Most homeowners approach shower glass problems hoping for the cheaper answer, and in most cases, that is also the right answer. The majority of shower enclosure problems — leaks, hinge wear, alignment issues, mineral buildup — can be resolved with a targeted repair rather than a full replacement.

But not always. And when replacement is the right call, it is better to know that going in than to sink money into repairs that buy you another six months on an enclosure that is past its useful life.

Here is a practical framework for thinking through the decision.

Start With the Glass Itself

The first question is whether the glass panels are intact and structurally sound. If the answer is yes, almost every other problem with the enclosure can be repaired without touching the glass.

Glass is the most expensive component of a frameless shower enclosure. As long as the panels are in good shape, you have a solid foundation to work with. Seals, sweeps, hinges, handles — all of these are replaceable at a fraction of the cost of new glass.

If the glass is cracked, the question becomes whether the crack is surface-level (a chip or edge crack that has not spread) or structural (a crack that runs across the panel face, or a panel that has partially or fully shattered). A surface crack that has been stable can often be monitored. A structural crack is a safety concern and means the panel needs to come out.

Repair Is Almost Always Right When…

• The problem is hardware only. If the glass is fine and the issue is a sagging hinge, a worn sweep, a leaking seal, or a door that is out of alignment, repair is the answer. Every one of those components is serviceable without touching the glass.
• Only one panel is damaged. If your enclosure has two or three panels and only one has a crack or chip, replacing that single panel while keeping the rest is almost always the more economical path — assuming CFG can match the glass specification.
• The enclosure is less than 10 years old. A well-made frameless enclosure has a much longer useful life than 10 years. If yours is younger than that and structurally sound, repair is the right investment.
• You want to keep the existing layout and style. If the current enclosure design works well for your bathroom — the swing direction, the panel configuration, the hardware finish — there is no reason to replace the whole thing to fix a specific problem.

Replacement Makes More Sense When…

• Multiple panels are damaged or compromised. When more than one glass panel needs to come out, the math shifts. At some point, fabricating and installing new panels in the existing hardware costs nearly as much as a new enclosure, without the benefit of fresh hardware and seals throughout.
• The hardware is extensively corroded. In coastal South Florida environments, frameless hardware can corrode significantly over 10–15 years, particularly in homes near the water. When hinges, handles, and brackets throughout an enclosure are all showing corrosion, replacing hardware piecemeal costs more than it should. A new enclosure resets everything at once.
• The enclosure is more than 15 years old and showing cumulative wear. Older enclosures accumulate problems. If you are already on your second set of hinges, the seals are failing again, and the glass has years of mineral etching, you are in maintenance mode — spending money regularly to keep something running rather than investing in something that works. At that point, replacement is the sounder financial decision.
• You are renovating the bathroom anyway. If tile, fixtures, or the shower base are being updated, coordinating a new enclosure at the same time makes practical and aesthetic sense. There is no point matching new glass to old hardware if the bathroom is already getting work.

The 50% Rule of Thumb

A useful heuristic: if the total repair cost is approaching 50% or more of what a new enclosure would cost, replacement is worth a serious look. In South Florida, a standard single-door frameless enclosure typically runs $1,500–$3,500 installed. If you are looking at $700–$1,000 in repairs on an aging enclosure that may need more attention in a year or two, the comparison becomes straightforward. CFG will always give you both numbers — what the repair costs and what a comparable replacement would cost — so you can make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep using my shower if the glass is cracked?
A: It depends on the crack. A small chip at the panel edge may be low-risk in the very short term, but any crack can spread under the thermal stress of daily showers. A crack that runs across the face of the panel or a panel that has shattered should be treated as unsafe. Stop using the enclosure and contact us for an assessment. Tempered glass is designed to resist breakage, but once it is compromised, it cannot be counted on to hold.

