The operating conditions of the doors directly depend on the environment. In the bathroom, for example, even if there is a powerful ventilation system, the humidity level will be higher than the average for the house, or even “walk”, sometimes rising to maximum values, sometimes falling below normal. It is this stereotype that people start from when choosing bathroom doors. In part, this is correct - after a couple of months, who wants to face the problem of a door that won’t lock or see telltale signs of rust on the gilded hinges.
On the other hand, manufacturers have long foreseen these issues and protected the products so that they function without failure in the most aggressive environments. True, this only applies to quality products. This means that buyers have the opportunity to install door structures with the same design throughout the entire apartment - solid or with glass, hinged or sliding, leading to all adjacent rooms, including a bathroom, toilet, dressing room, etc. Doors to the bathroom still have a separate status place to be, but it concerns not design and price, but other factors. When choosing, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Dimensions: depend on the opening, which can be standard or non-standard;
- Door covering;
- Availability of convenient constipation;
- The type of opening and how suitable it is for your room.
These questions, as well as how to choose a bathroom door based on material, will be covered in detail in the following paragraphs. Specialists from the online store “Into the House” took part in the writing of this article and will help you choose interior doors for any room.
Options for filling and covering doors for bathrooms and toilets
Today's market is literally replete with numerous offers from manufacturers offering door panels for bathrooms and toilets with various coatings. When determining a rational solution, it is worth proceeding from what material the door is made of and what size the room is.
Consider the following situations:
- when placing plumbing fixtures, there is sufficient space left to the canvas: most likely splashes will not fall on it, therefore, it can be made of different materials;
- when placing plumbing fixtures, it is impossible to take more than one step: due to the limited space in the room, high humidity will be observed, accordingly, it is necessary to consider solutions from the appropriate material and finishing method.
Any door leaf has an internal frame and provides external finishing. As the basis of the frame, manufacturers give preference to solid “budget” wood, chipboard and MDF. Such materials are able to withstand moisture if its level does not exceed 60%. In other cases, experts recommend considering doors made of glass and plastic.
The ability to withstand moisture depends on the quality of protective coatings, internal filling and frames. As practice shows, the most vulnerable are those made from solid wood; the most resistant doors are structures made from chipboard and MDF.
Sliding and folding door systems
When it is necessary to save space adjacent to the doorway, or to carry out an original design project, they choose not traditional swing doors, but folding and sliding type structures.
The easiest installation method is to install an overhead system. It includes a door leaf that moves along a guide (metal profile or decorative hanger) along the wall.
Some designs in their functionality resemble the front part of a wardrobe: to open the door leaf you need to lightly move it to the side
The design is so simple that many people install it themselves, choosing panels made of various materials as doors: wood, MDF board, plastic.
The sliding one-way or two-way system consists of the following parts:
- 1 or 2 door leaves;
- guide profile (suspension) installed above the doorway;
- rollers fixed in the upper end part of the sashes;
- a stop that prevents the doors from swinging and is located on the floor.
To make a latch, you need to install a stand on the opposite side and adjust the locking mechanism. An option for sliding systems are cassette in-wall structures, which are perfect for newly built houses, but in old Stalinist, panel and block houses, problems may arise with their installation.
The design, choice of material and external design of sliding doors largely depends on the area of the bathroom and corridor, as well as on design goals. Suppose glass doors visually increase the space of the premises
Despite the recommendations of experts, some residents choose folding doors-books and accordion doors. These are two similar options, united by one opening principle. “Accordions” consist of many identical elements, which, when folded, are assembled like the bellows of the musical instrument of the same name.
The “book” doors consist of two large parts that fold in a certain direction. It is extremely impractical to use both solutions for decorating a bathroom, since it is difficult to achieve good sound insulation and reliability. These designs are more suitable for installing interior partitions.
The weakest point of folding doors is the fittings that connect the plates and secure them to the top track. If there are three or more people in the family, the fasteners will wear out very quickly
Effective door coverings – how to choose?
When applying a protective layer to a door, some manufacturers first cover the leaves with it, and then the edges. As a result, barely noticeable joints are formed, which are often not airtight. The moisture that gets through them gradually destroys the canvas, rendering it unusable. It is best if the upper and lower ends are not covered with protective materials, but a special varnish is applied to them.
