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Most contractors and tile installers understand what needs to be done to accommodate a frameless shower door, however, it is always a good idea to have an explicit discussion to be sure you are all on the same page. The main points to discuss are:
- Make sure there is wood blocking in the wall where the shower hinges are. This can be achieved using 2x4s or 2x6s in the wall. There should not be any plumbing or electrical in this portion of the wall. Typically, we install shower hinges between 8" and 10" from the top and bottom of the glass.
- Pre-slope the shower pan towards the drain. Grout and natural stone tiles are porous and soak in moisture. If the pan underneath is not properly sloped towards the drain, the grout will begin to crumble and you may incur water damage over time.
- The shower pan liner should never be cut where it meets the wall on the top of the curb. The liner needs to be folded tightly against the wall.
- Coat the back of the tile with Thinset/Mortar as well as the wall for maximum adhesion. It should be consistent and solid along the entire backside of each tile.
- All horizontal-laying tiles should be sloped between 1/8" and 3/16" inwards such that any water that lands on a shower curb or shelf naturally runs off into the drain.
