Installing a glass door in the bathroom is considered an original design solution that allows you to create the most modern interior designs. Thanks to new materials and technologies, such doors are not only beautiful, but also completely safe to use. And a huge selection of glass design styles allows each consumer to choose his own option; glass becomes not only an obstacle, but also an artistic element that carries an important load in the design of premises.
Glass door to the bathroom
Glass decorative doors for bathrooms
Advantages and disadvantages of glass bathroom doors
The real advantage of glass bathroom doors is one thing – a beautiful and original design. All the rest (water resistance, environmental friendliness, etc.) are nothing more than attempts by manufacturers to increase sales. But there are several shortcomings, they should be discussed in detail.
- Heavy weight . Their installation requires durable fittings, and they are expensive. In addition, increased demands are placed on the load-bearing characteristics of load-bearing surfaces; not all types of building materials have such parameters. And another problem arising from mass. Glass doors have high kinetic energy; they must be closed/opened carefully. Otherwise, if the canvas does not break completely, the fittings will be damaged and the stability of the aluminum profiles will be compromised.
- High thermal conductivity values. In this parameter, glass is almost as good as metal. As a result, condensation constantly forms on the surface of the glass during water procedures. Two problems arise. The first is that water flows onto the flooring. All of them react negatively to prolonged contact with water, especially for wooden floors and laminate floors, which are very common today. Secondly, the glass surface has to be washed frequently. There is dust in any room, it sticks to the condensation, and after the water dries, dirt stains are visible on the glass.
- Low maintainability . Most mounting elements of glass doors cannot be repaired; they should be replaced when wear appears. It is long, difficult and expensive. In addition, not all apartment owners can do this on their own; they have to seek help from professional specialists, and this further increases the cost of repairs. Not to mention the complete replacement of glass in case of mechanical damage or critical wear of decorative elements.
- High price. The price of a glass door along with installation is several times higher than alternative and conventional options.
Decorative glass doors are an expensive pleasure
Glass doors clouded using the fusing method
Keep this information in mind, carefully weigh the pros and cons, and only then make your final decision.
Accessories for bathroom doors - hinges, handles, screws
The bathroom is the most visited place in an apartment or house. Doors to these rooms experience increased loads, especially in large families or communal apartments. It turns out that when choosing fittings, attention should be paid not only to its moisture resistance and protection against corrosion, but also to the reliability of the opening and locking mechanisms.
Locks
There are three models of locks that we recommend installing on bathroom doors:
- Plumbing wrap;
- Knob handle with built-in screw;
- Latch or latch.
The plumbing wrap is considered the most convenient. It is a standard mortise lock. Unlike mechanisms installed in entrance doors, it has a simple design and one tongue that flies into a groove and is locked with a latch. The advantage of this design is reliability, although installation requires more effort than installing a simple latch, and the service is relatively expensive.
Plumbing locks are so called because they do not have any special secrecy, but perform a single mission - they prevent accidental opening of the room when it is occupied. Some mechanisms provide a small hole. It is necessary so that an adult can open the door with a hairpin if a child who is playing too hard suddenly locks the door.
The knob is a mechanism with a ball-shaped handle, in the center of which there is a small rotating latch. If you install it perpendicularly, the mechanism is blocked and it becomes impossible to open it from the outside. Installation is carried out in 2 holes - one through is drilled in the canvas, the second is right there, but from the end.
Espagnolette or latch - why not? Such devices are inexpensive and do not require drilling holes for installation. The downside is that if a child locks himself inside, the door will have to be broken down.
Loops
They bear a triple load - from high humidity, frequent opening and the weight of the structure.
To prevent the hinges from corroding, choose components made of stainless steel or brass, but nickel-plated or chrome-plated.
Of all the types of hinge designs, you should not stop at the “butterfly” models. Suitable here:
- Card;
- Mortise;
- Hidden.
Card loops are the cheapest. If you focus on strength, take brass ones - they are stronger and can withstand a lot of weight. They look like 2 metal plates connected by a pin inside a cylinder. Installation is carried out using self-tapping screws.
