The 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. Which one? This is what we will talk about in this material.
Where to begin
Few people are familiar with the main selection criteria. The first thing that distinguishes the door to the bathroom and toilet is the size. If the height of the door leaf is the same as for the other 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 sheet or glass is suitable for your toilet and bathroom. Let's get together on such difficult issues.
Defined with a coating
The doors for the toilet and bathroom in Leroy Merlin impress with their variety - 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 substantial part 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 sanitary ware, but also a bidet, a cheap cabin, then the choice of material for the door leaf is practically unlimited, since water splashes are unlikely to reach it. Another thing is a small bathroom and a tiny toilet, which is so characteristic of most standard layouts.
On the negative effects of moisture
Structurally, all interior doors are represented by a frame with exterior decoration. The frame is most often made of low-value wood species, MDF or particleboard, which are afraid of moisture. Even its minimal impact is fatal 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, i.e. 60%. If it is higher, it is better to pay attention to moisture-resistant doors for a bathroom and toilet made of plastic and glass, 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 performed.
Weaknesses
When choosing doors to the bathroom and toilet, it is important to know about all the weaknesses associated with the process of their production:
- Method of applying a protective coating. 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 hardly noticeable. Leakage of this compound will contribute to the penetration of moisture and the gradual destruction of the material.
- Neglecting the protection of the upper and lower ends. For reasons of economy, these areas are almost never covered with protective material. Indeed, a direct hit of 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 Cloths
What are good bathroom and toilet doors for you? Surely, many prefer spectacular externally affordable options. And here there are no equal laminated doors. This is a permanent sales leader.
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.
High-quality laminate is quite durable, resistant to wear. But the problem is the greed of manufacturers who, in the pursuit of profit, use low-quality raw materials. Because of this, it is thin, completely unprotected from damage, and a slight exposure to moisture can lead to swelling of the material.
If you are looking for a budget option, look for models with a coating of a denser laminate with improved performance. The cost of such a door leaf is slightly higher, but it is quite 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 are looking for doors to the bathroom and toilet that can withstand even abrasive cleaning, this is ideal.
The film is represented by a variety of textures and shades, so everyone can easily choose the option that will harmoniously fit into the interior of his house.
But with all its advantages, PVC-coated doors can hardly be called durable. Over time, the canvas may delaminate, which will lead to its swelling.
Veneer
What doors to the bathroom and toilet boast external sophistication and an excellent set of performance characteristics? Of course, those made of natural wood. Not everyone can afford such an expensive purchase, so we recommend that you pay attention to the low-cost alternative - veneered doors.
The frame in this case can be made of inexpensive wood, and the outside is covered with veneer of valuable species. Many people believe that natural wood doors are unacceptable in the bathroom and toilet, but if you cover it with good varnish or enamel, you can protect the paintings from the negative effects of moisture. Although, of course, if the humidity level is above 60%, it is better to abandon this option. The fact is that veneer is a rather expensive material, and it is unlikely that you will like the prospect of periodic replacement of paintings.
Plastic
More recently, PVC doors have appeared on the market. Admittedly, practicality combined with affordable cost has a positive effect on their popularity. Contrary to the prevailing stereotype, plastic doors for the bathroom and toilet have nothing to do with PVC windows. Outwardly they look the same as interior doors from other materials.
The basis for them is inexpensive, while resistant to moisture, the material will last you a long time, while maintaining the originality of its appearance. The cavities of such a door are often filled with polystyrene foam for good sound insulation.
This variety has, perhaps, two drawbacks: the shade and the presence of chloride in the composition of the material. Indeed, plastic doors are presented in a white shade, although by putting effort you can find something more interesting.
If we talk about the negative effects 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 assortment, and all because this hygienic, practical and effective material is becoming more and more popular and in demand. Modern architects consider glass doors for a bathroom and toilet a universal and win-win option.
Many people care about security. You can rest assured: modern manufacturers use impact-resistant tempered glass, with which it will be possible to isolate such an intimate space due to competent tinting. But these models have a significant drawback: the glass cloth is rather heavy, therefore it requires the use of expensive accessories. Yes, and the doors themselves will fly you a pretty penny.
Way to open the door: swing
Swinging open, sliding, folding doors - which option to give your preference? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option together.
The classic option that most of the population chooses is swing. These doors to the bathroom and toilet with a box are endowed with not only a simple, but also familiar design. They allow you to set a threshold for maximum sound insulation. But when it comes to the limited area of the bathroom, it is difficult to call them the best option. After all, they hide the inner space that could be involved.
Sliding
Space saving is perhaps the main advantage of sliding doors. But do 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 choice, give your preference to the cassette design, which involves pulling the canvas into the wall. This is the best option, devoid of flaws. The only thing - pay due attention to the quality of the canvas and the entire structure.
Folding
But the most optimal option, combining the advantages of swing and sliding doors, is folding. They do not require additional space for opening both in the wall and near it.
Additional ventilation
If the natural ventilation system in your bathroom does not cope with its obligations, the signs of this will not take long - the condensation will begin to accumulate on the walls and mold will form.
In order to reduce the negative effects of high 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 grille 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 hot flows. For these purposes, an ordinary household fan is most often purchased. And you can find it in any specialized store at an affordable price.
Hardware
If it is 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 in high-quality and reliable door hardware once, so as not to encounter problems in the near future. Prefer the products of leading world manufacturers, which include the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy.
To summarize
Choosing a bathroom door and a toilet can turn into a pleasant process, if you approach it wisely. And first of all, it all depends on the features 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.