Shower Door Measuring & Buying Guide
A shower door only looks — and seals — as good as its fit. This quick guide walks you through measuring your opening and choosing the right door, so you order with confidence.
Before you measure
Grab a steel tape measure, a pencil and paper, and a level. Always measure the finished opening — after tile or surround is installed, not bare studs. Write every measurement down in inches.
1. Measure the width
Measure the opening width in three places: at the top, the middle, and the bottom (at the curb or threshold). Walls are rarely perfectly straight, so note all three — the narrowest measurement is the one that matters for fit.
2. Measure the height
Measure from the top of the curb or shower base up to where you want the door to reach. Semi-frameless sliding doors have a set height, but knowing your opening height confirms you have the clearance you need.
3. Check for plumb
Hold a level against each side wall to see whether it leans. Most walls are slightly out of plumb; a small amount is normal and is taken up by the door's wall channels. Large gaps may call for a professional fit.
Choosing the right door
- Semi-frameless sliding (bypass) doors — two glass panels slide past each other. Ideal for alcoves and over tubs because they need no swing clearance.
- Corner doors — for showers set into a corner, where two glass sides meet.
- Side panels — a fixed glass return panel that pairs with a door to enclose a larger opening.
Glass & safety
Our doors use 8 mm tempered safety glass with an easy-clean, anti-limescale coating, hung on corrosion-resistant 304 stainless-steel hardware. Tempered glass is heat-treated to be far stronger than ordinary glass and to break safely if it ever fails.
Finishes
Choose a hardware finish that coordinates with your faucets, towel bars and lighting — Polished Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Matte Black and Brushed Gold are popular choices. Finish options are listed on each product page.
A few practical tips
- Allow room for the handle to clear walls and fixtures.
- If you're remodeling, ask your installer to add blocking behind the wall where the door mounts.
- When in doubt between two widths, measure again before ordering — glass can't be trimmed once made.
When to call a professional
If your walls are noticeably out of plumb, your opening is an unusual size, or you're tiling at the same time, a professional installer will get the cleanest, most watertight result. Contact us and we'll help you plan.