3 Places You Do Not Want to Buy Glass Shower Doors

If Your Time is as Valuable as Your Money budgeting for a home improvement project or a remodel can be tricky. Staying within that budget can be an even bigger challenge. We’ve all been there – you plan on spending a certain amount on a project, you plan for every foreseeable expense, and you price shop. Then you knock down a wall… whoops! What’s behind those walls can be full of surprises and unforeseen expenses, so now you have to cut costs. We hear regularly from customers that they’re over budget by the time they get to the glass shower doors stage (usually the very last stage), so they’re trying some other methods before heading our way. Here’s our advice:

1. A Hardware Store

Buying a pre-fabbed shower glass enclosure from a big box store might be the most affordable route, but it most likely won’t provide you with the final outcome you’re looking for. Most of the options aren’t truly frameless. And while the few frameless shower door options available have come a long way, they’re still lacking. Typically, the glass isn’t considered “heavy glass” like what you’d receive from a local glass company which is 3/8” thickness or greater. Their finishing selections are much more limited as well because they aren’t custom selected for the job. When pre-fabbing, they mass-produce the most cost-effective options and don’t produce much else. This also means their sizing choices are limited as well. If you’ve moved your shower head up, you want to make sure your glass height increases with it. This often isn’t an option with an "off the shelf” shower door.

2. The Internet

Ordering your glass from the internet instead of the shower door company down the road that specializes in glazing brings on many of the same challenges as buying one from a hardware store. You might have a few more finish options, but now you’re stuck paying for shipping on top of everything. Let us tell you – shipping glass is not cheap! Not to mention, who is going to install this door once it arrives (hopefully in one piece)?

3. A Handyman

Listen, we know some incredibly talented handymen (and women). They’re detail-oriented, fair, reliable, and have experience in bathroom remodeling. But glass is a whole different beast in the subcontractor world. Why? Because if you mess up a pane of shower glass you can’t run to the store to pick up a new one. It’s also dangerous to install. One wrong move and the entire thing shatters. You pay a premium to have a glazier measure and install your shower glass because they’re specifically trained to do so. When measuring shower space, a glazier knows how to account for out-of-squares and proper deductions for glass to properly fit and function. They know that your walls are most likely not square, but if they do their job right, no one will ever be able to tell. They also know the art of glass installation and how to handle such a heavy, fragile object. A handyman knows a lot of things, but it takes specialized training when it comes to glass.

The Right Solution for Your Glass Shower Door Needs

Working with a professional glazier from a company that specializes in custom glass shower doors is the best way to ensure you end up with the perfect shower. Custom shower doors that are fabricated by glaziers are specifically designed to work with your existing shower space, bathroom space, budget, and style preferences. Whether you want a simple frameless shower door for your corner shower, a new glass shower enclosure, or you have a shower tub combo, a professional glass company that specializes in creating affordable frameless glass shower doors and working with all types of showers, is the best way to protect your investment and end up with the bathroom you've always dreamed of. Your biggest concern may be the cost, but when you take into consideration everything that may go wrong when you buy an off the shelf model, attempt to install the door yourself, or work with a contractor who doesn't have the bathroom experience you need, you'll realize that when you go with a glass specialist, you're actually saving money in the long run.

If you enjoyed this article, check out these other articles about Glass Showers:
Common DIY Fixes for Frameless Shower Doors & When to Call the Pros

What People Are Saying About Us

I did everything from my iPhone! Easy peasy!

The team at GCS was so easy to do business with. I did everything from my iPhone. I received quotes for my project with options to choose from. We scheduled appointments by text. Measurements were precise and the glass install looks great. When it was all done I made payments through an app on my phone. Easy peasy.

– Philip Capizzi

Very Accommodating!

Just had our new shower glass and frame installed and we are very pleased. Brendan and Tyler did a great job and we really appreciated them working around the other flooring project we had going on at same time. Very accommodating. The glass and framework looks great. I'm looking forward to using the shower tomorrow with the new look. VERY pleased. The company is very responsive, quick to come out and measure, and got the job done. Thanks!

– Steve Gerhart

A Great Experience!

A great experience from the first estimate, measuring and install. Really well priced and was surprised at how quickly the shower doors were delivered and installed an entire week early. Was very pleased with the entire experience from start to finish.

– Kathleen Ruhl

Super Fast Turnaround Time!

I found this company after looking at many top-rate glass companies in Denver and seeing that I had to fill out forms and wait for them to get back to me. Some took days, and others have yet to call or email back. GCS was easy to text in from the website and talk to someone and get a quote rather quickly with examples over the text message. Within a few mins, I had a quote and an appointment set! That's how you earn the business! Make the initial request EASY and prove what the client is looking for! They were on time for every appointment and were professional. The glass took a few weeks to arrive, but the team kept us in the loop via text and never missed a detail. We are so happy with our choice, and the glass looks fantastic! They even added a complimentary glass coating to keep the soap scum at bay for two years. I'm starting a new project and will use them again in the next few weeks! Highly recommend.

– Alex Tooke

Look No Further!

No need to search any further for a new shower door. Not only is GCS very fair on pricing (believe me, I did my due diligence) but their customer service is out of this world (so rare these days). From working with Chance on pricing, Austin on installing, and Tom on measuring and follow through, everyone was extremely professional. Tom is a perfectionist in the best of ways. His attention to detail is reflective in the quality of work. Thanks team!

– Caitlin Kinnett

Best Experience Ever!

We had the best experience work with GCS Glass! We knew going in some of our product was on back order and would take awhile. We were so impressed with GCS Glasses communication! They always communicated what was going on every time they got an update. We never felt like they “forgot about us” because they were in constant contact. Their workers were great and professional. Price wise they were slightly cheaper than competing companies. We could not be happier with this company.

– Jessica Laue-Flint

Highly Recommend Company

I would highly recommend this company for your shower door. Brandon was quick to respond to my request for quote. He provided excellent details about the options and prices including pictures, all in text so was very convenient.

– Teresa Hastings

Professional staff, Outstanding installers

GCS Glass is the premier company in AZ. Professional staff, outstanding installers. I ordered 3/8" Starphire clear tempered glass, brushed nickel hinges and hardware to match my bathroom fixtures. Emily sent me a detailed invoice with photos of the hardware. This was the finishing touch to the custom bathroom I built. If you want the absolute best GCS will deliver.

– Mark Plennes

Smooth Process, Amazing Quality

We absolutely Love our Glass from GCS Glass Supply. The whole process went so smoothly and the quality is Amazing. Joe and Tim were very responsive each step in the process. The install by Junior and Camden was above our expectations. They were very polite, clean and provided quality craftsmanship. Many thanks GCS Glass. Best regards, Jim & Susan M.

– Jim Mohrig

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