How to Replace a Shower Door
Installing a glass shower door can add style and sophistication to your bathroom. If you take your time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, it’s not as complicated as you think. Learn how to replace a shower door in this Lowe’s video:
Determining the Door Size
Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom in case your walls aren’t plumb and go with the shortest measurement. Measure a height that provides sufficient head clearance.
Removing the Old Door
Put a drop cloth down to prevent any debris or caulk from going into the drain. Remove the cleat from the sliding track, then pop off the doors, lifting up and tilting out from the bottom. Cut into the caulk along the edges of the existing frame (be careful not to cut into the fiberglass). Remove the top piece of the frame. Remove the screws from the sides of the frame, then remove the side pieces. Remove the bottom piece of the frame. Use a thin putty knife to scrape off all the residual caulk, using a nice smooth motion and keeping the blade flat to the wall.
Choosing a New Door
There are several different options for glass shower doors. A frameless shower door has no exterior metal frame, is composed of very heavy tempered glass 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick, and has a clean modern look that’s mostly free of visual obstructions. Semi-frameless doors do have some metal edges but are not fully framed. Framed doors have metal or plastic surrounding the glass on all four sides. These are generally less expensive options than frameless doors.
There are also several options for door styles. The bypass style has two doors on separate tracks, one in front and one in back, allowing the doors slide past each other without touching. Pivot or hinged doors open like a standard door, swinging out from the shower. Generally your choice in doors will be based on your needs, your space and your style preference.
When it comes to glass, you can choose clear glass or textured or frosted glass. Clear glass is fully transparent; textured or frosted glass is more opaque and offers a bit more privacy.
Installing the New Door
Installation starts with the wall track. If the bottom of the wall track is square and the bottom of the fiberglass is rounded, you’ll have to round the inside corner of the track to match that radius; use a hacksaw to cut at a 45 degree angle and smooth with sandpaper (the edge will be covered with silicone so the angle doesn’t have to be exact).
Use a level and make sure the wall track is plumb, then mark the holes. Use a drill with a 1/4-inch bit to drill the holes. If you’re drilling into tile or ceramic, use a masonry bit. Once the holes are drilled, use 3-inch stainless steel screws to attach the track. Test whether you’re hitting framing in your holes; if not, you’ll need to use heavyweight anchors, which likely will have come with your door kit. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular door and installation.
Insert your fixed panel into the wall-mounted track. Be sure to put it in opposite the shower head; this way, when you turn your shower on and the spray is coming down, it will prevent leakage, and it makes it much easier to open the door and turn your shower head on. Your kit most likely will allow for either side. Slide the sliding door guide into place.
The top support bar may be a little long, in which case you’ll need to cut it down to size. Your kit will provide directions on how to do this. Attach the support bar loosely, make sure the support bar is level, then mark below the support bar. Next, make sure the glass is plumb, mark the side of the support bar, then take it down and pre-drill the holes.
If you’re drilling directly into the tile, use a masonry bit that correlates with the size of the anchors. Drill the holes, put the anchors in, then attach the support bar. Before attaching the support bar at the top, put the door stops on the doors facing each other; this will stop them from slamming into wall. Make sure the fixed panel is plumb and level, mark the screw locations, pre-drill holes, and put silicone caulk in the holes before driving in the screws to make sure it creates a waterproof seal. Attach the rollers that come with your kit to ensure the glass panel slides. Lift the panel up onto the track and make sure the bottom goes into the sliding door guide. Install the anti-jump pegs to keep the door from popping off the track (this is definitely a two-person job).
Install the water seal that came with your kit onto the sliding glass door. Pop it on starting at the bottom, working your way up towards the top.
Attach the door handle on the inside and outside of the glass panel.
Attach the fixed panel onto the wall track using the provided screws and decorative caps. Be careful not to screw through the glass. Put the fitting that holds the decorative cap onto the screw before attaching.
Double check to make sure the sliding panel operates smoothly, check the closing end seal and the bottom seal in the sliding panel, and check the vertical seals between the panels. You don’t want leaks, and this is the time to fix any issues.
Use clear silicone caulk along the perimeter of all fixed components inside and outside of the shower. Take your time and create a nice smooth bead. Let the silicone dry for 24 hours before using your shower.
If there are holes left over from the old installation that won’t be covered by the new track, cover it with a stainless steel screw or fill it with Bondo, which is a waterproof, will dry hard, and is paintable.
