Shower Door Installation in Southwest Ranches, FL
An aging shower door usually gives itself away. Corrosion builds along the bottom track, water finds its way onto the bath mat, and the glass turns cloudy from years of hard water. MJM Glass and Aluminum
new shower doors in Southwest Ranches, whether you are replacing a worn enclosure or finishing a bathroom that has just been remodeled.
Framed, Semi-Frameless, and Frameless Doors
Most shower doors fall into one of three styles. The right choice depends on the shape of the opening, how the bathroom is laid out, and the look you are after.
01
Frameless
Frameless enclosures use heavy tempered glass held by hinges and clamps instead of a surrounding frame. With no metal channel around the edges, the glass reads almost like an open wall, and tile work stays fully visible. Because the panels carry their own weight, wall structure and hinge placement matter more here than with any other style.
02
Framed
A framed door sets thinner glass inside an aluminum frame on all sides. The frame adds rigidity, so the glass itself can be lighter. Framed doors suit tub enclosures and openings where a slimmer panel makes sense.
03
Semi-Frameless
Semi-frameless doors sit between the two. They usually have a frame around the fixed panels and the outer edge, while the door itself swings without one. The result looks cleaner than a fully framed door with less weight than a frameless one.
What a Shower Door Installation Involves
The job starts with measurements, taken after the walls and curb are finished. Tempered glass cannot be cut or drilled once it has been tempered, so every hinge hole and notch has to be placed before the glass is made. An error of an eighth of an inch at this stage shows up later as a door that rubs or a gap that leaks.
On installation day, the old enclosure comes out and the surfaces are cleaned. Hardware is anchored to the wall, the glass is set and adjusted until the door swings evenly, and the seams are sealed with silicone. Sweeps and seals along the bottom and edges handle the water the glass itself does not stop.
Planning Around a Bathroom Remodel
If the bathroom is being remodeled, the shower door is one of the last pieces in. Tile, grout, and any curb work need to be complete before final measurements, because the glass is sized to the finished surfaces, not the bare walls.
Many homeowners update the vanity at the same time. A new
bathroom mirror installation can be scheduled alongside the shower glass so both match. If the project reaches past the bathroom to an open staircase or a balcony, our
glass railing work uses the same kind of clear, minimal look.
Shower Doors for Southwest Ranches and Surrounding Areas
Homes in Southwest Ranches range from older ranch houses to new construction, and bathrooms vary just as much. Besides our home town, we install shower doors for homeowners in Plantation, Sunrise, and Miramar. You can also see the full list of
glass and aluminum services in Southwest Ranches on our main page.
Shower Door Questions
How thick is the glass in a frameless shower door?
Frameless doors typically use 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch tempered glass. Framed doors often use thinner glass, commonly 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch, because the frame supplies much of the support.
Can the glass be trimmed on site if it does not fit?
No. Once glass has been tempered, cutting or drilling it will cause it to shatter. That is why the opening is measured after tile is finished and all hinge holes and notches are made before the glass is tempered.
How soon can I use the shower after the door goes in?
Most silicone sealants need about 24 hours to cure before they get wet. Running water over the seams earlier can wash out the seal and lead to leaks later.
Why does water get past a frameless door?
Frameless doors do not seal as tightly as framed ones, so they depend on the curb sloping slightly back toward the shower and on a sweep along the bottom of the door. A curb that slopes outward will push water onto the bathroom floor no matter how well the glass is set.
How do I keep the glass from clouding?
Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium deposits that dry into white spots. Running a squeegee over the glass after each shower removes most of the water before minerals can settle, and it takes about 30 seconds.