Frameless Shower Door Glass and Hardware Recommended Cleaning Instructions
This beautiful and functional shower enclosure should provide years of enjoyment, as well as increase the
value of you home. With the proper care and maintenance, your new enclosure will prove to be virtually
worry-free. The high quality hardware that you have chosen will require a minimal amount of attention.
How to Care for the Hardware
This hardware, if given the proper care, will remain as beautiful as it is now. Neglecting or ignoring the basic
rules of maintenance will result in the hardware not living up to its potential long life.
The best way to maintain the beautiful finish on the hardware is to wipe it down after every use. After you
shower, use a dry towel to thoroughly dry the hardware. If the hardware is kept clean after every use, it will
not collect mineral deposits that require the use of a soap solution (noted below).
If you are unable to dry the hardware after every use, a weekly cleaning is suggested. The correct method
to be used in cleaning the hardware is a mild soap and warm water mixture. Mix a couple of drips of mild
liquid soap, such as Ivory or similar product, into a cup of warm water. Using a soft, non-abrasive cloth,
proceed to clean the hardware. After youve cleaned the hardware, rinse thoroughly with clean warm water
and dry.
WARNING: Never use an abrasive cleanser of any kind on the hardware. Many of the opponents are
coated with a clear lacquer that will be irreparably damaged if subjected to harsh abrasive chemicals or
scrubbing devices.
How to Care for Your Glass
In addition to keeping the hardware clean, it is of equal importance to keep the glass clean. Glass that is
neglected or ignored will accumulate water spots, which will eventually turn into mineral deposits.
The best way to keep the glass free of potentially damaging water spots is to squeegee the glass after
every use. A routine of using a squeegee on a daily basis is a great habit to get into. Its a minimal
investment in time, and will save you a great deal of cleaning at a later date.
Using a liquid surface protector to protect your glass is a good idea. CRL TPC (transparent Polymer
Coating) Surface Protector can help to repel water off of the glass, but is not intended to replace the use of
a squeegee.
By following these simpler guidelines you can greatly increase the life of the hardware and glass. You have
made an investment in your home by including an enclosure of the highest quality materials. If you have any
questions regarding these instructions, contact the company who completed the installation. They can also
supply you with such maintenance products as squeegees and transparent polymer coatings. Happy
showering!

Glossary:

Acid Etched Glass: Permanently altered through the application of a hydrofluoric acid solution, this translucent glass has a smooth and even surface. Visually similar to sandblasted glass, but whereas sandblasting provides a relatively rough surface which tends to allow the retention of oil, dirt and dust particles, acid etching provides a much finer surface. This minimizes the amount of fingerprints picked up by the glass surface, which has great appeal because acid etched glass continues to look uniform long after sandblasted glass becomes stained, and its fine surface is easier to clean and maintain.

Anodized Aluminum: Anodizing is an environmentally safe electrochemical process that converts the aluminum metal surface into a porous aluminum oxide, ultimately creating an end product whose finish is more durable and element-resistant. Popular for shower extrusions due to its durability, color stability, ease of maintenance, and cost, it revolutionized the industry as an alternative to solid brass.

Barrier-free: In terms of handicap access, this refers to an enclosure system that has minimal or no bottom track and openings that are wheelchair-accessible.

Bent Glass: The ability to bend or shape glass that meets required safety standards and provides an attractive solution for staircases, railings, shower stalls, solariums and display cases.

Bracket: See: “Clip”

Bulb Seal: A rarely used but handy vinyl piece designed for sealing gaps and preventing leaks, it can be adhered to a wall or stationary glass with VHB Tape.

Bulkhead a built down ceiling, used in shower areas to lower the height of full-height steam showers

Buttress: the raised portion of a shower curb that is on more than one level.

Bi-Fold: a door that folds in the middle, usually having one end in a fixed position while the other runs along a guide track.

Bullnose Tile: End cap tile, typically with an eased edge, used to terminate field tile

Buttressed Corner Unit: A shower enclosure consisting of a door, a notched inline panel, and a return panel that sits on a tub deck or knee wall

Buttressed Panel A stationary panel whose full base width sits on a buttress
Bypass: a door consisting of two or more panels that run in parallel tracks.