The most optimal coatings that can protect fabrics from moisture:
Bathroom doors Laminate
Laminate : this variety attracts many buyers at a reasonable cost. The paper is glued to the base of the canvas, previously coated with resin. The resulting laminated doors, according to manufacturers, are ready to withstand humidity levels that do not exceed 60%. When choosing a canvas with such a coating, it is worth considering solutions offered by manufacturers with an excellent reputation. In other cases, it is possible that low-grade thin paper will be used for the coating, which is prone to damage due to minor mechanical impacts typical during the operation of doors. Moreover, moisture penetrates through the cracks formed, causing the canvas to swell. Laminate – a coating similar to the previous version, with the exception of the thickness of the paper used and the application of the varnish coating in several stages. Laminate is a more expensive material; accordingly, prices for finished doors will be higher than those of laminated analogues.
PVC bathroom doors
In this case, manufacturers use frames made of MDF and wood for canvases, after which they cover them with wear-resistant PVC film, which cannot be harmed by chemically active substances. It can be painted in any color and have different textures, which allows customers to choose a tone-on-tone canvas. The composition contains chloride, the content of which in the paint is strictly maintained within acceptable limits and is not at all dangerous to people. Another definite disadvantage is the tendency to delamination.
Bathroom doors made of eco-veneer
Eco-veneer is a plastic covering made using a special technology using wood fibers and plastic as a binder. The material is environmentally friendly and does not emit hazardous substances even when the air temperature rises. Eco-veneer, with a structure reminiscent of wood, differs from the latter in greater strength, wear resistance, and immunity to moisture. Budget wood or chipboard is used as internal filling, and valuable wood veneer is used for the top covering. Wooden doors are “afraid” of moisture, but if you use protection for the door leaf (varnish, enamel, paint), then this factor will not harm them. If there is high humidity in the bathrooms, then experts advise giving preference to veneered models made from chipboard.
Door size
Most interior doors are made in heights of 190 and 200 cm, the width ranges from 60 to 80 cm, but you can find on sale canvases with a width of 55 cm and even 100 cm. For standard apartments in multi-storey buildings, doors of standard sizes are suitable - there should be no problems .
If the doorway is non-standard, then you will have to get creative. The most expensive way is to order a door according to an individual sketch. Such a canvas will fully comply with the design requirements and fit under the opening up to a millimeter. You can look for a factory that produces doors in a wide range of sizes. Such production usually produces standard doors in large quantities, and non-standard ones in a small series. Another option is to reduce or expand the doorway, adjusting it to the size of the door. Some craftsmen decide, on the contrary, to fit the doors to the doorway, but not every canvas can withstand such abuse. The room will only work with a wooden door, and hollow frames and doors in which the base is made of MDF or chipboard will not survive such changes, since moisture will penetrate into the internal layers of the structure, causing damage.
Selecting a door by material
Plastic door leaves for baths and toilets are currently in high demand among consumers who find this solution one of the best for use in bathrooms where the humidity level exceeds 60%.
They are made from inexpensive, durable material that does not form mold or mildew. Expanded polystyrene is most often used as a filler, providing excellent sound and thermal insulation. All materials used in the manufacture of plastic doors are not susceptible to moisture. It would seem that such canvases are ideal, but, in fact, they also have disadvantages. First of all, this concerns the presence of chloride in the composition (only certified products have an acceptable amount), and secondly, the lack of choice of color (all products are white). Glass door panels are the ideal solution. The material used in production, compared to others, is characterized by excellent practicality and presentability. Glass doors are not exposed to a number of negative factors inherent in the operating conditions of bathrooms and toilets, but they have significant weight, therefore, only high-quality fittings are allowed when installing them.
Door leaves made of chipboard and MDF are distinguished by functionality and durability. Such solutions demonstrate excellent resistance to water, high temperatures and other factors that can cause harm. Affordable prices for doors, a wide color palette and a decent range of sizes coupled with decent quality and performance characteristics make them an excellent option.
