Learning how to install a shower door can completely update the look of your bathroom. A tempered glass shower door offers an alternative to shower curtain liners that get dirty and are hard to clean. With a glass enclosure, you can enjoy more light while you shower. Overall, a shower door creates a bright and minimalist look for your bathroom.

To achieve this, you’ll definitely need to be a little handy. Not great at DIY projects? The bath remodeling experts at PJ Fitzpatrick have been transforming bathrooms into a homeowner’s dream oasis throughout the Delaware Valley  and Harrisburg area since 1980. Whether you want to convert from a bathtub to a shower or you’re simply ready to update your bathtub to a more modern look, we’re here to help. Contact us today for more information and to receive a quote!

Step by Step How to Install a Shower Door

1. Before making any changes, measure how far a new shower door will swing out into the bathroom space.
2. Confirm that no objects, like a sink or toilet, will obstruct the door.
3. As long as the space can accommodate the door, you can proceed to learn how to install a shower door.
4. Measure the dimensions of the shower space and purchase a shower door kit that will fit.
5. Measure across the shower’s threshold and cut the base track to that length with a hacksaw.
6. File the rough edges off the aluminum base track after cutting.
7. Center the track on the threshold.
8. Trace along the edges of the track with a pencil to create guide marks. You will use these to re-center the track if it shifts while placing the jambs.
9. Place a jamb against the wall where the door hinges will be.
10. Fit the bottom edge of the jamb tightly against the track.
11. Set the level against the hinge jamb.
12. Confirm that it is plumb. You need to use a filler strip behind the jamb to correct out of plumb problems in excess of 1/2 inch over a 5-foot vertical.
13. Once the hinge jamb is plumb, mark where the screws go into the wall through the holes with a pencil.
14. If drilling pilot holes into tile, use an automatic punch to chip the tile before drilling with a masonry bit.
15. Pilot holes into tile will need to be large enough to hold a plastic wall anchor.
16. Insert the anchors by tapping with a mallet.
17. Align the hinge jamb with the pilot holes and drive stainless steel pan-head screws into the wall.
18. Raise the door and align the hinge rail so that it opens outward.
19. Slide the hinges together on the jamb.
20. Check the door’s strike edge with the level.
    1. If the door is not plumb, pry the hinge rail out from the wall a bit where necessary to adjust.
21. Ask someone to hold the door while you drill pilot holes for the hinge rail into the jamb.
22. Connect the hinge rail with screws.
23. Attach the second jamb on one edge of the glass side panel.
24. Put the magnetic strike rail on the panel’s other edge.
25. Place the glass panel on the base track.
26. Hold the jamb against the wall and shut the door.
27. Trace a line on the wall along the jamb.
28. Set the glass panel aside and slide off the jamb and magnetic strike plate.
29. Hold the jamb against the wall line and confirm that it is plumb.
30. Mark where the screws will go.
31. Drill the pilot holes and insert the anchors.
32. Attach the jamb with screws.
33. Install the glass panel.
34. Some shower door kits include a header.
35. Measure, cut, and file the header piece in the same manner as the base track.
36. Position the header over the hinge jamb and side panel.
37. Mark through the screw holes where you need to drill pilot holes.
38. If working on tile, mark the hard surface with the automatic punch and drill with a masonry bit.
39. Fit the holes with anchors and put the header back into place.
40. Drive the screws to secure the header.
41. Put the magnetic strike plate on and close the door.
42. Make any necessary adjustments so that the strike plate and door shut with a watertight seal.
43. Screw the frame together at the jambs and the header.
44. Drill pilot holes through the base track and secure with screws. Take care not to hit the glass.
45. Attach the door handle according to manufacturer’s directions.
46. Remove the vinyl sweep from the drip rail piece.
47. Cut and file the drip rail to fit across the width of the door.
48. Insert the vinyl sweep back into the drip rail and pinch the ends shut with pliers.
49. Use a utility knife to trim off excess vinyl.
50. Position the drip rail vinyl side down on the interior bottom edge of the door.
51. Drill pilot holes into the door frame without hitting glass and attach with screws.
52. Caulk the inside and outside edges of the base track and jambs with clear, mildew-resistant caulk.