5 Questions to Ask About Installing a Glass Shower Door or Enclosure

Whether your shower door broke, you did a remodel, or you just want to upgrade your bathroom, glass is the most common material available. This isn’t a DIY project, so you’ll be having some in-depth discussions with a shower door installation pro. Before your conversation, be prepared with answers to these common shower door questions. 

1. When would you like your shower door installed?

Shower door installation isn’t cheap, so make sure you complete this project quickly before committing to a premium on rushing the job. If you have a second shower or bathtub, consider discussing with your pro what (if any) kind of discounts they can offer in exchange for scheduling the work when it’s most convenient for them, such as during a break in their schedule. 

2. Do you know what type of glass you want to use?

Showers can present a safety hazard—accidents do happen. It’s often said that the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, and part of that is because of slippery surfaces and large pieces of glass. Almost all shower doors or panels use specially tempered glass as it’s incredibly strong and resistant to shattering. 

3. What type of shower door or panels are you installing?

Surprisingly, you can install many types of shower doors beyond the simple sliding ones. For larger bathrooms, you could consider a fixed door that allows some splashing. A more commonly installed option is the hinged shower door, which swings either inward, outward, or in both directions. There are also accordion (folding) shower doors, round sliding doors, and a variety of partial doors that attach to a bathtub rim. 

4. Can you describe the configuration of the shower unit?

First, you should tell a pro if your shower is a shower/bathtub combo unit. These doors are less expensive as they require less material, but not all bathtubs are easy to work with. Tell the pro on the first call if you know your bathtub model. Homeowners who have time should measure the door area, letting the contractor know whether the doors are installed at right angles (90 degrees). Take some pictures of the mounting hardware as well, as they might ask to see those before going to your home. 

5. Do you want framed or frameless shower door glass installed?

Frames glass shower doors and panels are less expensive, more common, and are typically easier to install than frameless glass. However, frameless shower doors look exceptionally clean and can give the appearance of a bigger bathroom, as the shower will appear less contained. Most shower pros will be able to install both, but check just to make sure.