Overview

Aspects

Kohler shower doors come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and looks for both tub and shower door openings. The most common types are hinged doors, bi-fold doors, bypass doors, tri-panel doors and pivot doors. Both the bypass door style and the tri-panel door style feature doors that glide on tracks. However, the tri-panel model features three sections as opposed to the two in the bypass door, and allows for a wider shower opening. Bi-fold doors have two sections that swing open to the left and right; hinged doors swing open on one set of hinges. Pivot doors, like hinged doors, swing open on one side but use less space than hinged doors.

Installation

Kohler shower doors can be installed by a moderately experienced home do-it-yourselfer in approximately two hours. Proper installation requires three main steps: measuring correctly for the size of the shower door needed; attaching the shower tracks to the shower curb, shower wall sides and, for gliding shower doors, across the top of the shower; and attaching and sealing the seams along the edges of the shower frame. Most Kohler shower door retailers offer installation for an additional fee.

Considerations

Homeowners thinking about having a Kohler shower door installed should take several factors into consideration, including how much money they are able to budget for the door and its installation. A person uncomfortable with attempting to install the shower door on his own may need to factor the cost of paying for professional installation and may need to purchase a more affordable shower door. Experienced do-it-yourselfers, however, may be able to splurge more on the style and features of a Kohler door since their installation costs will be minimal.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the amount of space available in the bathroom should help dictate which shower door is the most appropriate. Shower doors, such as the bypass, tri-panel and bi-fold, require a much larger shower and bathroom area than hinged or pivot doors. Homeowners should be aware of whether the door model they are considering will make getting in and out of the tub or shower easier or more cramped.