Mortise models are similar to card models, but for their installation, a recess the size of the hinge strip is cut out at the ends, at the fastening points. The fittings are placed into the resulting niche and secured with self-tapping screws.
Hidden hinges are the most expensive and difficult to install. They create a more aesthetic appearance because they remain invisible in any position of the canvas.
Is a threshold necessary?
There is no need to create a threshold on the bathroom door. A small gap at the bottom serves as natural ventilation. Some argue that a threshold in the bathroom is necessary so that in the event of a flood, it will hold back the water for some time and prevent it from rushing into the living area. Experts say that for these purposes, the bathroom floor is laid low. Indeed, the level of flooring in the bathroom is lower than in the rooms, which means a threshold as a restraining element is not needed.
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What size gaps should I leave?
When installing bathroom doors, the size is usually calculated taking into account a gap of not 2 mm, like for doors in a bedroom or living room, but 3 mm. This improves ventilation so that materials are less susceptible to high humidity. As mentioned earlier, it is the hinges that bear the entire weight load, which means their installation and selection should be entrusted to a professional, and he, in turn, will ensure the stability of the mechanisms.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a glass door
As an example, we will take the most common option for installing a door using an aluminum frame. This method is considered universal; it can be used on any walls, including those made of fragile foam blocks. The aluminum frame makes it possible to increase the number of places for fixing the structure and select hardware taking into account specific conditions. This significantly increases the stability of the structure and increases safety of use. In addition, the frame option for installing glass doors facilitates the process of replacing the panel or individual assembly elements if necessary.
Glass door with aluminum frame
Installation of an interior door with an aluminum frame
Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions and check the completeness of the package. For installation you will need an electric drill with a set of drills, including a level, marker, sealant, and a set of keys for drilling concrete and ceramic tiles.
Inspect the frame profiles. The vast majority of manufacturers provide only three holes for fixation; this is only sufficient in cases where the interior partitions are concrete. In houses, partitions are made in most cases from foam blocks or hollow bricks. Three mounting points in these materials will not ensure the stability of the structure; additionally drill at least two more mounting holes; the diameter can be increased or left the same as the factory ones. Aluminum drills poorly and the cutting edge constantly gets clogged. If the profiles are thick-walled, then periodically clean the drill, otherwise it will overheat.
Box assembly
Step 1. Make marks on the wall where the dowels will be installed. Install the supporting profile exactly level, check its position and mark the locations of the holes with a pencil or marker. Remove the profile and carefully drill a hole. If the partition is made of brick, then you need to use a drill bit with a pobedit tip; if it is made of foam concrete, then an ordinary one will do. Drill carefully, keep the drill in one position at all times. Any oscillatory movements increase the diameter of the holes, and this has a very negative effect on the strength of the fixation.
Insert the box into the opening
Box inserted
Fixing the box with self-tapping screws
Practical advice. We recommend filling the holes with any sealant, and only then inserting the plastic parts of the dowels. Due to this, the reliability of fastening is significantly increased. We recommend doing this procedure in all cases of fixing heavy elements to interior partitions using dowels.
Step 2 . Attach the supporting profile to the wall. To eliminate gaps between it and the wall surface, apply sealant to the back of the profile. You don't need much, but the line should be continuous. This way you will be able to prevent humid air from entering the bathroom and other rooms. Don't worry that some of the sealant will squeeze out; the excess can be removed without any problems.
Step 3. Fasten the loops. Do not forget to place rubber or plastic spacers between metal surfaces and glass. Tighten without excess force, remember that you are working with glass.
Installing hinges
Step 4. Install the canvas into the seats, check the functionality during opening/closing. If you did everything correctly, the door will work without problems.
Step 5. Install the second profile (return) using the same method. Secure the fittings.
Hanging and adjusting the door leaf
Reverse part of the fittings
Lock assembly
Lock with handle
Lock strike plate
Step 6. Place a sealing strip at the top of the opening. There should be a gap at the bottom for natural ventilation.
Installation of seal
Now the installation is complete, check the functionality of the door and locks.
Installed door
We should also talk about the technology for installing sliding glass doors in the bathroom.
