Bathroom and toilet are perhaps the most functional spaces in the house, which is why the repair in the apartment begins with them. Focusing on ceramic tiles, plumbing, many sometimes forget about the doors. But it is they who provide the necessary insulation to the room and comfort to those who are inside it. Doors to the bathroom and toilet must meet certain requirements. What? This is what we will talk about in this material.
Where to start
Few people are familiar with the basic selection criteria. The first thing that distinguishes the doors to the bathroom and toilet is the size. If the height of the door leaf is the same as for the rest of the rooms in the house, then the width is usually 55-60 cm. This is an important aspect that must be taken into account, but it is far from the only criterion. You will have to decide on the material, ventilation system, fittings, and also decide whether a blank canvas or with glass is suitable for your toilet and bathroom. Let's figure out such difficult issues together.
Determine coverage
Doors for toilet and bathroom at Leroy Merlinimpress with their diversity - here everyone will choose the best option for themselves. But we strongly recommend that you prepare for the purchase, determine in advance the dimensions of the door leaf, the material from which it will be made, and the type of coating. This will save a significant portion of your time.
So, the choice of coverage primarily depends on the characteristics of the room. If your bathroom is impressive in size, you plan to place in it not only a standard set of plumbing fixtures, but also a bidet, a cheap cabin, then the choice of door leaf material is practically unlimited, since water splashes are unlikely to reach it. Another thing is a small bathroom and a tiny toilet, which is so typical of most standard layouts.
About the negative impact of moisture
Structurally, all interior doors are represented by a frame with an exterior finish. The frame is most often made of low-value wood, MDF or chipboard, which are afraid of moisture. Even minimal exposure to it is detrimental in this case and leads to the development of bacteria, mold and fungus.
Such doors are appropriate in rooms where the humidity level does not rise above the norm, that is, 60%. If it is higher, it is better to pay attention to moisture-proof plastic and glass doors for the bathroom and toilet, which are very popular today.
The resistance of the door leaf to moisture depends not only on the material itself, but also on how well it was made.
Weaknesses
Choosingdoors to the bathroom and toilet, it is important to be aware of all the weaknesses associated with the process of their production:
- Protective coating method. In some cases, it is applied separately to the canvas itself, and then to the edge, which contributes to the formation of a joint, albeit inconspicuous. Leakage of this connection will contribute to the penetration of moisture and the gradual destruction of the material.
- Neglecting the protection of the upper and lower ends. In order to save money, these places are almost never covered with protective material. Indeed, direct contact with moisture on them is unlikely, but do not forget that it is here that it can gradually accumulate, leading to swelling of the material. Therefore, it is better to protect the ends with a special varnish.
Laminated sheets
What are good bathroom and toilet doors for you? Surely many prefer spectacular outwardly affordable options. And here there are no equal laminated doors. This is the permanent bestseller.
The coating itself is paper glued to the base of the canvas and protected with resins. Modern manufacturers claim that such doors are quite appropriate for rooms with a humidity level of up to 60%. One thing is clear: if you want to buy doors to the bathroom and toilet inexpensively, this is the best option.
Quality laminated fabric is quite durable, resistant to wear. But the problem lies in the greed of producers who, in the pursuit of profit, use low-quality raw materials. Because of this, it is thin, not at allprotected from damage, and slight exposure to moisture can lead to swelling of the material.
If you're looking for a budget option, check out the thicker laminate flooring for better performance. The cost of such a door leaf is somewhat higher, but it is fully justified.
PVC film
The frame of such doors is made of wood or MDF, but the PVC film applied to the canvas protects it from moisture. If you're looking for bathroom and toilet doors that can withstand even abrasive cleaning, this is the perfect option.
The film is represented by a variety of textures and shades, so everyone can easily choose the option that harmoniously fits into the interior of his home.
But for all its merits, PVC-coated doors can hardly be called durable. Over time, the canvas may delaminate, causing it to swell.
Veneer
Which bathroom and toilet doors can boast of external sophistication and an excellent set of performance characteristics? Of course, those that are made of natural wood. Not everyone can afford such an expensive purchase, so we recommend that you pay attention to a budget alternative - veneer-coated doors.
