In most cases, at the stage of performing repairs inside a house or apartment, it is customary to install the same doors. If we consider this from a design point of view, then such a decision will seem quite logical, but functionally they may not cope with their role, since much will depend directly on the conditions of use.
- MDF doors
- Wood products
- Metal-plastic doors
- Operational features of glass doors
- About construction types
- Considering the most common options
- Mounting Features
- What if the doorway is smaller?
- How can the doorway be enlarged?
- A little about shortening doors
- Important nuances
- Photo gallery - doors to the bathroom
- Video
The bathroom often has high levels of humidity and MDF doors may soon deform. The aesthetic qualities will be lost, and you will have to think again about buying a new door. Today we will consider most types of doors that are in high demand and compare their characteristics. As a result, it will be possible to come to a decision about which doors are suitable for installation in bathrooms and which are not.
back to index ↑MDF doors
Many manufacturers of such doors often assure consumers that their products are of the highest quality and are able to maintain their shape and aesthetic qualities for a long time. But you need to understand that, in fact, paper is used here as a raw material and you should not place high hopes on its performance.
MDF bathroom door
Many people have already made sure from personal experience that installing such doors in the bathroom is not the best solution, because a few days after installation, the door frame begins to swell. After that, considerable gaps begin to form between the door leaf and it will no longer be possible to fully use such a door. It is worth noting that the back side of the door frames is not treated with laminate, so moisture will penetrate even through the mounting foam and other obstacles, which will eventually lead to deformation of the product, and you won’t have to wait long for this.
Doors made of MDF do not have a long service life
You also need to consider other important features of doors made of this material. For example, the protective coating is peeled off from them quickly enough, so the aesthetic qualities of the product will deteriorate soon. If this coating is slightly scratched, then it will be impossible to restore its original appearance. Such minor damage will adversely affect the integrity of the door leaf, since as they appear, moisture will penetrate the material itself and deform it.
From all this we can conclude that MDF doors are not suitable for installation in rooms with high humidity levels. Even if the manufacturer claims that his products are resistant to many negative factors, it does not make sense to install them in bathrooms and toilets.
back to index ↑Wood products
If we talk about wooden doors, then it is immediately worth noting their feature to give moisture to dry air and take it from the vapors in the atmosphere. This process is called "breathing" of wood. It is noteworthy that this simple process can proceed in such a way that you do not even notice it, but it can be striking. Even when exposed to high humidity, wood can retain its shape if treated with paint and varnish. The wooden box itself will be fixed with anchors and additionally treated with foam. As a result, it will be possible not to be afraid that the frame will lead or it will be deformed in the near future. If the wooden door constantly gets wet and dry, then in the end the product will simply collapse. Regardless of how well you take care of this product, cracks will invariably appear that can significantly spoil the aesthetic appearance.
Bathroom doors made of wood need careful maintenance
Also, over time, paint and varnish may begin to peel off, so restoration work may be required.
Another disadvantage is that the proper care of such doors is quite expensive and if you do not want to burden yourself with extra work, then you need to consider other options. We can safely say that wooden doors are suitable for installation in bathrooms, but it is important to understand that you need to keep the protective coating in great shape. If you are ready for restoration work and overpayment, then you can safely resort to this option.
Monitor the integrity of the protective coating on wooden doors
Metal-plastic doors
Doors for bathrooms made of high-quality metal-plastic profile will be an excellent solution that has many advantages. The fact is that the materials that will be used are not exposed to high humidity. They will not rot and change their shape under any conditions.
Metal-plastic doors are resistant to high humidity
As for durability, such doors can serve for decades. It will not be difficult to choose a door of the right color so that it harmoniously fits into the already formed interior. Manufacturers often finish their products with vinyl film, which can mimic the structure of any wood and many other materials. As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to choose just such doors for installation in the bathroom, so many people choose them.
Metal-plastic doors have a long service life
As for the maintenance and care of them, there are no difficulties. Periodically, you just need to wipe the doors with a damp cloth. There will be no constant worry that aesthetic qualities will be degraded. The durability of the materials from which such products are made is at a high level, so they can be safely used in rooms with high humidity.
back to index ↑Operational features of glass doors
Everyone is familiar with this material, so there is no need to mention once again that this material is not afraid of high humidity. That is why it can be positioned as ideal when it comes to its use in bathrooms. There is also a drawback - if the humidity is high, then condensation will constantly form on the surface of the material. This is not a very burdensome problem, but it is important to understand the possible consequences of this phenomenon. As a result, streaks will form on the doors, and after drying they will become clearly visible. Note that water will drain to the floor and may form puddles, and you will have to clean up the excess.
Glass doors easily tolerate high humidity in the bathroom
Glass is a fairly fragile material, regardless of its thickness. If you decide to install such doors, then you will definitely need to cover the door leaf with a special protective film.The transparency of the door can be adjusted using various tint films. But there is no getting away from streaks - they will constantly form, and it will not work to fight this phenomenon. You need to either wipe them dry every day or put up with a not-so-tidy appearance of the surface.
