The shower panel is an important bathroom installation if you want the area to be as perfect as possible. Shower panels vary in shape and size depending on the dimensions of the bathroom.
Also, having the right size of shower panels determines their proper function of sliding freely and keeping all of the water within the enclosure.
So what is the minimum shower door width?
Shower panels rely on the size of the bathroom. But in general, the standard minimum shower width should be at least 22 inches. You violate the IRC guidelines if you install shower panels that are narrower than 22 inches wide.
In this article, I will discuss the topic of shower door width further to help you determine the right specifications for your bathroom.
What Is The Minimum Shower Door Width?
The IRC (International Residential Code) provides a standard guideline for residential showers to ensure the safety of the household’s residents.
It covers bathroom fixtures and plumbing systems that provide guidelines on maintaining safety and sanitation.
The IRC standards recommend a minimum shower door width of 22 inches. And any measurements that are lower than 22 inches violate the code.
Not only are homeowners violating the code, but they are also potentially compromising the safety of the household’s residents.
The recommended width is also sufficient for easy access when entering and exiting the shower area.
Another important topic is whether the shower doors open outward or inward. You will not have problems if the shower doors are sliding panels, but the issue arises if your shower uses hinges instead.
The IRC recommends that the panels swing outward for shower doors with hinges for easy accessibility.
In addition, a shower door swinging outward provides more safety than those swinging inward.
Since the width of 22 inches is especially narrow, it enables the person to move outside the enclosure without moving around the wet and slippery floors.
A door swinging outwards is also convenient in emergencies. If someone becomes unconscious inside the shower, it provides better accessibility for those coming to your aid.
If a person is on the shower floors, they may block the entryway, making it more difficult for rescuers to help you.
What Factors To Determine When Deciding Shower Door Width?
You must consider the following factors to determine your shower’s right panel size or door width.
Bathroom Area
First and foremost, you have to note the size of the bathroom. You must consider that the shower panels’ width accommodates the bathroom size.
And you have to be sure that it isn’t overwhelmingly large.
Bathroom Style
The style of the bathroom is an important consideration in choosing the right choice of shower panels.
You have to choose a shower panel that fits the bathroom’s aesthetics so it wouldn’t go out of place.
For example, a modern bathroom has a characteristic of a minimalistic vibe. Therefore, the recommended shower panel style must have a simple design and clean lines.
In addition, such a design also goes well even with bathrooms that have more decorative details.
Available Budget
Last but not least, you have to note the available budget in buying the shower panels of your option. Your budget for the shower door relies on size, style, and certain functions.
Therefore, it is important that you have to consider your budget before going into your local hardware store and buying a shower door.
What Is The Minimum Size Of the Glass Shower Panel?
The minimum size is still the same whether you’re considering a fixed or glass shower panel. As for the minimum size of the glass shower panel, the width must still be at least 22 inches wide.
However, quality is another factor you must consider for a glass panel. When shopping for a glass door, you have to be sure that the glass material is thick enough so it wouldn’t break easily.
The transparency of the glass is also an important factor to bear in mind. And it does depend on your preference.
Suppose you are conscious of your privacy while showering but want others to know that someone is inside the shower room. It should have a lower transparency level so that your silhouette is visible.
How Narrow Can a Glass Shower Door Be?
Your approach in determining how narrow a glass shower door is is that it needs to be wide enough for the person to go in and out of the shower room.
In general, the minimum width of the shower glass panels is 22 inches wide. And anything lower than the prescribed 22 inches width could lead to inconvenience and compromise the safety of the household’s residents.
On the other hand, the maximum width of the shower panel should be approximately 36 inches wide. And in general, it needs to have a height of at least 72 inches high that accommodates people of all heights.
How Thick Should a Glass Shower Door Be?
You have to ensure that the thickness of the shower glass doors must be sufficient so they wouldn’t break when you accidentally make a strong impact on them.
The visibility inside the shower room depends on the preferences of the homeowners. The visibility becomes low as the glass becomes thicker.
However, you can find glass panels with low visibility no matter how thick the glass is.
What Is the Minimum Size For a Shower Opening?
Again, the minimum width of the shower panels, as prescribed by the International Residential Code, is at least 22 inches.
However, the recommended width varies for commercial buildings and establishments.
The building code for shower stalls must be 36 inches by 36 inches. It has to be wider since many people use the shower room.
In addition, the average measurement of the shower room should be 7 by 4 feet for better convenience and added safety.
A doorless shower should have a narrower entryway since the panels would no longer be a problem when entering and leaving the shower room.
Also, a narrow entryway keeps the water from escaping the shower room as you do your business.
