower doors in New Zealand

Shower glass

Before discussing the specifics regarding shower doors, the type of glass it’s composed of needs to be considered. There are four common dimensions of thickness in New Zealand, namely ¼’, 5/16’, ⅜’, or ½’. Thicker glass requires less reinforcement, thus it’s used more often in frameless structures.

The glass can be completely transparent, frosted, or textured in New Zealand depending on privacy and aesthetic preferences. If the shower interior is a beautiful focal point, clear glass may be the best option. 

The textured glass comes in many different patterns that can incorporate leaves, swirls, and flowers. This can also become an aesthetic focal point in itself.

Some glass can have a special layer of coating that is hydrophobic which can prevent any residue from building up on the surface. This can make maintenance and longevity more feasible.

In the unfortunate event of the door falling and breaking, tempered glass is the best option. Tempered glass breaks apart without any sharp edges, resulting in that extra degree of safety.

Some alternatives to glass shower doors in New Zealand are shower curtains, acrylic and fiberglass enclosures. 

Sliding shower doors

Sliding shower doors are composed of 2 or more panels that glide across each other and gather into a corner. They can slide in grooves or make use of small rollers or wheels to facilitate the movement. The glass tends to be on the thicker side but these doors can either be framed or frameless.

Sliding glass shower doors aren’t restricted to being flat. They can be morphed to suit a curved shower enclosure and even a shower box. Although this door saves a lot of bathroom space as its main perk, the shower entrance should be large enough to accommodate a minimum of 2 panels.

If not cared for correctly these panels can become misaligned with the tracks and can often experience build-up. The build-up in the tracks can lead to reduced functionality.

Frameless shower door

These doors are popular in New Zealand and are composed of hefty glass that doesn’t require fortification from a frame. The door will have some metalwork in the form of hinges and handles but the obstruction of view is minimized and the lines are crisp.

These doors are visually pleasing and aim to showcase a beautiful shower interior or maintain an existing minimalist design. If the chosen glass type is clear, this design can enhance the feeling of spaciousness within the room. The edges can be rounded for added safety and cleaning is generally fuss-free. 

Framed Shower Doors

Framed shower doors have metal encasings around the edges of the glass to reinforce increasing its strength and durability. The metal finishes can be chosen to match those of the existing shower accessories in New Zealand for a cohesive look.

The pros of these doors are that they’re easier to install, reliably sturdy, and the more economic choice when pinned against frameless doors. The cons are that the metal casing may erode and have cumbersome crevices to clean. 

Do not buy into the idea that framed shower doors will always appear outdated. Some new designs are very chic and can become the focal point of the bathroom. A door with a jet black lattice design or dainty gold framing can upgrade even the dullest of spaces.

Pivoting shower doors

The operation of these doors is based on a spindle. The doors are hinged above and below allowing the door to rotate (sometimes) inwards and outwards. 

This form of functionality is perfect for bathrooms in New Zealand with much larger/heavier doors. It can be a bold statement to have a single, large sheet of glass acting as a door - without compromising on safety. 

Bifold shower door

These doors consist of two panels joined together by hinges that allow them to fold. One panel is connected to a wall or enclosure while the other has an edge free. This is ideal for smaller bathrooms in New Zealand but can be a convenient and stylish option for all showers.

Tips and considerations

When making height and width measurements for the shower door to be installed, take 3 measurements. Take the measurements at the top, midway, and bottom of the opening - for both the height and width dimensions. If the 3 measurements differ at all, always choose the largest one.

The base of the shower also plays a role. Ensuring that a shower tray threshold matches the number of doors to be installed is a must. A single threshold shower tray for a single door and double threshold shower trays for 2 doors, and so forth. 

If the floor and shower base (usually tiled) are on the same level there is often a very small gap that needs to be left between the bottom of the door and the floor. 

This gap should not allow so much leeway that water can leak through but there should be enough clearance so the floor does not get damaged when operating the door(s).

If you need assistance to find shower doors for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals in New Zealand, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.