Frequently Asked Questions

Are shower doors better than shower curtains?

Yes, water leaking from gaps between the shower curtain and the shower wall can result in significant water damage over time, especially for bathrooms located on a second story. Water damage is the most common trigger for growth of stachybotrys, a toxic mold that can cause allergies, asthma and skin rashes. In some strains, stachybotrys can even cause damage to the lungs and nervous system-and even death.

Can I replace a framed door with a Frameless door without changing my wall or pan/ tub surface?

Absolutely! It is very common for homeowners to replace their old leaky shower door with a new frameless enclosure. It is quite the improvement. When installing a frameless door where an existing door was without redoing the wall surface and/ or pan there will be holes left in your wall surface that will need to be filled. The hardware on the new enclosure may or may not cover the holes, but we do our best to hide them. When trying to cover the existing enclosures holes we cannot guarantee if the existing enclosure was installed plumb and level and we must install our glass plumb and level for the enclosure to operate properly. Also, depending on how old the wall(s) or tub/ pan surface is there could be discoloring on the wall(s) or tub /pan surface. you should be prepared for the possibility that a few tiles may need to be replaced as they may crack when the old unit is removed.

Can you remove my old shower enclosure?
Yes. There is a fee which will be determined by the type and size of the unit being removed and hauled away.

Do they leak?

No, all fixed panels are caulked with silicone to the tile or stone. The doors are sealed with a variety of siliconized vinyl seals that are almost invisible. They are as waterproof as any shower on the market used under normal showering conditions; however as with any enclosure, framed or frameless they will not withstand any direct water spray.

Are Frameless doors expensive?
Our prices are competitive. You can certainly find cheaper units for sale, but you won’t find a better value. Frameless enclosures are all custom ordered to fit your exact specifications and are made with the finest quality products. The actual price depends on your configuration and choices in glass and hardware. The more you customize an enclosure the higher the price will get.

Framed or Frameless?
It used to be that budget was the deciding factor here, and in many cases it still is. However, for some configurations, a framed unit can cost as much as a frameless enclosure because of the increasing cost of metal and/or complexity of the unit.

Swinging or Sliding?
In most cases, space will determine the answer to this question. If there is not enough clearance in your bathroom to accommodate a swinging door, sliding is the configuration of choice.

What is the difference between Framed and Frameless enclosures?
Basically, it is the thickness of glass and the overall look. Framed enclosures typically have 3/16” thick glass that is completely framed by metal – usually an anodized aluminum. This is your basic traditional enclosure. The Semi-framed enclosures use ¼” glass and feature a door that has no metal on the top vertical edge, or the back or front horizontal edges. All other edges are framed in metal. These doors can have a thru-glass handle to give them a more updated look. Frameless doors use thicker glass, 3/8” & ½”, with solid brass plated hardware. This gives a more open contemporary look and is easier to maintain.

What is the difference between 3/8” and 1/2” thick glass?

An 1/8 of an inch. 90% of our enclosures are 3/8” glass door and 1/2” glass fixed panel for strength and stiffness. We recommend using a combination of 3/8” glass on the door, so not to go beyond the manufacturer specified weigh limit, and 1/2” on the panel for stability.

Will a frameless door last as long as or longer than the framed units?

With proper care yes, due to the fact that framed structures even though constructed of aluminum will oxidize and break down over time. With Bath Concepts frameless doors all metal hardware used is non-corrosive and solid brass and in most cases clear coated. Leaving no room for break down.

How often do the vinyl and drip deflector need to be replaced/ changed?

There is no replacement set time for replacement of the vinyl substances. The longevity of the vinyl substances will be determined by the proper maintenance and cleaning regimen of the homeowner.

Why would I want to use clips opposed to tracking (channel) on a frameless shower?

An installation using frameless shower door clips can be much more versatile in design and can achieve a much cleaner and more open look, while maintaining the same structural stability as tracking. In most applications where tracking is used on frameless door applications it is necessary for the tracking to be continuous in most areas whether horizontal or vertical. In doing so this type of application defeats the desired frameless design and cleanness of a fully frameless shower door.

FYI: Most companies using tracking for there frameless shower doors are doing so for 2 reasons. The first reason being would be that the company is trying to cut costs and are able to use only 3/8” thick glass as opposed to Bath Concepts 1/2” stationary panels.

The other reason for using tracking would be to achieve more adjustment room in the ordering of the glass allowing for a less precise installation.

Are frameless doors safe?

