No Doors, No Problem: The Doorless Shower Pros and Cons

Are you considering installing a new shower in your bathroom remodeling but not sure whether to go with a traditional shower or a doorless design? 

The no shower door trend is picking up in popularity in recent years, as they offer a range of benefits such as easy access, low maintenance, and a modern look. 

However, an open shower design also has some potential drawbacks, such as a lack of privacy and water splashing outside the shower area.

In this article, we will go over all the doorless shower pros and cons so you can understand if one is right for you and your situation. 

Doorless shower pros

Tony and I love having a doorless shower. These are just a few of the benefits from a proper doorless shower we enjoy that we think others will probably appreciate, too.

Easy Accessibility and Mobility

One of the biggest advantages of doorless showers is the easy accessibility and mobility it offers. With a door, you step over a raised threshold or maneuver around a bulky door. An open end shower can be especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or physical disabilities, as it makes entering and exiting the walk-in shower much easier and safer.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Doorless showers can be a stunning addition to any bathroom, thanks to their clean, modern look. Without a bulky door or frame, they create a sleek and seamless appearance that can elevate the overall aesthetic of the space. Additionally, doorless showers are available in a variety of styles and materials, so you can customize the design to match your personal preferences.

Low Maintenance

Doorless showers are typically easier to clean and maintain than traditional walk-in showers with doors. Without a door, there’s one less surface to scrub or polish, and there are no tracks or hinges to clean. This can save you time and effort in your cleaning routine, and also make it easier to keep your walk-in shower looking clean and fresh.

Saves Space in Smaller Bathrooms

If you have a small bathroom, doorless showers can help maximize the available bathroom space. Because there’s no need for a door, you can create a shower that feels more open and spacious, even in a compact bathroom. This can be especially beneficial for those who are looking to make the most of limited square footage.

Customizable

Doorless showers are highly customizable, allowing you to create a walk-in shower design that fits your specific needs and preferences. You can choose from a variety of materials, such as tile, stone, or glass, and also select the shape and size of your shower. This flexibility means that you can create a shower that perfectly matches your vision for your bathroom.

Doorless shower disadvantages

As much as we love having a doorless walk-in shower, we understand that they might not be everybody’s cup of tea. Here are some of the cons of doorless showers that people might not enjoy.

Lack of Privacy

One of the main cons of doorless showers is the lack of privacy it can provide. Without a door, there’s no way to fully enclose the shower area, which can be a concern for some users. Additionally, depending on the design of the bathroom, other people in the house may be able to see into the shower area, which can make some users uncomfortable.

Water Can Splash Outside the Shower Area

Another potential downside of a doorless shower is the possibility of water splashing outside the shower enclosure. Without a door or curtain to contain the water, there is a large doorless shower splash zone. This is especially true if you have a his and hers shower head.

This can create a slip hazard and potentially cause water damage to the surrounding bathroom space. A proper doorless shower requires a splash guard to keep the water splash to a minimum as well as proper drainage.

Drafts and Temperature Fluctuations

Since there’s no door to separate walk-in showers from the rest of the bathroom, a doorless shower can be susceptible to cold air drafts and temperature fluctuations. In colder climates, cold air can be a concern, as the shower area can feel chilly and uncomfortable. Additionally, if your bathroom has poor ventilation, humidity and moisture from the shower can spread throughout the space, leading to mold and mildew growth.

Slippery Floors

Because doorless showers typically have no threshold, water can easily flow out of the walk-in shower and onto the bathroom floor, creating a potential slip hazard. A proper doorless shower requires a shower pan that is slightly sloped floor to make sure that water doesn’t run out of the enclosure.  

More Expensive to Install

Finally, it’s worth noting that doorless walk in showers can be more expensive to install than traditional showers with doors. Depending on the design you choose, you may need to have custom glass panels, porcelain sloped floor or other specialized materials installed, which can increase the overall cost of the project. Additionally, if your bathroom requires any plumbing or electrical work to accommodate the walk-in showers, this can add to the cost as well.

Open shower vs closed shower

When considering a doorless walk in shower, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons against those of traditional showers with doors. Here are some factors to consider:

Comparison of Cost

In general, a doorless shower can be more expensive to install than a traditional shower with a door. Custom glass panels, specialized hardware, and other features can increase the overall cost of the project. 

Comparison of Maintenance

A doorless shower generally requires less maintenance than a traditional shower with a door. Without shower doors, there are fewer surfaces to clean, and no tracks or hinges to maintain. Additionally, since water can’t accumulate in the shower frame, there is less risk of mold or mildew growth. However, it’s important to be aware of potential water splashing outside the walk-in shower area, which may require more frequent cleaning of the bathroom floor.

Comparison of Aesthetics

Doorless walk-in showers can offer a sleek, modern look that a traditional walk-in shower with shower doors may not be able to achieve. However, traditional showers can be customizable and come in a variety of styles and materials. It’s important to consider your personal design preferences and the overall aesthetic of your bathroom before making a decision.

Comparison of Space-Saving Potential

Doorless showers can be a great option for smaller bathrooms, as they can create a sense of openness and maximize the available space. Traditional showers with a glass door can take up more space and make a bathroom feel smaller. However, it’s important to choose a walk-in shower design that fits your specific bathroom layout and needs.

Comparison of Privacy

One of the main differences between a doorless shower and traditional walk-in showers is the level of privacy they provide. While a traditional walk-in shower with a door can offer complete privacy, a doorless shower may only be able to enclose the shower area partially. This can be a concern for some users, depending on their personal preferences and the design of their bathroom.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, doorless showers offer a range of benefits and drawbacks that should be carefully considered before bathroom remodeling. While they offer easy access, low maintenance, and a modern look, they can also be more expensive to install and lack privacy. 

Compared to traditional showers with a glass door, doorless walk-in showers can be a more customizable and space-saving option. However, traditional showers with doors may offer more privacy and a wider range of design options.

Before making a decision, it’s important to consider the bathroom remodeling factors outlined in this article, such as the cost, maintenance, aesthetics, space-saving potential, and privacy of each walk-in showers option.

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