Buttressed Return Panel A buttressed panel that meets the front face of a shower at ninety degrees

Bypass A shower system that uses two sliding pieces of glass in lieu of a hinged swing door, these units may or may not require additional stationary glass panels to enclose a shower space. A popular choice for bath tubs, bypasses are low-maintenance and cost-effective.

C-pull: Standard shower handle in the shape of the capital letter “C,” usually back-to-back through ½” holes in a door

C-pull Towel Bar Combo: handle system with a c-pull handle on one side of a shower door and a towel bar on the other side, also known just as a C-Pull Combo

Caulk: See: “Silicone”

Carved Glass: a very artistic form of sandblasting that creates a multi-dimensional effect through the varying depth of the design pattern.

Centre Line: Imaginary line that will split the thickness of the glass being used.

Clamp: See: “Clip”

Clip: a metal clamp or bracket that attaches glass to walls or glass to glass. Made of solid brass and plated in a finish complementary to the hinges, handle, etc., clips can be used to accomplish a more frameless look by stabilizing stationary glass. Ultimately, the tile job determines whether or not clips can be used in lieu of u-channel, as significant, aggressive outages in the plumb and level conditions can make for sloppy silicone seams. See: “Glass-to-Wall Clip” and “Glass-to-Glass Clip”

Corner Clip: a clip used to stabilize two stationary pieces of glass meeting at 90 degrees, its frequently used on frameless corner units without a header.

Clear glass: Transparent glass.

Continuous Hinge Door: a shower door that has a full-length continuous metal hinge on the side of the door.

Corner Unit: A shower enclosure consisting of a door, an inline stationary panel, and a return panel

Curb: The raised edge or border of a shower, usually made of tile, marble or fiberglass.

Curved glass: glass that has been specially formed to fit into a circular floor plan.

Custom enclosure: an enclosure that requires specially cut glass and framework.

Detail Tile: tile that projects above or outward from surrounding tile (i.e., listello bands, bench seat overhangs, etc.), its a design flourish that may or may not factor into how a shower door is engineered or installed. Oftentimes, we will notch detail tile, cutting out a recess or groove that allows the glass or u-channel it will accommodate to sit flush with surrounding tile. See also: Notch

Drip system: A device designed to prevent water from dripping onto the floor when the door is opened.

Etched glass: glass that has had a pattern cut into its surface, usually by an acid treatment.

Finish: The plating over solid brass or anodized aluminum (i.e., chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, etc.)

Fixed panels: the glass or plastic panels of an enclosure that do not move.

Flat Etching: the process of sandblasting the surface of the glass or mirror.

Framed: a bath enclosure system that mounts all glass or plastic panels in a metal frame.

Frameless: a bath enclosure system that minimizes the amount of metal used to hold the system panels and door in place.

Front Face: In a shower with glass on more than one side, the front face is the side of the shower that contains the door.

Glass: A hard, brittle, noncrystalline, more or less transparent substance produced by fusion, usually consisting of mutually dissolved silica and silicates that also contain soda and lime.

Glass Sealant: A product that seals the pores of glass, acting as a Teflon coating of sorts, to prevent the buildup of soap scum, mineral deposits, etc. Diamond Fusion, Cardinal Armor, and Cardinal 10 are a few of the glass sealant products we carry.

Glass-to-Glass Clip: A clip that that stabilizes stationary panels adjacent to one another

Glass-to-Glass Pivot Hinges: A solid brass pivot hinge system that allows for hinging a door off of a stationary panel, negating the need for a header. They distribute the weight of the door downward towards the curb instead of having the stationary panel bear the full load of the door weight.

Glass-to-Wall Clip: A clip that stabilizes a stationary panel by attaching it to the wall, negating the need for u-channel

Glass-to-Wall Swing Hinges: Solid brass hinges, also known as swing or patch hinges, these are located approximately 8 from the top and 8 from the bottom of a frameless shower door. They require 2×4 backing to have enough meat to anchor the full weight of the door, as each hinge requires four screws.

