Bi fold shower doors are those that fold in one place with a hinge, creating two panels. The average width of is a total of 48 inches, the same as the average width of a tub or shower stall. They sit in a track at the top and bottom of the tub or stall in the bathroom, and fold up into about a 4 inch space on either side of the track when opened all the way.
Bi fold doors are normally used in bathrooms or basement areas as a replacement to shower curtains or sliding doors. The sliding type take up more space when open because when open they will still take up 24 inches each, whereas bi fold shower doors only take up about 4 inches when open. This leaves more open area for a person to maneuver into the shower area, and this can be important for those with mobility or weight issues. Prices for bi fold bathroom shower doors will vary based on materials, finishes, installation practices and types of glass.
Many professional companies offer the installation of these in the bathroom. Options include accordion style, magnetic enclosures, framed and frameless models as well as different colors and types of glass. The glass used for all shower doors comes in 3 depths: 1/4 inch, 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch. Remember that all shower doors are made of safety glass, therefore just because the door is thicker does not mean it is safer. All are made the same in essence, and the safety glass that the law requires these be made from has to pass the same testing, regardless of the thickness. So if you cannot afford the thicker glass, you will still have the same safety rating.
Glass used in bi fold shower doors ranges from colonial glass and clear glass to beveled glass, frosted and even smoked glass. Mirrored glass can be found and used, but is considered dated and therefore many homeowners do not use this material. Updating your bathroom by the replacement of your shower doors with bi fold can add up to $1,100 to the equity of your home. So the small investment made now in the home can be seen for years to come when it is appraised.
Framed bi fold doors look like the sliding kind, except instead of having them slide over and take up 24 inches, they compact down into about 4 inches in width when opened. Frameless shower doors still have the same track at the top and bottom of the area, but are not framed around the glass with metal like what is seen in other framed models. This does not mean that the seal is not present, as many professionals will show you the sealant used to create the invisible bond. When the doors are closed completely, there is no more chance of water escaping from frameless doors than there is with framed doors.