Door leaves made of natural wood are ideal for any design. Environmental cleanliness and noble appearance are key advantages, however, despite these positive qualities, they are afraid of moisture and water, from the influence of which they become deformed, and accordingly, they will not last long in the conditions typical for bathrooms.
Metal-plastic doors guarantee effective heat retention and withstand temperature loads and mechanical stress. The canvases, even after long-term use, are ready to boast of pristine presentability and preservation of quality properties and functionality. Unique characteristics make metal-plastic doors an excellent solution, but the cost of such models is quite high.
Plastic
Plastic doors are rarely used in apartments - they give the room an overly office look, even if they are painted like wood. They are convenient for placement in the bathroom - resistant to moisture, easy to clean, and can be treated with antifungal components.
Resistance to chemical detergents allows you to effectively disinfect the surface and remove the most difficult stains.
The disadvantages include the uncomfortable design of inexpensive models, while the high price segment boasts an original appearance. Also, low-quality color printing on panels can wear off over time - on rare and expensive models it is much more stable.
Determining the best way to open a door
The modern market offers consumers doors that provide various opening methods, namely:
- swing plan (classic opening method) : such canvases allow you to use a threshold when installing, thereby increasing heat and sound insulation. The disadvantage of this solution is the need for free space sufficient to open and close it.
- sliding plan : such solutions contribute to significant space savings, however, the mounted panels leave gaps between the floor and the door, therefore, you should not count on good sound and heat insulation. If you still want to use just such a modification, then experts advise considering cassette plan models, where the above disadvantage is practically reduced to “no”;
- folding plan : doors of this type do not require additional space when opening. According to their design, they are divided into books and accordions. The first models are represented by two halves, and the second - by three or more elements. The disadvantages of such doors are poor sound insulation and absorption of most of the door openings when they are folded.
Blind and glazed blocks
The door leaf can be solid, paneled (in the case of PVC construction, the sandwich panel plays the role of the panel) and glazed. To ensure privacy, it is recommended to use stained glass inserts, matting, and gluing tinting films to the glass - both colored and one-way mirrored. Photo printing, sandblasting and much more can be used. Such a variety of decor options will allow you to fully express your creativity.
A decorative insert will make a blank door not so boring
Features of glazed doors for bathrooms
Modern doors surprise with a variety of design solutions and decor. One such type is glass insertion. When choosing a canvas, you should not forget about such a factor as their transparency. Of course, frosted or tinted glass is more appropriate for bathrooms, since in this case visibility of this level is quite enough to understand that the bath or toilet is occupied. Glazed doors are presentable, and there are no restrictions or advice on selection. In this situation, the buyer is guided only by personal preferences and financial capabilities.
On the practical side, you will need to pay attention to a number of the following factors:
- sound insulation : only a thick and dense fabric can ensure the absence of noise. When considering glazed doors, it is important that the inserts are multi-layered (triplex with 2 or 3 layers);
- the ability to determine whether there is someone in the bathroom: this factor is relevant for a large family, so canvases with decor in the form of glass inserts will solve the problem perfectly.
Threshold at the entrance to the bathroom
In fact, whether to make a threshold at the entrance to the bathroom or not is a question that is decided on an individual basis. The point here is not only and not so much about aesthetics, but about safety. A small threshold will be able to hold water in case of flooding for 15-20 minutes, and you will have time to solve the problem and not put the flooring in the apartment at risk.
The threshold can be organized in several ways. The classic option is a small barrier no more than 2 cm high, while the floor in the bathroom and the adjacent room remains at the same level. Such thresholds are perfectly combined with swing doors. You can make the floor in the bathroom slightly lower than in the next room, which is important when installing swing doors.
Ventilation windows for door panels
There is no need to install ventilation windows in the door in all cases. So, if, after taking a bath, condensation forms on the wall and canvas, and the mirror fogs up heavily, then you cannot do without such a window. Excessive humidity is the cause of insufficient natural ventilation of the room, and if it is not removed forcibly, the door will soon become unusable.
Installing ventilation windows allows you to reduce the formation of condensation by equalizing the temperature of the air and the canvas through forced ventilation. Their installation involves drilling the door leaf, so it is best to carry out all the work before the door leaf is put in place.
