FAQ

Only big box retailers or companies that use inexpensive, bulk-purchased glass door components from overseas have set "standard" sizes for their door openings. 

However, truly custom shower doors can be as small as 16 inches or as large as 36 inches, with various sizes in between. The height of the door depends on factors such as the type, size, and number of hinges used, as well as weight restrictions determined by engineering.

One way to differentiate between overseas glass and quality North American/locally custom-manufactured glass is by their colour and tempering quality. Overseas glass is often tinted with a darker green hue due to a higher iron content, which becomes evident when comparing it to North American glass with a white paper backdrop.

Poorly tempered glass can be identified by wearing polarized sunglasses or observing the surface from an extreme angle. If the glass exhibits numerous iridescent ripples, referred to as "leopard spots" or "toughening marks," it suggests that a large batch of identical products was hurriedly tempered, resulting in blemishes and potential warping of the glass.

Most frameless shower doors typically use "clear glass," which has a slight greenish tint due to the iron content. However, you have other options to consider based on your design preferences. "High clarity glass," also known as low iron glass, minimizes the glass's visibility, allowing your tile and marble colours to take center stage rather than the shower surround itself.

If privacy is a concern or if you want to visually divide the space, acid-etched glass is a recommended choice. Glass products like "satin etch" or the slightly less opaque "crystal etch" offer a uniform finish and sufficient opacity without the issues of surface irregularities or fingerprints commonly found on conventionally sandblasted glass panels.

For added privacy and sophistication, patterned glass such as "rain" glass is available in suitable thicknesses for frameless shower door production. This type of glass can enhance the appearance of your shower surround.

Additionally, we provide a glass surface treatment option that makes your shower resistant to stains and easier to clean. Applied at the factory after the tempering process, this surface treatment is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.

If a frameless shower door is designed and installed correctly, it should not leak from its fixed components. The only possible area for water leakage would be around the door. 

All fixed glass panels are sealed at the base and sides with clear silicone sealant, ensuring they do not leak. This emphasizes the importance of customizing your frameless shower doors to fit your specific bathroom, rather than purchasing standardized ones from big box retailers. 

The additional components, such as multiple metal channels for adjustments, can create additional areas where leaks may occur.

However, we prioritize providing the tightest door fit possible without compromising its functionality. When the tile installation is done correctly and the pan threshold slopes inward, a precise fit can be achieved. This eliminates the need for extra seals and significantly reduces the likelihood of water escaping the shower during use. 

We understand that each application is unique, so we can offer advice on the best option that suits your specific requirements. Furthermore, all units come with standard seals, also known as "sweeps," at the bottom of the door. These seals are easily removable for cleaning or replacement as needed.

Frameless glass shower doors offer superior quality, fit, and function compared to semi-frameless options. Semi-frameless doors employ thinner glass, necessitating additional channels and support components to compensate for their reduced rigidity and lack of self-support. 

Due to the glass's enhanced flexibility and the transfer of motion to metal components, semi-frameless doors tend to be louder and more susceptible to rattling. In terms of closure mechanisms, semi-frameless doors often utilize inexpensive hinges without spring-loading and rely on magnet or bullet catches, rather than self-centering, to secure the door. 

Furthermore, semi-frameless doors have a shorter average lifespan, approximately half that of frameless doors, as their working components are predominantly made from inferior metals like aluminum, rather than solid brass or stainless steel.

The thinnest glass we use for all of our frameless shower doors and enclosures is 10 mm in thickness. Patterned glass, such as “rain” glass, is also available in 10 mm. We also use 12 mm thick glass. We sometimes recommend 12 mm glass on larger enclosures or for certain configurations for rigidity or safety reasons.

We have two main styles of hinges available: a contemporary style with square edges and a designer style with rounded edges and slight bevelling. 

It is recommended to match your shower door hardware with the existing plumbing fixtures in your bathroom. Both hinge styles are elegant and can be paired with a wide variety of handles, available in different styles and sizes.