Frosted glass bathroom door
So, such doors can be installed in bathrooms, however, if it is possible to choose a metal-plastic analogue, then it is advisable to give preference to it.
back to index ↑About construction types
It must be taken into account that the design of all doors may be different and this nuance should not be ignored. Many people know that doors can be not only swing type, but also sliding. Increasingly popular are accordion and folding doors. With their basic functions, they all cope just fine, so there will be no difficulties.
Accordion door to the bathroom
If we talk about operational nuances, then there will be a lot of them. For example, a hinged door design will require a lot of space to open, and there are often problems with it within the bathroom. Sliding analogues are distinguished by very poor sound insulation, and this disadvantage is also characteristic of other non-standard products. From this we can conclude that the best solution for the bathroom would be to install a swing door. As a result, it will be possible to achieve high-quality sound insulation and choose an aesthetically beautiful product.
Accordion door has poor sound insulation
Advice: Today, many people prefer to install hinged metal-plastic doors, since in fact it is really convenient and practical. Of course, here everyone can choose the option that seems to him the most rational. Fortunately, the choice of doors from different materials is really huge.
There are really a lot of difficulties at the stage of choosing a bathroom door, since the construction market can offer a wide selection of such products. If you install an ordinary interior door, then in the end it is deformed and very quickly. It is important to analyze many parameters and nuances, otherwise you may encounter a lot of problems.
Earlier, we have already said that, compared to all other rooms, it is in the bathroom that the humidity is always the highest. At the selection stage, preference should be given to those structures that, after installation, will be resistant to steam. This will achieve maximum service life and at the same time preserve all the aesthetic qualities of the product. It is important to pay attention to the vapor barrier and soundproofing of the door for this room.
back to index ↑Considering the most common options
Installing a sliding door is stylish and convenient, but there are other options. For example, it is not uncommon for people to decide to install glass doors, meaning they are great because of their maximum resistance to moisture. Products made from this material are not deformed during intensive use, so they can last for many years.
The glass door is not deformed during intensive use
Important: By itself, this material has high rates of environmental cleanliness and is hygienic. Modern glass doors are characterized by increased strength. This material is subjected to special processing, after which it will be almost impossible to break the product.
Among the advantages of this option, it is worth noting that the doors can have different degrees of transparency and patterns. Often on the market there are models finished with plastic, metal or other materials. Visually, glass will increase the space, so it is advisable to install such doors in small bathrooms.If the interior of the room is already formed, then you can always choose a door that fits perfectly into it. As for the shortcomings, here it is alone and this is a rather high cost.
Glass door visually enlarges the space
More about plastic
Often people install plastic doors in bathrooms and this is a very balanced decision. This material after many years will not rot and is also not sensitive to high humidity. In addition, it is worth noting the minimum weight and a high degree of hygiene, so you can use these products for many happy years.
plastic bathroom door
Modern doors made of this material can have a coating that is unique in its kind, which will make the interior more expressive. The range of such products is simply huge, and at a cost this is an excellent option for those who do not want to overpay for glass or wood.
Natural wood products and their features
Wooden bathroom doors are a classic solution that suits many. Everyone knows that this material categorically does not tolerate contact with moisture, but with a certain treatment with special antiseptics, it can become resistant to this integral part of the bathroom. Such doors can be mounted in the bathroom, but this should be done in such a way that they are located as far as possible from the source of water and steam.
Traditional wooden bathroom door
Advice: Professionals recommend giving preference to high-quality wood products. An excellent solution would be to buy oak doors.
Economic option
If it is not possible to buy a high-quality product, then you need to consider doors made of chipboard or MDF covered with laminate. The cost of such products is minimal and at the same time they are great for installation in rooms with high humidity. You can choose doors with glass inserts and in this case, the illumination of the bathroom will increase.
Bathroom door made of chipboard with glass inserts
Advice: Professionals do not recommend choosing analogues of veneer products for installation in such rooms, as they will not be able to withstand exposure to high temperatures and high humidity.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the entrance to the kitchen or another bathroom adjacent to the bathroom can be very close and it is worth positioning the doors so that they do not interfere with opening each other. It is desirable that the doors in the bathroom be equipped with special ventilation holes. If they are absent, then it is worth making a small gap between the floor. At the stage of choosing such products, you need to pay attention to the quality of handles, locks and other fittings, as well as decorative elements that will be installed.
Air vent in bathroom door
Mounting Features
Frosted glass doors will be an excellent solution, but at the place of their installation it is worth making a small threshold of about five centimeters. This will prevent flooding of the entire room. Doors should be installed a little higher than this level. An interval of ten centimeters from the floor is enough.
