A black-paned half-door shower may not be your ordinary choice in shower concept, but it surely offers an experience unlike what most have in their homes. Very fitting for a vacation property or luxury hotel, you can also experience the ambiance of an open shower year-round at home. This glass panel offers an upscale vibe that is unmatched when compared to a typical sliding door or shower curtain and will leave you in a paradisical state of mind.
The Pros and Cons of Half Shower Doors + Designer Input
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Published: April 30, 2024
Updated: February 21, 2024
Half Shower doors stand in the lap of luxury, but are they actually as comfortable and functional? News Flash: showers are wet and water freely moves through the air when there isn’t a method of blocking it. That is enough to make me wonder if they’re all that shower installers make them out to be. We asked our readers and designers to give us the ins and outs of this trend, and they surely did not leave many considerations to the imagination.
Between weighing the importance of accessibility with the grandeur of heated floors, there is absolutely a place for half shower doors in custom homes. They aren’t necessarily practical for everyone, but you’ll see the many ways in which they can be implemented to effectively impress and protect your guests and family members as well as ensure an enjoyable bathing experience. The benefits go beyond aesthetics, and we want to shower you with everything you’ve been missing regarding this current trend.
02 of Con: Need Appropriate Slope
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Regarding a half-shower door, our dear reader Melissa shares, “My aunt just had one done. She said there are no issues as long as you ensure the contractor puts the appropriate slope on the shower floor.” This is of the utmost importance, especially if you’re installing a half-wall after the initial installation of the shower. If you’re changing the shower basin in any way, make sure the floor is angled so that the water that will inevitably escape has a process to drain to inhibit any unnecessary standing water.
03 of Pro: Doesn’t Rust
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With the increase in metal surrounding a shower panel, you may wonder if a design like this is susceptible to rust and deterioration, but it is not. Instead of soap and grime getting behind shower curtains that hang idly against a tub, a shower enclosure without extra hinges ensures that moisture has room to breathe, keeping a shower clean longer. Most importantly, it brings an impeccable aura when paired with marble tile.
04 of Con: Somewhat Chilly
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One man’s trash is another man’s potpourri, as they say, and a half-door’s openness may have you decline this style choice. Though the water pouring from the shower head is likely to warm, the cold draft pushing in from the exposed side could be slightly more substantial, leaving you chilled. Recommendations for this dilemma include only installing a half-door in a smaller bathroom with confined air circulation or opting out altogether.
05 of Pro: Wheelchair Accesible
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It’s not something that crosses most people’s minds, but disability accommodations can be beyond vital if you find yourself in a living situation that requires them. One of our readers, Brandy, graciously pointed out that half shower doors are a smart idea because “It keeps the shower wheelchair-accessible.” This couldn’t be more crucial if you or a family member finds themselves in a situation where they cannot bathe due to structural limitations, and we love honoring inclusivity.
06 of Pro: Pairs Well With Heated Floors
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If you are fortunate enough to have heated floors in your home, the chilly draft associated with a half-wall shower can be negated. Mom Lucia explains, “We have this concept in the kids’ bathroom, and they don’t complain. We do have heated floors and a heater in there.” With the right amount of heat sources, a small glass wall shouldn’t have too much of an overall effect on the bather’s experience.
07 of Pro: Can Be Installed on Shower Lip
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Several ways exist to install a half-door shower, and both pose their individual specifications. A glass pane wall can be installed on a basin lip, which will contain more water for easier drainage. One of the biggest complaints with this shower component is the overspray that can get on walls and floors. Though it isn’t entirely possible to ensure this doesn’t happen, a lip will certainly assist in preventing unnecessary splashing.
08 of Leave Out the Swinging Door
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Interior designer Meredith Taylor identifies one of the most coveted aspects of this design: there is no need for a shower hinge! Half-shower doors can be a great idea to incorporate in a bathroom that doesn’t have the space needed for a swinging shower glass door. They are also a smart way to stay on budget when remodeling, as a half-shower door uses less material. I’d recommend using them for hallway or guest bathrooms that aren’t used daily, as the water can sometimes escape the shower more easily with half-doors. I’d also recommend them in bathrooms with a smaller footprint but requiring a glass enclosure.
09 of Preferrable in Guest Bathrooms
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Interior designer Neha Kaimal offers this sentiment regarding the functionality of partial glass in primary baths: “Half shower doors offer a cost-effective solution for bathrooms, making them an attractive choice for homeowners on a budget. However, it’s essential to consider their limitations. These doors don’t offer complete privacy, nor do they fully contain water splashes within the shower area. Consequently, they are best suited for bathrooms with less frequent use, such as guest bathrooms. For primary bathrooms where privacy and water containment are critical, it is advisable to opt for alternative shower door options.”
10 of Ideal for Smaller Spaces
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Per interior designer Katie Perry’s opinion, bathroom size determines whether this element fits your space. She explains, “Depending on the design and size of the bathroom, a half-shower door can be a good option. In smaller spaces, it can help your bathroom feel more spacious; however, if the shower itself is on the smaller side, my concern would be water and heat escaping from the shower, which should be considered when designing the bathroom.”
Clearly, there are numerous benefits and drawbacks to this style choice! While elegant and modern in appearance, the functionality of a half-door may not be the best fit for you. Hopefully, our contributors have given you plenty to think about when you’re making a choice about your bathroom design!
