Replacing the shower curtain
with a glass door would maximize
light from this window.

A glass shower door lets in more light than most shower curtains and does a better job of containing shower spray. The shower door shown is attached to a bathtub that has walls on both ends. Doors are available for shower-only units as well.

Your walls should be square to the tub and parallel with each other. If the walls are off by more than 1/2 inch, the doors will gap noticeably at the frame.

• Tape measure
• Level
• Hacksaw
• Drill
• Masonry bit
• Caulking gun
• Screwdriver
• Silicone or water-based caulk

 

Illustration 1

1. Cut and attach bottom channel. Measure the length of the tub from wall to wall and cut the bottom channel with a hacksaw. Run a substantial bead of silicone caulk along the tub or on the bottom of the channel, position it, and tape it in place while it dries, as shown in Illustration 1.

 

Illustration 2

2. Install side and top channels. Plumb each side panel, mark the screw locations, and drill pilot holes (see Illustration 2). For tile walls, use a masonry bit to drill holes big enough so the screw shanks won't crack the tile. If there is no stud, insert plastic anchors into the wall -- not the tile. Screw the channels in place.

 

Illustration 3

3. Add top channel; install door. Measure and cut the top channel and fit it in place (see Illustration 3). Apply a bead of silicone caulk along the inside edges of the door frame. No fasteners are required to hold the top channel in place; the weight of the doors does the job. Install the doors by lifting them into place so their rollers fit into the tracks in the top channel, as shown in Illustration 3. Once the doors are hung, fasten the guides provided with the kit to the bottom of the doors.