Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Frameless shower door

I'd like to put in a framless shower door with our newly remodeled master bathroom.

Is this something that a beginner DYIer can do or should I really leave this one to the experts?

Thanks for your help.

-MZ

I just installed one a couple of weeks ago. It took me most of a Saturday to put it in. It wasn't difficult, just lots of pieces parts. I probably could have done it quicker but I was working alone. Definitely DIYable.
The unit I installed has sliding doors on rollers suspended from a rail. It didn't require any special tools. You will need a level, screwdrivers and a drill. If the walls are tiled you'll need a special bit to drill the tile. You'll also need caulking.

Sounds good. I think I'll give it a go. I'm looking at a door with hinges but sounds like it's do-able. Thanks!

I just installed one a couple of weeks ago. It took me most of a Saturday to put it in. It wasn't difficult, just lots of pieces parts. I probably could have done it quicker but I was working alone. Definitely DIYable.
The unit I installed has sliding doors on rollers suspended from a rail. It didn't require any special tools. You will need a level, screwdrivers and a drill. If the walls are tiled you'll need a special bit to drill the tile. You'll also need caulking.

I think what you put in is not what is known as a frameless shower door!

Frameless shower doors have no frame, no rollers, nada.

They are simply sheets of glass about 1/2 inch thick usually with panels of glass mounted to the walls on either side of the door. The glass panels can be mounted with L brackets on the floor and ceiling or simply with silicone all around. The door is mounted onto one of those panels with heavy duty stainless steel hinges and handle which are bolted through holes drilled in the glass. The glass can be plain or patterned (etched at additional cost). I believe the hardware is imported from Germany and costs about 1/3 of the entire cost which runs about $1,000 to $2,000 depending on where you get it and the size of it. The door is usually fitted with triangular section plastic strips to seal against the panels and bottom.

Matt_Z_73, given the specialized skills and equipment required to custom make this type of door, you should get someone to install it for you, that way they take full responsibility for the fit. I don't think the installation cost is that much anyway. Most of the cost goes into hardware and custom making the panels and door to suit your application. Installation is quick but it does take most suppliers 1-2 weeks to make a set for you.

I will be getting one of those sets for my bathroom soon.

Quick is right on with this one. This is a professional job and the glass panels will be custom made. Not a diy job. Nope.

The install can be DIY. However, what you are hearing from everyone is the measures are CRITICAL for true frameless. Unless you are anal about measurements and truly understand the measurement process leave it to the pro's.

i run a glass shop that specializes in frameless shower doors and i think that it depends on what you have if you could diy. if all that you have is a door, no panels or anything like that, then i think you could do it yourself. if there's anything else to it then you should just let a shop take care of it. a couple of things you need to know with this type of door is that they are very heavy and you need to make sure that wherever you mount the hinges that there is actual backing in the wall (stud). if not then there's a good chance it will sag and cause you headaches until you take it out. also make sure that you measure it for out of squareness, there is some adjustment in the hinges but not like on a framed door. make sure when you drill the holes that you don't break the tile or marble when the drill goes through, and make sure you tighten the screws for the hinges by hand, not with a drill. you can strip them and sometimes the shank rubs on the hinge and scratches it up.