DIY vs. Professional Installation: What to Consider Before Installing a Shower Door

Thinking about whether to install your glass shower door yourself or hire a pro?

You’re not alone. Many homeowners love the idea of tackling bathroom remodels on their own. It can cut costs and there’s a lot of pride in doing it yourself. However, installing a new glass shower door is a bit trickier and needs some careful thought.

There are several factors to consider before deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a professional:

Measurements

Shower glass is tempered, meaning it has undergone a special heat treatment to increase its strength and safety. Once tempered, the glass can’t be cut or altered. A measurement error, even as small as 1/16th of an inch, can render the piece unusable, resulting in a costly replacement coming out of your pocket.

Professionals are experienced in taking precise measurements and bear the risk and cost of any mistakes. As a DIYer, you would have to cover the expense of any errors, potentially paying for the glass multiple times!

Safety

Handling glass can be both hazardous and challenging. Shower doors typically weigh between 70 to 100 pounds, and moving them upstairs, around furniture, and into small bathrooms can be difficult even for seasoned professionals.

This type of work can lead to strains or pulled muscles for those not used to it. Additionally, tempered glass, while designed to be safer, can still cause injury if it shatters. A slight bump against a wall or floor can cause the glass to break, creating sharp fragments and posing a significant safety risk.

Quality

Some DIY projects are forgiving, but a glass shower door install isn’t one of them. Take caulking, for example.

You may have done some caulking while painting past projects, but shower doors use silicone caulk, which is harder to work with than the more common latex caulk used with most painting projects. Silicone caulk cannot be cleaned up with water and is more difficult to apply neatly. Messy caulking is often a telltale sign of a DIY job.

Type of Shower Door

The type of shower door you choose also matter. Fully framed and semi-frameless shower doors are generally more DIY-friendly because they’re more standard in size.

In contrast, frameless or Euro shower doors are custom-made products and typically require professional installation due to their complexity and precision demands.

Call Us for Help with Your Bathroom Remodel in Ann Arbor!

Before deciding to install a shower door yourself, carefully consider the challenges and risks involved.

Getting the measurements right, handling the glass safely, and achieving a high-quality finish are all important factors to keep in mind. For more complex or custom doors, hiring a professional may be the best choice to make sure everything goes smoothly and safely.