skip to main content

Is my shower to small for frameless shower door?

9 years ago

Had 2 companies come out and quote my new shower for door and stationary panel. One company said my shower is to small for a frameless (u channel) system but if that's what I was dead set on they would do it.

My shower is 3' x 5'6". Shower head is on the 3' wall. He said frameless should never be installed on a shower less than 42".

Anyone have any complaints with their frameless shower doors?

Featured Answer

jewelisfabulous

9 years ago

My shower is smaller than yours and none of the glass companies that bid my frameless said they couldn't do it. However, mine uses clamps versus the u-channel. Mine is set right on top of the granite decking from the tub.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

millworkman
9 years ago
Never heard of such a thing.
Related Discussions
Can I have a frameless shower door opposite the shower head?
Q
Comments (13)
I don't see anything in either code that prohibits it. P2705.1 of the IECC Residential code (2015) doesn't appear to mention it at all, and the UPC 412 (from 2018 at least) is about Urinals (whether or not a shower constitutes a urinal if you pee in the shower is out of scope of the UPC). :) UPC 408.9 mentions it this way: "Control valves and shower heads should be mounted on the sidewall of shower compartments or otherwise arranged so that the water does not discharge at the entrance of the compartment so that so that the bather can adjust the valves before stepping into the shower spray" So nothing to do specifically with the thing pointed at the door, moreso can you turn on the water without being sprayed by it, which is a good idea anyway since that first blast is likely to be quite cold.
...See More
Another frameless shower Door ?
Q
Comments (6)
Ouch! I'm just about to start shopping hard for one exactly like that - same size, clear glass. I've seen some made-to-order with 1/4" glass advertised on eBay for around $450 and thought that was kind of high. For that small size, 1/4" thick seems plenty sturdy. We've got 3/8" thick on a much larger door and panel downstairs ($850 installed?), and I just couldn't see anything that thick for a door that small. I'd suggest you keep shopping!
...See More
Frameless shower door regrets?
Q
Comments (16)
I just did a quick web search. The two most common answers were (1) everyone knows you can't drill tempered glass, and (2) drilling requires a special diamond bit and more. Drilling a Hole in Tempered Glass I hope your guys don't shatter your door. Of course, I assume they will be replacing it free of charge, with the towel bar installed, if they do. Let us know! Drilling into tempered glass requires special diamond drill bits in order to cut through the dense glass. Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_6813902_drill
...See More
frameless shower door on a fiberglass shower
Q
Comments (2)
If there are studs behind the fiberglass it will work. A stud finder can help or you can open up the drywall behind the shower to see if there are studs. European shower glass , 3/8", weighs 5 # per square foot, so most doors weigh around 85 # and need to go into studs.
...See More
PRO
By Any Design Ltd.
9 years ago
The install above has the door hinged on the wall and the two other pieces form an "L" for strength.

Ask the glass guy if you bring one piece of glass to the ceiling if they will let you do this. There is a trend in glass guys straying from the spec you see above in the picture because the "L" shaped glass can shift over time.

Good Luck
User
9 years ago
My shower is about 36"x 48" - I did the "strip" on the fixed panel side because it was slightly cheaper than the hinges and I'm happy with the looks. No issues.
PRO
By Any Design Ltd.
9 years ago
Mrs . Hayne that is a different set up. The strip is called a U Channel and would not help the original poster. The weight of your door supported by the wall and the fixed piece of glass is less than 24" wide.
itltrot
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually john her system isn't different. If you read my op again I said frameless with u channel.
PRO
By Any Design Ltd.
9 years ago
Yes but your example shows three piece of glass with a 90 degree connection. The example above is 2 pieces. They are different installs.

The weight of glass and width is key to which can be done and with what clips or channels.
itltrot
Original Author
9 years ago
No. Look again. I didn't post an example. Mine is two pieces with u channel.
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lol (I'm reading the comments thus far)..

I did learn I have the u channel set up. Thanks John.

Back to the org post, I'm no pro but my shower is about 46 inches wide. If you have a 42" opening then can't the installer do a set up similar to mine, but with a door that is a couple inches less in width? The door I have is the widest I could go, per the installer, so I don't see why you couldn't just do a door a couple inches less in width with the same fixed side???

By the way, my installer let me scroll thru pics on his phone of his past work. I saw all sizes with both u channels (aka the strip lol) and clamps..

My glass is 3/8" thick... Half inch cost more of course. I didn't even have him quote me half inch...

Let us know what you find out

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Expert Talk: Frameless Showers Get Show of Support

By Lawrence Karol

Professional designers explain how frameless shower doors boosted the look or function of 12 bathrooms

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

SHOWERS 10 Stylish Options for Shower Enclosures

By Change Your Bathroom©

One look at these showers with glass block, frameless glass, tile and more, and you may never settle for a basic brass frame again

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean a Glass Shower Door

By Bonnie McCarthy

See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

BATHROOM DESIGN Doorless Showers Open a World of Possibilities

By Lisa Frederick

Universal design and an open bathroom feel are just two benefits. Here’s how to make the most of these design darlings

BATHROOM DESIGN Designer Trick: Take Your Shower Tile to the Ceiling

By Jennifer Bishop Design

Tile the whole wall in your shower to give your bath a light and lofty feel

BATHROOM DESIGN The Case for a Curbless Shower

A Streamlined, Open Look is a First Thing to Explore When Renovating a Bath

BEFORE AND AFTERS Reinvent It: A Texas Bathroom Says 'Bonjour' to Salvage

By Becky Harris

Serendipity leads to vintage Parisian swank in this renovated bathroom, starring a French door in place of shower glass

SHOWERS Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Choosing Accessories

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 5 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right niches, benches and bars for the best showering experience

Sponsored

More Discussions

What are these countertop spots?

16

Bathroom countertop material

4

Recommendations for soaking/freestanding tub

2

wood look Ribbon tile trim

0

Kohler Heated BubbleMassage with Bask tubs

0