How Much To Install Glass Shower Door

Glass shower doors bring a sense of luxury and modernity to bathrooms, making them a popular choice when renovating. On average, the cost to install a shower door is $950 with a range of $300 to $5,000+ due to key factors such as door type, materials, and labor fees. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what you’ll pay for a glass shower door and why in order to help you create a smart budget.

Disclaimer: The pricing information in this article is based on publicly available research and industry averages. It is intended for educational and budgeting purposes only. Actual installation costs may vary depending on your location, contractor rates, and specific project requirements.

Key Takeaways

• The average installation cost for a frameless shower door ranges starts from $900
• Door type is a major factor, with framed doors being less expensive than frameless and custom enclosures being the most expensive
• Other factors include glass type and thickness, bathroom layout, and hardware
• Labor fees are typically around $60 per hour, with installation taking 2 to 4 hours
• A glass shower door increases your property value, making it a worthy investment

Factors That Affect Glass Shower Door Installation Cost

Door Type

The type of glass shower door that you choose to get is a major factor that affects installation costs. As shown above, different door types are more or less expensive than others with sliding and framed doors in the lower range, semi-frameless and frameless in the mid range, and custom enclosures in the high range.

Glass Type & Thickness

The glass type, as well as the thickness of the glass, chosen for the door also makes a difference in the cost. A standard thickness of 3/8“ typically costs $12–$50 per square foot, while a thicker 1/2“ glass costs a little more at $15–$58. Other than standard tempered glass, you can get frosted, tinted, or patterned glass, which adds $2–$11, $4–$12, or $2–$12 respectively to the base cost.

Bathroom Layout & Size

The size and layout of your bathroom can impact the type of door you are able to get. For example, if you want to have hinged or pivot doors, the kind that swing out when opened, then you will need to make sure that there is a large enough clearance space and no obstructions, like angled walls, in the way.

Hardware & Finishes

Different types of hardware and finishes are needed for different door types. If you want a handle or knob on your shower door, this can have an additional cost of anywhere from $15 to as high as $300. For hinged or pivot doors, hinges are needed, a pack of which typically costs $80–$85, while for sliding doors, tracks and rollers are needed, a pack of which can cost $135–380.

Labor & Installation Complexity

The more complex the installation process is, the more expensive labor rates will be. Costs will increase due to custom projects that need extra installation time. As well, more people may be needed depending on the glass’ size and weight.

How Much to Install a Glass Shower Door? Labor and Professional Fees

A typical contractor labor rate is $60 per hour and a shower door installation takes an average of 2 to 4 hours to complete, making your total labor fees around $120–$240. If you are remodeling and need to remove an old shower door, it is important to ask your contractor whether or not their price includes removal and disposal, as there will often be additional charges for that.

While DIY installation can be appealing because it saves you money, it could actually cost you more in the long run. Unless you have glass installation experience, there are many ways that the process could go wrong by yourself and if you make a mistake, you’ll have to pay more to fix it.

A professional installer may be more expensive, but you can rest assured knowing that the job will get done efficiently and effectively to last for years to come.

Extra Costs You Should Budget For

Other than the factors previously discussed, there are some extra costs that you should keep in mind when creating a budget for your new glass shower door installation:

Removal/Disposal of Old Enclosure

If you have an old shower enclosure that you need to get rid of before installing your new shower door, removal and disposal of that old enclosure will be an additional cost.

Waterproofing and Sealing

Your shower door will need to be waterproofed and sealed to prevent leaks from occurring, which is an extra cost not included in the base glass shower door installation cost.

Custom Hardware Upgrades

Custom hardware upgrades, such as built-in towel bars or decorative handles, can have an additional cost of at least $200.

Maintenance Over Time

Aside from installation costs, there are also costs associated with maintaining your glass shower door over time and the different cleaning products, like cleaners, squeegees, and cloths, you will need.

Ways to Save on Shower Door Installation

With so many factors that can increase the cost to install a shower door, here are a few tips to help you save:

• Choose one of the least expensive door types, like sliding or framed doors.
• Keep the glass at its standard thickness
• Keep the standard tempered glass instead of upgrading to tinted or frosted glass
• Stick with a basic design using hardware found in kits instead of custom options

Is Installing a Glass Shower Door Worth It?

There are many benefits to installing a glass shower door, chief among them being the increase in resale value it brings to your home since improved aesthetics tend to make the bathroom more desirable to potential homebuyers.

In general, a bathroom remodel has around a 60% to 70% return on investment (ROI), and cosmetic changes like a new shower door are usually worth the most in the long run. However, it is important to know when to splurge and when to save, making sure that you balance luxury with affordability.