What to Expect: Shower Door Installation Step by Step

A glass specialist visits your home to assess the shower opening, take precise measurements, evaluate wall conditions, and discuss design options. This is not a quick tape-measure visit -- we use laser levels to check plumb and level, verify wall structure at hinge and clip locations, and measure at multiple points to account for walls that are not perfectly straight (which is common, especially in older DMV homes).

• Measurements taken at top, middle, and bottom of the opening
• Laser level check for plumb (vertical straightness) of all walls
• Wall structure assessment at hinge mounting points
• Threshold/curb height and levelness verification
• Glass type, thickness, and hardware finish selection
• Template creation for non-standard configurations

Based on the measurements, we create a detailed specification for your glass panels including exact dimensions, edge treatments (polished, beveled, or flat), notches for hardware, and any holes for handles or towel bar mounts. The specifications are reviewed with you for approval before the glass is ordered from our fabrication partner.

• Detailed shop drawing with all dimensions and specifications
• Glass type confirmed (clear, ultra-clear, frosted, rain pattern)
• Hardware package specified (finish, style, mounting type)
• Edge treatment and any special fabrication details finalized
• Order placed with glass fabrication facility

Your glass panels are custom-cut, tempered, and finished at the fabrication facility. Tempering is a heat-treatment process that makes the glass 4-5 times stronger than regular annealed glass and ensures it breaks into safe granular pieces if ever broken. This process cannot be rushed -- the glass must be cut to its final dimensions before tempering, because tempered glass cannot be cut or drilled afterward.

• Glass cut to exact specifications
• All holes, notches, and cutouts made before tempering
• Edges polished to specified profile
• Glass tempered in a tempering oven (heated to 1,200+ degrees F, then rapid-cooled)
• Quality inspection and safety certification marking etched into glass
• Protective coating applied if ordered (EnduroShield, ShowerGuard, etc.)

Walls that lean or bow are the most common challenge in shower door installation. We accommodate this through precise measurement at multiple points, custom glass cutting to fit the actual opening (not the "ideal" opening), and adjustable hardware that allows fine-tuning after the glass is set. Up to 1/4" of out-of-plumb can be absorbed seamlessly.

Tile cracking is almost always preventable with the right approach: diamond-tipped bits, low drill speed, constant water cooling, and gradual pressure. We start with a small pilot hole and step up to the final size. Natural stone tiles (marble, slate) require extra care due to their crystalline structure. In our experience, tile cracking occurs in fewer than 1% of installations.

An uneven curb creates a variable gap at the bottom of the glass, which can allow water to escape. We address this by custom-cutting the bottom edge of the glass to follow the curb contour, using an adjustable sweep that conforms to minor irregularities, or recommending curb leveling before installation if the deviation is significant.

Frameless glass is heavy and the hinges must be anchored to solid material -- not just drywall. If we discover during measurement that the wall lacks adequate blocking (solid wood behind the drywall at hinge locations), we will recommend adding blocking before installation. This typically involves a small drywall patch that can be done before tile work or painted to match.

A small amount of water escape at the hinge side or bottom is normal for frameless enclosures and does not indicate a problem. If water is escaping at a specific point more than expected, we return to adjust hardware alignment, add or reposition sweeps, or apply additional sealant. This adjustment is included in our installation warranty.