Ventilation windows on the market are offered in various design solutions, but the highest demand is for products:
- in the form of a lattice. Rectangular design with curtains located at an angle. Metal, PVC and plastic can be used for manufacturing;
- in the form of rings. The products are usually made of plastic. To absorb noise, special meshes are installed in the structure. Usually 4-5 rings are installed in the canvas.
For greater efficiency in combating condensation, it is recommended to install a fan in the ventilation openings. This solution will speed up the circulation of air and the mixing of hot and cold layers. Fans can be automatic or manual, and each consumer independently determines the type of operation of the unit, based on personal preferences.
If air removal is problematic, experts recommend organizing supply ventilation, which involves pumping air into the bathroom from the outside and circulating it as a result of the pressure difference. In the absence of the possibility of organizing the natural movement of air masses, mixed ventilation will act as a rational solution. It involves the intake of fresh air from the outside through one channel and its output through the second.
Is a ventilation grill necessary?
If the microclimate in the bathroom does not deviate from acceptable values and the exhaust system copes with its task well, then there is no need to buy doors with grilles or install them yourself.
The correct door should be installed without a threshold, but with a gap under the door of 1-1.5 cm. This will improve ventilation (and not only in the bathroom) and you will not stumble all your life. A grille without good ventilation will not solve the problem of high humidity, but will greatly spoil the appearance. It is better to install an exhaust fan and create a gap under the door.
Choosing bathroom doors is not difficult if you know what criteria and characteristics to evaluate products by. For rooms with a special microclimate, not only the appearance is not so important as the properties of the structure and the ability to withstand negative influences.
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Selection of fittings for bathroom door panels
Fittings are decorative and functional products, the installation of which makes them convenient to use. When choosing doors, handles and locks deserve special attention. Let's consider the solutions that manufacturers are ready to offer today, as well as their advantages and disadvantages:
with built-in lock - an economical solution. It is represented by a regular handle with a latch installed inside. One position allows you to fix the mechanism, eliminating rotation. Installation of such fittings is simple and requires drilling only two holes;
pens- separate latches : in this case, you will need to purchase a door handle and a mortise or overhead latch. When using the latter, valves are installed instead of locks - an unpretentious and reliable solution with an unlimited service life;
- plumbing locks (standard). The traditional design has one tongue, which is responsible for fixing the door when closing and using a latch to lock it in the open state. The operating principles of locks with built-in locks and plumbing locks are similar, but the latter are more reliable.
When choosing the type of lock for the bathroom linen, you should proceed from its reliability, while families with children and elderly people should better consider options that have special holes for emergency opening.
Platbands are integral components for swing-type doors; when choosing them, you should pay attention to the angle of insertion.
The 45-degree option is an outdated solution that will spoil the stylish design and will not be able to convey the full presentability of the canvas. Currently, the current driving angle parameter is 90 degrees. Using such platbands it is easy to emphasize a stylish design. For consumers who want to create a spectacular door, the market offers capitals and cornices as frames. Decorative elements add solidity and presentability. Recommended for decorating doors in a classic interior.
An important structural element of doors are the hinges through which the panels are hung. They can be expressed or hidden. The first type of hinges are ideal for classic paintings, the second - in modern and high-tech styles. It is worth noting that not all hidden hinges will allow doors to open more than 90 degrees, so when choosing, you will need to ask the manager about this issue.
What to consider
Few people pay attention to this, but the question is purely practical - is every door amenable to reconstruction? Not every model fits literally into any interior as organically as glass products. And it is not so rare that we have to deal with renovations in the house, changing the style of decorating the premises. This detail is also worth considering when choosing. In this regard, paneled doors benefit. Sometimes it’s enough to replace just a couple of inserts, and it’s a completely different sash.
The choice of bathroom doors is huge. When focusing on your financial capabilities, you should not lose sight of the criteria that they must meet. Then the purchase will only make you happy, and you can forget about problems such as restoration, repair or replacement of individual parts of the structure for a long time.
