How To Measure For A Shower Door

Use the step-by-step guide below to properly measure the space to ready for a shower door installation.

How To Measure For A Shower Door Installation

Knowing the exact height of the door is the first step of this process. Next, you’ll want to measure and record the width at the bottom, middle, and top. Checking the plumbness of the walls is the last step.

Use this quick guide to measure your shower door.

Step 1. Determine The Height

You should always figure out the height of the door before the width.
Measure to the top of the tile if you have a tile surround.
If you happen to have a vinyl surround, you might have to measure all the way to the ceiling.
Determine which way you’ll want the door to either slide or open.
Many shower doors these days are reversible but not all.

Step 2. Measure The Width

From the tile or acrylic, use a tape measure to figure out the width at the bottom of the shower opening.
Do this to the middle and top of the door, as well.
When measuring the bottom, place the tape measure just above the bottom shower curb.
The top measurement should be near the top of the door, yet never beyond the wall tile.

Step 3. Inspect Plumbness

Once all measurements are recorded, check the door opening for plumbness.
This essentially means the ‘straightness’ of the wall.
If your shower wall is not plumb, but crooked, it can impact the installation process.
A bubble level is the best tool to analyze width measurements.
Older homes typically feature an upper shower area with a larger width than near the curb.

Step 4. Choose Proper Door Width Size

If the walls are plumb and the width measurements remain the same, use this as your width dimension.
If this is not the case, you’ll need to order a shower door that allows for ‘out of plumb’ installation.
You should choose the shower door with your largest width measurement.