Hard L: A vinyl with many applications, but used primarily against the strike side of a door to give the unit something firm to close against, acting as a jamb, and to seal the gap between the strike side of the door and the wall or stationary panel adjacent to it.

Hardware: Any metal shower components (i.e., hinges, headers, handles, clips, etc.)

Heavy Glass: glass used in many European-style frameless enclosures. Usually 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch in thickness.

Header: Metal support at the top of a shower, its used to support the door and any additional panels. It bears the weight of the door, allowing for hinge location adjacent to a stationary panel. It also stabilizes and reduces deflection on stationary panels. Standard headers range from 1 ¼ to 3 thick.

Hinge Door: a shower door that has a jointed metal hinge on the side of the door.

Hydroslide: A modern shower system with only one sliding panel

Knee Wall: A raised surface (terminating higher than the shower curb) that requires a notched panel and/or a buttress panel

Knob: A small, minimalist handle usually measuring approximately ¾ x 1 ¾.

In-line Panels: fixed panels that are in a line with the shower door.

Inset Transom: A swivel vent for steam showers completely contained within a door or stationary panel, its essentially cut out of the piece that contains it and mounted with clips that allow it to be adjusted as necessary. See: Transom

Laminated Glass: glass panel created by uniting layers of glass in order to increase its strength.

Listello Tile: See: Detail Tile

Lip: See: Overhang

Lite: A stationary piece of glass

Low Iron Glass: Also known as Starfire glass, low iron glass is crystal clear, lacking the slight green tint that clear tempered glass can show ever so slightly on the edge. Its iron that causes this slight hue, so low iron glass is required in situations where clear tempered glass will not suffice.

Magnetic Latch: a latch that holds the door shut through the use of magnets.

Mitered Edge: Whereas glass is usually cut with 90 degree edges, it can alternative be cut with 45 degree angles so that a mitered door strikes against a mitered panel to overlap and interlock. This can be great for eliminating vinyls in that gap, but it can be problematic if the door is pulled past the panels edge.

Neo-angle: a shower that consists of a center door with a fixed panel at an angle on either side of the door.

Notch: A recess or groove cut into raised detail tile or an overhang to allow glass or u-channel to sit flush with surrounding tile

Notched Corner Unit: See: Buttressed Corner Unit

Notched Panel: A stationary glass panel with a cutout, usually to accommodate a tub deck or knee wall, they look like the state of Oklahoma flipped on its panhandle.

Obscure Glass: glass that lets light through, but is not totally transparent.

Operable Transom: a swivel vent, it is used in steam showers to regulate the volume of steam. The operable transom clips can attach to walls, stationary glass, or headers. Alternatively, they can be completely inset in a door or stationary panel. See: Inset Transom

Outage: Any surface condition with greater than or equal to 1/16 out of plumb (vertical surfaces) or out of level (horizontal surfaces)

Overhang: A lip of tile or granite that extends slightly past a knee wall or bench seat, usually requiring notching to accommodate stationary glass

Out Of Level: refers to the horizontal plane. It applies to the curb, threshold, sill, floor, ceiling or tub deck.

Out Of Plumb: refers to the vertical plane. This applies to walls, step-ups or buttresses.

Outside Dimension: the outer edge of an existing enclosure as it sits on the sill.

Patterned Glass: glass that has a repeating shape embedded in it.

Pivot Door: a shower door that rotates on two metal pivots on the top and bottom of the door.

Polycarbonate: See: Vinyl

Powder Coat: a technique for applying paint to aluminum shower door frames. The aluminum is covered with a powder of dry paint particles and is then baked in an oven. This causes the powder to melt and then harden into a tough, colorful finish.

Reflective Glass: glass that bounces back at least some of the light that strikes it.

Return: A horizontal surface located ninety degrees from the curb of the shower

Return Panels: fixed panels that are set at a 90° angle to the shower door.

