Where to install a shower glass door?

4 years ago

We are ordering a new shower door glass enclosure and have the an option to choose the location of the door. We will go with a framed enclosure because we have not been happy with the frameless option - too much water escape.

There are some pros and cons of installing the door on either side that I am aware of.

If installed on the side of the fixtures:
Pros:

can reach in to turn on the water without entering the shower stall (letting it warm up before entering)
water not directly spraying on the door
sturdy mount point for door in the wall
Cons:
since a framed door swings one way only, outwards, door would open in a passage area where one would enter/exit from the bedroom
not sure how likely, but someone could run into the door as they enter the bathroom
floor mat in passage area would be conspicuous

If installed across from fixtures:
Pros:

door is not in a back and forth passage area
floor mat would be unobtrusive
Cons:
would have to enter stall to turn on the water
water would spray directly on the door
no solid mount point like against a wall

Would like feedback and advice on do’s and don’ts, basic rules to follow, etc.

Thanks

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Comments (8)

1561 Home
Original Author
4 years ago
Also, would a sliding door be a better option? The curb is 53” long on the side without the bench.
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Mrs. S
4 years ago
To me, it seems pretty obvious to place the door on the side of the fixtures. It appears the door to the room opens outward anyway, so no door-swing issues. But the door to the shower would only be open for a moment--to turn on the water and then later, to step in or step out.

I'm not sure why the other location would be considered, given that every day, you'd be drenched in freezing cold water as a punishment for choosing the wrong side.

I know you didn't ask this, but that's a really pretty shower that deserves a frameless door treatment. Sorry frameless didn't work for you before, but maybe it was an installation issue. We have a couple frameless doors here, and they don't leak. My relatives have them in every bathroom, and they're lovely. Perhaps you might re-consider. I find them easier to clean, without the tracks at the bottom.
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fnmroberts
4 years ago
Absolutely frameless (or semi, where a U track attaches to steady the glass). Have a reputable glass shop visit your site. They’ll have suggestions.
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User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
This needs to be custom templated and installed by a glass pro. It’s so not DIYable, unless you want issues. All doors should hinge into the wall for support. The only way frameless glass leaks is with a bad install. Usually because a wall isn’t straight, as it should be. Or someone ordering generic instead of custom, and then trying to force it to work.

Get in the glass shop to do it all.
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millworkman
4 years ago
I will agree as well. That shower deserves a frameless enclosure from a professional glass shop.
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Sammy
4 years ago
@Mrs. S gave the best advice.
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1561 Home
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for all the comments. We have decided to have the door on the side of the fixtures (Thanks, Mrs. S).

Regarding frameless, we went with a reputable company previously but ended up with the water leak problems. Since there is a 1/8 gap between the door and the fixed panel and a larger gap between the hinged door and the wall, I’m trying to figure out how others don’t encounter any water escaping the shower stall.

Appreciate the suggestions on frameless, but I don’t think wife can be convinced to go frameless. But I can try again ☺️
Mrs. S
4 years ago
Well, I'm not an expert. But, the curb should have a very slight slope toward the inside of the shower. And then they put in a clear gasket, or a clear bead of silicone (?).

Since I'm not a pro, I'm telling you what I see in mine. There are codes and practices for slope of the curb, and specific materials.

When I interview shower door glass providers, I'd show them the other shower, and ask, How would you have done this differently?

Also, you can put in search terms at the top bar above like "frameless shower leak" and read about the bad installations, so that you can prevent it happening to you.

Frameless is done so often now, that I don't think of it as a leak risk.

The real risk, as presented so often in these forums, is that waterproofing the shower was done incorrectly or not at all. Now THAT is an area where contractors take shortcuts. If I ever have a bathroom re-done, I'll ask a LOT of questions about the contractor's knowledge of waterproofing, what system they use, whether they are aware that I expect them to follow the codes and standards, and I'll be taking photographs of the materials and layers of the shower during prep and tiling, for my files.
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