If you still have the framed shower doors, that tempered glass that fills them is some durable stuff. However, with age, the glass inside can become discolored or stained, and in a worst-case scenario, the glass can break. Replacing the glass alone may be ideal if you do not yet have enough funding for a new set of doors, but replacing the glass in these shower doors can be somewhat of a challenge if you are not a professional with the right tools and skills. Here is a look at some of the things you should know about replacing glass in framed shower doors.
It can be difficult to find tempered glass to fit older shower door frames.
Regular glass can be cut to size when you buy it from a glass company, but tempered glass tends to be manufactured specifically to a certain size and is a lot more difficult to have cut. In fact, most glass companies only offer certain sizes that are certain measurements and will not cut the pieces unless they need minimal beveling around the edges. Unless you can find a manufacturer who still carries exactly the glass you need, you may not be able to find replacements.
All small particles must be removed from the frame before installation.
If you do find tempered glass to fit the shower door frames you have, your next challenge will be preparing the frames for the glass installation, and even that can be difficult. Every small bit of caulking, sealer, or glass must be thoroughly removed from the holding crevice of the doors. If it is not, your new glass will not sit in the frame correctly, and you will have a hard time getting a tight seal. Plus, it is common for corners and edges to have to be slightly beveled to seat properly in the frame.
It can be more feasible to hire a professional for the job.
Glasswork inside the home is probably one of the more tedious projects a homeowner can attempt to tackle. Before you make the decision to replace glass in your shower doors on your own, contact a glass installation service to find out what they would charge to do the job for you. Most of the time, simple glass installation if you already have the materials is not going to be all that expensive, and it is definitely worth the expense to hire someone.
For more information, contact a company like Hoosier Glass.
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