A sliding shower door is a stylish and sophisticated choice for any modern bathroom. Renowned for their space-saving design, these shower doors are one of the most popular options available. However, with numerous styles, brands, and installation types available, how do you select the right one for your home?
This guide from Asturias Bathrooms will walk you through everything you need to know. We'll cover the key factors to consider, including size and style, as well as installation options in a recess or corner. We'll also highlight some of the best affordable and luxury brands on the market, helping you find the perfect sliding shower door for your bathroom renovation.
Factors to Consider Before Buying
Selecting the ideal slider door requires some planning. Here are the key factors to consider when making the right decision for your space and budget.
Size
Sliding shower doors are available in a variety of widths, making them a great option for bathrooms of all sizes. For more help, see our guide on How to Design a Small Bathroom. The first step is to measure the area where your shower will be. Sliding shower doors are available in a wide range of widths, so it's crucial to have accurate measurements to ensure a perfect fit. Remember to measure the height as well, as this will determine the overall feel of your shower enclosure.
Style
Sliding shower doors come in three main styles, each offering a different aesthetic:
- Framed: These doors have a metal frame around the entire glass panel. They are a classic, sturdy, and often more affordable option.
- Semi-frameless: This style features a frame around the outer edges of the enclosure but not around the door panel itself, offering a more modern look.
- Frameless: For a truly minimalist and high-end appearance, frameless doors feature a seamless design with no visible frame. They are typically made from thicker glass, creating a clean, open feel in the bathroom.
Price
The price of a sliding shower door can vary significantly based on the brand, style, and glass thickness. At Asturias Bathrooms, our prices range from £198 to £840, ensuring there's an option for every budget, from cost-effective solutions to premium, luxury designs.
Recommended Brands and Products
We stock a wide variety of sliding shower doors from leading brands. Whether you're looking for an affordable, practical solution or a high-end statement piece, we have something to suit your needs.
Affordable and Stylish Options
For those seeking quality without a hefty price tag, Scudo Bathrooms and Ajax offer excellent choices. These brands provide modern designs with reliable construction.
- Scudo S6 Black Sliding Shower Door: This door brings a contemporary touch with its sleek black finish. It is crafted from 6mm toughened safety glass and measures 1850mm in height. The Scudo S6 is available in multiple widths and features an easy-clean coating to keep it looking pristine.
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Ajax Keah 6mm Black Sliding Shower Door: Another superb option, the Ajax Keah features a bold black profile and is designed with 6mm easy-clean safety glass. Standing at 1850mm tall, it is fully reversible for left or right-hand installation and is compatible with power showers and wetrooms.
Luxury and Premium Selections
If you're looking to invest in a top-of-the-line product, Merlyn Showers is a leading brand known for its superior quality and innovative designs.
- Merlyn Ionic Source Sliding Shower Door: This door features a polished chrome finish and a smooth sliding action. It is made from 6mm toughened safety glass and has quick-release bottom rollers for easy cleaning. The pre-assembled frame simplifies installation, and it comes with a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee.
- Merlyn 8 Series Sliding Shower Door: For those who desire extra durability, the 8 Series boasts 8mm toughened safety glass with Mershield® Stayclear protection, which resists limescale buildup. At a height of 1950mm, this door has a substantial feel. It features a hand-polished chrome finish, twin easy-clean rollers, and a lifetime manufacturer's guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Installation Options: Alcove or Corner?
A key consideration is where and how your sliding shower door will be installed. There are two primary configurations: recess (or alcove) fitting and corner fitting.
Recess / Alcove Fitting
An alcove or recess is a three-sided space, typically an indented area in your bathroom. For this setup, you only need the sliding door itself, which is fitted between the two facing walls. This is a very common and straightforward installation that maximises the use of an existing structural feature.
Corner Fitting
If you are installing your shower in the corner of your bathroom, you will need a sliding door and a matching side panel to create the two glass sides of the enclosure. Many of our sliding doors come with optional side panels, allowing you to create a complete corner unit.
Another popular corner design is the quadrant shower enclosure. This features curved sliding doors that fit neatly into a corner, saving space while providing a stylish, rounded front. These require a specific quadrant-shaped shower tray.
Choosing the Right Shower Tray
The shower tray is the foundation of your enclosure, so it's essential to choose one that is compatible with your sliding door.
The shape of your tray will depend on your installation:
- Rectangular trays are used for standard slider door installations in a corner or recess.
- Square trays are suitable for smaller enclosures.
- Quadrant trays are required for curved quadrant enclosures.
The material and profile height of the tray are also important. Stone resin trays offer excellent durability, while low-profile or slimline trays create a modern, minimalist look. For more detailed guidance, please read our Shower Tray Buying Guide.
Find Your Perfect Sliding Shower Door
A sliding shower door is an excellent investment that combines sophisticated design with practical, space-saving benefits. By considering factors such as size, style, and installation type, you can select a sliding shower door that perfectly matches your bathroom's layout and personal taste. Whether you opt for an affordable model from Scudo or a luxury design from Merlyn, you'll be adding a quality feature to your bathroom.
Ready to find the ideal solution for your bathroom?
