Best Frameless Shower Doors
Brian
CarolF
Watch a few home shows, and you'll see that the ideal modern bathroom is more like a spa, with a glass shower as the centerpiece. The shower offers relaxation and brings more light into the room while tub-shower combos are history; tubs in master bathrooms are separate if they are present at all.
For those without the space or resources to do a major transformation that adds an enlarged, sparkly glass shower cubical, frameless glass shower doors are replacing shower curtains on showers for a modern, open look. In a market flooded with appealing alternatives, how do you find the best shower doors? When you have an alcove shower or a tub-shower combination, how can you make it look brighter and more contemporary?
While the looks that result are a key consideration in choosing the best shower door, we'll point out other considerations when choosing the one to buy.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 4 hrs of research
Frameless and reversible
Multiple sizes: 48" x 76", 60" x 62", 60" x 76", 60" x 72", 72" x 76" for showers; 48" x 58", 34" x 58" for bathtub conversion
Weighs over 159 lbs. in 48" x 72" to or over 180 lbs. in 72" x 76" size
Shatter retention glass
Ultralux glass coating for easy cleaning
Enduraclean hardware to prevent rust, chipping, or scratching
Hardware colors include brushed nickel, chrome, brushed gold, matte black
Top 10 Picks
1. Woodbridge Frameless Sliding Door
Frameless and reversible
Multiple sizes: 48" x 76", 60" x 62", 60" x 76", 60" x 72", 72" x 76" for showers; 48" x 58", 34" x 58" for bathtub conversion
Weighs over 159 lbs. in 48" x 72" to or over 180 lbs. in 72" x 76" size
Shatter retention glass
Ultralux glass coating for easy cleaning
Enduraclean hardware to prevent rust, chipping, or scratching
Hardware colors include brushed nickel, chrome, brushed gold, matte black
For a clean, modern look in your bathroom, a frameless glass door such as the Woodbridge Frameless Sliding Glass Shower Door will make the shower look more open, inviting, and spa-like – even if your bathroom is small.
The Woodbridge line of doors is made by a California-based company that has supplied bath and kitchen products since 2005 and is a top pick by Bob Vila and others.
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Most Woodbridge Frameless Doors are single-slider models that offer reversible hardware installation options for right- or left opening. On these models, the side of the door with the hardware slides over the remaining piece, which stays in place. The stationary panel of 3/8" thick glass supports the sliding part to eliminate the need for a frame or rail. This style door is great for large bathrooms, is easier to install, and tends to cost less than double-sliding models.
Woodbridge also makes a model that works with tubs.
Door Size and Materials
The doors are made of tempered safety glass with a thickness of 3/8" for full-sized doors and 5/16" for the curved-edge models used for bathtubs. While the ANSI Z97.1 certified glass is not likely to break during normal use, it is coated with a transparent safety film for shatter retention that keeps glass fragments together in case of breakage and makes removal and disposal easier.
The rod, handles, and hardware are made of stainless steel and finished in brushed nickel, chrome, brushed gold, or matte black finishes. The variety of metallic accents allows you to coordinate the door with your fixtures and hardware.
Installation
Depending on the style, the doors can weigh from over 150 pounds to over 180 pounds, making installation a two-person job. While many savvy DIYers attempt the installation themselves, the process is complex enough that the manufacturer recommends using a licensed, insured installer with a helper.
Like many doors of this type, some Woodbridge Frameless Shower Doors do not work well with walls that are out of plumb. A good installer can make sure that the bathroom floor can support the extra weight of the door and do some magic on the wall or some other workarounds to make sure the door hangs right.
Price
On Amazon, full-sized shower doors run between $400- $1,200, plus installation.
Cleaning
The glass in the shower door is treated with an exclusive UltraLux coating that repels water and contaminates, and helps protect against staining and hard water buildup. The coating makes it easier to clean and take care of, so it maintains its high gloss. In addition, the Enduraclean hardware is coated to prevent rust, chipping, or scratching. Cleaning the glass with a squeegee will remove soap sum and water spots, while deep cleaning with a glass cleaner will keep it looking beautiful.
Warranty
There is a lifetime warranty on glass components for some doors, a 1-year limited on other hardware, and some styles specify five years.
Comparison to Competitors
Not only did Bob Vila and other review sites find a Woodbridge door a top pick, but 90% of Amazon reviewers of variations of the door loved its quality. Those who rate it lower complained of breakage, installation problems, and inability to get much help from customer service.
