Hardware Options for Barn-Style Shower Doors

In our last blog, we went over the basics of barn-style shower doors. But what are your hardware
options for this style?

The glass options for barn-style shower doors are the same as for other frameless designs. However, the hardware selection is more limited—typically available in finishes like chrome, brushed stainless, and matte black.

For double sliding doors, it’s common to include a towel bar on each panel. Single sliding doors usually feature a back-to-back handle similar to those on other frameless doors. If you have a specific handle style in mind, we’re happy to explore options with you, though some styles may restrict full door movement.

That covers the basics of barn-style shower doors! Be sure to check out our other articles and videos to learn more about designing and installing stunning glass in your home.

Learn more in our latest article.

Browse More Glass Shower Doors Near Novi, MI

Ready to finally install that pristine shower door you’ve been dreaming about?

If you live in or around the Novi, MI area, our custom glass shower doors and installation are available to you!

If you have any questions, reach out to us by calling (734) 426-5600 or submitting a contact form here. You can also visit our showroom from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Look for more videos on our YouTube channel!

Barn-Style Shower Doors

Have you ever heard of a “barn-style” shower door?

Barn door shower doors are a great option for small bathrooms or spaces where a swinging door isn’t practical. These doors offer a sleek, minimalistic look with streamlined hardware, similar to other frameless shower door styles.

When selecting a barn-style door, you can choose between two sliding panels or one sliding panel paired with a stationary panel. The best choice depends on the layout of your bathroom—particularly the location of your shower controls and any fixtures like vanities or toilets near the door.

Ideally, you want to be able to open the door and reach the shower controls from outside the enclosure, allowing the water to warm up without being sprayed with cold water. In this case, a door with two sliding panels might give you the necessary flexibility.

If space is limited (for example, if there’s a vanity or toilet next to the shower), a single sliding panel with a stationary panel might be the better option. This design also helps prevent water from leaking out if the door is accidentally left ajar.

Learn more in our latest article.

Browse More Glass Shower Doors Near Novi, MI

Ready to finally install that pristine shower door you’ve been dreaming about?

If you live in or around the Novi, MI area, our custom glass shower doors and installation are available to you!

If you have any questions, reach out to us by calling (734) 426-5600 or submitting a contact form here. You can also visit our showroom from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Look for more videos on our YouTube channel!

Channel vs Clips - Part 2

In our last blog, we discussed how frameless shower doors have side panels that can be held in place by a channel. Here, we’ll discuss the second option to hold the side panels in place.

The second method is with clips. In this method, three or more clips hold the side panels in place. A typical door with one panel next to it will have a single clip along the floor and two along the wall. We generally quote clips as an option, but it does cost a little more.

The choice between these two methods is purely aesthetic. Both serve the same function: supporting the walls of the shower and keeping the water inside. Most people aim to minimize the amount of metal visible with a frameless shower door. While we can minimize the metal, we can’t eliminate it entirely. It comes down to whether you prefer a smaller, continuous line of channel along the glass edges or a few discrete pieces of metal with the clips.

Learn more in our latest article.

Live near Ann Arbor? Wolverine Glass has your frameless shower door covered!

Look for videos on our YouTube channel explaining the choices you can make and the process of designing and installing beautiful new glass and mirrors in your home. If you have any questions, reach out to us by calling (734) 426-5600 or submitting a contact form here. You can also visit our showroom from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Channel vs Clips - Part 1

What’s the difference between a channel and clips?

A typical frameless shower door has a door and one or more panels to the side of it. The door is held in place by hinges, but the side panels are held in place by one of two different methods.

The first method is with a channel. In this method, the side panels sit in a piece of metal channel along the floor and up the side of any walls. This method is included in the base price that we quote.

The choice between these two methods is purely aesthetic. Both serve the same function: supporting the walls of the shower and keeping the water inside. Most people aim to minimize the amount of metal visible with a frameless shower door. While we can minimize the metal, we can’t eliminate it entirely. It comes down to whether you prefer a smaller, continuous line of channel along the glass edges or a few discrete pieces of metal with the clips.

Learn more in our latest article.

Live near Ann Arbor? Wolverine Glass has your frameless shower door covered!

Look for videos on our YouTube channel explaining the choices you can make and the process of designing and installing beautiful new glass and mirrors in your home. If you have any questions, reach out to us by calling (734) 426-5600 or submitting a contact form here. You can also visit our showroom from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

3 Ways to Fix a Loose Shower Door Handle

Looking for a step-by-step guide to fixing a shower door handle?