The frame in this case can be made of inexpensive wood species, and the outside is covered with veneer of valuable species. Many believe that natural wood doors are unacceptable in the bathroom and toilet, but if you cover it with a goodvarnish or enamel, it will be possible to protect the canvas from the negative effects of moisture. Although, of course, if the humidity level is above 60%, it is better to refuse this option. The fact is that veneer is a rather expensive material, and you are unlikely to like the prospect of periodic replacement of canvases.
Plastic
Relatively recently, doors made of PVC have appeared on the market. It must be admitted that practicality, combined with democratic cost, had a positive effect on their popularity. Contrary to the prevailing stereotype, plastic bathroom and toilet doors have nothing to do with PVC windows. Outwardly, they look the same as interior doors made of other materials.
The basis for them is an inexpensive, at the same time resistant to moisture material that will serve you for a long time, while maintaining its original appearance. The cavities of such a door for good sound insulation are often filled with polystyrene foam.
This variety has, perhaps, two drawbacks: shade and the presence of chloride in the composition of the material. Indeed, plastic doors are presented in white, although with effort you can find something more interesting.
If we talk about the negative impact of chloride on the human body, then it is important to choose certified products, the safety of which is confirmed by all necessary documents.
Glass
For the objectivity of the review, we want to bring to your attention glass doors for the toilet and bathroom. Leroy Merlin offers them in a sufficient range, and all because this hygienic, practical and spectacular material is becoming more and more popular and in demand. Modern architects consider glass doors for the bathroom and toilet to be a universal and win-win option.
Many people are worried about security. You can be sure: modern manufacturers use impact-resistant tempered glass, with which, due to competent tinting, it will be possible to isolate such an intimate space. But these models have a significant drawback: the glass sheet is quite heavy, and therefore requires the use of expensive fittings. And the doors themselves will cost you a pretty penny.
Door opening method: hinged
Swinging, sliding, folding doors - which option to give your preference? Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option together.
The classic option, which is chosen by most of the population - swing. These doors to the bathroom and toilet with a frame are endowed with not only a simple, but also a familiar design. They allow you to set the threshold for the greatest sound insulation. But if we are talking about a limited area of the bathroom, it is difficult to call them the best option. After all, they hide the interior space that could be used.
Sliding
Saving space - perhaps the main advantage of sliding doors. But you should not blindly trust the persuasion of consultants and immediately give preference to this particular option,especially if it is presented in a classic version.
Features of their design imply the presence of a gap that minimizes the level of sound insulation. If a sliding door is your only option, opt for a cassette design that slides the leaf into the wall. This is the best option, devoid of disadvantages. The only thing is to pay due attention to the quality of the canvas and the whole structure.
Folding
But the most optimal option, combining the advantages of swing and sliding doors, is folding. They do not require additional opening space either in or near the wall.
Additional ventilation
If your bathroom's natural ventilation system isn't doing its job, it won't take long to show signs of this - condensation will start to build up on the walls and mold will form.
In order to reduce the negative effects of high levels of humidity, purchase a door with a ventilation grill. Of course, you can insert a plastic grill even after installing the door, but this will require additional manipulations, drilling the door leaf, which is undesirable in this case.
If the grate does not help solve the problem, you will have to take care of installing a forced ventilation system. Its task is to ensure air circulation in the room, constant mixing of cold and hotstreams. For these purposes, most often they purchase an ordinary household fan. And you can find it in any specialized store at an affordable price.
Fittings
If it is absolutely not necessary to install a handle with a lock in the living room, then they are necessary for the bathroom and toilet. And here it is important to observe one simple rule - do not save. It is better to invest once in high-quality and reliable door fittings so as not to run into problems in the near future. Give preference to the products of the world's leading manufacturers, which include the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy.
Summing up
Choosing a bathroom and toilet door can be a pleasurable process if approached wisely. And first of all, it all depends on the characteristics of the space and its operation, your personal preferences and financial capabilities. We hope that our material has become a useful information base for those who are in the process of choosing their ideal door for the bathroom and toilet.
