Tub glass doors and screens
Glass over a tub-and-shower combo keeps water in and looks cleaner than a curtain. Here are the main options.
Most homes have at least one bathtub with a shower head above it, and a lot of them still use a curtain. Glass is a common upgrade, especially in a remodel where the tub and tile are being redone anyway.
Which tub glass option fits?
- Sliding bypass doors. Two panels on a track along the tub ledge. They enclose the whole tub and don't swing into the room.
- Hinged panel. A single glass panel that swings in or out, leaving the rest of the tub open for bathing kids or pets.
- Fixed splash screen. One stationary panel covering the shower end of the tub, common with European-style layouts.
What the installer looks at
- Whether the tub ledge is flat and wide enough for a track or bottom channel
- Whether the surround is tile, which can take wall anchors well, or a one-piece fiberglass or acrylic unit, which needs a lighter setup
- How far the tub's ends are from the wall, and whether walls are plumb
- Where the tub faucet and shower valve are, so a hinged panel won't hit them
Is tub glass covered by the safety standard?
Yes. Federal rule 16 CFR 1201 lists bathtub doors and enclosures, defined as assemblies of panels or doors installed on the lip of or immediately around a bathtub, and requires them to pass its Category II impact test regardless of size. The glass should carry a permanent safety glazing mark.
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower?
If you're tearing out the tub to build a curbless or low-curb shower, the glass is the last step. Plumbing, waterproofing, the shower pan and tile come first, and the glass company measures once that work is complete. See custom glass enclosures for walk-in screens and corner setups.
The glass company prices the job after it measures the opening and you settle on glass, hardware and finish. We don't quote prices, and a number given before anyone has measured is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can glass doors go on a fiberglass tub surround?
Usually, with a lighter framed or semi-frameless system. Heavy frameless glass generally needs tile and solid backing.
Are hinged tub panels a good idea with small kids?
Many families like them because the open end of the tub makes bath time easier. Ask the installer about the swing direction and a seal so water stays in the tub.
Related services
- Frameless shower doors
- Semi-frameless and sliding doors
- Custom glass enclosures
- Shower door repair and replacement
More background: Bozeman shower glass guide.
Remodeling the bathroom, or tired of a door that drips and sticks?
Call and a local shower glass company will set up a time to measure and give you a written quote.