Verdict
The product is costly and requires professional installation, but it creates a beautiful, functional shower.
2. KOHLER Levity
90-114 lbs., depending on models
1/4" glass – 5/16"
Hardware colors include bright silver, matte nickel, matte black, anodized dark bronze, anodized brushed bronze, and brushed modern brass
Some styles have towel bar handles instead of handles at the end
Frosted or clear glass
Kohler, a well-respected manufacturer of fixtures and lighting for the kitchen and bath, uses a new technology in its frameless Levity shower doors that make them slide smoothly and quietly. An innovative roller and bypass system allow the doors to be fully bypassable so users can enter the shower from either side. The secret to the effective roller action is a cushioned center guide, which keeps the doors in line and ensures they are quiet. The system is also easy to install and convenient to adjust.
The overall look of the doors is minimalist to add a sleek, contemporary look to the bathroom. They come with either a vertical blade-like handle or towel bars.
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The Kohler Levity line of frameless doors comes in several widths and heights of full-size and bathtub enclosures. Unlike Woodbridge, which offers models with single or double sliding doors, Kohler Levity doors all have two doors that open from either side.
Some models have vertical handles on the outside edge of each door or towel bar handles on each pane.
Door Size and Materials
The full-sized doors are available in 47-5/8" or 59-5/8" width and up to 82" high. Bathtub doors are 57" or 59-5/8" wide and 59-3/4" high.
Kohler Levity frameless show doors are available in ¼", 3/8", and 5/16 " glass, in crystal clear or frosted, and with vertical handles on each panel or a towel bar.
The frosted glass option available on many models is great for those who want light in their shower but like their privacy too.
Installation
Installing a product with large glass panels is always challenging, but Kohler has clear instructions as well as YouTube videos that make the job seem more manageable. As there are risks when working with large sheets of glass, professional installation is never a bad idea.
This door is tolerant of out-of-plumb walls up to 3/8", and there must be at least 4" of flat surface where the door will be installed. If you opt for professional installation, the contractor will measure the space, ensure that the area where the door will go is ready for the door, and obtain any necessary permits.
Price
Pricing on Kohler doors can be less than $500 to over $1,500. While glass thickness is one variable that impacts the cost, pricing is inconsistent among sellers. A wise buyer will double-check features and manufacturer-suggested retail pricing to make sure they are getting the best door for them at the best price.
Kohler Customer Service is very helpful and responsive to customers who contact them directly or comment on review sites.
Cleaning
The glass used for Kohler doors has fewer grooves which facilitate cleaning. To help prevent water spots and avoid soap deposits or lime buildup in hard water areas, use a shower squeegee to clean glass doors after showering. Keeping the shower doors ajar and enclosures open will help air circulate to reduce mildew growth.
All but the thinnest glass has a CleanCoat® treatment that creates a barrier that protects the glass, repels water, and makes it easier to remove water spots and clean the glass. Kohler even has a premium bathroom cleaner that restores glass, acrylic, tile, and more.
Warranty
The product has a One-Year Limited Warranty.
Comparison to Competitors
Kohler frameless shower doors are widely available, but the number of buyers who review the products is rather small. Those who have left reviews on various sites praise the value, the easy installation, and the overall look but claimed the doors were leaky, especially the less expensive models. However, the doors were very forgiving of old walls that aren't level.
Verdict
Kohler offers a great variety of shower doors in the Levity line and several others. They are willing to stand behind their product if there is a problem. Buyers can buy these with confidence, especially if they opt for professional installation.
3. DreamLine Aqua Ultra
Aqua Uno Single Panel 34" W x 58" H. Walk-in Opening: 59 1/2 in. (in a 60 in. opening space)
Aqua Ultra Hinged tub door 48"W x 58"H. Walk-in Opening: 36"(in a 60"opening)
Aqua Ultra Hinged shower door 45"W x 72"H Walk-in Opening. 27"(in a 48 in. opening) or 39" (in a 60" opening)
Uno bathroom door weighs 58 lbs., hinged bathtub door 75 lbs., hinged shower door 109 lbs.
Quality 5/16 in. (8 mm) thick certified clear tempered glass
Frameless curved design with a European style
Anodized aluminum U-channel allows up to 1/4 in. adjustment for out-of-plumb
Stationary panel requires a Support Arm for additional stability
Reversible for a right or left wall installation to fit your specific layout
Towel bar handle
Matching shower bases available
Dreamline distributes a wide variety of high-quality shower doors, tub doors, shower enclosures, and acrylics shower base, including the innovative hinged Aqua Ultra Frameless Hinged Shower Door.
