How to Replace a Shower Stall Glass Frame

Replacing your shower door can make an old shower look new.

Old, scratched or lime-encrusted glass shower stall doors are unattractive, and can block much-needed light. The frame may also become dented, scratched or filmy. Over time, cleaning the shower door can scratch the glass and the frame, making it harder to get the glass and metal to shine. This can turn your shower into an uninviting place. When this happens, it may become necessary to replace the shower door. Replacing the shower door of a stall shower can make an old shower feel new again.

Things You'll Need

• Shower door kit
• Tape measure
• Grease pencil
• Hacksaw
• Power drill
• 3/16-inch masonry drill bits
• Level
• Silicone caulk
• Caulk gun

Instructions

1. Measure the bottom threshold of the opening of your stall shower. Mark this measurement on the part labeled in your shower door kit as the bottom rail or threshold. Cut at this mark with a hacksaw.

2. Center the bottom rail on the shower threshold. Mark along both edges with a grease pencil. This will allow you to reposition the rail easily.

3. Place one of the side rails, or jambs, upright against the hinge side of the shower opening. Fit the lower end of the jamb into the end of the bottom rail. Use a level to adjust the jamb until it is plumb. Mark the screw holes with a grease pencil. Remove the jamb.

4. Drill a hole through the tile at each marked screw hole using your power drill and masonry bit.

5. Place the jamb against the wall. Align the screw holes and screw in the screws using a screwdriver or your power drill with a screwdriver bit.

6. Slide the hinge side of the stall shower door into the jamb. Use a level to check for plumb on the strike-side of the door (the side opposite of the hinges). Adjust the top or bottom of the door as necessary to make the door plumb on the strike side. Screw the hinges into the jamb.

7. Slide the magnetic strike plate into the remaining jamb. Follow the steps for mounting the hinge side jamb to hang the strike side jamb.

8. Attach the jambs to the bottom rail using the screws provided with your kit.

9. Slide the vinyl sweep into the groove on the drip rail and attach the drip rail to the inside bottom of the shower door using the screws provided.

10. Apply silicone caulk using a caulk gun to the inside and outside of the bottom rail and both jambs. Allow the caulk to cure fully, according to manufacturer’s directions, before exposing it to water.

Tips & Warnings

• Do all of the metal cutting outside, or vacuum up the metal shavings immediately after cutting to avoid scratching your tile.

• If there is not a stud directly behind the jambs, insert plastic wall anchors before replacing the jambs and inserting the screws.

• If a header came with your door kit, measure and cut the header the same way you did for the bottom rail.

References

• This Old House: How to Install a Shower Door