Small threshold at the entrance to the bathroom
There is no need to buy doors that are the same for all rooms, as it is important to work out all the nuances, otherwise these products may be deformed over time. Often the opening in the bathroom is 190 centimeters, so you have to adjust the doors for it yourself. It is important to take into account the thickness of the walls in this room at the stage of choosing a door frame. It should fit perfectly and not protrude beyond the plane of the wall. A gap of no more than one and a half centimeters from the wall is allowed.
Speaking of the inner edge, it must be strictly in the same plane with the facing material. If you neglect this rule, then you will then need to increase the thickness of the wall or cut off part of the door frame.In any case, the cut line will be noticeable, so it is better not to resort to this option. Modifying veneer boxes is unacceptable, as the remaining material will eventually flake off. If inside the product there is needles covered with MDF, then the removal of particles can lead to the fact that in the end it simply crumbles.
It is not recommended at all to modify the door frames by sawing, as in the end they will be damaged to a large extent. If wide gaps appear between the wall, then they can be hidden with a platband or gypsum.
back to index ↑What if the doorway is smaller?
If the door you bought turned out to be larger than the doorway, then it is important to understand that not every door can be reduced, just as not every opening can be expanded. You need to determine whether it is acceptable for you that the tops of the doors may not be at the same level.
Expansion of the doorway
Often, next to the entrance to the bathroom, there is a door to the kitchen and other rooms, so if the doorway is changed in one of the rooms, then the rest may need to be adjusted, since from an aesthetic point of view, the interior will look ugly.
back to index ↑How can the doorway be enlarged?
If the walls in the bathroom are made of gypsum or other soft material, then you can expand the doorway in just a few minutes using an ordinary grinder. It is important to take into account that in the course of such work there will be a lot of dust, so you will have to use protective equipment. Gypsum can also be cut with the most ordinary saw with large teeth.
The doorway can be expanded with a grinder
If the walls are made of asbestos-cement sheets, then in this case a steel strip can be located inside. It is she who will perform the function of a power frame. Removal or deformation of this element will weaken the entire cab structure. It will remain intact, but as a result, numerous cracks may form in the walls and on the finishing material, such as tiles. If the walls in your bathroom are of this type, then it is advisable not to resort to refining it, since in the end you can make yourself a lot of problems and face serious time and financial investments.
back to index ↑A little about shortening doors
It is important to note right away that only wooden doors can be shortened, since this will not affect their subsequent work in any way. You can perform this procedure for those products in which the distance from the edge of the panel to the bottom end is greater than the same size in the upper part. If in the end the lower part of the door is cut off, then the dimensions as a result will be almost the same. You will need to remove the lower beam of the frame door, which performed the connecting function. You will have to remove the honeycomb filler, but then it is important to return it to its place and glue it as high as possible.
It is not difficult to shorten a wooden door
Remember that the removal of this element will significantly weaken the design of the product, so it is recommended not to resort to such modifications and use the doors with their factory settings. As for the latches with latches, here they need to be cut at least ten centimeters lower than usual. This is necessary so that the door handles in all rooms are at the same level.
At the stage of choosing doors for a bathroom or toilet, you need to check that they open and close easily in the future. If a hinged design is chosen, it is preferable to do everything so that the door opens outward. It will be necessary to control that every time you open the door you do not injure anyone. If the bathroom is spacious, then you can install a door with an internal opening.
It is preferable to install doors with external opening
The process of installing doors is quite complicated in some cases, so it is advisable to entrust this work to experienced professionals. The cost of their services is low, so you do not have to burden yourself with additional costs. As a result, you will not waste your own time and energy on doing work that you have not had to deal with before.
back to index ↑Important nuances
Choosing a bathroom door on your own is sometimes really difficult, as the range of such products is simply huge and continues to grow at a rapid pace. If the manufacturer says that his products are of the highest quality, you should not believe these assurances, but you just need to carefully examine the product and find out what materials it is made of.
They must be guaranteed to be resistant to high humidity and temperature extremes. If you make the wrong choice, then soon the product will be deformed and you will have to resort to replacing the door again. Some of them have a high cost, but this is not an indicator of high quality. Thanks to a wide selection of such products, you can always find the best option for yourself, and at the same time you will not have to overpay.
Doors to the bathroom must be resistant to temperature changes
Doors made of glass or their metal-plastic counterparts are more expensive, but have a long service life. As for the care of such products, there will not be any difficulties.
Advice: Whatever doors you choose, you will eventually need to wipe them with a damp cloth from time to time. Most likely, condensation will accumulate on them and gradually drain, leaving stains. If moisture is removed in a timely manner, then the aesthetic qualities of the product will be preserved.
The choice of doors for bathrooms today is simply huge, so you can choose the option that completely suits you in terms of price and quality. In this article, we examined the main nuances that you should pay attention to and what types of doors are. Now you need to analyze this information and make your choice.
back to index ↑Photo gallery - doors to the bathroom
Video
