Weighing Cost and Durability with Your Shower Door
Types of Shower Doors
Consider the different types of shower doors you will find at Lifetime Aluminum:
Frameless
Frameless shower doors are made of thick glass that can be customized to fit your shower area. As the name suggests, they have no frame, which makes your bathroom look less confined. A frameless shower door is great for adding a modern vibe to your bathroom.
Framed
You could purchase a shower door that has glass fully enclosed in a frame. These shower doors have metal edges, seals, and gaskets. Framed shower doors have a traditional look that may match your bathroom’s aesthetic. You can also purchase shower doors that are partially framed.
Sliding
Sliding glass shower doors glide on rollers in a track for easy opening and closing. Since the doors slide, it is ideal for smaller bathrooms. If you have a tub/shower combination, a sliding door allows for access to both sides of the tub.
Hinged
Hinged shower doors have a door entrance with a handle that you pull on. The size of the opening is typically larger than sliding door entrances and therefore more ideal for people with mobility issues. There is less hardware involved in a hinged shower door installation, so if you are going with a frameless door, it will blend in more with the walls.
Fully Customized
At Lifetime Aluminum, we can customize your shower door any way you like. Your door can be curved or angled, and we can cut it to ensure a perfect fit in your bathroom.
Durability
You want your new shower door to last for years, so it is wise to consider the overall durability of the door. Shower doors are made of glass. You do not want to choose cheaply made glass that will crack if you accidentally slam the door shut too hard. The thickness of the glass usually depends on your choice between a framed door and a frameless door.
Durability of a Frameless Shower Door
Because frameless doors are all glass, the designers make them with tempered glass, which is thicker and stronger than normal glass. This means you can bump the door quite hard while you are taking a shower and it will not break. Frameless glass doors are more resistant to breaking, which makes them less likely to injure anyone.
Frameless doors are also easier to keep clean. Wipe them down easily without worrying about mold and mildew collecting on the edges of a metal frame. Easy cleaning means your frameless shower door will look great for a longer period.
Durability of a Framed Shower Door
Framed shower doors typically have thinner glass than frameless ones because the frames hold the glass tightly in place. The frame itself is exceptionally durable and will last for years.
Because frames have ridges where water can collect and mold and mildew can grow, it can be a little harder to keep them clean. However, professionally installed framed shower doors from the installation experts at Lifetime Aluminum will be fitted as tightly and neatly as possible for the best possible results.
Cost
Since there is such a variety of styles and types of shower doors, the cost can vary quite a bit. You can find a shower door for almost any budget. Frameless shower doors are made of thicker glass, which makes them a little more expensive than thinner glass of a framed shower door. The size of your shower door will also affect your total cost. Also, the more customization your shower door requires, the higher the cost will be.
Expert shower door installation should be considered when figuring out the total cost. Glass shower doors are not a DIY project, and you should rely on professionals to ensure exact fitting and proper operation. The installation team at Lifetime Aluminum will get the job done right the first time, saving you expenses overall.
Find the Best Shower Door for Your Home
Lifetime Aluminum is your source for high-quality shower door installation in East Hanover, New Jersey, and throughout Morris County. We invite you to visit our showroom to view a wide selection of durable and cost-effective shower doors. Call us today at (973) 887-1900 to learn more, or fill out our contact form and one of our friendly representatives will get back to you.