From the mountains to the beaches and everywhere in between, you’ve seen it all in your recreational vehicle (RV). It’s truly your home away from home. And since you’re spending so much time in it, your RV should feel like a home, too. Just as upgrades, renovations and ongoing maintenance are part of traditional home ownership, they also apply to taking care of your RV. Let’s start with the bathroom. Many RVs come with a glass shower door. And it might just be time to replace that RV shower glass door. Or maybe you’re ready to change out the shower curtain for an RV glass shower door upgrade. It sounds exciting, but you might have a lot of questions about how to replace your RV glass shower door. Let’s take a look at some steps to take once you’re ready for the upgrade.
RV Shower Door Options
RV shower doors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Options range from simple to luxurious, high-end selections. Pleated shower curtains, usually made of heavy plastic, are typically standard in most basic units. They slide open and closed.
A standard sliding door is also an option, but the nicest RVs most often have glass shower doors. These are usually similar to the glass shower doors you have at home. While they are certainly an attractive option, another benefit is RV glass shower doors are easy to keep clean.
Common Problems with RV Glass Shower Doors
Leakage is one of the most common problems with RV glass shower doors. Fixing a leak at home, when there’s a hardware store nearby, is one thing. RV glass shower repairs may take a little more work. You purchased your RV to explore the open roads, and you may not always be close to a hardware store. With that in mind, it’s good to keep caulk on hand. You can help prevent and repair leaks by caulking the edges of the shower and the base.
When it comes to re-caulking, you may want to disassemble the framed glass enclosure. While you can re-caulk without disassembly, by doing so it’s easier to fully clean the area and remove the old caulk.
It’s also simple to remove the existing shower enclosure for cleaning or other simple repairs. Just remove the screws from the top and sides and you can lift the framed enclosure away. Once you’ve handled the cleaning or repairs, simply reassemble the enclosure and apply the new caulk to the seams.
Whether you’re repairing or replacing your RV glass shower door, both are jobs that you’ll want to make sure you do properly. If not, water leaks can continue to be a huge problem. So if you don’t have the home improvement skills to do it yourself, consider hiring a professional.
Installing a New RV Glass Shower Door
RV sizes can range from small and compact to large, open units. The same is true of the bathroom, which also varies in size. Even in a small space, there are still options for adding an RV glass shower door. Many styles are available that come in different shapes and finishes. Here are some options to consider.
Neo Angle RV Glass Shower Doors
A neo angle system, for example, is commonly used in small spaces, including RVs. Neo angle systems include three panels of glass, with one, typically the center, being hinged to open and close. They come in a variety of framing finishes and colors.
Rounded RV Glass Shower Doors
Another option for small RV bathrooms is the rounded RV glass shower door. These are available in different sizes and framing finishes. They can be constructed to swing out/in or can slide to open and close.
Custom RV Glass Shower Door Options
If you have a large bathroom space in your RV, you could even consider custom options for your RV glass shower door. Just like your bathroom at home, you can work with glass shops to design a custom glass shower door. All you need is the space and the budget to bring your dream RV glass shower door to life.
Types of Glass for Your RV Shower Door
In addition to the shape and style of your shower enclosure, you also have a lot of variety when it comes to glass. Many glass options such as colors, textures and patterns are available. However, the number-one criteria is that shower doors include safety glass. This is usually tempered glass. When this type of glass breaks, it will shatter into small pieces, instead of jagged shards, which could cause significant injury to people.
Another type of safety glass, though not common in shower doors, is laminated glass. Laminated glass is constructed with at least two pieces of glass and one plastic interlayer. The glass and plastic essentially create a glass sandwich. Laminated glass is also the glass that’s in your RV windshield. If laminated glass breaks, the plastic interlayer holds the pieces together so the glass does not fall out. If used in a shower, however, moisture can cause issues with the lamination over time, making tempered glass the preferred choice.
Ready to Roll
There are so many choices and options available when it comes to RV glass shower doors. Whether you’re looking for a simple upgrade from plastic curtains or have your mind set on a major expansion, you can transform your RV bathroom into a comfortable, luxurious space. When you’re ready to start your replacement or upgrade, www.glass.com can help. Take a look at our RV site to connect with companies in your area that can work with you on this project. Whatever your RV glass shower door plans, our experts can work with you to design and install a new shower door system that’s perfect for your needs. You’ll soon be on your way, ready to explore the open road. And when it’s time to rest and relax, your comfortable new shower will be ready for you.