For small bathrooms that don't have a shower space wide enough for slider doors, the company offers innovative solutions with a hinged door attached to a stationary panel. The Aqua Ultra Uno has one hinged panel. On all models, the hinged panel is curved and opens out, and will work on any straight tub or shower pan.
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The DreamLine Aqua Ultra Frameless Hinged shower is meant to cover part of the space on the open side of a tub or shower with a glass door that swings open. One model for tubs, the DreamLine Aqua Uno SHDR-3534586-01, has a single hinged door, while another model SHDR-3148586-01, has a stationary panel and a hinged door.
In a 60 in. opening space, the Uno model is 34 5/16 in. W x 58 in. H and has a walk-in opening of 59 ½" while the two-door model is 48 in. W x 58 in. H and has a Walk-in opening of 36". For showers, the Aqua Ultra model SHDR-3445720-01 is 45" W x 72" high and opens 27" in a 28" opening or 39" in a 60" opening.
The downside of this design is that water can get on the floor if the showerhead is not correctly positioned to spray closely angled to the wall. While a mat can soak up some excess water, extra water on the floor can be dangerous to users and harmful to floors.
Door Size and Materials
The glass panels for the bathtub door are made of 1/4" thick glass. According to the manufacturer, the ClearMax Protection usually available on tempered glass is unavailable on this model. However, the company has a Custom Glass Group that will make a hinged Aqua door with the coating. The shower size door is advertised with 5/16" glass, while the bathtub variations are ¼."
Installation
When the walls around a tub or shower are uneven, the two-part hinged doors offer adjustment up to 3/8" for the bathtub model and 1/4" for the shower model. The Uno bathtub door offers no adjustment for width or out-of-plum walls.
DreamLine recommends professional installation of hinged models for both bath and shower. The ones for tubs may seem manageable to an experienced DIYer, but glass is still heavy. The hinged bathtub one requires drilling into the tub. Many buyers on Amazon and other review sites said these were easy to install.
Price
The Dreamline Ultra Aqua doors run around $500 for the bathtub unit and over $800 for the shower door.
Cleaning
While these doors do not have ClearCoat, the glass is easy to maintain with a squeegee after showering, and periodic cleaning with water and vinegar or one of the many glass cleaning products now available as glass showers have become popular.
Warranty
Limited One (1) Year Manufacturer Warranty
The manufacturer recommends professional installation as drilling into the tub is required for the installation of this product.
Comparison to Competitors
After use, some customers complained that the doors leaked anywhere there was a seal. For other customers, the hinges were a problem, as the glass tended to sag and even fall off the track and break. Fortunately, replacement parts are easily available, and customer service is very helpful.
Verdict
Despite the negatives, the overwhelming number of comments on the beautiful Aqua Ultra doors are very positive. "Exploding glass" is a problem in the industry; there is no indication that the beautiful Aqua Ultra has a worse record than other manufacturers. If you love glass showers, buying anyone is a calculated risk.
4. Delta Simplicity
Fits doors with an opening minimum/maximum of 50-1/8" to 58-1/2" '(127 cm to 149 cm), with 71" (180 cm) of height
Bathtub doors are also available. Fits doors with a minimum 50-1/8" to maximum 59-3/8" (127 cm to 151 cm) opening, with a 58-1/8" (149 cm) height, walk-in width of 21-3/32" to 29-3/32" (54 cm to 74 cm)
All Delta Shower Doors are designed to accommodate out-of-plumb (uneven) conditions totaling 3/8"
Anodized aluminum track assembly kit crafted for strength and corrosion resistance that can be cut to size for better installation flexibility
Top track features modern barn door styling with exposed rollers.
Premium 1/4" (6 mm) ANSI certified tempered safety glass with Spot Guard glass coating for easy cleaning and to resist water spots
Shower door handle doubles as a convenient place to dry wet towels or stage decorative towels
Shower door comes with a 5-Year limited warranty
Delta's Simplicity Sliding Shower Door is considered semi-frameless because it has tracks on the sides of the door in addition to the tracks that many "frameless" doors have at the top and bottom. The glass doors themselves have no metal framing.
The Delta line of glass showers distinguishes itself from those offered by other companies with its 1-2-3 step customizable shower door program where you can pick your glass size and style, track style and finish, and handle style and finish.