Robe Hook: A through-the-glass option for doors or panels that costs less and takes up less space than a towel bar while performing a similar function

Sandblasting: Surface treatment in which sand is blown against glass at a high velocity to produce a roughened, opaque surface. We use glass sealant on both sides of our sandblasted glass to guard against the accumulation of dirt and oils, as the sandblasting process makes glass, which is already relatively porous, more susceptible to discoloring and deterioration.

Seal: Any vinyl piece meant to prevent a shower enclosure from leaking

Semi-frameless: Semi-frameless shower enclosures typically use 1/4 tempered glass and anodized aluminum hardware. A custom shower deemed semi-frameless has a header atop the unit, and any stationary glass is fully framed with slim profile channel. The door itself, however, does not have framing around it, hence the term semi-frameless.

Shower Screen: See: Spray Panel

Silicone: a translucent caulk product used to seal the edges and seams of shower enclosures, its main function is to prevent leaking. Our silicone has a mildew-resistant additive to keep it clean and relatively transparent over time.

Silk-screened Glass: glass that has graphic images silk-screened on the surface to give the illusion of etched, textured or patterned glass

Sill: a semi-round metal piece or polycarbonate block mounted to the curb, its positioned directly underneath the door in its closed position to act as a dam and prevent leaking.

Sliding Panels: The moving panels in a bypass door.

Spray Panel: A hinged or stationary piece of glass that takes up only part of a shower or tub opening, oftentimes they have a curved radius edge on the top outer corner.

Starfire Glass: See: “Low Iron Glass”

Stationary Panel Any unhinged piece of glass adhered to a surface with clips or u-channel and unable to move

Stationary Transom associated with steam shower units, its a stationary piece of glass above a door or header that brings the unit to the ceiling for a fully enclosed shower. Usually required for steam units with an overall height too tall (84+) for a full-height door, its an economical alternative to an operable transom.

Steam Bath: an enclosure that is usually equipped with special plumbing to create steam. The enclosure itself either runs from the floor to the ceiling or has a top to contain the steam.

Strike Side: the side of the door with the handle, opposite of the Hinge Side

Sweep: vinyl piece attached to the bottom of a shower door with fins that drag against the curb to prevent leaking. Ideally, when the door is in its closed position the flexible fins of the sweep are set in a position straddling a sill.
T

Tempered Glass: glass that has been annealed or strengthened by a process of gradually heating and cooling. Once a piece of glass has been tempered it cannot be cut. If it breaks, it breaks into many small pieces. By code, all glass shower doors and enclosures must use tempered glass.

Textured Glass: glass that has been made with a texture on its surface that creates a translucent effect.

Tile Rise (Buttress): the raised portion of a shower curb that is on more than one level.

Tinted Glass: glass that has a color running through it.

TPC Surface Protector: An after-market sealant that can be applied to glass, tile, and porcelain surfaces to act as a buffer from the elements. It reduces the time and energy spent cleaning your bathroom, while protecting the materials from wear and tear.

Transom Panel: a panel usually located above the door of an enclosure. Can be used to keep steam inside of a steam-shower unit. Some open to vent steam.

Tub Deck: The surrounding edges of a soaking tub, frequently adjacent to a corner unit and requiring a buttressed return panel

Two-thirds Neo Angle A neo angle with only one stationary panel instead of the usual two
U

U-channel: typically used where glass meets tile, marble, or granite, it allows for adjustability of stationary panels and neat glass-to-metal and glass-to-wall silicone joints. Its primary function is to stabilize stationary glass panels.
V

VHB Tape: Very High Bond, double-sided adhesive frequently used to attach vinyls to various surfaces (i.e., glass, tile, etc.). In a pinch it can also be used to attach u-channel to surfaces, like certain tubs, that cant be drilled into.

Vinyl: Any number of ancillary seals and wipes (Hard L, sweep, etc.) used to prevent leaking and solidify a frameless appearance

Vinyl L: See: Hard L or Soft L

Vinyl Sweep: See: Sweep
W

Wall Jamb: The framing on the wall of bypass sliding units that the sliding panels strike against

Wet Glaze: a seam where glass meets a wall or glass meets glass that uses only silicone in lieu of metal channel or clips

Wipe: See: Sweep