Frameless Shower Door Tips

Position Showerhead Carefully

• When designing a shower with a frameless door, choose the position of the showerhead carefully. Because the door does not have a metal frame like a traditional shower door, leaks can occur if water splashes on the door’s opening. As a result, it’s important to place the showerhead so it does not spray around the door’s opening. Mount the showerhead so it is aimed toward a fixed portion of the shower enclosure or a tiled surface. Do not place it on the wall directly opposite the door’s opening or leaks may occur.

Use Wall-Mounted Hinges

• Because it does not contain a track to hold it in place, a frameless shower door requires some type of hardware to hold it in place. Wall mounted hinges are the most cost effective option and can effectively support a heavy glass enclosure. However, you must have a stable surface on which to mount the hinge so the glass is securely fastened. To create the ideal surface, stack two studs over the door’s centerline before installing the backer board for your tile. When you attach the hinge to the studs, you’ll have a secure setup for your frameless shower door.

Choose Decorative Tile

• One of the benefits of frameless shower doors is that they help make your bathroom feel larger and more open, since they do not feature any frames to close in the space. They also provide an unobstructed view of the shower surround, so they are an ideal option if you want to show off the tile design of your shower. While plain ceramic tile can create an attractive shower surround, opt for tile that creates an eye-catching look for the area. Stone tiles like marble, granite and slate are attractive options, but a glass mosaic design is particularly striking because it reflects the light and helps brighten the space.

Use Frosted Glass

• If you like the sleek, modern look that a frameless shower door offers but are concerned about privacy, use frosted glass for the enclosure. Frosted glass is not entirely opaque so the bathroom still has an open feel, but it blurs the view inside the shower. As a result, a bather doesn’t have to worry about being seen if someone accidentally walks into the bathroom while he is in the shower. Frosted glass can also add visual interest to a frameless enclosure and give it a more decorative look.