Follow safety rules and wear gloves. Remember that glass sheets are very sensitive to impacts on the floor tiles, make sure that the corners do not touch it, use various gaskets.
Step 1 . Attach the guide rollers to the door leaf, making sure that the end of the end bracket is flush with the edge of the door leaf. The roller guides should be approximately 80 cm from the edge of the glass. Each manufacturer changes this parameter slightly, read the instructions. Tighten the hex bolts of the guide rollers, these bots press the glass to the metal surfaces. Do not forget to constantly use special gaskets. Check for security; if in doubt, very carefully tighten the bolts another ½ turn.
Attaching guide rollers to the door leaf
Step 2: Secure the top rails. Mark the mounting points using a level, drill holes and secure the rails. We have already mentioned that for architectural elements made of fragile building materials, it is necessary to increase the number of fixation points.
Attaching the top rails to the wall
Practical advice. Sometimes the rails become deformed during transportation. Check them, if any distortions are found, correct the problems. Uneven rails make opening/closing glass doors much more difficult.
Step 3. Fasten the lower clamp, before doing this you should check the plane of the walls. The distance between the wall and the edge of the doorway is given in specific instructions from each manufacturer.
Attaching the bottom clamp to the floor
Step 4. Hang the glass sheet with rollers on the rails. Place the door on supports, lift it, tilt it slightly and insert the rollers into the rail. Use special screws to secure the decorative panel covering the rail.
Installing a glass door on rails
Step 5: Attach the stoppers. They are mounted on the ends of the rails and serve to prevent the door leaf from falling out when opened at maximum. If necessary, adjust the opening width of the door leaf using stoppers.
Attaching stoppers
Step 6 . Adjust the position of the door leaf. There should be a gap of approximately 10cm high between the bottom edge and the floor.
Glass height adjustment
Step 7. Check again that all connections are secure and tighten the bolts a little if necessary.
Step 8: Begin installing the door handles and lock. The algorithm for performing the work is standard. Once again, we remind you to tighten the bolts carefully. If looseness is detected and tightening is already dangerous, then you need to remove the fitting element and clean the surfaces of the glass and plastic gasket. There may be oil stains on them, which significantly weaken the degree of fixation.
Video - Installation of a system of sliding interior doors made of Herkules Glass
What materials can doors be installed in a bathroom, and which ones should not?
Why did we decide to highlight the problem of choosing bathroom doors? Of course, it’s not just a matter of a few drops of water that may accidentally fall on the canvas: the drip version just doesn’t cause as much harm as the cyclically changing atmosphere. Even with powerful supply and exhaust ventilation, it is almost impossible to maintain the humidity and temperature in the bathroom at the same level.
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What does the room look like after taking a shower... Steam literally hangs in the room, humidity reaches extreme values, and the walls and other surfaces, including the door, are flooded with streams of condensation. To eliminate the consequences of taking a shower or bath, a whole range of devices is used - from ventilation to heated dryers and a “warm floor” system. Within a few minutes the situation returns to normal. Sudden changes in the atmosphere negatively affect surfaces and surrounding objects, and given that such “cataclysms” happen several times a day, then the choice of decoration, furniture, and doors should be approached with particular scrupulousness.
What kind of doors are installed in the bathroom?
In general, interior doors differ from each other in three key ways:
- Base material;
- Coated;
- By design.
The moisture resistance of the fabric depends on each of them. That is, some models are strictly not recommended for installation in places with a changing atmosphere, while others, on the contrary, are able to withstand direct exposure to water and the constant presence of condensation for a long time.
Of the three listed factors, it is the base material that has the least effect on moisture resistance. The choice of coating is important - it creates protection and prevents moisture from penetrating into the inner layers. Also, a lot depends on the quality of the assembly and the type of construction, because if a micro-gap remains at the junctions of the panels and the base or on the edges, it will become a “moisture bridge” and over time will turn from a small defect into a huge gap in the form of a swollen, non-closing sheet.
