Are you looking to install a custom frameless shower enclosure in your new bathroom? Because of the sleek transparency of these tempered-glass shower enclosures, they make your bathroom appear more spacious than it is.
When planning to change the shower door, you may consider installing or replacing it on your own. Saving money on labour costs is a tempting thought. But, unlike framed enclosures, frameless shower enclosures are thicker. Thus, they weigh more and are more expensive. So, the slightest mistake when installing them can cause breakage or poor door functionality.
Here, we discuss why installing custom shower glass doors by yourself is not a good idea.
Let’s get started.
Why Is It a Bad Idea to Install a Custom Frameless Shower Enclosure Yourself?
When installing or replacing a shower door, homeowners often consider doing it themselves. But this type of home renovation is no easy task. Indeed, installing a custom frameless shower enclosure is far more difficult than putting in a traditional enclosure.
If your bathroom has a unique size or shape, it becomes much harder to install a custom glass shower enclosure by yourself and meet the project’s precise specifications. Indeed, it requires training, expertise, and experience. That’s why, when it comes to installing shower enclosures that benefit your bathroom’s overall design, it should be left to the professionals. Otherwise, it can even decrease your home’s value by ruining the entire design and incurring costly damages.
Here, you will discover why it is difficult to install custom shower glass doors. We will look at what should be considered before installation and why you should hire a professional.
1. It Requires Expertise and Experience
The most obvious reason homeowners should avoid DIY frameless shower door installation is that they don’t have the required skills. The installation process is much more than just buying a glass door and hinges. It includes drilling, alignment, and taking perfect measurements. These tasks require technical skills that most of us don’t have, and it is not possible to learn them overnight or via a YouTube tutorial.
In addition, installing a frameless shower door is more difficult than regular shower doors as they don’t have any frame to guide you when installing the hardware. You need to leave gaps at the bottom of the panels and have hardware that’s strong enough to handle the door without slipping. You also need to screw the hardware into the glass panel with caution so that it does not break. All of this can be incredibly difficult if you do not have the professional experience needed.
2. It Takes Time
Installing a frameless glass shower is tedious because you need to attach the clips to the wall properly and at the right level to prevent it from sagging. If a tile is installed in the shower, special drill bits are used to appropriately attach the clips.
Frameless shower doors are also more challenging to install because they are thicker and weigh more than framed ones. This can prolong the installation process even more.
3. Water Leaks Can Happen
The seal around shower doors can fail over time if not installed properly. For this reason, professional glass door companies, like Shower Lagoon, take extra precautions to avoid water leaks. Framed glass doors, with their metal framing and layer of caulk, have a heavier water barrier. That’s why they are less likely to leak water.
On the other hand, a frameless shower door requires silicone caulked edges and rubber gaskets to keep water out. These gaskets may crack over time, causing water leakage. However, this problem can be mitigated by using mitered edges. But such improvements add to the total labour cost, making the installation process more costly.
4. It Requires a Custom Fit
Every shower enclosure has different characteristics and dimensions, with custom ones made based on the measurements of your shower space. You also need to measure your shower entrance and leave a few centimetres of space between the glass panels so it can swing. The average person without knowledge about glass shower door installation will find this difficult to assess and estimate the right measurements for the enclosure. Even if you are following an online guide or instruction, the outcome may not meet your expectations.
On the other hand, professional glass door experts, using their skills and appropriate tools, can customize your shower enclosure to meet your needs, regardless of the situation.
Why Should You Hire a Professional?
A DIY installation without proper skill or experience can cost you a lot more than hiring a professional. Frameless glass doors are one of the finest types of shower doors but are difficult to install and can break if you are not careful. So, if you are planning a custom frameless shower door installation, call Shower Lagoon. We have the training and expertise to provide you with high-quality service, guaranteed safety, and a cost-effective installation.