Q: How do I know if my shower door needs a new seal or a new panel?
A: If water is leaking around the door and the glass itself is undamaged, the issue is almost always the seal or the bottom sweep rather than the panel. Run your finger along the sweep at the bottom of the door and the perimeter seal where the glass meets the wall. If the material feels stiff, cracked, or is pulling away, a seal replacement will solve the problem. If the glass is cracked, chipped, or structurally compromised, a panel replacement is the right call. When in doubt, a technician can tell you within minutes of looking at it.

Q: How long does a shower glass repair appointment take?
A: Most hardware repairs and seal replacements can be completed in a single visit, typically within one to two hours. A full glass panel replacement requires custom fabrication, so we will measure during an initial visit and return once the panel is cut and ready, usually within a few business days.

Q: My frameless shower door is dragging on the floor. What causes that?
A: Dragging almost always points to a hinge or alignment issue. Over time, hinges lose tension and the door sags slightly, which drops the bottom edge and causes it to drag against the threshold or floor. In some cases, the cause is home settling that has shifted the door frame slightly out of plumb. Either way, this is a mechanical adjustment and does not require new glass. We can inspect and correct it in a single visit.

Q: Can you match replacement glass to my existing shower enclosure?
A: Yes. CFG fabricates custom glass in-house, so replacement panels are cut to the exact dimensions and specifications of your existing enclosure. We match glass thickness, type, and finish so the replacement integrates cleanly with the rest of your shower. We work with 3/8″ and 1/2″ tempered glass across a range of finishes.

Q: My shower door hinge is corroded. Can you replace just the hardware without replacing the glass?
A: In most cases, yes. Hardware replacement is a standalone service. We stock components for a wide range of frameless enclosure configurations, including pivot hinges, glass-to-glass hinges, wall-mount brackets, handles, pull bars, and sweeps. As long as the glass panels themselves are in good shape, new hardware will restore the door to full function without touching the glass.

Q: How often should frameless shower doors be serviced?
A: We recommend checking hinge tension and door alignment every 12 to 18 months, particularly for heavier panels. Seals and sweeps typically need replacement every two to three years depending on water hardness and usage frequency. If you notice any changes in how the door operates, such as increased resistance, a new sound, or water escaping where it did not before, do not wait for the annual check. Address it early and the fix is almost always simpler and less costly.

Q: Do you service shower enclosures you did not originally install?
A: Yes. We handle repair and maintenance on existing enclosures regardless of who installed them. As long as the enclosure is a standard frameless or semi-frameless configuration, we can assess it and provide repair options.

Q: What areas do you serve?
A: CFG Shower Doors & Closets serves all of Palm Beach and Broward County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Margate, Lighthouse Point, and surrounding communities.

Q: How do I schedule a repair estimate?
A: Call us at 561.989.8373 or fill out the contact form on our website. We offer free in-home estimates and can typically schedule within a few days of your initial inquiry.

One More Factor: Safety

Tempered safety glass is engineered to resist breakage, but once it is compromised, that engineering no longer applies. Any panel with a crack that runs across the face of the glass, or a panel that has visibly shifted or buckled, should be treated as a safety concern rather than a deferred maintenance item. Do not put off assessing damaged glass because you are not ready to make the repair decision.

If you are trying to figure out which way your specific enclosure falls, the fastest answer is a free in-home estimate. CFG technicians assess the glass, hardware, and overall condition of the enclosure and give you a straight read on what makes sense. Call 561.989.8373 or fill out the form to schedule.

If something has gone wrong with your shower enclosure and you are trying to figure out what the repair is going to cost before you call anyone, this guide is for you. Shower glass repair covers a wide range of services — from a $30 sweep replacement to a $400+ panel swap — and the difference depends entirely on what actually needs to be fixed.

Below is a straightforward breakdown of what each type of repair typically costs in Palm Beach and Broward County, along with the factors that affect where your job falls in that range.

