What Is A Pivot Shower Door? (Find Out Now!)
Every bathroom is unique, which means every shower will be, too. And that means every shower door will look different as well. The right fit for your space will depend on the size and shape of your bathroom as well as your personal preferences. One popular type of door across all types of bathrooms is a pivot shower door.
A pivot shower door is a frameless door that operates on a pivot hinge, which allows it to swing open in either direction. Pivot doors can open 180 degrees if you attach the hinge to one side of the door. You can also center-mount the hinge and turn it into a revolving door with a full 360 degrees of motion.
Here’s everything you need to know about pivot shower doors and more!
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Pivot Shower Door Advantages
Pivot shower doors are practical, attractive, and versatile, making them a great choice for a wide range of showers designs. Let’s take a closer look at these highlights, so you can decide if it’ll be the right fit for your space.
Low-Maintenance
First and foremost, pivot shower doors don’t need a track. Metal tracks collect dirt, scum, and grime, which can be very difficult—not to mention annoying—to clean. Plus, you never have to deal with the door coming off the track or getting stuck due to faulty rollers.
The only thing you’ll really have to deal with when you have a pivot shower door is wipe down the glass to get rid of water spots and occasionally lubricate the hinges if you begin to hear any creaking.
Safety and Accessibility
Since pivot doors don’t need to overlap each other to open like sliding doors do, you can enjoy a large opening to better accommodate people with limited mobility and even wheelchairs if you’re veering toward a barrier-free design. It’s also easy to get in and out of these doors because you can open them either way without having to navigate around them.
Great for Small Corner Spaces
If you have a shower in the corner of a smaller bathroom, pivot doors can be especially helpful. This way, you can still have a decently sized shower with a convenient door right in the center. Be mindful of other items in your bathroom when installing the door, so you don’t end up knocking into countertops or the toilet.
Natural Lighting
Since pivot doors are made from glass, you get to enjoy the added benefit of natural light in your space. A shower curtain will block this light out unless the window itself is located within the shower.
Pivot Shower Door Disadvantages
Even though pivot shower doors can be a great option, they’re not perfect for every bathroom. Here are the main downfalls of these types of doors:
Space Requirements
It’s true that pivot doors can work well in some small bathrooms, but it depends on the layout of your space. Though you can swing the shower door inward when getting into the shower, you’re more likely to open it away from you again once you want to get out.
This can sometimes pose an issue in smaller bathrooms because you either have to choose to potentially knock into other items in your bathroom or pull the door back inward on yourself and shimmy out.
Water Spillage
Pivot shower doors do not have a frame, which means there are small gaps of space between the wet area and the rest of your bathroom. They are specifically designed not to leak, but there still is a chance. Plus, water can drip from the door onto the floor if you open it outward.
More Expensive
For the most part, pivot shower doors are more difficult to install than other hinged or sliding doors, which means it will be more expensive, too. There are some cases when they may be a more cost-effective options, but they will be slightly more expensive for the most part.
Framed vs. Frameless Doors
Pivot doors are frameless, which simply means it does not need a frame to function. Instead, the pivot hinge supports it. They offer plenty of benefits in terms of style and functionality. Frameless shower doors are…
- Elegant and luxurious
- Clean, modern appearance
- Highly customizable
- Easy to maintain
However, they are often more expensive and harder to install. Not to mention they are not nearly as stable as their framed counterparts.
Framed shower doors feature a heavy-duty frame that holds the door in place. They are…
- Cost-effective
- Easy to install
- Highly customizable
- More Stable
- Better at containing water
On the downside, they aren’t as visually appealing as frameless options due to the metal frame that surrounds the door. Plus, they offer a limited range of motion and are harder to maintain.
Other Types of Shower Doors
There are countless types of shower doors from which you can choose for your space. Here are a few of the most popular alternatives to pivot shower doors:
- Bypass doors are sliding shower doors that normally consist of two sliding panels that are on a track.
- Hinged doors are similar to pivot doors except it only swings in one direction. The hinge can be attached to the glass panel, the wall, or the shower surround.
- Bath screen doors consist of multiple glass panels. One panel is usually fixed while the other two panels fold on hinges.
- Neo-angle doors feature two smaller side panels that run perpendicular to the walls with a door centered between them.
- Steam doors are floor-to-ceiling doors that are designed to keep steam inside your shower. It’s usually made of solid glass panels on a hinge.Â
Related Questions
What type of shower door is easiest to install?
The easiest type of shower door to install is a framed glass shower door since it only involves hanging up the frame. Frameless doors, on the other hand, require hinges and additional hardware.
How long does it take to install a shower door?
Typically, it takes between two and four hours for a professional to install a frameless shower door, depending on the complexity of the project. By yourself, it will probably take an entire day.
Do You Need Glass Shower Door or Enclosure Installation?
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Final Thoughts
Pivot shower doors are a versatile option for a wide range of bathrooms. They are highly convenient since they can swing inward and outward and will add to your bathroom’s aesthetic, too. Plus, they are customizable, so you can find the perfect fit for your unique space.
I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.
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