Under normal and recommended operating conditions a Bath Concepts frameless door is just as safe as a framed door. It bears mentioning that under no circumstance should a towel bar be used as a grab bar, nor should you ever hang from the glass

What is the minimum door size to meet code?
As a general rule, the minimum opening is 24” measured from t to tile, which will

What is the maximum door size for the Frameless Enclosures?
The average door sizes these days are 26”-28” wide. For special applications such as barrier free or handicap access, we can install up to a 36” door. These larger doors are possible with upgrading to heavy duty hinges. The width of the door will determine what height can be done so that the doors weight limit does not exceed the manufactures weight limits on the hinges.

Do you use safety glass in your enclosures?
Absolutely! All shower glass must be tempered. In the event that the glass breaks, it will do so in many small fragments rather than large sharp shards, to prevent major injuries.

What is the standard height of your Frameless Enclosures?
The height of the unit is measured from the top of the shower curb.

Standard height on the 1100 series (3/8” door & panel(s)) is 72”.

Standard height on the 1200 series (3/8” door – 1/2” panel(s)) is 72”-80”.

Where can I see the different options in glass and hardware?
Examples can be seen here on our website, but it is best to see them in person. Our Concord showroom has a comprehensive selection of glass and hardware choices.

What is your service area?
Our service area is the entire greater bay area. Please call our office for a more detailed explanation of our service area.

How long does it take to get an in-home template appointment once accepting your phone quote?
Typically it will take 1-3 working days for an appointment. It can take up to a week during busy periods, but that is rare. Our technicians are scheduled with 3 hour time frames between 8am-5pm; we cover each area of the bay one day a week. Our measuring technicians and installers work Monday thru Friday, no weekends.

What is the order process?
Call, Email or visit our showroom with the approximate sizes and shape of your shower area (or take a picture) and we will provide you with a written quote. Once you have accepted the cost and want to start your order please call our office so we can get all the appropriate information to set up a measure appointment. At this time if there are specific days that work better for you please let us know then so we can do our best to accommodate your schedule with ours. When we come out to take final measurements we will need the wall surface and tub or pan set and to collect a 50% deposit to begin the order.

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes, we can take your Mastercard, Visa, or Discover information in the field or over the phone to simplify the process.

How long will it take to receive my order?
Installations of most enclosures take 7 to 14 business days. Some special order glass and hardware can take up to 3 to 6 weeks for installation.

Can I save time by ordering my enclosure before the area is ready to be measured?
Every enclosure is Custom Built to insure a proper fit. This requires exact measurements. Once your wall surface and tub/ pan are set, and not until, can we take the necessary measurements onsite, inspect the walls, floors and ceilings to make sure they are plumb and level. Once this is completed and the paperwork is brought back to the office, the office will make any necessary changes to the order and have them approved, post the deposit then we can order the enclosure.

Will you give me an installation date when I place the order?
This would not be possible since we need to order the materials first and know when they will arrive. Once the orders for the materials have been sent to the manufactures by our office, and we have received the confirmation of delivery from them, we will call you to set up an appointment date and time frame for install. This is all part of the lead time discussed above.

How long do I have to wait to use my shower after it is installed?
Please allow 24-48 hours before touching or using the shower. This will allow double stick tape on the vinyl and the silicone to cure and dry properly. Keep in mind depending on the moisture in the air it may take longer for the silicone and double stick tape on the vinyl to cure properly.

What is the warranty on your products?
All enclosures provided and installed by Bath Concepts with the exception of the top bar sliding enclosure come with a limited lifetime warranty.

How can I protect and care for my new enclosure?
For general cleaning please refer to the shower door cleaning and care tab under shower enclosure warranty and care. If a protective coating has been applied to your glass please refer to the glass protectors care tab under which type of glass protector that has been applied to your shower enclosure or refer to the coating manufacturer’s website.

My sliding door is hard to open from the inside, is there anything you can do to help?
The towel bar and knob on sliding glass doors have a minimal back plate that allow the doors to bypass. This facilitates ease in cleaning the middle overlap section. If a back to back knob is used your doors will no longer bypass and there is a possibility that the knob could hit the edge of the glass and cause it to break.

My glass exploded for no reason!?
Sometimes edge damage or other stresses can weaken the glass and result in delayed breakage, or what seems to be spontaneous breakage. This doesn’t happen often, but can be unsettling when it does. Most often, we have seen this occur in sliding enclosures when trying to adjust the glass on the track. A glass edge will nick the frame and either shatters at impact or at some future date. If at any time you are having difficulty opening or closing the door or the door is not clearing the adjacent panel or wall, call us for an adjustment.

What is causing my mirror to turn black on the edges?
Black edge happens when water or moisture penetrates the back of the mirror and attacks the silver backing. Good ventilation in your bathing area is a must. Open a window or use the room fan to remove moisture laden air during and after showering. Also, make sure to prevent spray cleaners from running down and sitting at the bottom of your mirror. This is best done by spraying a cloth rather than the mirror itself.