How can I accommodate my 38W shower opening with a bifold door due to the proximity of the toilet when all doors are too wide, and the available panels are too tall to fit my 23×72 door frame with already installed tile?
Asked by Yorinde Versteegen 
1 month ago
Last Updated: October 21, 2024
Hey there! I’m in a bit of a pickle with my shower situation. My shower opening is 38 inches wide, and I need a bi-fold door because my toilet is pretty close by. I’ve been searching for doors, but all the ones I find are a max width of 37.38 inches. Any ideas on how I can make this work? The tile is already in place. I came across a door that’s 23×72 inches, but I would need a panel to go along with it. The problem is, all the panels I’ve found are 78 inches high and can’t be trimmed down. Any advice on how to tackle this issue? I really appreciate your help! Thank you!
What if you added some pictures so we can better understand?
By the way, I included
Have you seen those small sliding doors like Phillips Wilson mentioned? My mom actually has them in her bathroom.
Considering a bi-fold bathroom door or a shower door?
I’m also puzzled about it
What’s the confusion? The shower opening is 38″ wide and requires a bi-fold design
Sandra, I included a picture of the shower door
Having a picture means you don’t necessarily need an exclusive big gold door. Bifold doors can be troublesome.
Two doors
Hey Topher, unfortunately I couldn’t find any in the correct size 😕
Most manufacturers, Phillips Wilson, are willing to accommodate custom order sizes.
Consider a shower curtain or opt for custom-made doors instead.
Chaz decided to go custom because curtains just don’t do the job, haha
Photo?
Mark just included this
Looking back, I probably should have installed the shower head on the right side without a door. A 24″ door opening would have been sufficient. Perhaps a 14 x 70 panel on the right or a partial wall with a panel could have worked. Having the shower head in the middle might have made this option difficult to implement.
Phillips Wilson, you could possibly think about installing a fixed partition on the right side and keeping a 24-inch doorway open. You can add a door later on if necessary.
32×32 rounded corner
Try placing a marble jamb set on top of the tile and securing it with silicone. If drilling into the marble jamb is necessary, use tile adhesive to ensure it is sturdy enough for drilling holes once it has cured.
There are plenty of choices to downsize the entrance. Corian is also a good option. It is available in a variety of colors to match the room.
Sandy was curious about this too but wasn’t sure about giving it a shot. 😕
A glass store might be able to create a custom piece for you. Is an inward swing feasible?
Brian ended up choosing a custom order that ended up being quite expensive, which really stung a bit 😂
That’s pretty much the only way to go. We always go to a glass shop to get our shower doors custom-made. We do a bunch of them and it just feels like when you have a nice bath/shower, you gotta have a nice glass enclosure. I feel the pain of the price, I got one for myself last year.
We also had one made, and although it was expensive, it turned out beautifully.
Have you thought about the hinges and center trim in your plan?
Oh no, Jason 😕
I’m not planning on closing the comments just yet—would love to hear what ideas you all come up with. We did end up ordering a custom 14×72 tempered glass panel for $847 to go with the 23” door. I’ll share a photo once it’s here and we have it installed. Thanks in advance! Lesson learned about measuring for the shower door towards the end of the project 😕🤦♀️🤷♂️ We could have widened a bit to the right if we had been more “clever” lol
I suppose a shower curtain will do for now.
Maybe have a column of glass blocks on both sides? And a smaller door. I’ve seen various shapes and sizes.
Consider getting a custom order from a glass shop instead.
Have you considered using a transparent shower curtain that may need to be replaced frequently?
Get a door made to your exact specifications.
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I have the same bath fan and layout in my bathroom as well! I added a small panel and then a door.
Hey, , we ended up choosing the same thing for our bathroom. Is it from the glass warehouse?
Definitely!
I must say your tile is absolutely stunning! 😍
How about getting a door that swings both ways?
The ideal solution for your bathroom door is one that opens away from the toilet, even if it may be a pricier option. In the meantime, consider using a shower curtain until you’re ready for a custom door.
Glass warehouse offers doors in .25 inch increments, and they are versatile enough to swing in either direction. I’ve used them for two bathrooms in our house, and they were surprisingly simple to install.
Have you considered using a shower curtain instead? It’s convenient to switch out, no glass to clean, and it’s a popular choice for enclosed showers.
When installing a 38-inch bifold door in a 38-inch space, make sure to leave a small gap for it to open smoothly. However, consider using a shower curtain instead.
Do you know who will take care of cleaning it? Shower glass tends to get dirty quickly. Curtains might be a better option for a small space unless you enjoy scrubbing glass.
: Oh yeah, we make sure to squeegee ours every time.
We make sure to squeegee ours too, and we spray shower cleaner on it once or twice a week. When we give it a thorough cleaning, the magic eraser works wonders. Bar Keepers Friend is also effective.
We got rid of ours, hardly any water splashes out, no need to clean for years. Best decision we made.
The squeegee is amazing when you remember to use it. That’s the tricky part.
Absolutely right! I once put up a note on our shower door asking for it to be squeegeed, signed “The Management” 😂. The note has since been taken down and I don’t think he squeegees regularly, but with the shower spray and occasional squeegeeing, it remains decent enough in appearance.
How about trying out a local glass specialist?
Glass door for a barn.
I got a glass door put in that swings in both directions. (It’s required by law to open out, but swinging both ways is fine).
Is it possible to have a sliding door?
Make sure to include the hinges and rubber seal for proper sizing
Bathroom shower accessory
The glass company has the ability to create a single piece
You could try visiting a glass company to check if they can create it.
Specialized glass manufacturer
You can get a glass company to create a custom size for you
I’m kind of peculiar because I really dislike glass doors/walls, so I would opt for a tall shower curtain to add some color/accent to the white space!
Consider contacting a glass company to inquire about a custom door. It may be a bit pricier, but the investment is worth it. 🙂
How about getting to put a glass coating on it for easier cleaning? Our barn door shower/tub door might be a good fit for you. It looks fantastic!
I love your vanity! Where did you get it? 😍
Dee En from Wayfair
There are a couple of options for you. You could reach out to a bathroom company to measure for a custom door, but it might cost more. Another option is to visit a bathroom store and look for spacers with a rubber or magnetic strip to build it out yourself. You’re only 3/4” short.
Personalized
Try using a transparent shower curtain
I really like your zero entry shower ♿️♿️, it looks fantastic! Are you considering getting a shower door? You might want to consider accordion-style plexiglass doors.
The shower with a large curb
Haha, got it. I mistakenly thought it was a flat tile. 😂🤓
Looking for a curtain?
Curtain rod for the spring.
You should try going to a glass shop and getting one custom made. It’s the best way to find a nice one in that size.
Personally, I’d stick with a shower curtain. We decided to do away with our glass door.
I’m with the majority opinion on this one. Using glass will require frequent cleaning. Consider a clear or frosted curtain if you prefer to keep it closed. It seems like you have a sufficient threshold at the bottom to keep the water in. For more helpful hints, be sure to check out my YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/@thehometipsshow
If you opt for a shower curtain, I’d suggest a hookless fabric curtain with a snap-in liner. This way, some light can still come in from the top.
I’m actually in the process of renovating my shower with tiles that are quite similar to yours. I really admire your choices! Your shower looks amazing as it is, but adding a glass door can also enhance its beauty, despite the maintenance it requires.
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Have you heard of Straightline Construction & Granite?
There are two glass panels that slide smoothly past each other, allowing you to open up the space without any additional room. They are commonly seen in hotels.
Was wondering if a 19″ opening would be wide enough for you.
Absolutely a 100% for that shower curtain!
Consider a custom-made door