Bathroom Door and Drawer Pulls

How to Replace Your Shower Door

Is your shower door worn out beyond repair — or worse, broken? Replacing it is the next step towards spiffing up your bathroom and keeping your shower accessible. Fortunately, you can replace your glass shower door without the help of a handyman or contractor. Here's how to get started.

Time and Tools

If you have a free Saturday afternoon, it might be the perfect time to take on this project. Replacing a glass shower door takes about half a day to complete, and you'll need to have a few tools on hand whether you're replacing a hinged door or a sliding-track model. These include:

• Measuring tape
• Drill
• Level
• Handsaw
• Silicone-based caulk
• Sandpaper
• Screwdriver
• Pencil and masking tape for placement guidance
• The replacement door

Removing the Shower Door

Before you begin installing your new shower door, you'll need to remove the old one. If it's a hinged door, use a screwdriver to take the screws out of the hinges where they attach to the door. Be sure to hold onto the door as you do this to keep it from falling and breaking. To remove a sliding door, tilt the frame slightly and lift the door up out of its track.

Once the door is off the tracks or frames, use your screwdriver to remove the screws from the frame attached to the shower walls. Take the top and sides of the frame down first, and then remove the bottom section. Prep the shower for the new door by scraping up caulking remnants. Clean and dry the shower surround prior to installing the new door.

Replacing a Hinged Shower Door

The bottom track for your hinged shower door may come pre-cut to the right size. If you need to cut it, measure the width of the shower, mark this length on the track and cut it with your handsaw. Use sandpaper to smooth down any rough edges or remove metal filings. Position the track and screw it into place. Place the door jamb the same way. Fit the bottom of the jamb into the base track, using your level to make sure it's straight, and screw it in. You'll hang the jamb that the hinges will attach to first.

Hang the door onto the jamb by attaching the hinges to the hinge rail. You may need to drill new holes through the rail in the spots where you're placing the hinges. Then, install the other jamb, lining it up with the edge of the hung door. At the corners where the jambs meet the base track, install screws to stabilize the frame.

Using caulk, seal the edges of the jambs and base track both inside and outside the shower. Mount new door handles, if necessary. Let the caulk cure for at least 24 hours before using the shower.

Replacing a Sliding Shower Door

Installing a sliding shower door is similar to installing a hinged door. You'll cut and place the bottom track and both side jambs first, and then you'll also install a top track that spans the width of the shower atop the new frame so that the door fits into it. Once the frame is installed, place the door rollers into the tracks and slide the door or doors into the rollers. Caulk around the perimeter and add handles.

Tips for Installing a Shower Door

The following are a few simple tips can help make the door-replacement process go smoothly.

• Take your time: This might be a quick job for a contractor, but if you've never been through the process before, it can feel a little daunting. You'll want to be careful to measure correctly and drill holes in the right spots, and some extra care and attention can lower your risk of making a mistake, even if that means the project takes you a bit longer.
• Wear eye protection: Although you'll most likely be working with tempered glass that won't shatter, it's still a good idea to take extra safety precautions by wearing goggles just in case.
• Get prepped: Before you start the actual replacement, gather up all your necessary tools. Open any packages of screws and other accessories that came with the door, and make sure everything you need is included. It's easier to run out and pick up something that's missing before you get started on the project.

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