Shower door installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What shower door installation is

Shower door installation measures and fits a glass shower door or enclosure, anchors the hinges and rails to the wall and curb, adds seals, and checks that the door swings and shuts without leaking. People call when they replace an old door, add an enclosure to a remodeled bath, or need a door fixed that drips or will not close.

Signs you need it

  • Water dripping from the bottom of the door or the seal onto the floor after showers
  • A door that sags, drags on the threshold or will not close fully on its latch
  • Hinges or rails that are loose, rusted or pulling away from the wall
  • Cracked or clouded glass, or a frame with corrosion at the joints
  • A bathroom remodel with a new curb or tile where the old door no longer fits

What the pro does

  • Measure the opening at the top, middle and bottom, and check the curb or threshold for level and square
  • Mark and drill the wall for the hinge and rail anchors, choosing the fastener to suit the wall material
  • Set the fixed panel and the door frame plumb, then fit the hinges and the glass door with the correct gap
  • Install the bottom seal, the magnetic strip or the side seals so the door closes without leaking
  • Adjust the hinges and rollers so the door swings and shuts smoothly, then seal the exposed joints with bathroom-rated silicone

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Enclosure type, such as a sliding door, a hinged door, a fixed panel or a combination
  • Glass thickness and finish, including clear, frosted or textured glass, and the hardware finish
  • Frame style, framed or frameless, and the hardware used to hold the glass
  • Wall and curb condition, including tile, cement board or a tub lip that must be adjusted
  • Blocking or repair in the wall needed before the anchors can be set
  • Removal and disposal of the old enclosure, and cleanup of any broken glass
  • Floor and threshold work needed for the door to seal

What a written quote should spell out

  • Enclosure type, glass thickness and finish, and the frame style named
  • Hardware list, including hinges, pulls, rails and the finish of each
  • Anchor and fastener type for each wall material, and where blocking is added
  • Seal types used at the bottom, sides and top, and the silicone type
  • Removal and haul-away of the old enclosure, and cleanup of tile and debris
  • Warranty on the glass, the hardware and the installation

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the glass tempered, and is it rated for use in a shower?
  • How do you anchor the hinges to tile, and could the tile crack when you drill?
  • How do you make sure the door swings and shuts without leaking at the bottom?
  • Will you check the curb or threshold for level before the door is set?
  • What silicone do you use, and how long must it cure before the shower is used?
  • What happens if the wall needs blocking that is hidden behind the tile?
  • What warranty covers the glass, the hardware and the seal?

Red flags

  • Glass that is not tempered, or no note on the safety rating for a shower
  • Hinges or rails anchored only with adhesive into tile that will carry the door's weight
  • No check of the curb or threshold for level before the door is set
  • Silicone applied over wet or dirty surfaces, which will peel off
  • A crew that drills tile with no plan to protect or support it

What you can do yourself

You can safely clean the glass, replace the bottom sweep or magnetic strip if the parts match, and tighten loose handles and hinge screws you can reach. Do not remove a glass door or drill into tile to reset the hinges, since glass and tile can break during that work. Call a pro for a new enclosure, a loose anchor in the wall, or a door that leaks at the curb.

Licenses and permits

Shower door installation is commonly done by licensed glass companies, glaziers or general contractors, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office if the work changes the wall, curb or plumbing.

Shower door installation questions

Are frameless shower doors better than framed doors?

Frameless doors look clean and can be easier to clean, but they need precise measuring and strong anchors. A framed door can suit an uneven opening better. Ask the installer which suits your bathroom.

Why does my shower door leak at the bottom?

Usually the bottom seal is worn, the door is not set level, or the threshold is too low for the seal to meet it. A pro should check the level and the seal before replacing parts.

What glass should I choose for a shower?

Tempered glass is commonly used for shower enclosures because it breaks in a safer way. Frosted or textured glass gives privacy and hides water spots. Ask the installer for the safety rating of the glass.

Can a shower door go on a tub with an uneven lip?

Often, with shims or an adjusted rail, but the lip must be sound and level enough for the seal. A pro should check the tub and the lip before the glass is ordered.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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