Shower Door Sweep & Seal Replacement: $75–$200

Sweeps and seals are the most common shower door repair in South Florida. Hard water and humidity accelerate wear on rubber and vinyl components faster here than in most of the country. The wide price range reflects the difference between a single bottom sweep ($75–$100) versus a full perimeter re-seal including sweep, side gaskets, and magnetic seal ($150–$200).

What affects the price:

• Number of seals that need replacement
• Whether the enclosure has a magnetic closure (adds cost)
• Enclosure size — longer panels have longer perimeter seals

This is a maintenance-level repair that most homeowners underestimate. A seal replacement done at the right time prevents water from getting into the wall or floor, which can cost significantly more to fix.

Hinge Replacement: $150–$350

Hinge replacement cost depends primarily on the type of hinge and how many need to be replaced. A single pivot hinge replacement typically runs $150–$200 including the service call and hardware. Glass-to-glass hinges and wall-mount bracket assemblies run higher because the hardware is more specialized and the installation requires more precise alignment — expect $200–$350 for these.

What affects the price:

• Hinge type (pivot, glass-to-glass, wall-mount, continuous)
• Number of hinges being replaced
• Whether alignment adjustment is needed after installation (it usually is)
• Hardware finish — chrome is standard; brushed nickel, matte black, and other premium finishes cost more

Frameless Door Alignment & Tune-Up: $100–$200

Alignment is a labor-intensive service rather than a hardware-heavy one. The cost reflects the technician’s time to assess, adjust, and verify the enclosure. Most alignment calls run $100–$150. When hinge replacement is needed as part of the alignment correction, the cost increases into the $200–$350 range depending on hinge type.

Glass Panel Replacement: $300–$800+

Glass replacement has the widest price range of any shower repair because the cost is driven almost entirely by the size and specification of the panel. A smaller panel (under 24″ wide) in standard 3/8″ clear glass can often be replaced for $300–$400 including fabrication and installation. A large panel in 1/2″ glass with a specialty finish — low-iron ultra-clear, rain glass, frosted — will run $600–$800 or more.

CFG fabricates custom glass in-house, which eliminates the third-party fabrication markup and keeps lead time short. The glass is cut to the exact dimensions of your existing enclosure, so the replacement matches the rest of the panel configuration without modifications.

What affects the price:

• Panel size
• Glass thickness (3/8″ vs 1/2″)
• Glass type and finish (clear, low-iron, rain, frosted, privacy)
• Accessibility — panels in tight alcoves or above-average heights take more time to install

Hard Water Stain Removal & Glass Restoration: $150–$300

Restoration pricing depends on the size of the enclosure and the severity of the buildup. A standard two-panel shower with moderate buildup typically runs $150–$200 for a full restoration. Larger enclosures or panels with severe long-term mineral accumulation run $200–$300. Adding a protective coating — which significantly extends the time before the next cleaning is needed — typically adds $50–$75 to the service.

What Is Not Included in These Ranges

Emergency or after-hours service, travel outside the standard service area, and enclosures with unusual configurations or non-standard hardware may fall outside these ranges. We always provide a specific estimate before any work begins so there are no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep using my shower if the glass is cracked?
A: It depends on the crack. A small chip at the panel edge may be low-risk in the very short term, but any crack can spread under the thermal stress of daily showers. A crack that runs across the face of the panel or a panel that has shattered should be treated as unsafe. Stop using the enclosure and contact us for an assessment. Tempered glass is designed to resist breakage, but once it is compromised, it cannot be counted on to hold.

Q: How do I know if my shower door needs a new seal or a new panel?
A: If water is leaking around the door and the glass itself is undamaged, the issue is almost always the seal or the bottom sweep rather than the panel. Run your finger along the sweep at the bottom of the door and the perimeter seal where the glass meets the wall. If the material feels stiff, cracked, or is pulling away, a seal replacement will solve the problem. If the glass is cracked, chipped, or structurally compromised, a panel replacement is the right call. When in doubt, a technician can tell you within minutes of looking at it.

