Shower Door Replacements Parts - Knowing The Difference

By Author: Sarfaraz Khan
Total Articles: 18
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No matter how well you take care of your shower, nylon wears down, steel rusts, rollers get stuck and seals degrade. Eventually, almost every part of your shower will need replacement. Every type of shower has its own replacement shower door parts, special and specific for that particular item. There are a great many different shower door parts out on the market today, and though they may look very similar, each has a specialized function. Using the incorrect shower door part may damage more than the part itself.

Framed vs. Frameless Showers

Framed showers have different shower door parts than frameless types. A hinged framed shower door will most likely need shower door parts such as seals and/or sweeps, as well as the hinges. Hinge replacements, however, may be avoided in some cases by replacing gaskets, shims, or hinge pins instead of the entire hinge. Shower door parts for rolling framed shower doors vary, but include tracks, rollers, and guides. Smaller shower door parts such as roller wheels and guides are generally made out of nylon. Some roller wheels are steel or stainless steel, ...
... and roller housings are largely made of steel or stainless steel. Seals and sweeps are generally vinyl when in use for framed shower doors.

Framed showers doors are generally part of a larger system, which requires framing and sealants. The shower door parts involved in framing are generally aluminum. Channels are specific to glass thicknesses, with various wall heights available. In some cases, shower door parts such as glazing channels are used. Glazing channels are shower door products made of rubber or vinyl that are placed between the metal frame and glass panels to protect from chipping or cracking, which may lead to shattering. Otherwise, silicone sealants are used to protect glass panels from damage.

Fewer shower door parts are necessary for frameless doors. However, frameless shower doors are more fragile because of the lack of framing. Most hinges for frameless doors are designed with hinge pins that return the door to the closed position, keeping the door out of the way and less likely to be knocked against a wall or other obstruction. Frameless shower doors also require more extensive seal and sweep shower door parts due to their sometimes large gaps. Some frameless shower doors may be up to an inch away from the wall, floor, or any other panel. Shower door parts such as thresholds can make up some of the distance between the floor and your panel, and thresholds are finished in colors to match most common finishes used on hinges, handles, bathroom accessories. Sliding rear window is also important accessories for your bathroom luxury

Frameless shower systems come in many varieties, from simple 180 or 90 degree systems to more complicated neo-angle systems. The more complicated a shower system is, the more supporting shower door parts it requires. When multiple pieces of glass are involved, glass clamps and support bars are necessary to keep the panels stable. These shower door parts may require drilling or notching in glass panels. Shower doors and panels also use tempered glass, which can not be drilled or cut. For this reason, it is important to have accurate cut-out templates and measurements before your glass installer has your panels cut and tempered. The shower door parts designed to support panels are generally aluminum, with the higher-priced items made of stainless steel.

Even Hinges Can be Aesthetically Pleasing

Shower door parts come in many finishes as well, to match most bathroom décor. With finishes from metallic looks such as stainless steel or satin chrome to powder-coat paints, any look can be accented by use of proper shower door parts. Available in various shapes with different designs, shower door hinges and glass clamps are the most variable shower door parts, but any shower door part you buy should be considered as much for aesthetic appeal as for function.

Not only are different finishes available for shower doors, in some cases different materials can present opportunities for original decoration where none existed. Shower pulls and towel bars made out of acrylic come with accent rings or without, in various shapes and can be almost invisible, in some cases. Using such accents can make a difference in your decorating plans.