How to choose a glass shower door?

When choosing a glass shower door, there are several key factors to consider:

Type of Glass Shower Door

Frameless glass shower doors have no metal frame, made of thick tempered glass (3/8" to 1/2") for structural support. They offer a sleek, modern look and unobstructed view.4
Framed glass shower doors have a metal frame around the glass panels, providing a more traditional look and robust structure to support heavier glass. They are typically more budget-friendly.5

Door Configuration

Sliding/bypass doors are space-efficient and suitable for smaller bathrooms. The panels slide horizontally to open.5
Pivot/hinged doors swing open like a regular door and require clearance space for the swing path.5
Walk-in/doorless showers create an open, airy feel and are universally accessible but may not be ideal for small spaces.5
Corner shower enclosures maximize space in compact bathrooms by fitting snugly into corners.5

Bathroom Size and Layout

Measure the shower area accurately to determine the appropriate door size and configuration that fits the space.4
Consider the door swing path and clearance needed for pivot/hinged doors.5
Walk-in showers work best in larger, more open bathroom layouts.5

Aesthetic Preferences

Frameless doors offer a modern, minimalist look and can make a bathroom appear larger.45
Framed doors with decorative glass can evoke a more classic or cozy ambiance.5
Consider the overall bathroom design and choose a door style that complements it.5

Functionality and Accessibility

Walk-in showers are universally accessible and suitable for all life stages, including seniors or those with mobility concerns.5
Sliding/bypass doors are space-efficient and easy to operate.5
Pivot/hinged doors may require more clearance space but offer a traditional door operation.5

Proper professional installation is highly recommended to ensure the shower door operates smoothly and looks flawless, adding value to the home.5

Key insights

When shopping for a new shower door, it's important to find one that not only matches your bathroom design but also fits your shower space.

The finished opening for your shower door depends on the materials used on your walls.

Measure your shower space and write down your measurements before selecting a shower door.

The importance of checking if your walls are even or plumb before selecting a shower door.

️ DreamLine offers a multitude of models with out of plumb accommodation or adjustment capabilities.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Find a shower door that matches your bathroom design and fits your shower space, evaluate your walls and finish them before selecting the door.

00:52 Measure the space for your shower door after accounting for any materials on the walls.

01:03 Measure your shower space and use finished opening measurements when choosing a DreamLine shower door, especially for fiberglass enclosures.

01:25 Check if your walls are even and if your threshold is level using a four-foot level, and if both walls and threshold are vertical and level, you have ideal shower space conditions.

01:56 Select a DreamLine shower door that fits your measurements, consider out of plumb walls, and ensure it fits your finished opening width.

Video Full Text

00:00 When shopping for a new shower drawer you must find one that not only matches your bathroom design but fits your shower space as well. This video will walk you through the pre installation. Requirements needed to effectively evaluate and prepare your shower space and to help you select a compatible dream line shower door. By doing so. This will help alleviate the unnecessary hassles of a return first things first what do your walls look like can you see the studs or do you have tile or other materials already installed on your walls. If you can see the studs you currently have an unfinished or rough opening. You must finish your walls before you select the shower door please.

00:52 Note any materials used on your walls such as backer board tile or acrylic walls will decrease the size of the rough opening. The space remaining is your finished opening.

01:03 You should measure your shower space at this time and write down your measurements. It is imperative to only use finished opening measurements when choosing a dream line shower door if installing onto a fiberglass enclosure. Please ensure the bottom corners of the shower opening where the walls meet.

01:25 The threshold are not curved or rounded. Next you need to know if your walls are even or plumb and if your threshold is leveled use at least a four-foot level place the level against each wall and threshold as shown and be sure to trust the bubble for accurate results. If the bubble indicates both walls are perfectly vertical. Your walls are plumb and if your threshold is also shown as level then congratulations you have ideal shower space conditions.

01:56 You can stop here and proceed to select any dream line shower door that has your measurements in its size range. However if one or both walls are not perfectly vertical you have what is known as out of plumb walls. You may have only one wall that is out of plumb. Both walls may be angled in toward the center outwards or in the same direction. In any of these situations you'll need to determine exactly how out of plumb your walls are please contact a professional to help calculate your out of plumb dimensions properly then based on your confirmed measurements select a dream line shower door that offers the correct amount of adjustment for out of plumb and don't worry. Dream line offers a multitude of models without of plumb accommodation or adjustment capabilities. Please make sure the shower door you select will fit your finished opening width. Dream line has a wide selection of models and sizes to fit almost any shower space and complement your bathroom design and that's it you're all set thank you for choosing dream line. We hope you enjoy the ultimate shower door experience.