Installing Shower Doors with cast iron shower pan

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Our new bathroom has a Kohler cast iron shower pan for the 30"x60" alcove shower (total width is really about 57 1/2" after tile was installed). We are considering using Basco hinged shower doors, where one panel is fixed glass, and the shower door is about 28"-30" wide (it differs between models). Some doors are center hinged next to the fixed panel, and others have the hinge at the side frame.

I've read through the installation instructions for several models, and all have directions about securing the fixed panel and/or the shower hinge frame by drilling into the shower curb and securing it with screws. However, I'm not ready to drill holes in my expensive new cast iron pan, so I hope there are other attachment choices. Is my other option to use liquid nails or other construction adhesive, or is there some other way to attach the bottom channel to the cast iron pan?

Thanks,

Bruce

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Comments (5)

wdccruise
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Contact Dulles Glass (https://www.dullesglassandmirror.com/). I had exactly the same situation as you (same size Kohler cast iron shower base in an alcove) and did not want holes drilled into the shower base. DG measured, built, and installed a sliding door (one side fixed, the other slides) without drilling into the shower base. Drilling through the tile was required to the hold the fixed wall and top rail. I paid $2025 after negotiation, yeah not cheap.

For a DIY job, I had contacted Dreamline (sold at Home Depot) which told me that the following models don't require drilling into the shower base:

Model: SHDR-1260728-01

Duet 56-60 in. W x 72 in. H Semi-Frameless Bypass Sliding Shower

Model: SHDR-0960720-01

Infinity-Z 56-60 in. W x 72 in. H Semi-Frameless Sliding Shower Door

Model: SHDR-1160726-01

Visions 56-60 in. W x 72 in. H Semi-Frameless Sliding Shower Door

Here's a great video about installing a shower door. Note that he does NOT drill holes into the shower base. He's installing a Nadoli shower door. I don't know if that brand is available in the US (the presenter is in Canada).
Bruce in Northern Virginia
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Thanks for the response, but we want a hinged door instead of a sliding door.

After further research online I've found that Kohler and Basco do have models that don't require drilling into the base, but the key is that they must have a continuous threshold/channel across the shower base, and its screwed into the vertical channel at each side. Since the vertical channels are screwed to the wall, this is regid enough to keep the base channel in place by just using silicone.

We want to use a swinging door where there is no channel or threshold in the opening you step through, but this might be an impossible choice with a cast iron pan. The only option I've found is to use a french door solution where each door is attached to the left and right tiled walls. However, that means you have two doors almost 36" long. and they have to be adjusted to meet properly in the middle and provide a seal.

Thanks,

Bruce
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Enduring- thanks for responding. I had seen your shower- it turned out just beautiful. I wasn't sure if in your research you'd explored a sliding glass door or not. To answer your questions. One end of the shower is on an exterior brick wall. The other is flanked by a custom linen closet surrounded by tile with the edges grouted. It's not coming out. If I had no other choice but to do doors, I'm pretty sure I'd have to remove tile on one or both ends and add the blocking- not something I'd like to do if I can avoid it. Likely I'd just have one door and a fixed panel on the other- I'm pretty sure the toilet clearance wouldn't let me do two doors like you have. Though I see your point about having a fixed panel- I can't drill into the shower pan so that wouldn't work either. Hopefully some of the glass guys can give me their opinion about using epoxy to secure clips on the bottom. Thanks again for your help- much appreciated. Lisa
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wdccruise
4 years ago
I had looked at the Kohler doors but rejected them. They're ugly because they require those full-height, metal channels on either side to hold down the threshold. Minimal metal looks best.

A metal channel holds the fixed glass to the shower base without screws. There is a curved piece of metal that runs the length of the opening in front of the sliding door. The purpose is to help keep the water inside the shower because there is a small gap between the bottom of the sliding door and the shower base (i.e., the shower door does not touch the base so it moves freely).

I considered a swing door but my bathroom is too narrow. A sliding door also seems more convenient because one can open the door just enough to stick ones hand in, turn on the shower, and check the water temperature; all while not allowing water splash on to the floor.
Sammy
4 years ago
Have you explored the C.R. Laurence site?
Bruce in Northern Virginia
Original Author
4 years ago
I have space for a swinging door, and when we plumbed the shower we put the controls at the opposite end as the shower head. This makes it easy to open a door at one end to turn on the shower, but not have any splash out onto the floor.

The CR Laurence site looks interesting. However, it feels like shopping at a car parts store to figure out what kind car to buy. Its orgnization seems better suited to finding pieces and parts than an out-of-the-box solution. I need to spend some more time looking at it.

Bruce