Shower door handle replacement allows you to refresh a glass shower door rather than purchasing a brand new enclosure. This is a wonderful option when you’re between remodels but want to give this much-used space a makeover. Drawing on our experience in both the hardware and glass installation spaces, we’ll go over practical and aesthetic considerations for replacing your shower door’s handle.

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1.What shower door handles are in style?

At Glass Simple, we’ve noticed that tubular pull handles like 8X8TH have been long-standing best-sellers. These deliver a versatile look that works with many modern, transitional, and even traditional bathroom designs. Their sleek and simple contours also make tubular pulls an ergonomic choice. These features heighten their popularity with glass shower professionals who want to offer a standard handle on their glass showers.

On the other hand, we’ve seen a recent surge in the popularity of ladder pulls such as 6X6SLH. The Glass Simple brand offers ladder pulls in two sizes: our 6X6 items are 10” long and require installation holes 6” apart, center on center, while our 8X8 items are 12” in length and require installation holes 8” apart. We offer ladder pulls with both square and rounded contours, and these stylish handles are extra ergonomic because you can tuck your forearm between the glass and the uppermost section of the handle for hands-free door opening.

In terms of finish, matte black is still very much in demand, and chrome remains a classic. At the same time, gold based finishes are on the rise, and we have many requests for satin brass and brushed bronze. Homeowners today are even experimenting with mixed metals within the same space, so it’s possible to add a stylish finish without replacing all of the bathroom hardware.

2.How can I avoid mistakes when shopping for a replacement handle?

For starters, you want to clarify your practical and aesthetic goals for the new handle. Do you need something more ergonomic as you prepare to age in place? Is your current pull problematic in some way? For example, a number of Glass Simple customers have mentioned that ladies with long nails do not find through-glass finger pulls convenient and prefer a tubular or ladder style handle. On the aesthetic front, you want to consider the finish and contour of other metal fixtures in your bathroom and ensure that the new pull coordinates with or complements them.

Next, it’s vital to ensure that the specifications of the new handle align with the reality of the glass door you have in place.

• A handle or set of handles must be compatible with the glass thickness of your door.
• The installation holes needed for the new handle must match the holes that were cut in the glass for your current handle. For example, if your old handle was installed using holes 6” apart center-to-center, you will not be able to use a handle that requires holes 8” apart.

3.What are the steps for replacing a shower door pull handle or knob?

There can be variations in the process depending on the precise products you are removing and installing. However, we can give you a general idea of the steps that are frequently involved in replacing a back-to-back pull handle set.

• Use an Allen wrench to loosen the set screws on the existing handle.
• Once these have been loosened, remove the outer handle with any accompanying washers.
• Use a screwdriver to loosen the installation screws and remove the interior handle and its washers.
• Remove your new handle from its packaging.
• Follow the enclosed instructions or the guidance given in our installations video to put the new handle set in place, basically reversing the steps used to remove the old one.

Shower Door Handle Replacement FAQs

Q: Can I switch from a knob to a full handle or vice versa?

A: You can generally only replace a pull with a pull, a knob with a knob, etc. This is because precise installation holes have been drilled in your glass for the current handle, and you will need to replace it with something requiring the same cutouts.

Q: How can I keep the new handle from being stained with water spots, just like the old one has been?

A: Water spots are always a possibility on metal installed in or near a shower, but you can minimize this risk. Dry the hardware after each use and consider choosing a finish – such as brushed nickel – that camouflages water spots if they do occur. Dark finishes like matte black and shiny finishes like polished chrome will show spots more readily.

Q: If I bring in a new metal finish with my replacement handle, are there other fixtures I could easily change to add more of the new finish to the bathroom?

A: Some of the hardware installed on your bathroom walls can be replaced with relative ease. Possibilities include: towel bars, towel ring, and toilet paper holder. An even easier way to bring more of a new metallic into your space is through items that don’t need to be installed such as the soap dispenser or trash can.

 

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Can I get more help with shower door handle replacement?

Yes! For starters, the Glass Simple YouTube channel offers a variety of how-to videos, including some about handle installation in particular like How to Install a Tubular Pull Handle. However, if you need help choosing the right product or have questions not covered in the video, you can call our experienced team at (571)707-7760 or email us at info@glasssimple.com. We would love to help you choose the perfect shower door replacement handle to spruce up your space!