Builder’s Guide

There are many details to keep in mind when preparing your bathroom for a frameless shower.

We put together this helpful guide to ensure that your MN frameless shower enclosure is ready for proper installation, without delays or incurring additional costs.

If you have further queries about your St. Paul or Minneapolis frameless shower doors, please feel free to call us at (952) 447-3151, or contact us online.

Tip #1

Make sure there is no overhang near the hinged side of the door which might interfere with its range of motion.

Tip #2

Avoid spray out by positioning the shower head away from the door, preferably towards the tiled walls.

Tip #3

Make sure your curb meets buttresses at a 90-degree angle. Angled intersections may result in "hinge blind", causing your doors to malfunction.

Tip #4

Transom shower glass is popular for venting steam showers. Tall showers that would necessitate a door panel exceeding 110 pounds require transom glass to reduce the door size, decreasing the weight and alleviating hinge stress.

Tip #5

Pitch benches 1/4" to 1/2" to effectively shed water. Install a drain below to collect runoff.

Tip #6

For neo-angle showers try to use 135-degree angles. This will save you money on the mitre and the hardware.

Tip #7

Overhanging decorative tiles can disrupt the movement of your door. Make sure your tile is flush.

Tip #8

The minimum width of tempered glass panels is 3 inches.

Tip #9

Blocking is highly recommended! Place 2x-studs where hinges or clamps are anchored.

Tip #10

Avoid the need for an expensive, pattern-cut door by plumbing the knee-wall where the door and wall meet.

Tip #11

It seems obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many people overlook this! Always pitch the curb back towards the shower enclosure. Out-pitched curbs cause puddling on the bathroom floor, while level curbs result in standing water...a sure catalyst for mold and mildew.

Tip #12

Making the pitch too steep can also lead to problems. Your shower door needs to be an appropriate length to minimize the gap between the bottom of the door and the top of the curb when the door is centered. If the outer edge of the curb is elevated too high, a proper length door may strike the curb when opened. If the door is manufactured shorter to account for the raised pitch, then the gap between the centered door and curb will be significant. The ideal angle is 3/16 to 1/4 inch above level.

Tip #13

Overhanging your shower bench requires notching the cap where it intersects the notched panel, incurring additional labor and cost.

Tip #14

Glass tile cracks when drilled, so hinges cannot be fastened to it. Don't use glass tile for your entire enclosure and remember to avoid the hinge heights when using it as an accent.