How to Install a Frameless Glass Shower Door

A Frameless glass shower door is a beautiful addition to your bathroom. Installing one can be the finishing touch to a custom bathroom remodel. A frameless glass shower door can also add a little bit of luxury to a standard bathroom. There are a number of different models available. The largest variety of frameless doors is going to be available at bathroom fixture and glass stores. Though these stores are geared more toward professional contractors and interior decorators, you are welcome and will find the expertise of the staff helpful. As this type of shower door gains popularity, they will become more easily available through local home improvement stores.

When you receive your door it should come with hardware. Included with the door will be hinges and screws and a vinyl sweep to be placed under the bottom of the door.

Step 1—Make Sure the Door Fits

Accurate measuring is always necessary when purchasing doors and fittings. Now that you have the door in the bathroom, make sure that it will fit in the opening. If you plan on using seals when hanging the door, you have to take account for the width of the seals. If no seals are being used, the opening should be roughly 1/4 to 5/16 inch wider than the door.

Step 2—Prepare the Door for Installation

Locate the hinges and the door handles. Use your screwdriver to attach the hinges and door handle to the glass door. Make sure to attach the hinges in the center of the cut out in the glass. When the hinges are attached in the center of the opening you are allowed the largest range of movement for adjustment. Tighten the screws used to attach the back plate by hand. If your door came with gaskets to be applied to the hinges, you should apply those now.

Step 3—Align Door in Proper Position

A wooden shim is a piece of wood that is used to elevate large fixtures off of the ground. They can found at local home improvement stores in varying widths. You don’t need a large one to raise the door off of the ground. Use one that is around 3/8” thick. Raising the door off of the floor allows you to position it correctly to allow for a sufficient bottom sweep.  Place the door in desired position and place a level on top to make sure that the door is level.

Step 4—Drill Holes

Using the drill and masonry bit, drill pilot holes into the tile. Before you drill the holes it may be best to mark them with a pencil to ensure that the holes are in the correct position. Use the stud finder to make sure that the screws are going to be attached to the stud. Push high quality anchors into the pilot holes and screw the door in place. 

Step 5—Place Vinyl Sweeps 

Place the vinyl sweep on the threshold. Open and close the door a few times to make sure that it moves smoothly.

That’s it. Enjoy the luxuriousness of your new shower.