However, the door to the bathroom is not always PVC or eco-veneer. Modern materials and processing technologies make it possible to use solid structures for these purposes. Which models are able to constantly withstand the onslaught of high humidity - let's discuss in detail:
Inexpensive film doors
This:
- Laminated with an inexpensive, smooth cellulose film with a wood pattern;
- Covered with a thin eco-veneer 0.1-0.3 mm thick based on paper, imitating the texture and pattern of solid wood.
Their main advantage is their low price. Still, if you have some cash reserves, we do not recommend installing such models in the bathroom, especially in a small one, where humidity manifests itself in two ways - in the form of steam and direct contact with drops. Even very high-quality protection weakens over time, the paper gets wet, moisture penetrates the MDF, which, although considered moisture-resistant, will nevertheless begin to swell in a year or two. The door will change in size and you will have difficulty closing. Yes, and the model’s appearance will suffer. Therefore, if it’s laminate, then you should refuse, or it won’t last long.
Film doors in the middle price segment
This:
- High-quality, durable PVC films;
- Polypropylene coatings, including high-class eco-veneer with a thickness of 0.4-0.5 mm.
Films protect the internal contents 100% if effective technologies were used during their application and there is not the slightest defect on the surface. The strength of synthetic materials is sufficient to repel impacts and small scratches. And this is important, because in the case of interior doors made of PVC and eco-veneer, you should pay attention to the level of their performance. Water can hit them if there is a loophole for it.
Film doors are divided into 2 groups according to their design:
- Panel boards - made of solid fabric, possibly with decorative application by milling;
- Prefabricated - paneled and drawer panels, consisting of a base (frame) and inserts made of MDF and glass.
Panel doors for bathtubs with high-quality assembly are a suitable choice.
These are canvases made from a single sheet of MDF or milled. The latter are similar in appearance to paneled ones (when the inserts are separate from the frame), yet this is their imitation, which is performed for the purpose of decoration.
Covering panel doors with films is carried out in stages. First, the material in a single sheet (PVC films and eco-veneer are sold in rolls) is applied to the facades. Then the narrow sides (edges) are sealed. As a result, a seam is formed at the junction. This is the first weak point of panel structures. The susceptibility of the door to moisture will depend on how well the connection is made and how airtight the ceiling is made.
Milled doors are covered with film using the same technology.
There is a third option for panel models - with glass inserts. In the places where they are installed, an MDF board is cut out, and a beam is laid inside for fastening the glass. The joint where the wood board meets the glass is the second weak point of the structure.
When choosing a panel film door to the bathroom, carefully inspect the edges and the junction of the glass. You can take them only if there are no defects on the surface - even the most insignificant ones.
PVC panel and side doors, eco-veneer for the bathroom - 100% your option!
In this case, too, all attention is paid to the quality of the product. In essence, such a door is a prefabricated construction kit. The advantage lies in the technology of coating with protective materials: not the entire finished door is wrapped with roll films, but each element separately. In this case, the joints of the panels are left on the side that will be hidden inside the frame groove.
The second point is the edges: for paneled structures, the frames are completely wrapped, without creating joints on the sidewalls, so they are completely devoid of those weak points that panel boards have. But for both of them, the upper and lower ends remain open - as a rule, they are not covered with films, because they are not visible.
Veneered doors
This refers to doors covered with natural veneer. The same wood, which is known to be very hygroscopic (especially some varieties). Moisture resistance depends on the quality and type of protection. For veneered doors, this role is played by varnish - all surfaces are carefully coated with it, except the top and bottom ends. If glass panels are used, they are mounted together with seals, achieving a tight and reliable connection.
Doors with enamel coating
In the ranking of materials for protecting canvases from water and humidity, this is the undisputed leader. The enamel lies evenly on all parts of the structure. The glass installation method is similar to that described above. Weak points are the ends at the top and bottom.
Is it possible to install solid wood doors in a bathroom?
The segment of the most durable, reliable and expensive interior doors. Given wood's tendency to absorb moisture, is it worth spending large sums on a product that may not be suitable for use in the bathroom. Or did the manufacturers cope with this task?
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Different types of wood are used in the production of doors. The most common are 5 types (in order of decreasing cost):
- Oak;
- Ash;
- Beech;
- Alder;
- Pine.
