I don't understand why sliding doors would require additional framing -- they should mount to the tile walls and lip that are already there (they come in a lot of sizes!).

I really wouldn't want a swinging door right behind the bathroom door. I'd already worry about putting that doorknob through your pricey glass, but the chance that spouse might come in as I'm getting out of the shower and create glass havoc? eek!!

A swinging door is an expensive disaster waiting to happen. I'd go with a slider.

Thanks acm, yes we could get them without additional side framing needed, but even then there would be a track on the bottom (not the old double sided track that traps dirt, but still a track) and a header across the top. And if you get one without the side framing, it has a plastic-y kind of piece to seal water out and I don't like the look of that, so we'd go with minimal side framing as well.

The size is such that in our chosen style/sliding door manufacturer, we can get a minimun overlap of glass (1-2") which will maximize opening without having to go custom.

We'll use a door stop to prevent door from hitting shower door - this is very similar configuration to what we had before, with sliders, and it worked fine. But yes a swinging door would increase risk there.

Appreciate your input!

Thanks Valerie! I don't think it's really wide enough for that, plus I do like the shower to be fully enclosed especially for cold winter days. But appreciate the different idea!

I'd do just about anything to avoid a track and a header... a swinging door is much more open feeling and high-end.

I agree with Delicious Kitchens. With your shower a swinging door would look best. Just be careful!

OK, so far 2 of you suggest swinging, 2 of you suggest not swinging, and 1 of you suggest a third option that I wasn't even considering! This is why we are having such a hard time deciding! One thing is for sure, the current tension rod and curtain are not enhancing the space!

but different curtains could. I just got a swinging shower door and I have to say it's a pain in the ass to keep clean and not spotty. I wish I'd figured out a fantastic shower curtain idea instead. (although we had a weird slope to contend with)

True econnell, there are some fabulous curtains out there, but I just don't like showering with a curtain, they always seem to float inward and hit my legs somehow. We do want glass and do plan to pay the extra for the finish that is supposed to be easier to keep clean. That's another disadvantage of the sliders, the fact that there is an area of overlap with the glass that is hard to clean. Still I think we are leaning that way. Agree with other posters that swinging door seems more high end, but I just don't think it will be best for this space. But tomorrow I could feel differently. Decisions, decisions ...

If you want to go with sliding glass door , you may want to consider skyline glass system. It provides you with a much cleaner look than having a frame:

Well, you can also get sliding doors without all the track. You can choose between metal at bottom only:

or metal rollers at top only:

Anyway, one doesn't have to choose between frameless/high-end and sliding -- both are possible.

@acm, the photos you suggested with metal roller at top is called the "skyline system" I was referring to in my comment.

yes, our comments crossed in the ether.

Thanks, I love those systems, but I think they have one stationary door, and we would like both to slide ... Am I correct?

Sure. Same with a swinging door.

I have a frameless door system where both move, but of course there is metal at both top and bottom. Can avoid the sides, I think...

I think you need a non sliding shower door, but it will be difficult with your door position. Have you thought of replacing your door with a pocket door? We did that and it saves space and there is no danger of hitting your glass door.

Hi Sandy, no pocket door for us, not a big fan of them for a door that gets used often plus there is plumbing etc in the walls to contend with. Thanks for the thought though.

Thanks acm , I think I saw that somewhere, have to take another look.

As I hopped in the shower this morning I thought about you (sounds inappropriate doesn't it? Lol) we have a shower door and bathroom door in a very similar configuration as yours. Any you know what? It's no problem whatsoever. How long is a shower door open on any given day? One minute total? Maybe?? How often will somebody walk into that bathroom exactly when you are entering or leaving the shower, maybe once a week...at best? We always open our bathroom door gently when we hear the shower running by instinct to be sure not to plow into a door or a naked spouse! Lol! If you want a door, go for it! I think you'll find that you'll have very little problems.

Thanks Valerie, good to hear from someone with a similar configuration.

I kinda agree with Valerie, but it would take just one little mishap, would a discrete doorstop be effective? possibly mounted on the floor.

Hey folks, reviving this thread of mine. We are still undecided but I have an additional question - if we did a stationary panel and a swinging door, how typically is the stationary panel mounted - with some kind of metal framework? I can head over to the store to check, just hoping someone here can share their wisdom. If we did this, husband thinks stationary panel should be on right side of shower, and door would swing from left. So would have to reach around stationary panel to turn on controls, but it would be about 16 inches wide so that might be workable.

We finally have a shower door!! Thought you might want to see the resolution of this dilemma. Shower curtain is gone, frameless bypass door installed (Fleurco Gemini) which has no metal framing on sides, just track on top and small guide on bottom.

Here are the "after" pictures!

Great job, it's beautiful!

Thank you Susan! The shower feels so much bigger with the clear glass door vs the awful shower curtain we've been using for 2 months.

Have you considered a sliding barn door?

Hi roozen, we put in sliding bypass doors much like your picture except we wanted both sides to slide, I posted the "after" about 4 posts up. It looks great!

Having same problem deciding on shower door. Interested in same door, but our shower is 48" wide and afraid door opening would be too small. How wide is your shower? Enough walk in space?

Great choice!!

Peggy - I don't have the measurements handy but it is something like 44-46 inches I think. Key to finding bypass shower doors is to understand how much overlap there will be and therefore how wide the openings will be. Varies depending on the company - some have custom options, some have basic sizes for door width ranges (this is what ours has, so the amount of overlap depends on whether your opening is on the small or large side of their range).

Ours gives us plenty of width for entry/exit. I can measure later if you want more info. Because we are obsessive we spent a fair amount of time going over the overlap and making sure it would work for us. We have a relatively small overlap when closed which gives us larger opening.

Susanalanandwrigley, now that you've lived with your Fleurco shower door for awhile, are you still happy with it? Has it been easy to clean? Are the clearish waterproofing strips holding up and staying clean?

@susanalanandwrigley I'm also considering Fleurco Gemini Slider. I know this is an older thread but I want to know if you still like it. Any problems with it? Would you recommend it. I read that the interior door towel bar can be annoying. Let me know what you think?

I have the same question. Am considering the Fleurco Gemini Plus to go over my tub. I am wondering whether you like it? I would probably pull the trigger, but I am unhappy with the towel bars, although I haven't found a better option that is double bypass. Would love to hear your opinion. thanks

@Rebecca X I ended up installing the Gemini Plus over the tub. I had a shower door guy install initially and found the bypass doors hard to slide open. I would recommend you find someone who has experience with Fluerco Gemini shower doors as there are very specific ways these bypass doors need to be installed. I like it but agreed that the inside towel bar is annoying. It is also 3/8" so quite heavy to slide open. Overall I like the look and the quality of the doors so far.

@susanalanandwrigley - -- it's been quite a while on this thread but I was wondering if you had any comments on how easy it is to clean the upper tracks / wheel mechanism? Thanks!