What is the minimum door opening for a walk-in shower?
Even if you eschew the bench, 36 inches by 36 inches is a good minimum size for ease of showering. If the shower will accommodate a roll-in shower chair, the ADA recommends a minimum size of 30 inches by 60 inches to permit easy in-and-out access.
Tip. The minimum allowable shower door width is 22 inches wide: Anything narrower than that may not be up to code.
The average walk-in shower in the U.S. measures 60" x 30", though size options can vary widely, typically up to 60" x 42" for a rectangular shower and 42" x 42" for a square one. For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36".
Splash guards are small, triangular-shaped rubber fins that are placed along the corners where the shower wall meets the floor. They're typically glued in place or attached with self-adhesive strips and can stop water from leaking out the corners of the shower.
Generally speaking, we aim to have 1/8” gaps between the glass and the tile. Where the hinge side of the door meets the wall a 1/4” gap is normal.
Doorless walk in showers have a greater propensity for water to splash out of as opposed to walk in shower enclosures that feature shower doors. However, any sort of walk in shower space should be designed to incorporate adequate room to contain the splashback and water flow.
In a doorless shower, the floor is graded gently toward a drain, but installing an additional drain or two further reduces the risk of water running out on the bathroom floor. Opt for a rainfall showerhead. This option keeps vigorous spray from bouncing off the shower walls (or you) and ending up on the floor outside.
Leaving off the glass door can significantly reduce the cost of installation. Lastly, a doorless shower, by its very nature eliminates all struggles of hard water spots, streaks, and weird build-ups that usually exist with the common shower glass door. Less bathroom cleaning means more time relaxing.
- Get a showerhead that points downwards rather than outwards.
- Choose the correct shower screen length.
- Consider getting underfloor heating.
- Get a pivoted glass door to complement your shower screen.
Causes of Shower Door Leaks
Improper or ineffective caulking. Broken or improperly installed shower door seals. Broken or improperly installed shower door sweeps. Clogged drain or drain holes.
Do doorless showers splash?
In doorless shower designs, there is a potential for water to splash into the rest of the bathroom. Careful planning, and having a big enough bathroom to begin with, are required to minimize this.