Q: How long does a shower glass repair appointment take?
A: Most hardware repairs and seal replacements can be completed in a single visit, typically within one to two hours. A full glass panel replacement requires custom fabrication, so we will measure during an initial visit and return once the panel is cut and ready, usually within a few business days.

Q: My frameless shower door is dragging on the floor. What causes that?
A: Dragging almost always points to a hinge or alignment issue. Over time, hinges lose tension and the door sags slightly, which drops the bottom edge and causes it to drag against the threshold or floor. In some cases, the cause is home settling that has shifted the door frame slightly out of plumb. Either way, this is a mechanical adjustment and does not require new glass. We can inspect and correct it in a single visit.

Q: Can you match replacement glass to my existing shower enclosure?
A: Yes. CFG fabricates custom glass in-house, so replacement panels are cut to the exact dimensions and specifications of your existing enclosure. We match glass thickness, type, and finish so the replacement integrates cleanly with the rest of your shower. We work with 3/8″ and 1/2″ tempered glass across a range of finishes.

Q: My shower door hinge is corroded. Can you replace just the hardware without replacing the glass?
A: In most cases, yes. Hardware replacement is a standalone service. We stock components for a wide range of frameless enclosure configurations, including pivot hinges, glass-to-glass hinges, wall-mount brackets, handles, pull bars, and sweeps. As long as the glass panels themselves are in good shape, new hardware will restore the door to full function without touching the glass.

Q: How often should frameless shower doors be serviced?
A: We recommend checking hinge tension and door alignment every 12 to 18 months, particularly for heavier panels. Seals and sweeps typically need replacement every two to three years depending on water hardness and usage frequency. If you notice any changes in how the door operates, such as increased resistance, a new sound, or water escaping where it did not before, do not wait for the annual check. Address it early and the fix is almost always simpler and less costly.

Q: Do you service shower enclosures you did not originally install?
A: Yes. We handle repair and maintenance on existing enclosures regardless of who installed them. As long as the enclosure is a standard frameless or semi-frameless configuration, we can assess it and provide repair options.

Q: What areas do you serve?
A: CFG Shower Doors & Closets serves all of Palm Beach and Broward County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Margate, Lighthouse Point, and surrounding communities.

Q: How do I schedule a repair estimate?
A: Call us at 561.989.8373 or fill out the contact form on our website. We offer free in-home estimates and can typically schedule within a few days of your initial inquiry.

Repair vs. Replacement — When the Math Favors Replacement

As a general rule of thumb: if the total cost of repairs is approaching 50–60% of what a new enclosure would cost, replacement is worth discussing. For a standard frameless shower with a single door panel, a new enclosure typically runs $1,500–$3,500 installed, depending on size and glass specification. If you are looking at $700+ in cumulative repairs on an aging enclosure, the conversation about replacement becomes reasonable. CFG will always give you both numbers so you can make an informed decision.

Ready to get a specific number? CFG Shower Doors & Closets offers free in-home estimates across Palm Beach and Broward County. Call 561.989.8373 or fill out the form on our site.

Most homeowners do not think about their shower enclosure until something goes wrong. Then it goes wrong at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday, and suddenly you are starting your day wondering whether a crack across the glass panel is dangerous, whether you can keep using it, and what fixing it is actually going to cost.

This guide walks through the four most common shower glass problems, how to identify which one you are dealing with, and what the repair path looks like for each.

The 4 Most Common Shower Glass Problems

1. Cracked or Chipped Glass

This is the one that tends to cause the most alarm, and rightfully so. The first thing to understand is that almost all shower glass installed in the last few decades is tempered safety glass. Tempered glass is engineered to be significantly stronger than standard glass, and when it does fail, it breaks into small, blunt pieces rather than dangerous shards.

