How Do I Know if I Need a New Shower Door?
Everyone loves a nice, long hot shower in the morning to start their day. It relaxes you, clears your head, and leaves you feeling clean and refreshed as you start your day at work or school. But there's one thing that can take the joy out of those relaxing showers—a shower door that leaks water everywhere as you're showering, or worse yet, a shower door that falls off the hinges while you're bathing! If either of these scenarios sounds familiar to you, it may be time to consider buying a new glass shower door. Select Glass and Windows has been helping homeowners repair and replace shower door glass for over 20 years. This guide will help homeowners decide whether their shower glass can be repaired or if they need to be replaced.
5 Signs It's Time to Buy a New Glass Shower Door
1) Cracks or Chips:
The adage says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure applies in spades when it comes to shower doors. Even tiny cracks and chips can easily grow into larger issues, especially if water damage occurs; moisture gets in and begins to spread, leading to more cracking. If you notice cracks or chips in your glass door, you should replace them right away. In addition to preventing further damage, buying a new door will likely be less expensive in the long than repairing—or replacing—the cracked one that will only get worse. Also, think about how bad any leaking water looks against a dirty floor or tub. You may not want to shell out for a new door now but doing so could save you money in some serious plumbing costs later on.
Select Glass and Windows worked with a family in Falls Church to repair their shower glass. In this home in the Glencarlyn Neighborhood off Arlington Blvd near Hogge Park in the 22041 area code, the cracked shower glass did not need to be replaced. This family loves their repaired shower glass
2) Outdated Design:
We all want our home to look modern and sleek— and shower doors can make an excellent first impression when it comes to style. But if your shower door is outdated, dated, or falling apart (or looks like it), we recommend investing in a new one. If you're hesitant about changing up your décor, consider that adding new hardware and glass panels can help you feel like you're getting a brand-new bathroom without having to change out other fixtures. Plus, bathroom renovation always helps boost curb appeal. You might also consider purchasing a frameless shower door for a fresh, clean aesthetic—a much more streamlined option than framed ones!
3) Rusty & Noisy:
Ahh, those pesky rusty shower door tracks. Not only are they ugly, but they're also annoying—and expensive to fix. And it's not just tracks that can rattle and make noise; it's often entire doors. With hinges and other hardware falling out of alignment over time, old shower doors can be loud as you open them and close them. If your current door is rusting or making so much noise you no longer want to use it, now might be a good time to think about getting a new one installed. A new glass door will sound better than your current one— especially if you choose one with nice quiet seals!
At a home in the Broyhill neighborhood of Annandale near Annandale Rd, a family had tired of the rusty and noisy shower door in the primary bedroom. Select Glass and Windows found that this shower door needed to be replaced. The new shower glass and enclosure look beautiful in this home near Valley Crest Park in the 22003 area code.
4) Stained Shower Glass Looks Ugly:
Everyone hates dealing with stained shower doors— not only do they look ugly, but they can also be tough to clean. Depending on how long your glass has been stained, it may not be worth cleaning them; you may just want to replace them instead. A new glass door will add beauty and style back into your bathroom while also improving the functionality and allowing for easy cleanup. If you live in an area where hard water is common, consider investing in a front-entry glass door which can make it much easier to keep clean!
The 22301 area code was home to a shower door glass that Select Glass and Windows repaired for a family in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. In this home near Route 1, close to the Potomac Yard Soccer Fields, the shower glass had become badly stained, but the experienced experts at Select Glass and Windows were able to repair the glass until it looks as good as new.
5) You Always Have to Deal with Leaks:
No one likes being surprised by water damage. That's why many homeowners choose to take preventative measures—like buying new shower doors with flexible seals—to help them catch any leaks before they become major problems. If you have an old door, it might be time for you to consider buying a new one that will help stop leaks before they start! The more time passes, after all, the more expensive it will be for you to fix any leaks that do occur. This is especially true if your home doesn't have waterproofing in place.
A leaky shower was a big problem for a family in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Alexandria in the 22309 area code. The link caused damage to the ceiling of the room below their primary bathroom. Select Glass and Windows found that the Shower Glass needed to be replaced in this home near George Washington’s Mount Vernon off George Washington Memorial Pkwy.
Replacing Your Shower Glass
Framed, Frameless, and Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosures: What’s the Difference?
So you’re ready to renovate your bathroom, or at the very least your shower, and you are picking and choosing from among the many style options you have. Your options truly are limitless. The types of tiles, shower/tub combos, fixtures, and more, can seem overwhelming. One design feature many do not realize they need to decide upon until asked is the shower enclosure. What type of framing do you want on your shower doors? Do you want to frame at all?
Three Shower Enclosure Options
By now, you have decided you do indeed want a shower enclosure and not a shower curtain. Now, you have three options to choose from – framed, frameless, and semi-frameless. Before you decide, let’s talk about what the differences between them are.
Framed
Framed shower enclosures offer a bold, Victorian look where every edge of the glass door and paneling is framed. Many framed shower enclosures even include metal strips or panels that run across the glass to create squares or rectangular accent pieces.
This style of framing is great if you want to be able to install the doors and paneling yourself. The glass is less expensive because it is thinner, and you can choose from among the types of metal material you have framing your glass, which means you can match the rest of the fixtures in your bathroom.
You will typically save money with framed shower enclosures.
Frameless
Frameless shower enclosures are at the opposite end of the spectrum and have no framing whatsoever around the glass. Your glass will need to be thick, from ½" to 3/8,” and it will likely need to be professionally delivered and installed. It is fastened with luxury, high-end hardware to keep the glass in place and safe upon opening and closing.
Frameless is the most “fancy” of the three options as people usually choose it for a clear view into their shower to display their tile or showerhead and fixtures. It has a clean, seamless look.
Semi-Framed
Semi-Framed Shower enclosures are the midway point between framed and frameless. Here, you will find some framing, typically at the outer edges of the enclosure, but not around the doors. These are the most common shower enclosures, so you will have many more options to choose from as they are widely available.
It is a good balance to choose semi-framed; you will still get that seamless, clean look, but you will spend less money because your glass does not have to be so thick, and you will be using less metal. There is also a chance you can install these yourself or with a little help.
Still, Stuck? Contact Select Glass & Windows Today
If you have read the descriptions and differences, and you are still not sure which is right for you, Select Glass & Windows is here to help.
A leader in glass repair, replacement, and installation, we have been helping people find the glass that fits their needs for many years. You may be looking for a modern, sleek look. Perhaps you enjoy a bold, masculine approach to interior design, or maybe you just want to save money and have something that looks nice.
Select Glass and Windows crews are top-rated experts in their field with a passion for exceptionalism and an eye for aesthetics.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these 5 signs will help you determine if it's time for you to buy a new shower door.
If you would like to learn more about replacing or repairing commercial glass just click here. If after reviewing this document you have more questions about repairing or replacing your shower glass, feel free to contact the team at Select Glass and Windows. Our experts have two decades of experience assisting our clients with safety glass installations for homes and businesses.
