Shower Door installation in Yelm, WA
Custom Glass Shower Doors, Measured and Installed by Local Pros
A glass shower door can make a bathroom feel bigger, brighter and easier to clean. NW Window Installations measures, fabricates and installs custom glass shower doors and enclosures for homes throughout Yelm and the South Puget Sound, whether you’re finishing a remodel or replacing a dated, leaky door.
Swapping a shower curtain or an old framed slider for clear glass is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make in a bathroom. Glass opens up the space visually, shows off your tile work, and does away with mildewed curtains and grimy tracks. Because every bathroom is a little different, we don’t sell one-size-fits-all kits. Each door and panel is made to the exact measurements of your shower, so it fits cleanly and works the way it should.
With more than 25 years of glass experience, our team helps you choose the right style, glass and hardware for your space and budget, then installs it with the care a heavy, precise glass enclosure demands. You’ll work with the same locally owned team from the first measurement to the final adjustment, and you’re welcome to visit our Yelm showroom to talk through options in person.
Frameless vs. framed: which is right for your bathroom?
Frameless shower doors are the most popular choice in remodels today. Without a metal frame, there’s nothing to interrupt the view of your tile, and fewer edges and channels means fewer places for soap scum and mildew to build up. The trade-off is cost and structure: frameless glass is thicker and heavier, so it needs solid wall support and precise installation, and it typically costs more than a framed door.
Framed doors use thinner glass held in a full metal frame. They’re the most budget-friendly option, very sturdy, and the frame helps contain water, which can be useful in showers with lower curbs or tricky layouts. Semi-frameless doors sit in between, combining a frameless-style door with a slim frame around the fixed panels for a clean look at a more moderate price.
If you want a modern, open look and easy cleaning, frameless is usually worth the investment. If budget or water containment is the priority, a framed or semi-frameless door is a smart choice. We’ll show you samples of each so you can compare.
Get Your Free Shower Door Installation Proposal
Ready to upgrade your windows or doors? Request your free, no-obligation quote today, or call us at (360) 789-9309 to talk with our team.
Caring for your glass shower door
A few simple habits keep glass looking new for years. The most effective is also the easiest: squeegee the glass after every shower. Removing water droplets before they dry prevents the mineral spots that build up into cloudy film, especially if your home has hard water.
For regular cleaning, use a non-abrasive glass or shower cleaner, or a mix of water and a little vinegar for mineral spots. Avoid scouring pads, abrasive powders and harsh chemicals, which can scratch the glass, damage protective coatings and dull hardware finishes. If your glass has a factory protective coating, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to keep it working.
Once a year, check the seals and sweeps along the edges and bottom of the door. They’re inexpensive to replace and make a big difference in keeping water inside the shower. If the door starts to sag, drag or close unevenly, call us for a quick hinge adjustment before it causes bigger problems.
Custom measured for a watertight fit
A frameless shower door can weigh well over a hundred pounds, and it hangs from just a few hinges and clamps. That makes accurate measuring and careful installation essential. Walls and curbs are rarely perfectly plumb or level, even in new construction, so we field-measure after the tile is complete and order each panel to fit your exact opening, accounting for any out-of-square walls.
On installation day, we anchor hinges and clamps into solid structure, set each panel plumb, and leave the precise gaps the door needs to swing freely without rubbing. Then we install seals and sweeps, apply sealant where the glass meets tile, and adjust the door so it closes squarely against its seals. A poorly installed door can sag over time, leak at the edges or put stress on the glass, which is why we take the time to get every detail right.
Planning a remodel? The best results start before tile goes up. Ask your contractor to install solid blocking in the walls where hinges and clamps will mount, build the curb or threshold so it slopes back toward the drain, and keep the shower valve and handle out of the door’s swing path. If you’re considering a steam shower, plan for a fully enclosed design with a transom. We’re happy to talk with your contractor early so the glass fits perfectly the first time.
Shower Door Installation - FAQS
How long does it take to get a custom shower door?
After we measure, custom tempered glass is fabricated to order, which typically takes a few weeks. Installation itself usually takes a few hours.
Do frameless shower doors leak?
A well-designed frameless enclosure keeps water in with proper door placement, seals and a sloped curb. Very small gaps are normal; we'll explain what to expect for your layout.
Can you replace my old framed door with frameless glass?
Usually, yes. We'll check wall structure and curb condition first.
What thickness of glass is best?
Most frameless doors use 3/8" glass; 1/2" is heavier and feels more substantial but needs stronger hardware and wall support.
Should my shower door swing in or out?
Most shower doors swing outward into the bathroom, and building codes generally require that a hinged shower door be able to open outward for safety. Some hinges allow the door to swing both ways. We'll recommend the best setup for your layout and fixtures.
How do I keep my glass shower door from getting cloudy?
Squeegee the glass after each shower, clean it regularly with a non-abrasive cleaner, and consider a protective glass coating that helps water bead off. Cloudiness usually comes from hard-water minerals and soap residue drying on the surface.
What is low-iron glass, and is it worth it?
Standard clear glass has a slight green tint that's most visible along the edges and in thicker panels. Low-iron glass removes most of that tint for a crisper, more transparent look. It's popular with white or light-colored tile and in high-end remodels.
Can a shower door be installed on any wall?
Frameless doors need solid support behind the hinges and clamps. If your walls don't have blocking, we may be able to anchor into studs, use a different hinge configuration, or recommend a semi-frameless or framed option.
Do I need to finish my tile before you measure?
Yes. We measure after the tile and curb are completely finished, because even small changes in wall thickness affect how the glass fits.
Areas We Serve NEAR Yelm
Yelm, Rainier, Roy, McKenna, Tenino, Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and communities throughout Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, Mason and Grays Harbor counties.