1) Verify & Layout:

The first step in a door install is to verify the dimensions and layout the unit. On the Work Order paperwork shipped with your door there is a dimension box on the left hand side. These are the Centerline Space Dimensions the door was manufactured to fit. Using these space dimensions layout the unit. We recommend putting small marks on your tile so you will know where everything should be installed.

2) Install the Fixed Support Panel:

U-Channel Install:

Install all the U-channel using silicone, screws and anchors. The unit has been designed to use the 1/8" setting block in the bottom of the U-channel. The U-channel installation kit has extra setting blocks in a verity of thickness so you can adjust how each panel stands. Do a dry fit of all of the fixed panels making sure that you will end up with the correct spacing for the door.

Hint: Use a drop of super glue to glue the setting blocks to the bottom of the U-channel. They tend to stick to the bottom of the glass when you do the dry fit.

There are two types of U-Channel installations, Dry-set, and Wet-set. A Wet-set installation is required for the panel which supports the door weight. You can do a Dry-set on all non weight supporting fixed panels. On a Wet-set install you put silicone in the U-channel and set the glass into channel making sure that the glass is making continuous contact with the silicone. You can look through the glass and see the glass make contact with the silicone. Take care not to put to much silicone in the U-channel or the glass will be floating in the Silicone. When you have verified that the glass is in the correct position put some tape bridging from the glass to the U-channel to prevent the glass from moving while the silicone cures. A Wet-set panel needs to cure 7 days before you install the door. This lets you fine tune the gaps around the door so that the gaskets work correctly.

If something goes wrong, and you need to adjust or move the fixed panel after the silicon has partially cured, you should remove the panel and clean off all the silicon and start again. It is a messy process, but disturbing the silicon before it is fully cured can greatly reduce its strength.

Glass Clamps:

First do a dry-fit of all fixed panels to make sure that everything will fit correctly and give you the correct door spacing. Use the clear vinyl setting blocks to prevent the glass from resting on the tile.

Hint: use a small amount of super glue to glue the correct setting blocks at the corners of each panel.

Mark the clamp locations and remove the glass panels. Install the clamps as required. With the clamp plates removed, position the glass in place and install clamp plates. At this time you need to confirm the spacing for the door and adjust as required. For glass treated with Crystal Shield II you should remove the inside clamp plate and put a drop a super glue between the gasket and the glass for each clamp.

The majority of the standard grade hinges are designed with a safety feature that prevents the glass from coming out of the hinge once the hinge is assembled on the door. This is an optional feature on some of the heavy duty hinges. We manufactured the glass with the appropriate hinge cutout to receive the hinge being used. In most cases this is Mouse Ear cutout. In all cases you will need to assemble the hinge on the glass. Most of the hinges are design to work with 3/8" glass or 1/2". The hinge is shipped with a thin set of gaskets, and a set of thick gaskets. Use the thick gaskets with 3/8" glass, and the thin gaskets with 1/2" glass.

Hint: If you super glue the hinge gasket to the hinge and hinge plate it will make it easier to work with during the installation. Don't get glue on the outside surfaces, it may damage the finish.

3a) Mount the hinges on fixed panel:

Assemble each hinge and gaskets into the glass hinge cutout, but don't tighten the hinge plate screws. The hinge plate and screws go to the inside of the shower door. Notice that there is a small space (~ 1/8") between the hinge body and the glass. Assemble the hinges on the installed inline panel but don't tighten the clamp plate screws. The side of the hinge with the hinge without the pivot pin is normally mounted on the fixed panel.

Hint: The pivot pin side of the hinge is normally mounted on the door. If you have a very small door you can maximize the walk through by mounting the hinge with the pivot pin on the fixed panel side.

3b) Locate the hinge:

To make sure you have the ability to adjust the door after it is installed you need to locate the hinge into the center of the cutout. The cutouts in the fixed panel and the cutouts in the door are matched. If you mount the hinge correctly on the fixed panel it will be correct for the door. Assemble the hinge on the fixed panel with the hinge plate loose. Slide the hinge all the way up and put a mark on the glass just above the hinge. Now slide the hinge all the way down and put a mark on the glass just below the hinge. Center the hinge between the two marks and set the edge of the hinge clamp to match that of the glass. Using a good screwdriver tighten the hinge clamp screws (note some hinges use allen head screws instead of phillips head). If the hinge is correctly assembled with gaskets you can not over tighten hinge plate screws.

