A first for me. I just replaced my shower door. And I did it all by myself. Well, how about that for a DIY accomplishment!
Recently, I we had our main floor flooring replaced. It was a mixture of carpet, tile and some hardwood at the entrance. Now, our entire main flooring is luxury vinyl plank. I chose vinyl because it looks like real hardwood but holds up much better. At the same time, we replaced the flooring in our bathroom off the master bedroom.
Six years ago, I wrote about my attempts to repair the vinyl tile beside the shower in this bathroom. As described then, I found some water damage in the subfloor. With the recent installation of new flooring, our contractor had to cut away and replace the damaged subfloor. He suggested that I should replace the shower door and seal it better. My old shower door was more than 18 years old.
Buying a new shower door proved to be a challenge. For one thing, I have a weird opening size at 33 3/4″. For another thing, nobody seemed to have any stock this fall. I found a door that would fit at Lowes, but no delivery date. Finally it became available, even at a lower price, so I made the order.
I found the instructions for installing the door fairly straightforward. I had to cut the sill to size, and drill some holes for correct spacing of the door jam. There were some challenges, which I well discuss below.
Normally, I don’t do DIY replacement projects which could effect home value. But my contractor neighbor gave me courage, and promised to help if needed. So, here goes.
My Shower Door Replacement Challenges
Two challenges – drilling holes in the shower and door levelling. I decided not to use the screw anchors. I figured out the size for a tight screw fit. The combination for multiple screws and silicone caulking should give firm enough attachment for my shower door. Plus, with a pivot door, most of the weight is on the bottom sill. That worked out fine.
My main concern was water spillage when the door gets opened after a shower. Ideally, the door should be slightly angled inwards so any collected water just runs into the shower stall, not outwards onto the floor.
I used a Chines Checkers marble (see picture above) to get the angles right while making the adjustment. And finally, no more water spillage. Hopefully my replacement will last as long as I need it!
Hi John,
Very familiar story. Ours was the case of the master bathroom shower door seal, the clear vinyl strip that slides into channeled grooves on the door. Our house in Panorama Hill’s was only about 10 years old and the rubber was hardening preventing a nice seal.
I started looking around for replacement and it appears there was lots to choose from. The shower was manufactured by one of the larger appliance companies, this would be no problem. After exhausting the internet and local plumbing houses in Calgary I soon learned the style of the seal was unique and no one had a replacement part or ideas.
I went back to the builders who were still active in Calgary and it was explained to me how things work in the building industry. The shower cabinet installation is contracted out with the specifications of the builder, therefore a quality cabinet sourced and installed. The doors are a separate deal and some plumber or contractor bids on installing shower doors only say for 50-80 homes. He then supplies his own doors which generally are purchased from who knows where, off shore probably.
I the old seal I ended up swapping out with a second shower in the lower level that is used maybe 3-4 times a year. The seal swap worked and that was the end of the story.