If your shower door handle is loose, it could cause more serious damage to your shower door, and may eventually require replacement. Here are a few ways you can fix a loose handle to prevent further damage:

Fixing the Handle by Adjusting the Screws

1. Use your Allen key to remove the handle by loosening both sets of screws. 
2. Tighten the second set of screws (holding the post in place) with your Philips head screwdriver until they’re snug.
3. Slide the handle back on and tighten the set screws back into place.

Fixing the Handle by Adjusting the Washers

If that doesn't correct your problem, there could be some plastic washers that are located between the handle and the glass that might have been lost. Once you’ve removed the handle, see if they’ve fallen out somewhere inside the handle and put them back in place. They could also be cracked or broken, in which case you would need to replace them. 

Getting Replacement Parts

If the handle was loose for a long time, then the post that we saw earlier may have become so worn that the set screw can't get a good grip on it, in which case either the post or the whole handle will need to be replaced. If you need to replace something, simply come to Wolverine Glass and we’ll help you get a replacement. Our technicians can help you install the replacement, or you can follow along with this YouTube video to install yourself.

Read the full how-to guide here.

Live Near Ann Arbor and Looking into Remodeling Your Bathroom?

Wolverine Glass is based in Ann Arbor and specializes in bathroom remodels, but it doesn’t end there! 

Our glass experts can help you:

1. Install custom shower doors
2. Install custom mirrors
3. Install custom glass table tops
4. Repair glass windows
5. Revitalize your shower
6. Create custom glass for the home

To get started, call (734) 246-5600 or submit a contact form here.

For more how-two guides, check out our YouTube channel!

Intro to Fixing a Shower Door Handle

Does your shower door jiggle every time you touch it?

At Wolverine Glass, we want to help keep your shower door looking as good and performing as well as the day it was first installed. Our technicians are ready to support you with adjustments, repairs, and any other maintenance needs for your shower door. In this article, we'll discuss how to fix a loose shower door handle.

It's important to fix a loose shower door handle early so that it doesn’t lead to damage that’s much harder to fix. A loose handle can wear down, making it unfixable and needing to be replaced completely. The handle could also move around, causing scratches on your glass. 

You will need a couple of tools to fix a shower door handle…

1. A Philips head screwdriver

2. An Allen key

Note: You’ll want to be careful that you don't scratch your glass with your Allen key, so you want to use a little bit of patience, and you’ll also want to be careful that you don't strip the inside of that set screw either. For the same reason, we also recommend using hand tools instead of power tools.

The most likely cause for a loose door handle is that one of the two sets of screws has become loose. So where are those two sets of screws? 

There’s a set of screws that holds a post on both ends of the handle, and then another set of screws that holds one of the handles onto that post.

Read the full how-to guide here.

Live Near Ann Arbor and Looking into Remodeling Your Bathroom?

Wolverine Glass is based in Ann Arbor and specializes in bathroom remodels, but it doesn’t end there! Our glass experts can help you:

1. Install custom shower doors
2. Install custom mirrors
3. Install custom glass table tops
4. Repair glass windows
5. Revitalize your shower
6. Create custom glass for the home

To get started, call (734) 246-5600 or submit a contact form here.

The Shower Door Installation Process

Looking for a step-by-step guide of the shower door installation process?

The crew will arrive and park their van or truck along the street or in the driveway. They will be looking to place the van in a position that provides the shortest, safest route to carry the glass into the home.

A crew member will introduce themselves and ask to be shown the bathroom they’ll be working in. As they walk to the shower, they will be assessing and making a plan for how they will get the materials in and out of the home. They may politely ask you to put away items that are at risk of being knocked over or damaged.

They will begin by first setting up their tools and laying down drop cloths in the bathroom to protect the floor and collect debris. 

Then they will begin the installation itself. This will involve bringing materials in from the van and unpackaging them. They may temporarily set some of these materials in an adjacent room or a hallway since space is likely to be limited in the bathroom.

Installation can be noisy, as it involves drilling holes into the tile or surround material. You will hear some banging as well as they are positioning the glass into place. If there is someone in your home sensitive to loud noises, make sure there’s a plan in place for their comfort.

One of the last steps during installation is applying silicone caulk to seal the shower. It is extremely important to leave the shower door and shower door alone for 24 hours after the install to allow for the caulk to cure and set. Do not use the shower or turn on the water during this time. Also avoid touching, wiggling, or otherwise moving the glass during this time.

Once the work is completed, our crew will clean up and pack all their tools and materials. One of the crew members will review the work with you and answer any questions that you may have before they leave.

Learn more in our latest article.

Live near Novi, MI and need a new glass shower door?

If you’re due for a new shower door, whether for function or beauty, you don’t have to wait! Wolverine Glass installs glass shower doors in and around the Novi, MI area. For a full list of cities that we serve, scroll down to the bottom of any page on the website. To get started, call (734) 246-5600 or submit a contact form here.