That said, a crack does not mean the glass is safe to keep using as-is. A surface chip near the edge of a panel can spread under the thermal stress of hot showers. A crack that runs across the panel face is a structural concern. The general rule: if you can see it, have it looked at. A technician can assess whether the glass can be treated or whether a replacement panel is the better call.

If the glass has already shattered completely, do not use the enclosure. The door or panel cannot be considered structurally sound, and walking into or out of a shower with a compromised panel puts you at real risk.

2. Water Leaking Past the Door Seal

Water on the bathroom floor outside the enclosure is one of the most common complaints homeowners have about their shower doors. The good news is that it is also one of the most fixable. Most water leaks around frameless shower doors trace back to one of three things:

• A worn or damaged bottom sweep (the rubber or vinyl strip that runs along the bottom of the door)
• A perimeter seal that has dried out or pulled away from the glass or wall
• A door that has drifted out of alignment and no longer closes flush against the sweep or seal

In most cases, a service visit to replace the sweep, re-seal the perimeter, or realign the door will solve the problem completely. These are maintenance-level repairs, not major overhauls.

3. Hardware That No Longer Works Properly

Frameless shower door hardware carries significant mechanical load every day. Hinges support panels that can weigh 50 pounds or more. Handles and pull bars endure constant grip pressure. Over time, normal wear plus South Florida’s hard water and humidity causes hardware to loosen, corrode, and lose tension.

Common hardware issues include:

• A hinge that has lost its pivot tension and lets the door sag or sit at an angle
• A door that is increasingly difficult to latch closed
• Handles or knobs that wiggle, wobble, or have developed surface corrosion
• A door that drags along the floor or threshold during operation

Hardware problems that go unaddressed put extra stress on the glass panels themselves. A hinge that is out of position puts uneven load on the glass edge, which over time can lead to cracking at the mounting point. Catching and correcting hardware issues early is almost always cheaper than replacing both the hardware and a damaged glass panel.

4. A Frameless Door That Has Drifted Out of Alignment

Frameless enclosures are precision-fit at installation. Over months and years, the combination of home settling, hinge wear, and the daily stress of operation can cause a door to drift slightly out of true. When that happens, the door may no longer hang perfectly plumb, may not seal properly against the sweep, or may make contact with the glass of an adjacent panel.

Alignment issues are often subtle at first. The door closes a little differently than it used to. There is a new sound during operation. Water starts escaping in a spot it never did before. These are early indicators that the enclosure needs a tune-up before a minor issue becomes a more involved repair.

How to Know if You Need a Repair or a Full Replacement

The short answer is that most shower glass problems do not require a full enclosure replacement. Here is a straightforward way to think through it:

Repair is usually the right choice when:

• The damage is limited to hardware (hinges, handles, sweeps, seals)
• A single panel is cracked but the rest of the enclosure is in good shape
• The door is leaking but the glass itself is intact
• The alignment issue can be corrected by adjusting or replacing hinges

Replacement makes more sense when:

• Multiple panels are damaged or significantly worn
• The existing glass no longer meets safety standards
• Hardware has corroded to the point where a full set replacement is more cost-effective
• You are already planning a bathroom renovation and want to update the enclosure style

If you are not sure which situation applies to yours, the right call is to have a technician assess it in person. At CFG, we offer free in-home estimates and will give you a straight answer on what the enclosure actually needs.

Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Shower Glass

The best repair is the one you never need. A few consistent habits will meaningfully extend the life of your shower glass and hardware.

After every shower:
Use a squeegee to remove water from the glass. This takes about 30 seconds and dramatically reduces mineral buildup over time.

Weekly:
Wipe down the glass with a non-abrasive glass cleaner. Pay attention to the perimeter where the glass meets the seal, as soap residue and mineral deposits tend to collect there first.

Every few months:
Run your finger along the bottom sweep and perimeter seals. They should feel soft and pliable. If they feel stiff, cracked, or are pulling away from the surface, it is time to replace them. A $30 sweep replacement can prevent a much larger water damage problem.

