At Roman we have been designing and manufacturing showering products for over 28 years, so we understand every aspect of creating a perfect showering space. However, for many people installing a new showering space only happens once every 10 years, so it can seem a daunting task when faced with so many different options. To help get you started, here’s a guide to the most popular and common different shaped shower enclosures available and an overview of their advantages and any disadvantages…
Sculptures Sliding Door Three Sided Enclosure
Sliding Door Shower Enclosuresfeature a door which slides along the length of the enclosure, so the door neither opens outwards into the bathrooms, or inwards into the showering space, offering easy unobstructed access. Sliding Doors are available with the option of side panels for a corner space, or can be used alone in an alcove. Higher specification versions, such as our Sculptures Sliding Door may also be installed with two side panels to create a three sided enclosure on a straight wall. Sliding Doors are ideal for filling larger apertures, but are not always the first choice for small bathrooms, as they can be more expansive than other door types available.
Embrace Pivot Door Enclosure
Pivot Shower Doors rotate from a pin which is located into the top and bottom profile. Similar to a hinged door, a Pivot Door will open outwards, but due to the location of the pin it takes up less external space when opened – perfect for avoiding other bathroom fixtures and fittings. Pivot Doors can be installed alone in an alcove, or with a side panel for a corner. This type of door is not often designed as part of luxury ranges, as it requires a fully framed door, so a minimalist design led look can’t be achieved.
Orbital Bi-fold Door Enclosure
Bi-fold Door Shower Enclosures are one of the most popular styles in the UK as they make clever use of space, due to their inward opening door. The inward opening shower doors don’t project out into the bathroom so avoid other bathroom fittings. Bi-fold Shower Doors are available in various size options to make the most of the available space and can also be installed with inline panels, for a larger showering space. As Bi-fold Doors need to be fully framed, a totally minimalist look can’t be achieved.
Decem Hinged Door with One Inline Panel in an Alcove
Hinged Shower Doors are an outward opening door that is hinged from one of the side profiles. The nature of this style of enclosure allows for a minimalist finish – we offer one version in our Sculptures Range which is totally frameless. These are available in various sizes and can be installed with the addition of inline panels, for a larger showering space, and with one side panel for a corner situation. For some high specification hinged doors, these can be installed with two side panels for a straight wall installation, to create a stunning three sided shower enclosure.
Desire Quadrant Enclosure
Quadrant Shower Enclosures are a curved glass enclosure which will sit discreetly in the corner of your bathroom. They are often referred to as a corner shower enclosure or a curved glass shower enclosure. These are usually available in off-set versions to allow for different wall dimensions on either side. Quadrant Shower Enclosures generally have a sliding door system, which means the doors don’t open out into the bathroom space, helping avoid other bathroom furniture. There are also versions available with bowed glass fronts, where the curved glass protrudes beyond the wall dimensions to occupy more space in the centre of the bathroom, for a larger showering area.
Haven Corner Entry Enclosure
Corner Entry Shower Enclosures are square, or rectangular shaped enclosures, which sit in the corner of your bathroom space. They feature sliding doors that allow you to enter from the corner, and the sliding doors don’t encroach out into the bathroom, or into the showering space. The fully framed nature of this enclosure type means a design-led minimalist finish is not generally available in particular this enclosure style.
This gives you an insight into the most popular shower door styles and shapes. There are also a range of alternative solution products available. Keep an eye out on the Roman Blog for a guide to these more unusual enclosure types, and what problems and restrictions they can help resolve in your bathroom space.