Shower Doors Compared: Pivot vs. Sliding vs. Hinged

A new glass shower door changes how a bathroom looks and how it works every single day. Pick the wrong opening style and the door bangs into the toilet or leaves the tub uncovered.

We carry 53 Woodbridge shower doors, framed, semi frameless, and frameless, in three opening styles: pivot swing doors, sliding doors, and hinged bathtub doors. This guide explains how each style works, who it suits, what it costs, how to measure for it, and what to plan for during installation. The short version: your choice mostly comes down to your layout, specifically how much floor clearance you have in front of the shower and whether the opening is a stall or a tub.

Pivot Hinged Swing Doors (18 models, from $394)

A pivot door is a single glass panel that swings open on hinges, like a regular door. Every pivot model we stock uses dual pivot hinges that open 90 degrees outward, and every one is reversible, so your installer can set it to open from the left or the right. All 18 use 3/8 inch (10mm) clear tempered safety glass certified to ANSI Z97.1, with a full length clear vinyl seal and bottom strips to help keep water in the shower.

Who it suits: walk in showers with open floor space in front of them, and homeowners who want the simplest, most open look with nothing to slide or derail.

• Pros: the widest possible entry for the door size, no bottom track to clean, heavy 10mm glass on every model, and the lowest starting prices in the category.
• Cons: the door needs room to swing. If it would hit a vanity, toilet, or walkway, it is the wrong choice. The hinges also need wall studs or reinforcement behind the finished wall, and professional installation is recommended.
• Sizes: all models are 76 inches tall. Widths run from a 28 inch door up to openings of 60 to 61 inches.
• Finishes: Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Gold, and Matte Black.

Price range: from $394 to $826 depending on size and finish. Chrome and Brushed Nickel are typically the most affordable, with Matte Black and Brushed Gold costing more.

Examples: the Woodbridge HSD3676 Pivot Frameless Shower Door, 36in x 76in fits a classic 36 inch walk in opening and starts at $408. For a wide shower, the Woodbridge HSD36-24 Pivot Frameless Shower Door, 60 to 61in x 76in starts at $610.

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Sliding Doors (33 models, from $402)

Sliding doors glide side to side on rollers and a top guide bar instead of swinging out, so they work in tight bathrooms where a pivot door would not have room to open. They are also the go to choice for converting a bathtub into a tub and shower combination. Our sliding range splits into two types:

• Single sliding (16 models): one moving panel slides past a fixed panel. You get a large, clean sheet of glass and fewer moving parts.
• Double or 2-way sliding (17 models): both panels move, so you can enter from either side. This is handy when the shower valve is in the middle or when two people share the bathroom.

Who it suits: small and medium bathrooms, alcove showers between three walls, bathtubs, and wide openings. Sliding is the only style we carry for openings of 66 to 72 inches.

• Pros: no swing clearance needed, a wide range of sizes, and options for every budget. Six models add a soft close feature so the door eases shut instead of slamming.
• Cons: the walk in opening is narrower than the full opening because the panels overlap. There is a track and rollers to keep clean. Most models also need a minimum threshold or curb depth, roughly 1.7 to 3 3/8 inches depending on the model, so check this against your shower base or tub ledge.
• Sizes: openings from 44 to 72 inches wide and heights from 60 to 80 inches. Ten models are shorter tub heights of 60 to 66 inches. Most top guide bars trim up to 4 inches for a precise fit.
• Glass: from 1/4 inch (6mm) on the framed budget line up to 3/8 inch (10mm) on the heavier frameless models. Some lines add a water and stain resistant coating to cut down on cleaning.

Price range: double sliding models run from $402 to $881, and single sliding models run from $471 to $1,018, depending on size, glass thickness, and finish.

Examples: for a tight budget, the Woodbridge PROT-4872 Double Sliding Shower Door, 44 to 48in x 72in starts at $402 and suits rentals and guest baths. For a 60 inch alcove with soft close and 10mm glass, look at the Woodbridge BSDC6076 Frameless Sliding Shower Door with Soft Close, 56 to 60in x 76in, from $649.

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Hinged Bathtub Doors (2 models, from $383)

A hinged bathtub door is a curved glass screen sized for a tub rather than a full shower stall. It guards the floor from spray while you shower in the tub, then swings out of the way when you want to bathe. Both models are 58 inches tall, use 5/16 inch (8mm) tempered glass with a bonded shatter retention film, include a towel bar handle, and are reversible for left or right wall installation.

Who it suits: anyone who showers in a straight bathtub and wants a splash barrier without a full sliding enclosure, especially in small bathrooms where a slider will not fit.

• Pros: the lowest entry price of any style, easy access to the tub for bathing children or cleaning, and an open, uncluttered look.
• Cons: it covers only part of the tub, so it controls splash rather than sealing the opening. Both models are designed for straight tubs only, not curved ones.
• Sizes and finishes: 34 inches or 48 3/8 inches wide, in Brushed Nickel or Matte Black.

Price range: from $383 to $569 depending on width and finish.