In addition to our standard hinge styles, we offer truly custom doors. This means that you can choose from a range of styles such as Roman, Classique, Rondo, and Shell (available through C.R. Laurence) if they are suitable for your application and colour preferences. These custom styles expand the options for your personalized shower door design.

A pivot shower door is supported at the top and bottom, allowing it to swing almost 180 degrees. It can be secured at the top either in a header, to the wall, or to a bulkhead. During the design stage, it's important to consider a loss of 2 inches or more in the actual entry opening due to the door pivoting in the center of the hinge.

On the other hand, a side-mount hinge for a shower door functions similarly to the hinges on doors in your home. One side of the hinge is fixed onto the side of a frameless glass door, while the other side is attached to a wall or another glass panel.

With conventional hinges, depending on height, a door can be up to 32” with two hinges and up to 36” with three hinges.

Either one can accommodate a frameless shower door. However, it's important to consider the slope of the tile into the shower pan area to prevent water from pooling and leaking under the door. 

When using curbless shower pans, make sure the mounting area for the glass is free from under-floor heating. This is because mounting clips or hinges might need to be attached to the floor.

Clips are best, as they provide a mechanical fastening point to supplement the strength of the silicone. However, in situations where the tile has a significant bow due to inadequate installation, a channel may be recommended to remove the possibility of unsightly large or irregular silicone beads. 

In situations where the glass has been socketed into a sunken channel in the tile, there may be cases where a clip is still required to stabilize panels that are load-bearing.

A header is an aluminum extrusion that supports and unifies glass elements. In certain situations, it is necessary to use a header for added support when hinging the door of a shower enclosure off a fixed glass panel. 

Another option is extending the panel and attaching it to the ceiling and soffit. Alternatively, a support bar or a transom (a fixed piece of glass above the door) can stabilize the load-bearing component.

Soon after the tiling is complete is the best time to call us for a measure.

An acrylic pan can be used as a base for specific setups. However, it's not recommended if you're considering a pivot door or if a fixed panel needs to be clipped at the bottom.

In addition, proper installation is crucial. The pan must be installed without any flex or movement that could affect the fixed panels. The threshold should have a slight slope into the pan to prevent water from pooling. Moreover, the tile should overlap the flanges, but without the need to slope the tile out of plumb with the other tiles.

Glass is a porous substance on a microscopic level, so if neglected or treated with harsh chemicals, your shower glass will lose clarity. After use, spray the shower glass down with fresh water to rinse off soap, calcium, lime, and potentially other deposits.

Use a squeegee or soft towel to wipe off any excess water from the glass when you’re done. For weekly cleaning, use a non-ammonia glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth as needed.

Avoid harsh abrasives and cleaners that contain ammonia, vinegar or bleach.

The time between measurement and installation completion is typically 2 to 3 weeks. The actual installation duration varies based on the enclosure and can range from 1 to 6 hours

With proper design, materials and installation, a frameless shower door can last more than 20 years.

We provide a 4-year warranty on all shower door hardware and any glass damaged due to hardware failure. This warranty applies to the products we sell and install, unless specified otherwise. Any surface protections on the glass, if available, are covered by separate warranties provided by the manufacturer.

Absolutely. We work with contractors, designers and homeowners to provide exceptional products and services to all equally. Give us a call, and we would love to discuss your next project.

Yes! We will remove your old shower door, clean up any excess silicone, patch the holes left behind, and dispose of your old enclosure. We provide this service at a very low rate as a courtesy to our customers.

However, we cannot be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances that may be uncovered as a result of removing your shower. Examples include cracked or broken tiles, tiles coming off of the wall or curb, stains from the previous framing, etc.

Whether you're inspired by the grid pattern of French steel framed glass or you want to match the champagne bronze finish of your bathroom fixtures, we have a range of products to help you achieve the desired look. Our selection is diverse and caters to various design inspirations and preferences.