Shower Door vs. Shower Curtain: Which is the Better Choice

If you are planning on renovating your bathroom, and your house, in general, then you probably have lots of things on your mind, various questions and doubts concerning all kinds of decisions. There are some decisions that can easily be made, and then, there are those that require some thinking and weighing.

One of them is related to the shower door and shower curtain, both of which are generally very popular among homeowners. Now, some of you may think that this is seemingly a very simple decision, but that’s actually not the case, especially if you want to do things in the long run.

The reality is that both of these alternatives come with certain virtues and shortcomings that you may not be familiar with. If you could use some assistance, a guide that’s going to help you make a well-informed decision, then you’ve come to the right place, because this article is full of useful facts that will guide you to the right choice.

Let’s Start With The Appearance

Most shower curtains can be pretty opaque, which means that they do not permit the light to enter, and represent some sort of barrier between the rest of your bathroom and the shower area.

This is something that lots of homeowners aren’t very fond of, especially the ones who have smaller bathrooms. Consequently, if you own one as well, then you should steer clear of shower curtains.

In contrast, shower doors typically come with a very clear glass panel that do not disrupt the flow of light throughout the bathroom, making it a lot more spacious. As far as this is concerned, they make a great choice for the bathrooms of all sizes.

Since today you can come across shower doors of various styles and designs, it means that you’ll be able to easily find the ones that will perfectly complement the overall aesthetic of your bathroom.

What About Installation?

In comparison to other home remodeling tasks, these two are generally very straightforward. When it comes to shower door installation, it is more demanding in comparison to the shower curtain installation. Although with some guidance and the right tools, almost anyone can do it, however, if you do not have any prior experience with this, then it would be advisable to call a professional.

It requires you to be extremely precise, hence if you haven’t done it before, then it’s better to leave it all up to the experts to avoid making any huge mistakes during this process. On the other hand, installing a shower curtain doesn’t require any particular tools, skills, or knowledge, and it’s a task that you can complete within one hour, or even less.

Discussing The Design

Both of these options can be found in different sizes, and designs. As far as shower door goes, you can select any type of shower glass to achieve a certain visual appeal. For example, if you aspire to have a crystal-clear interior, then you’re going to love clear glass.

Frosted glass is normally the choice of people who want to create a private shower area without disrupting the flow of the light. And then there is textured glass that’s ideal for anyone who’s very fond of a luxurious aesthetic.

If you want to acquire shower doors, before you make any final decision, you first need to consider the light flow and your privacy. For instance, frosted shower doors are designed for those who want some more privacy, while clear doors provide an airy feel.

When it comes to shower curtains, they come in all kinds of prints, however, they definitely aren’t as versatile as shower doors.

Shower Doors Are Ideal For The So-Called Tricky Spaces

If you have a bathroom that is situated in a weirdly-shaped region, such as an alcove, then you should certainly opt for shower doors. How come? Well, that’s because they are generally very flexible, and are able to accommodate atypical angles, and heights, offering you a durable, splash-proof solution. Speaking of this, just bear in mind that if that is the case in these instances, you will probably need to pay some extra bucks for customization.

Shower Doors Are Very Easy To Maintain

Now, this is surely an aspect that’s worth considering, particularly, if you do not have time or will to spend a lot of time cleaning your bathroom. If that’s the case, then shower curtains are much more practical.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you won’t ever need to clean the shower doors (unless you do not have a problem with mildew and mold buildup), but it’s just that you won’t need to waste an eternity to keep them clean. 

The only thing that you’re supposed to do is to close the doors as soon as you’re done showering. Up to thirty seconds will get the job done, meaning that your shower doors will look all clean and tidy.

Shower Curtains Are Cheaper

If you are currently renovating the entire house, then it means that you'll probably be dealing with massive expenses. In these situations, it's always a good thing to find a way to skimp on costs, and that's exactly what you'll be able to do with the shower curtains since they are more cost-effective.

On the flip side, if you’re remodeling only your bathroom, or you aren’t tight on the budget, then shower doors are a better option for sure. Even though they might be pricier, this is an investment worth every dime, that’s going to pay off in the long run.

Shower Doors Are Safer

Shower doors are generally safer than shower curtains. Nowadays, you can snag various types of shower doors that come with top-notch locking mechanisms, providing you with additional privacy and safety while showering.

This is great news for every household, especially for the ones where there are lots of occupants. In addition, most shower doors are made using very resilient materials, like tempered glass, which is a lot stronger than regular glass.

There’s no such thing as a good or bad decision when it comes to these two, because, as you can see, both of them come with good and bad sides, and it’s up to you to decide which is going to better suit your bathroom.