Selecting canvas by color and style
Every owner wants the interior to be complete and laconic, so when faced with the need to choose a door leaf for a bathroom, it is worth taking into account that the door leaf must simultaneously correspond to the internal (bathtub or toilet) and external (corridor) design.
All doors for bathrooms can be classified according to style into the following groups:
- modern: a group that is represented by modern door leaves, recognizable by straight chopped lines and a slight “rounding”;
- hi-tech: a group that includes canvases with sharp, straight lines and futuristic designs. Doors of this style are decorated with glass;
- classic canvases with an unobtrusive design will be ideal for any interior design solution.
Modern door collections amaze with the variety of colors and shades and, of course, every buyer knows that it must be selected, first of all, so that it is in harmony with other interior items and its style.
Features of choice
Owners who do not have practical renovation skills often have a question about which doors are best to install in the bathroom. Knowledge of the main types of structures and their characteristic features will help you understand the variety of products on the market.
To select the right fabric, you need to take into account the following characteristics:
- the material from which the product is made;
- appearance;
- price factor.
The market offers the widest selection of metal-plastic, wooden, glass door panels, as well as laminated ones made from MDF. Each of these types of products has its own pros and cons.
When an apartment is undergoing a luxury renovation, it is advisable to order bathroom doors according to an individual project in advance. Our specialists will help you select and install a unique door unit that is ideal only for your home.
Custom-made doors will complement any interior
The first thing you should pay attention to is that the structure should not be exposed to dampness, since this can cause it to change its dimensions, and this is unacceptable. Also, bath doors must be resistant to temperature changes and protected from the formation of fungi and mold.
Often the choice is made difficult by a lack of experience. Price also plays an important role. However, an expensive model will not necessarily be the best. A door should be purchased only when you have a clear idea of the appearance of the interior as a whole. It is recommended to install door blocks designed in the same style in all rooms.
To add special chic to the bathroom interior, manufacturers offer various artistic design options for door blocks. This can be a stained glass insert, frosted glass with a pattern or photo print.
A symmetrical pattern on the glass will harmoniously complement the laconic design
The selection of accessories is limited only by personal preferences - these can be classic bolts and handles of various shapes and colors. You can also install so-called knobsets - rotary knobs with a lock.
Doors to the toilet and bathtub photo in the interior
Professionals recommend taking note of the following tips:
- the natural colors of the doors are laconic for an interior decorated in any style (classic, ethno, baroque). Warm colors help create a special atmosphere of comfort. The darker the color of the canvas, the stricter the interior design;
- cool colors are an excellent solution for a modern interior. For a minimalist interior, dark cool shades are recommended, neutral shades like light wood, especially good for high-tech;
- white doors are universal. This color is associated with purity, lightness and spaciousness, and even if the owner decides to change the design, there will be no need to change the canvas.
Service
For the longest and most successful operation of the door unit, several conditions will have to be met. The bathroom must be equipped with a good ventilation system, since water vapor must be quickly removed to avoid the formation of condensation on the ceiling, walls, and door surface. After all, the humidity in the bathroom is higher than in any other room. With a properly designed air exchange system, the door leaf will last much longer.
As you can see, an intelligent choice of a door unit for a bathroom can be made by carefully studying the general classification of doors on the market and purchasing a model according to your needs.
Engraving on the glass panel is an exquisite classic. The symmetrical pattern on the glass harmoniously complements the laconic design.
It is not always appropriate to match the color of the door to the shade of the wall covering.
Typically, bathroom door blocks are equipped with knobsets
Solid wood doors in the bathroom require regular restoration of the coating
An unusual solution for a bathroom - an accordion door Custom-made doors will complement any interior
The color of the pattern duplicates the shade of the tiles on the wall
Laminated doors are indistinguishable from wooden ones even to the touch.
It is advisable to select doors to a separate bathroom in the same style
Glazed door panels will add sophistication to the interior
Stylish glass sliding door Decorative insert will make a blank door not so boring
Lamination
The door consists of a base and a glued sheet of paper. Special resins are used as glue, but gaps can still be found. Moisture can accumulate in them. To correct this nuance, we decided to varnish the doors. The solution penetrates into all cracks and hardens. Thus, the doors can withstand humidity up to 60%.
