subject: Upgrading Your Showers With New Doors [print this page] As wonderful as a hot bath feels at the end of a long day, many of us aren't always able to find the time for a long soak, whereas showers a necessity part of each day. An easy and very affordable way to upgrade your showers and bath area is to install a new shower door. You'll find that with the right tools and a little patience, installing your new shower door is very easy. All you'll need for tools are tape measure, drill and bits, hacksaw, level, caulk gun, miter box and Phillips screwdriver.
You'll need to get the measurements for the inside part of the shower door and use this measurement for the track. Cut the track with a hacksaw, making sure it's 1/16" shorter so you'll have a better fit. Using a miter box will give you straighter edges. If your shower has rounded corners, you may want to file the edges. Put the track in place on the bathtub sill or shower. Once you're sure it's in place, secure it with tape. Snap the jambs (side rails) in place and check for plumb with your level.
Mark where you'll drill the hold for the jambs on both sides of the curb and then remove the jambs and curb. With a 3/16" drill bit, drill your mounting hole. Make a depression for the drill bit by marking your holes with an awl. Apply plastic wall anchors in place, making sure to free the area of dust. Apply the caulk on the inside lines of the track and put it in place.
Make sure your weep holes are on the inside of the shower because this is where it will drain. Screw one railing into place on the wall, slide one header on the side rail and slide the other end of the header on the wall rail. Screw the rollers into place on the door. Make sure the doors move back and forth freely as they are adjustable. When installing the doors, do the one closest to the showerhead first to ensure water doesn't leak onto the floor through the gap.
ut the bottom part in the shower area and push the top part in the track so it's hanging from the rollers. Hang the second door the same way and push them both to one side. Drill a hole through the side of the tub to put in the center guide. Secure it with screws that you cover with rubber bumpers. Attach your handrails; caulk the areas of the shower where the track and sill meet and the corners and your shower is done.