Examples: the compact Woodbridge MTDB3458 Frameless Hinged Bathtub Shower Door, 34in W x 58in H starts at $383. For more coverage, the Woodbridge MTDB4958 Frameless Hinged Bathtub Shower Door, 48 3/8in W x 58in H pairs a fixed panel with a swing panel that rotates almost 180 degrees, from $408.

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Side by Side Comparison

How to Measure for a Shower Door

Accurate measurements prevent most shower door problems. A few rules apply to every style:

1. Measure after the walls are finished. Take measurements once tile or backer board is in place, not off the studs. Tile thickness can easily eat up the adjustment range.
2. Measure the width at three heights. Check the opening at the bottom, middle, and top. Use the smallest number and make sure it falls inside the door's listed width range, for example 56 to 60 inches.
3. Check that the walls are plumb. Hold a level against each wall. Many of our sliding doors are not adjustable for out of plumb walls, so a wall that leans can leave a gap. A few models, such as the SURFK line, use adjustable rollers that compensate for minor out of plumb walls.
4. Measure the threshold or curb depth. Sliding doors list a minimum threshold depth. Measure the flat top of your curb or tub ledge and compare.
5. Check the swing path. For a pivot door, measure the door width and confirm that much clear floor space exists in front of the shower, with nothing in the way at handle height.
6. Note the walk in opening. On sliding doors, the usable entry is smaller than the full width. For example, the MSDF4876 has a walk in clearance of 16 7/16 to 20 7/16 inches, while the 60 inch ASD6076 opens to 24 1/8 to 28 1/8 inches.

Installation Considerations

Shower doors do not involve plumbing or electrical work, but they do need solid mounting and a level, watertight base. Keep these points in mind:

• Wall reinforcement: pivot doors require wall studs or blocking behind the finished wall where the hinges attach. Plan this before tile goes up.
• Level base: sliding tracks and pivot seals both depend on a level curb or tub ledge. An uneven base causes leaks and doors that drift open.
• Weight: 10mm frameless glass is heavy. Plan for two people to handle panels, and never stand a panel on its corner.
• Professional installation: Woodbridge recommends professional installation for its pivot doors, and its limited warranty covers residential installs in the US and Canada done by a licensed, insured contractor.

Glass, Finishes, and Maintenance

Every door we carry uses tempered safety glass, and many add a safety film that holds fragments together if the glass ever breaks. Thicker glass feels more solid and is common on frameless doors, while 1/4 inch glass on framed doors keeps costs down.

Hardware finish affects both look and price. Chrome and Brushed Nickel tend to hide water spots well, while Matte Black and Brushed Gold make a stronger design statement. Woodbridge backs its doors with a lifetime limited warranty on the glass and a 1 year limited warranty on hardware.

To keep glass clear, squeegee after each shower, wipe the bottom track or seal weekly, and use a non abrasive cleaner. Avoid scouring pads and harsh chemicals on coated glass and plated hardware. If you have hard water, a door with a water and stain resistant coating will save you some scrubbing.

Budget Planning

Plan your budget around more than the door itself:

• The door: about $383 to $1,018 in our current range, depending on style, size, and finish.
• Installation: labor, wall reinforcement, and silicone if you hire a contractor.
• Shipping: orders of $1,500 or more ship free. Smaller orders ship at a flat rate shown at checkout. Pairing a door with a vanity, toilet, or tub can push the order past the free shipping line.
• Payment: Shop Pay installments let you spread the cost over time.

Glass ships carefully packed, but always open and inspect every panel when it arrives, before your installer starts work. If anything is chipped or cracked, note it on the delivery receipt, take photos, and contact us right away. Every door we sell is brand new in the original packaging with the full manufacturer warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a pivot door open into the shower instead of out?

Our pivot models are designed to swing 90 degrees outward. They are reversible for a left or right opening, but if you have no room for the door to swing out, a sliding door is the better fit.

Do I need a curb for a sliding shower door?

Yes. Sliding doors sit on a threshold, curb, or tub ledge, and each model lists a minimum depth. Measure yours before ordering.

Single or double sliding: which is better?

Single sliding gives you a cleaner look and fewer moving parts. Double or 2-way sliding lets you enter from either side, which helps when the shower controls are centered or the shower is shared.

What if my walls are not perfectly straight?

Most doors allow some width adjustment, and top guide bars typically trim up to 4 inches, but many sliding models do not adjust for out of plumb walls. Check with a level first, and ask us about models with adjustable rollers if your walls lean slightly.

Will a hinged bathtub door work on any tub?

No. Both of our hinged bathtub doors are designed for straight tubs only, not curved ones.

Which should you choose?

If you have a few feet of clear floor space in front of a walk in shower, a pivot door gives you the widest entry, no track to clean, and the lowest starting price. If your bathroom is tight, the door would swing into a toilet, vanity, or walkway, or you are enclosing a tub or an extra wide opening, go sliding: single for the cleanest look, double for entry from either side, and soft close if you want a quieter door. If you shower in a straight bathtub and just need a splash barrier, a hinged bathtub door is the simplest and most affordable answer.

Whatever you choose, measure after the walls are finished, check for plumb, and confirm your curb depth. Not sure what size you need? Contact us with your rough opening measurements and we will help you pick the right one, or call us at (213) 398-8885, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm EST.