Written by the Glass and Shower Doors team. Updated October 16, 2026.

Glass tub doors replace the shower curtain on a tub and shower combo with real glass. They keep water in the tub, make the bathroom look bigger, and never get that moldy curtain hem.

Plenty of Chicago-area bungalows, ranches and condos have a tub with a shower head over it. You do not need to tear it out to get a glass door. You just need to pick the right style for your tub, your bathroom and the people who use it.

This guide covers the three main types of glass tub doors, how they compare, what they cost, and what to check before you order.

The 3 Main Types of Glass Tub Doors

1. Sliding Tub Doors

Sliding tub doors use two glass panels that glide past each other on a track. This is the most common choice for a standard 60-inch alcove tub, the kind set between three walls.

• No door swings into the room, so it works in tight bathrooms
• Both panels cover the full length of the tub, so splash stays in
• You can only open half the tub at a time
• The bottom track needs regular cleaning

Sliders come framed, semi-frameless or frameless. Frameless sliders use heavier glass and a top bar with rollers, so there is less metal to clean. See our sliding shower doors page for the options we install.

2. Hinged Tub Doors

A hinged tub door is usually a fixed glass panel with a door that swings out. It looks like a frameless shower enclosure, just sitting on top of a tub.

• Opens wide, so getting in and out is easier
• No bottom track to clean
• Clean, open look that suits a remodeled bathroom
• Needs clear floor space outside the tub for the door to swing
• Costs more than a slider because of the heavier glass and hinges

If you like the frameless look, see our frameless shower doors page.

3. Tub Screens

A tub screen is a single glass panel that covers part of the tub, usually the end where the shower head is. It can be fixed or hinged so it folds back against the wall.

• Leaves most of the tub open, which makes bathing kids and cleaning easy
• Simple, modern look with very little hardware
• Usually the lowest-cost glass option
• Lets some water out, especially with a strong or overhead rain shower head
• Works best for people who use the tub more than the shower

Our types of shower doors guide shows how tub screens compare with every other door style.

Glass Tub Doors Compared

Glass Choices for a Tub Door

Every glass tub door must use safety glass. Building codes treat glass around a bathtub as a hazardous location, so the glass has to be tempered. Our post on tempered glass code requirements explains the rules.

After that, you choose the look:

• Clear glass: shows off your tile and makes the room feel bigger
• Low-iron glass: extra clear, without the slight green tint you see on the edge of regular glass
• Frosted glass: adds privacy, good for a shared family bathroom

Our guide to frosted, clear and low-iron glass compares them side by side. For handles, hinges and tracks, see our shower door hardware finish guide.

What to Check Before You Order

A tub is not a flat shower floor, so a few details decide which door will work.

• The tub edge. Sliders and panels sit on the flat top edge of the tub. Some acrylic and soaking tubs have a curved or sloped edge that will not hold a track or panel well.
• Level and plumb. Older homes often have tubs that are not level and walls that lean. A custom door is measured and built to fit, so small gaps are handled before the glass is cut.
• The shower head. A strong or overhead rain shower head needs full coverage. A tub screen alone may not be enough.
• The faucet and handles. You want to reach the water controls without stepping into the spray. This decides which side the door or open panel goes on.
• Floor space. A hinged door needs room to swing past the toilet and vanity.
• A window in the tub wall. Windows close to a tub often have their own safety glass rules. Ask us to check before you plan the enclosure around it.
• Who uses the tub. Small kids, older adults and anyone who needs grab bars will do better with a wide opening. See our guide to accessible shower glass for aging in place.

How Much Does a Tub Door Cost?

The price of a glass tub door depends on the style and how it is built. Starting prices for each door style are on our pricing page. Here is what moves the final number:

• Style. A tub screen uses the least glass. A hinged door with a fixed panel uses the most glass and hardware.
• Framed or frameless. Frameless doors use thicker glass and stronger hardware, so they cost more.
• Glass type. Low-iron and frosted glass cost more than standard clear glass.
• Hardware finish. Chrome is usually the base price. Matte black, brushed nickel and gold finishes can add to it.
• Coatings. A water-repellent glass coating adds cost up front but can make cleaning easier. Ask whether one is available for your door.
• The tub and walls. An out-of-level tub or crooked walls take more measuring and custom cutting.

All of our doors are custom made to your tub, so we give you an exact price after we measure. For more on pricing, see our custom shower doors cost guide.

How to Care for a Glass Tub Door

A glass door is easier to keep clean than a curtain, but it still needs a few minutes a week.

• Squeegee after every shower. This is the single best habit for clear glass.
• Clean the track. On sliding doors, wipe out the bottom track weekly so soap and water do not build up.
• Use gentle cleaners. Skip scouring powder and steel wool. They scratch glass and wear down coatings.
• Fight hard water early. White spots get harder to remove the longer they sit. Our post on hard water spots on shower glass shows what works.
• Check the seals. If water gets onto the floor, a worn seal or sweep is the usual cause. See why shower doors leak and how to fix them.

Which Tub Door Is Right for You?

• Small bathroom, mostly showers: a sliding tub door. It needs no swing space. See our tips for shower doors in small bathrooms.
• You bathe small kids: a tub screen or a hinged door, so you can reach in from the side.
• You want a high-end look: a frameless hinged door and fixed panel.
• You have a rain shower head: full coverage with sliding doors or a hinged enclosure, not a screen.
• You use the tub more than the shower: a tub screen keeps it open and easy to clean.
• You are thinking about a walk-in shower instead: read our guide on a shower door vs. a walk-in shower first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put a glass door on any bathtub?

Most standard alcove tubs work well, as long as the top edge of the tub is flat. Some soaking tubs and acrylic tubs have a curved or sloped edge that will not hold a track or panel. We check this when we measure.

Is a sliding or hinged tub door better?

A sliding door is better for small bathrooms and keeps water in very well, but you can only open half the tub. A hinged door opens wider and has no track to clean, but it needs room to swing.

Do tub screens let water out?

A little. A tub screen covers only part of the tub, so some spray can get past it. It works best with a regular shower head pointed at the wall. For a strong or overhead rain shower head, choose full coverage.

Can you still bathe a child in a tub with glass doors?

Yes, but some styles make it easier. A tub screen or a hinged door leaves a wide opening so you can kneel beside the tub. With sliding doors, you reach in through half of the tub.

Do glass tub doors need tempered glass?

Yes. Glass around a bathtub must be safety glass, so tub doors and panels use tempered glass.

How long does it take to get a glass tub door installed?

It starts with a measurement, then the glass is cut to fit your tub, then the door is installed. Our shower door installation timeline walks through each step.

Get a Free Estimate for Your Glass Tub Door

Ready to get rid of the shower curtain? We measure, build and install custom glass tub doors for homes across Chicago and the suburbs, with 25 years of experience behind every job.

Call (708) 808-7775 or contact us to set up a free on-site estimate. We will look at your tub, walls and shower head and tell you which style fits best.