Bifold shower doors are a clever addition to any bathroom setting. Designed with convenience in mind, they're an excellent choice for anyone who wants to maximise their space without compromising on style. Available in a range of styles, sizes, and finishes, they're perfect for most bathrooms. Perfect for if you have an unused corner, recess space or alcove that you'd like to turn into an area for a refreshing morning, or relaxing evening shower.
What is a Bifold Shower Door?
A bifold shower door, also known as a bi-fold or folding shower door, folds inward from the centre when opened. Another name for them is a concertina door, which is taken from the name of the musical instrument that is the same shape. This clever design allows the door to take up minimal space in the bathroom, giving you more freedom to move around the room. Typically, bifold shower doors consist of two glass panels hinged together, enabling them to fold seamlessly into the enclosure, so the extra floorspace outside isn't required. This provides easy access for the user to the shower area and ensures that water is effectively contained, keeping your bathroom floor dry and safe. The shower door moves along a floor track when opened or closed, keeping them in line. Whether you're trying to create a light and airy shower enclosure with a side panel or fitting it directly into a recess, bifold doors are a clever solution to your space concerns.
Benefits of Bifold Shower Doors
Bifold shower doors have many benefits, making them a popular choice.
- Space Saving: Their unique style makes them perfect for compact bathrooms, ensuites and wetrooms, bifold shower doors fold inward and then to one side, taking up a lot less space than outward opening doors, which swing into the room. This still allows generous door space for the user to enter and exit the enclosure and provides space to manoeuvre comfortably around your bathroom without having to dodge the door or your other bathroom furniture and ceramics.
- Water containment: The folding mechanism seals to help keep water within the enclosure, reducing the risk of water splashing onto the bathroom floor and maintaining a safe and dry environment. Gone are the days of water leaking onto the floor under a cold shower curtain.
- Durability: Made from toughened safety glass, bifold shower doors are built to last, offering durability even during daily use. You can rest assured knowing that your and your family's safety is a priority.
- Style: Available in a variety of styles and finishes, including semi-frameless and frameless options, bifold shower doors can complement any bathroom decor, adding a touch of elegance and modernity. With frames available in classic chrome and modern matt black you're sure to find the stylish finishing touch to your enclosure - no matter what size your showering area is.
Choosing a Bifold Shower Door
Choosing the perfect bifold door involves thinking about a few points:
- Space: Check the size and layout of your bathroom. Bifold doors are ideally suited for small bathrooms and wetrooms due to their infolding design. Our bifold doors are available in 700mm up to 1200mm wide and have heights of 1850mm and 1950mm. The height needs to be taken into consideration if you have a low ceiling or you're fitting a shower in a loft or room with an apex ceiling.
- Function: Think about how practical they are. Bifold shower doors offer easy access and water control while not taking up the space directly in front of the door.
- Budget: Check your budget and find a shower door that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Bifold shower doors come in various price ranges, so there's an option for every budget available. Prices depend on the range and the glass thickness, with the thinner glass doors often being cheaper.
Fitting A Bifold Shower Enclosure
Proper installation of any enclosure or shower door is important for guaranteeing its long life and warranty.
- Measure carefully: Careful measurements of your bathroom space are vital to ensure the shower door fits perfectly. Our doors have a generous adjustment range to ensure a good fit, even if the walls aren't totally straight. Some ranges offer an optional extension wall profile if your space is between standard sizes, giving you between 20 and 40mm extra on each side. If you're fitting a shower tray and side panel to make a corner enclosure, the door and side panel measurements should correspond with those of the shower tray.
- Install correctly: Follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions during installation to guarantee proper function and durability. This also makes sure that your warranty stays valid. Incorrect installation can affect the product's performance and guarantee.
- Clean regularly: Regular cleaning prevents soap scum and mildew buildup, Cleaning the glass with a squeegee after use will keep your shower door glass looking pristine and let the light flow through. Wiping down the frame with a clean cloth will remove watermarks and gently brushing any dirt or debris out of the floor track will prevent any issues with the opening and closing of the door.
- Maintainance: Check the hinges to ensure smooth operation and prevent wear and tear. Tighten the handles if they start to loosen. Keep any moving parts lubricated to prevent creaking and having to push or force movement. Shower doors often open and close several times a day, so any moving parts should be given extra care and attention.
Reporting and resolving any issues early can help prevent costly repairs in the long run.
Frames or Frameless Bifold Shower Door
Bifold doors come in a variety of options to suit different preferences and needs:
- Size: Available in a range of sizes, 700mm, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm, 1100mm and 1200mm, this ensures a perfect fit for any shower enclosure.
- Style: Choose from semi-frameless and frameless designs to match your bathroom's aesthetic. With chrome and matt black framework, you can add a hint of modern elegance to your showering space.
- Finish: Select from a range of finishes, such as brushed, polished or matt high quality frames and profiles. Our glass is often coated with a clean and clear protective treatment that stops soap scum from sticking and helps the glass stay clear and stain-free. This allows the light to reflect into your enclosure for a light and bright showering experience.
- Glass Thickness: Options available in 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm thick toughened safety glass, providing varying levels of durability. Tempered glass is up to 5 times stronger than standard glass, making it less likely to break and less likely to pose a threat if it should break. In the unlikely event that the glass breaks, it will shatter into small blunt pieces with no sharp jagged edges - not long sharp shards, meaning less of a chance of it causing injury.
By considering these options, you can find the perfect bifold shower door to enhance your bathroom space. Bifold doors are an exceptional choice for those seeking functionality mixed with modern design. Their reversible fitting options, space-saving capabilities, stylish frames or semi-frameless designs, and toughened safety glass make them an invaluable addition to any home looking to enhance its bathroom experience. Having a separate area to shower can increase the home's value but also prove priceless to it's users.