Annually:
Have a technician check hinge tension and door alignment, especially on heavier frameless panels. A quick tune-up once a year keeps wear from compounding into a more significant problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep using my shower if the glass is cracked?
A: It depends on the crack. A small chip at the panel edge may be low-risk in the very short term, but any crack can spread under the thermal stress of daily showers. A crack that runs across the face of the panel or a panel that has shattered should be treated as unsafe. Stop using the enclosure and contact us for an assessment. Tempered glass is designed to resist breakage, but once it is compromised, it cannot be counted on to hold.

Q: How do I know if my shower door needs a new seal or a new panel?
A: If water is leaking around the door and the glass itself is undamaged, the issue is almost always the seal or the bottom sweep rather than the panel. Run your finger along the sweep at the bottom of the door and the perimeter seal where the glass meets the wall. If the material feels stiff, cracked, or is pulling away, a seal replacement will solve the problem. If the glass is cracked, chipped, or structurally compromised, a panel replacement is the right call. When in doubt, a technician can tell you within minutes of looking at it.

Q: How long does a shower glass repair appointment take?
A: Most hardware repairs and seal replacements can be completed in a single visit, typically within one to two hours. A full glass panel replacement requires custom fabrication, so we will measure during an initial visit and return once the panel is cut and ready, usually within a few business days.

Q: My frameless shower door is dragging on the floor. What causes that?
A: Dragging almost always points to a hinge or alignment issue. Over time, hinges lose tension and the door sags slightly, which drops the bottom edge and causes it to drag against the threshold or floor. In some cases, the cause is home settling that has shifted the door frame slightly out of plumb. Either way, this is a mechanical adjustment and does not require new glass. We can inspect and correct it in a single visit.

Q: Can you match replacement glass to my existing shower enclosure?
A: Yes. CFG fabricates custom glass in-house, so replacement panels are cut to the exact dimensions and specifications of your existing enclosure. We match glass thickness, type, and finish so the replacement integrates cleanly with the rest of your shower. We work with 3/8″ and 1/2″ tempered glass across a range of finishes.

Q: My shower door hinge is corroded. Can you replace just the hardware without replacing the glass?
A: In most cases, yes. Hardware replacement is a standalone service. We stock components for a wide range of frameless enclosure configurations, including pivot hinges, glass-to-glass hinges, wall-mount brackets, handles, pull bars, and sweeps. As long as the glass panels themselves are in good shape, new hardware will restore the door to full function without touching the glass.

Q: How often should frameless shower doors be serviced?
A: We recommend checking hinge tension and door alignment every 12 to 18 months, particularly for heavier panels. Seals and sweeps typically need replacement every two to three years depending on water hardness and usage frequency. If you notice any changes in how the door operates, such as increased resistance, a new sound, or water escaping where it did not before, do not wait for the annual check. Address it early and the fix is almost always simpler and less costly.

Q: Do you service shower enclosures you did not originally install?
A: Yes. We handle repair and maintenance on existing enclosures regardless of who installed them. As long as the enclosure is a standard frameless or semi-frameless configuration, we can assess it and provide repair options.

Q: What areas do you serve?
A: CFG Shower Doors & Closets serves all of Palm Beach and Broward County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Margate, Lighthouse Point, and surrounding communities.

Q: How do I schedule a repair estimate?
A: Call us at 561.989.8373 or fill out the contact form on our website. We offer free in-home estimates and can typically schedule within a few days of your initial inquiry.

CFG Shower Doors & Closets — South Florida’s Repair Specialists

CFG has been installing and servicing custom shower enclosures across Palm Beach and Broward County since 2005. We fabricate custom glass in-house, stock hardware for a wide range of frameless enclosure configurations, and handle everything from a single sweep replacement to a full panel swap in a single visit.

Call 561.989.8373 to schedule a free estimate, or visit our showroom at 6345 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton.