I completed a small neo-angle shower with curb last winter. I put off getting shower glass because we have not needed the shower yet.
The time has come and I now need to finish the shower. I know absolutely nothing about shower glass enclosures.
I had a guy come and bid a basic setup. WOW was my first response at the price!
My wife would like a frameless clear glass deal. But at $2500 for a start I was speechless. $1200 for a basic framed glass.
I’m a bit hesitant to embark upon a DIY shower glass project so I’m looking for words of wisdom here?
Thanks.
Replies
Framelsss looks sharp, but it is expensive. if you can find a kit that fits, and you like the style, it's not hard to do. One advantage to paying a glass shop is that they replace the glass that breaks during transportation and installation.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Sterling has a lot of kits for framed and frameless. Google it. You'll have to have a track at the top and bottom.
I bought and installed a neo shower kit from Home Depot a couple years ago. It included the base with separate drain, two cheesy plastic wall panels, a cheesy corner caddy unit and a decent framed safety glass enclosure...all for about $300. Full instructions with good drawings.
It was a very good deal IMO, looked and worked fine using wall tile instead of the plastic pieces. The frame and door are strong together. The door works flawlessly.
Edited 8/7/2009 12:43 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
My sentiments exactly. I flipped when I got prices even on line for shower enclosures.
I ended up finding a local glass shop that sold me tempered saftey class 1/4" thick and I fabricated my own for less then 1/2 the cost of any outfit on or off line. I found one glass shop that was substantially cheaper then all the rest. Make a lot of calls.
You can get the glass shop to drill your holes if you give them exact measurements or a template which'd be even better.
The glass also doesn't need to be nearly as tall as some people get it but some like it tall for the sake of aesthetics.
Here's just one of many companies to get your hardware from but I found this place to be best by far! http://www.crlaurence.com/adv/showerdoors/index.html
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That price sounds right. Unless you are confident in your abilities and can source the materials, forget it as a DIY project.
A good shop will get the glass measured and installed so that a few pieces of paper is all that slips between the side glass pieces and the door, thus avoiding side seals on the door. A neo angle installation likely would need the side door seals just because of the direction the water is hitting the glass.
Buck up and have the pros do this one if you want the look of a professional installation, you'll get a better job than if you try it yourself. Us DIY's have to know our limits!!
to be honest I'm not worried about my DIY abilities. I have the patients to get it done right.
problem with a shop - I don't know if they are going to do a good job or not? of course they tell me they are going to do a spectacular job.
usually in my experiance; quality costs a lot.
Hey, you can't force your patients to do this. Lincoln did something about that way back when.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
"to be honest I'm not worried about my DIY abilities."
"quality costs a lot."
So why not have a look at the kit I mentioned in my first post, see if you can use the glass enclosure on your base or swap the base for the one in the kit?
I'm working on it...<!----><!----><!---->
I need to spend some quality time with the level and some cardboard. get some initial measurements and look at the options.<!----><!---->
I need to have very specific information and choices available so my wife can make up her mind.<!----><!---->
if it was me I would just go for it. <!----><!---->
<!----> <!---->
Understood. Glad to hear about the cardboard mock-up idea.
If you'd like specific dimensions of the glass enclosure I mentioned, I can give 'em to you.
usually in my experiance; quality costs a lot.
Unfortunately, quality & hack cost about the same.
With a one time deal like a shower enclosure, you get what you get.
If you get quality, good.
If you get hack, not so good but too late.
Try it yourself, it ain't rocket science.
Joe H
And tighten the snot out of those hinge screws. Those rubber pads need to be cinched down tight or the door will sag. Get a NEW bit, #3 I think and tighten til they squeal.
My sentiments exactly.
I've been through several installers due to quality and service issues. 4-5 different outfits, and they charged between 2500 and 3500 for a door and a fixed panel, all held with clips.
My present guy charges $1,295. Installation better, product better, price half as much. If I could understand the how and why I would pack it in and sell shower doors for 2k and be rich.
I would be your first customer!<!----><!----><!---->
is there a specific product line he uses?<!----><!---->
I have had similar experiences with all sorts of things; lumber, framers most of the time I finally find a guy or 2 who are really good and cheaper than the rest.<!----><!---->
http://www.crlaurence.com/adv/showerdoors/index.html
Our guys charge $1200 to $1500 for a basic frameless shower door, installed. You can set up an account at C.R.Laurence and do it yourself if you're brave.
crlaurence is good, so is http://www.wilsonglass.com/
Its not that difficult to install a single sheet so long as you put in enough wood to attach it. The trick is making sure you measure correctly. Use a level to find the minimum width and heights. Pick the hardware, give your supplier the rough in dims and you are off.
One thing I have noticed is a lot of the custom shower door manuf suggest using 3/8" thick rather than the 1/4" that some others offer.
You will find the shower holds heat a bit better if your glass is near the top of the rough opening. One of mine is within 1/4" all around the RO and my mirror does not fog over nor does it leak without the seals.
I used CR Laurence too. You might want to get their squeegee (sp) too as I didnt have great luck finding anything but ugly little ones elsewhere.
The doors I have installed are normally 3/8" thick. I copy the hinge cutouts to a 4" wide strip x door height of 3/8" MDF. Then I attach the hinges to the strip and mount the hinges. Make sure to leave enough room for the plastic threshold. Replace the MDF strip with the door and install the plastic strips and take a shower.
Brad