skip to main content

Shower door height and sources

14 years ago

We need sliding doors for a new shower. The standard height, it appears, is 70 inches. That seems too low to us. For one thing, if the unit is that high, then the opening would presumably be only about 5-foot-6-inches, which means that I would have to stoop to enter the shower, which doesn't seem right. Also, our showerhead would be above the top of the door.

Home Depot sells a 76-inch high door, but only in a width that is too wide for us. (Our opening is about 46 inches.) Several national companies, including Kohler, make them, but I can't find any local sellers of them (except for that one at HD).

Local companies also treat 70 inches as the standard height; if you want to go any higher than that, it becomes a "custom" door and the price DOUBLES, to over $800 (for the cheapest version with 1/4-inch glass and no options), not including installation. We really don't want to pay that much for a very ordinary sliding shower door.

Does everybody find 70 inches to be just fine? We don't get it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

home-fixer
14 years ago
Check out http://www.eshowerdoor.com probably not the cheapest out there but a good source of info and a good product.
s8thrd
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you but that company does not deal in sliding shower doors.

I would really like to know what people with sliding shower doors (not with a tub) do. Do you find 70 inches an adequate height? If not, do you just pay the big bucks to go higher? Anyone out there?
Related Discussions
Source for shower door?
Q
Comments (8)
One great tip I got from this forum and I pass on at every chance is to go *local*. You'd be surprised at the difference in charges (much less expensive to go local), and you get local service and help your local economy :) So in case I didn't make the point clear: in this case, and even to this otherwise-mostly-online-shopper, local is good :)
...See More
Height of Frameless Shower Door? Photos of Shower Stalls.
Q
Comments (2)
When I had the shower door guy out to measure, he made a point of checking how high the shower head was. Ours is on a sliding bar, so it can go up pretty high. We have a 6" curb and a 6' shower wall/door height, and it is fine with our standard 8' ceiling. Our "gap" is 18". Remember also that this "gap" benefits the air circulation in your shower to help dry it out so that you don't get moldy grout. Unless you have a very high shower head (very tall shower user) you should be fine.
...See More
common frameless shower door height?
Q
Comments (5)
Jane, I just measured mine, the glass is 78" high, the base would add another few inches (not made yet), glass is leaning against wall, haven't installed it. I think the main thing is that it is at least as high as your showerhead if you have one on the wall and not overhead.
...See More
What height for my shower/tub sliding door?
Q
Comments (0)
I have a bathroom with a very low ceiling of 81". The height of my tub is 13" and from the top of the tub to the ceiling is 68". I'm looking to buy a semi-frameless glass bypass door that is tall enough that a 6' person won't have to play limbo to get into the shower, but also low enough to allow an adequate ventilation gap at the top. Seems like the Lowes/Home Depot standard is around 58", but that seems short. I've seen a 62" tall door, but would a 6" gap at the top be enough for ventilation???
...See More
jdr56
14 years ago
We went with 76 inch sliding doors that sit on top of a 4 inch shower curb so we're actually 80 inches from the floor. Our old shower was 70 inches and we always had to bend over so that we didn't hit our heads on the frame. We had the shower tiled to the ceiling (8 ft) so I think 70 inch doors would have looked out of place. I paid around $800 for 3/8 inch glass and installation. (local company) We love it!
s8thrd
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info. Our situation sounds similar to yours and I think we will go with the 76-inch. Unfortunately, where we live doors that height with 3/8 glass and installation run around $1600 locally. I'm going to see if I can order Kohler doors from Lowes.

Related Stories

TILE Source List: 20 Tiles That Make a Statement

By Annie Thornton

Learn about the tiles that make these popular rooms stand out

BATHROOM DESIGN The Right Height for Your Bathroom Sinks, Mirrors and More

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Upgrading your bathroom? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalized fit

DECORATING GUIDES Easy Reference: Standard Heights for 10 Household Details

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

How high are typical counters, tables, shelves, lights and more? Find out at a glance here

BATHROOM DESIGN Vanity Towers Take Bathroom Storage to New Heights

By Jennifer Bishop Design

Keep your bathroom looking sleek and uncluttered with an extra storage column

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean a Glass Shower Door

By Bonnie McCarthy

See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean

BATHROOM DESIGN Expert Talk: Frameless Showers Get Show of Support

By Lawrence Karol

Professional designers explain how frameless shower doors boosted the look or function of 12 bathrooms

BATHROOM DESIGN 8 Ways to Design a Better Shower

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

See the ingredients of a perfect shower, from the rainshower head and bench to the nook for shampoo and soap

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Design an Accessible Shower

By By Any Design Ltd.

Make aging in place safer and easier with universal design features in the shower and bathroom

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

Sponsored

More Discussions

Bathroom vanity search

2

wood look Ribbon tile trim

0

Kohler Heated BubbleMassage with Bask tubs

0

Bath remodel with walk in shower

1

bathroom remodel fan placement

0