Folding Shower Doors Offer Flexibility for Bathtub Showers

Tired of fighting with shower curtains that billow inwards as you're trying to bathe? Folding shower doors offer a sleek upgrade to any bathtub. With their space-saving bi-fold design, folding doors provide easy access without occupying excessive room. Best of all, they maintain heat and moisture far better than cloth curtains. Read on to discover why folding shower doors bring flexibility and style to bathtub showers.

Folding shower doors feature panels that collapse accordion-style to open and close. Rather than swinging out or sliding along a track, the panels fold in or out. This allows even narrow bathtubs to accommodate doors without needing additional space. The folding design also provides impressive versatility. You can install the doors to open inward or outward to suit your preferences and bathroom layout.

Benefits of Folding Shower Doors for Bathtubs

Why choose folding over sliding or hinged shower doors for your bathtub enclosure? Folding models offer unique advantages.

Maximize Limited Space

Many bathroom renovation projects involve working with existing tub alcoves or tight footprints. Folding shower doors need less clearance than sliding doors, making them perfect for smaller bathrooms. With only inches of space needed for the doors to collapse, you can create the illusion of a larger area.

Easy Entry and Exit

Entering and exiting a bathtub safely is crucial, especially for seniors and those with limited mobility. Folding shower doors feature a low threshold for hassle-free access without climbing over a high tub wall or sliding door track. The folding panels also allow you to enter and exit from any location instead of a fixed opening.

Maintain an Open Aesthetic

Do you love the airiness and sunlight your bathroom gets with just a shower curtain but want more functionality? Folding shower doors deliver the best of both worlds. When opened, they look minimal and sleek to maintain an open aesthetic. When closed, the watertight seal contains moisture and heat far better than a fabric curtain could.

Customizable to Fit Any Bathtub

Folding shower doors come in standard and custom sizes to fit any brand or style of bathtub. Whether you have an alcove, corner, drop-in, or freestanding model, folding doors can adapt to the existing opening. If yours is an unusual size or shape, custom-cut folding panels are an option. The universal hardware also accommodates off-plumb walls and out-of-level floors for a perfect fit.

Convenient Access to Faucets and Shower Controls

Trying to reach your tub's faucet or shower controls through a narrow sliding door gap can be difficult. With folding doors, you simply fold back one panel to access these areas without squeezing through a tight space or soaking the bathroom floor. This makes adjusting water temperature or switching from tub to shower mode effortless.

Choosing the Right Folding Shower Doors

When selecting folding shower doors for your bathtub, keep the following considerations in mind:

Measure Tub Opening Accurately

As with any shower door installation, precise measurements are crucial for proper fit and sealing performance. Measure the tub opening at both the top and bottom to account for any taper or inconsistencies. Check the measurements at multiple points as alcove walls often bow outward towards the middle. Careful measuring prevents ordering incorrect sizes or unnecessary adjustments during installation.

Consider Style and Material: Frameless, Aluminum, Glass

Folding shower doors typically feature aluminum or stainless steel frames holding large tempered glass panels. However, frameless glass doors are also available for a sleek, contemporary style. Other material options like acrylic, PET plastic, polycarbonate, and laminated safety glass provide durability and customization.

Determine Direction of Door Fold: Inward or Outward

Depending on your bathroom layout, you can choose folding doors that collapse inward or outward. Out-folding models work well for narrow bathrooms as they don't require clearance behind the tub. However, they can block access to controls or limit mobility assistance. In-folding styles offer better ergonomics at the cost of some space efficiency.

Choose Number of Panels: Bi-fold or Tri-fold

Standard folding tubs doors have two panels in a bi-fold configuration. However, three panel tri-fold models are excellent space-savers for tiny bathrooms. The extra fold allows them to collapse into a very compact footprint. This does limit entry width, so measure carefully before installing tri-folding doors.

Pick Enclosure Height: Full-Height or Waist-Height

For maximum heat retention and spray control, full height folding enclosures that reach the ceiling are best. However, half-height waist-level models cost less while still containing most moisture and splashes. If young children will use the tub, full doors are safer and prevent falls. For seniors or accessibility, half-height works better.

Preparing for Installation

Once you've selected the perfect folding shower doors for your bathtub project, get your space ready for hassle-free installation with these tips:

Ensure Tub Edge is Clean and Level

Any debris, sealant glob, chips, or uneven areas on your tub's edges will prevent the doors from sealing properly or folding smoothly. Remove old caulk beads, grout, or mortar first. Then lightly sand any protrusions and fill any pits or gaps using quality spackle or sealant.

Have Materials Ready: Doors, Hardware, Tools

Nothing slows down installation like realizing something is missing mid-project. Before starting, unpack all boxes and ensure you have the correct doors, panels, hinges, handles and any other hardware items. Gather necessary tools like a power drill, screwdriver, level, and pencil too.

Carefully Review Manufacturer's Instructions

Every brand of folding shower door may install slightly differently. Thoroughly reading the manual before beginning allows you to identify parts, hardware, fastener locations, necessary adjustments, and other model-specific details. Understanding the process ahead of time prevents hiccups.

Check for Potential Obstructions: Faucets, Handles

Test open and close the doors while temporarily in place to catch any potential issues early. Check for contact or interference with plumbing handles, spouts, soap dishes, corners, or window trim that impede operation or limit swing clearance. Adjust position or fold direction to prevent problems.

Installing Folding Doors

When it's time for the actual installation, follow these tips to hang your folding shower doors quickly and professionally:

Mark Drilling Points for Hardware Attachment

Most folding shower door hardware needs to anchor to the walls with secured screws. Mark their locations based on the manufacturer's specs to ensure proper alignment. Use a level to keep fastener positions even on both sides. Drilling accurate pilot holes prevents cracks or structural damage.

Drill Holes and Insert Wall Anchors if Needed

If drilling into tile, masonry, or reinforced walls, pre-drill appropriately sized holes then insert plastic or metal hollow wall anchors to reinforce screw points. This provides a solid threading substrate. For waterproof strength, apply silicone sealant before attaching anchors.

Attach Hinges/Pivots to Wall with Screws

With drilling complete, fasten mounting plates for the hinge mechanisms securely to the walls using the provided screws and washers. Be sure to keep them oriented correctly for inward or outward opening based on your model. Use a level to keep tops aligned.

Hang Door Panels and Adjust to Align Properly

Lift the glass door panels from the bottom to the top using the pivot hinges. Adjust the doors so the gaps between panels and to the tub edges are even all around. Tighten hardware gradually until alignment sticks.