Step By Step Guide To Installing Sliding Shower Doors

It was not that long ago that sliding shower doors were only a staple trademark in big name hotels in Manhattan, Toronto and European cities like France and Milan.  Today these are commonly available everywhere and are perfect for you home or apartment.  They are made from tempered glass making them safe and easy to clean so they are much more sanitary than a shower curtain that is prone to grow mildew and mold. Not to mention leaks from gaps in the curtain where the shower head almost always happens to aim!

The doors generally slide on rollers, and also come with some fantastic and practical handles perfect for people of all ages. Similar to kitchen cabinets they really change the look and feel of your bathroom in an instant.  They are available in many designs with a variety of glass options so regardless of the décor in your bathroom, you are sure to find a style that suits you. For example you could choose between frosted and clear glass depending on how much privacy you require.

How Do You Install Them?

If you have made up your mind to go ahead and purchase your sliding shower enclosure then the following steps will help you with the fun installation part!

•    Measure the width of the front of the shower where the track will be mounted.  You will use this measurement to mark the track and cut it with a hacksaw if need be. Keep in mind that this must be precise.

•    Next, you will center the base of the track with the front wall.  If your track is a bit too snug, trim it the slightest amount and then try fitting it again.  Continue doing this until it slides into place with ease.  You may want to mark the exact positioning with a pencil just in case it slides on you while you are working so you can easily put it back in its place without evaluating the whole track again.

•    Install one door jamb on one side of the shower.  The base should fit exactly over the track's edge.  Mark where the screw holes will go with a pencil, remove the jambs and use a hammer with a steel punch to tap the spots where the screws should enter into the tile.  You should only be creating a small nick to use as a guideline.

•    Put the door jamb back up and use a drill with the right size bit to create holes in the tiles.  Then you will be able to make the jamb stationary by drilling in the screws.  Repeat this whole procedure on the other side for the other door jamb.  Always be cautious that the base track remains in line with the pencil marks you made or it will cause your install to be crooked which means the doors will not slide properly.

•    Use a hacksaw to cut away any excess length to the door jamb and then fit the top track over these jambs.  Tap in place with a hammer.

•    Install the rollers on the bottom of both doors in their designated areas.  Some designs will require you to install top rollers as well but most will come with this part of the assembly done.

•    Lift your sliding shower doors into place, installing the top rollers first and then the bottom ones go in their track.  Caulk along the side of both door jambs where they meet the tile to prevent water from getting in there.  Lastly, caulk straight across the track's base on the inside of the shower and allow to dry according to manufacturer specifications.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas on how to choose the right sliding shower door, and furthermore some clear directions on installing it into your bathroom. If you are still not sure if you want to go ahead then one final thing I will say is to have a think about how much time you spend in your bathroom on a weekly basis. Is it not worthwhile for you to be completely happy with the look and feel?

If you are in the market for a new door then check out the below video which shows a very interesting sliding shower door system currently available