Hint: It is a good practice to put a drop or two of super glue between the glass and the rubber gasket. This can be done as the last step of the installation process.

4 ) Prepare the Door for installation

Install the Handle

We want to install the handle or knob at this point so that it will be easer to position the door in the door opening. There different styles of handles and knobs, but most of them use the same through the glass mounting system. On the back to back handles there is an inside handle and an outside handle. The inside handle has two small set screws. When mounted these set screws face downward so that you can't easily see them. Use the allen wrench provided loosen the allen screws and separate the two handles. Now loosen the screws holding the plastic washers. Take note of the order of the plastic washers and sleeve. When assembled on the door there is a plastic washer on each side of the glass, and the sleeve is in the hole between the washers. The plastic washers protect the glass from the metal handle. Don't tighten the screws to much or you will break the washers. Now slide the inside handle onto the studs with set screws down. Tighten the set screws. The handle is designed so that it tighten on the glass as the set screws are tightened.

The blow up shown below is for a pull handle with washers. The basic assembly for a No-Washer pull handle is the same but less the washers.

On a typical Euro door, the glass is manufactured to have a 1/2" clearance for the bottom wiper. Place two pieces of the 1/2" fiberboard used in the shipping crate on the curb of the doorway of the shower. For this next step it is helpful to have someone on both sides of the door. The is where a set of suction cups comes in handy. From the inside of the shower carefully place the bottom of the door on the fiber setting blocks. Carefully tilt up the glass up into position allowing the hinges to fall into the hinge cutouts. Install the inside hinge clamps, but do not tighten. You want to make sure the top edge of the door glass matches the top edge of the fixed panel. The door seal should just kiss the fixed panel glass. If everything looks good put a drop of super glue between the glass and the clamp plate gasket and tighten the hinge clamp screws. Test the action of the door. If everything looks good put a fiber board block under the glass to support the weight and one at a time remove inside fixed panel clamp plate and put a drop of super glue between the glass and hinge gasket.

Door Only: If you are installing a door only all you need to worry about in the positioning of the door on the threshold, and having the door straight up & down. With the corner protectors still on the glass and following the "Guidelines for Handling Glass" stand the door on the fiberboard in the door opening. Using a level position the door and mark the screw locations for both the top and bottom hinges. Carefully remove the door and set it aside.

Door & Panel: When installing a door and panel it is recommenced that the fixed panel be in position, but not sealed with silicone. With the corner protectors on the glass and following the "Guidelines for Handling Glass" stand the door on the fiberboard spacers in the door opening. Position the door so that it is located on the threshold in line with the side panel. Temporally remove the top corner protector on the door and check to see if the height of the door and side panel are the same. You may need to add an additional piece of cardboard under the door to make the top corners match. With the door positioned to match the inline panel mark the location for the screw holes for the hinges on the wall. Carefully remove the door and set it aside.

7) Drill & Anchor :

Using the 1/4" carbide drill each of the marked hole locations. The hinge screws are 1 1/2" long so make sure your holes are deep enough to receive the anchor. Push a anchor into each hole. The top of the anchor should be level with surface.

Tip: If you put a small amount of silicon on each anchor, it will make it easier to screw in the hinge screws, and it will seal the hole as well.

8) Hang The Door:

Position the door as before and install a screw in the upper hinge, and then one in the bottom hinge. Now install the rest of the screws. Check to make sure the hinge plate screws are tight. Now remove the fiberboard blocks from under the door. There should be a slight slope on the curb into the shower. Open the door inward to remove the fiberboard blocks.

9) Install Hinge Seal:

After all fine tuning is completed we need to install the hinge seal. Open the door (inward if possible) all the way to expose the back edge of the glass. Clean the edge of the glass of finger prints and oils. The eSHOWERDOOR kit came with a double finned "T" vinyl seal. Cut the seal the the correct lengths. To install the seal peal the red backing down for about 2 inches. Position this part of the seal on the glass. Now slowly pull off the backing off and press the seal on to the glass. The seal has two fins, a short fin, and a long fin. If you have a tight install, and have the glass slid into the hinges all the way, you will need to trim off the long fin and use the short fin.