How the finished product will react to increased humidity depends on the type of wood and the protection option. We’ll look at the varieties of solid wood and their level of hygroscopicity a little later. First, about protective coatings - they come in two types:
- Breathable – paint, wax, impregnations;
- Non-breathable – primers, enamels, varnishes.
The first to perform more in-depth processing of the array. Substances - stronger or weaker - penetrate into the inner layers, leaving the pores open, thanks to which the wood “breathes” and ensures normal air exchange in the room. Materials from the second category clog pores, thereby providing more reliable natural protection of wood from moisture.
Now – about the moisture resistance of wood species.
Pine
Its advantages are low price, beautiful pattern, high thermal insulation, a huge amount of resins in the wood, which make it relatively resistant to moisture. This is why doors made from untreated pine are often found. But living material with open pores will react to moisture. Considering the friability of wood, it will expand or contract greatly. To close the pores and give additional water-repellent properties, it is impregnated with wax. It is often tinted and varnished. It is not recommended to paint with enamel, because... due to the high expansion coefficient, it may crack.
Alder
Alder is slightly denser than pine, but without resins. Therefore, it absorbs moisture much more strongly. As coatings, you need to choose denser compositions: primer, enamel, varnish. The rock is often used for finishing surfaces in saunas. The wood does not overheat, thereby preventing burns. People are also attracted by its beautiful reddish hue and pleasant smell, similar to the aroma of cognac.
Oak
A suitable breed for making bathroom doors. It behaves well in conditions of high humidity, provided that the wood is well dried and reliably coated with the correct compounds. Oak absorbs moisture well, but does not change in size much due to the density of the wood. There is no need to cover it with thick opaque coatings. Paint or varnish works great.
Ash
Ash is similar to oak, but if the latter becomes as strong as metal under water (remember bog oak), then the ash begins to rot. Therefore, ash trees are not placed outdoors. In damp rooms, treatment with antiseptics is required, but for natural wood this is normal. In general, when used in apartments and houses, it is no different from oak and the external coatings are generally identical.
Beech
As durable as oak, but unlike the latter it is very hygroscopic, approximately like alder. If we talk about pure untreated wood, it is not recommended to use it even under normal conditions, not to mention high humidity. Doors made of solid beech should be finished with as dense a coating as possible. It is better to install enamel doors in the bathroom.
Recommendations from professionals
If the door will be stored for a long time before installation, then place it on pads; the floor surface should be flat. When performing installation work, it is advisable to use special gloves with rubber elements. These gloves prevent the glass from slipping while working with the blade.
Wear gloves when working
It is strongly recommended to involve an assistant during installation work. Do-it-yourself installation carries great risks.
Only experienced professionals can install doors alone.
As standard, all hinges are right-handed. If you need to change the direction of door opening, then the hinges will have to be disassembled and the position of the side planes into which the glass fixing bolts are screwed in can be swapped. This is not difficult to do. If your door has a standard frame, then changing the direction the door opens is a little more difficult. You need to remove the horizontal support rail, move the seals to the edge (future bottom) of the other horizontal and fasten the horizontal crossbar in its place.
Some manufacturers sell glass doors in a partially assembled state. Carefully remove packaging and check the integrity of structures and elements. Before starting work, prepare the workplace, remove all objects that interfere with free movement.
In the photo the master takes out a set of accessories
A horizontal door handle is unusable if the distance between the frame and the wall is less than three centimeters. The short distance prevents the door from opening 90°.
An example of a convenient door handle
The more often you check the spatial position of the load-bearing elements, the more reliable and durable the glass door will be. Most manufacturers provide the possibility of precise adjustment of the door leaf with special bolts installed on the fittings.
Adjusting fittings
The exception is that the glass was made to order for you and not all dimensions were met with the required accuracy. In such cases, you will have to move the loops in one direction or another. It's quite difficult to do this the first time. If you adjust the position of the glass sheet with loose fasteners, be sure to work together. It is very difficult for one person to both hold the glass and unscrew/tighten the bolts. Watch the video for installing a shower tray yourself by following the link.
