Doors That Slide!
Frameless By-Pass
The frameless by-pass is a classic!
In this system, two panels hang from a header that rests on two wall jam's and a threshold. The two panels, slide past one another, hence, a by-pass. These systems last forever, are easy to clean (the modern ones at least), and are largely customizable.
They can lead to additional inline panels or return panels with relative ease. There are different options available for the handles, pulls, or towel-bars that attach to each door.
These are great for so many reasons, especially in tight situations where a door that swings open would fit well into a bathroom.
These serve the aim of water retention very well.
Framed By-Pass
A framed by-pass is the same in most ways to a frameless by-pass, the obvious big difference is the frames that enclose each glass panel.
These are really great for a number of reasons. These typically use lighter glass, so they are a lower cost compared to frameless systems. These are great for households with young kids, this type of system is what we use in our own homes in our guest and kids bathrooms.
These serve the aim of water retention very well
Barn-Style
The barn style systems are widely considered the most elegant system in the market. They use heavy glass, are highly customizable, and are really beautiful. Typically, there is at least one fixed panel, and an additional panel that rolls on the header. The header itself is lower than the top of the glass, so the finished look has a deep frameless appeal.
If you have a smaller opening, these will not retain water as well as a traditional by-pass. In larger enclosures or when a rain head is used, water retention is not a concern with any system.
Doors That Swing!
Framed or Semi-Frameless Hinge
A framed or semi-frameless hinge door is the right choice in so many situations.
They use lighter glass, have interlocking aluminum extrusions, are highly customizable, and are more economical than completely frameless hinged and pivot doors.
They can be adjusted to fit almost any opening and they last a long time.
To this day, I will pull out and replace these hinge systems that my mentors installed over 25 years ago.
Frameless Hinge
The frameless hinge doors are beautiful and diverse. They are always comprised of heavy glass, typically require at least 3 hinges, and can adjoin any array of inline or return panels.
You can mount hinge doors directly to a wall or to a properly supported glass panel.
You can add various seals and sweeps onto these doors to increase their seal, but most customers choose to forgo these steps to maintain an all glass look.
Semi-Frameless Pivot
Depending on the setting, the pivot door may be the right choice. Oftentimes, the stability and durability of a glass to glass hinge or a wall that does not have a stud, will rule out the possibility of using a hinge door. In these cases, we turn to pivot systems.
They are highly customizable, give you that frameless appeal, and are held together by a single continuous header.