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The Delta Semi-Frameless Sliding Shower door is a center-guided door to make for smooth, quiet operation. Once cut to size, the frame positioned around the opening is strong and corrosion-resistant. The frameless glass doors open in either direction for maximum convenience.
Aside from being a well-engineered product, the Delta door perfectly reflects the buyer's vision for the doors as the type of glass, the frame, and the hardware can be selected at the time of purchase.
Door Size and Materials
The frame of the Delta semi-frameless door is aluminum that is easy to cut to size. Its finishes and hardware match Delta faucets so that the shower door can be part of a coordinated bathroom design.
The glass in the shower is tempered glass ¼" thick. Its availability in four glass types – clear, frosted, rain, and a transitional blend of clear and frosted – offers the desired blend of elegance, a contemporary feel, and privacy.
Installation
Unlike many other shower door companies, Delta anticipated that DIYers would install their semi-frameless door. Helpful YouTube videos are available for potential buyers to view to assess whether they can handle the job. Even the manufacturer assures that those with moderate-level DIY skills can do the job. Considering that installation can cost hundreds of dollars, most buyers who feel competent to do the job will most likely be successful.
Installing requires cutting the tracks to fit the opening. The directions suggest using a hacksaw and a miter box, which will leave the cuts rough, but a metal cutting chop saw will make better cleaner cuts.
Price
Delta offers a custom shower at the $375-500 price point. Some sellers charge much more, so it pays to price shop.
The deals on Amazon on Delta products are exceptional, especially as the product is delivered right to your door. However, if you want to see the finishes or how the different types of glass look, there are plenty of local home stores where you can see the product before buying it from anywhere.
Cleaning
Because all Delta glass panels feature Delta Spot Guard, a hydrophobic glass treatment, cleaning is easy. When properly maintained, the glass resists water spots, hardwater stains, and even reduced soap scum and limescale buildup. Simply squeegeeing the water away after a shower and washing the glass down with a non-abrasive will keep it looking sparkling and new.
Warranty
The show doors have a 5-Year limited warranty.
Comparison to Competitors
When the reviews on the different variations of this door are totaled, the results are decidedly favorable. Though nearly 90% of buyers were pleased with the product, some users complained that water accumulates in the bottom track and leaks onto the floor. The problem does not occur if, as one Amazon reviews put it, "everything is plum, square, and level."
Verdict
The Delta Semi-Frameless Sliding Door looks great, is reasonably priced, and is easy to install effectively. It offers design flexibility often unavailable in a mass-produced door and is definitely worth your consideration when choosing glass shower doors.
5. Coastal Shower Doors Legend
Continuous hinge
Integrated handles
Out-of-plumb adjustment
Available in 1/8" clear tempered or obscure (frosted) glass
Reversible for right or left side installation
Brite Silver, Nickel, or Matte Black hardware
Avail in sizes 36" x 66" to 60" x 69" for full-size doors and 22" x 66" to 36" x 69" for stall shower sized doors
Weight: 65 lbs.
The Legend series of shower doors by Coastal Shower Doors distinguishes itself from other brands with its continuous hinge styling that allows the door to swing outward. Available for stall and full-size showers, the door is framed and would seem to be more stable than frameless models. It is a very popular brand for stall showers in clear tempered or obscure (frosted) glass.
Since 1972, Coastal products have been made by a Jacksonville, Florida-based company that designs and produces the shower doors right in the U.S. They have won many awards for their design and remain a customer favorite.
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Whether you need a shower door for a stall shower or a full-size one, there is a Coastal Shower Doors Legend Framed Hinged Shower Door for you. Whether either size, you can go for the modern look of clear glass or the privacy of obscure or frosted panels
The outward-swinging door styling makes the door perfect for small bathrooms, even ones just big enough for a stall shower. The door has a continuous hinge on one side and a full-length magnet to ensure watertight closure and easy opening, and it can be installed to open right or left.
Door Size and Materials
The door is available in widths as narrow as 22" or as wide as 60" and as tall as 69". Whatever size you buy can be adjusted up to 1.5" in width due to its telescoping wall jam design and adapt to out-of-plumb walls. The full-size shower comes with an inline panel to block the rest of the space. The Legend model even comes in the Neo model with angled panels and a flat door for corner showers.
As the frame is aluminum, the shower won't corrode or rust. All models are available with coatings of Brite Silver, Nickel, or Matte Black hardware.
Installation
The company advertises that it can be installed in an hour as it has 4-piece modular construction. Few customers who installed it themselves agreed that the process was that quick but claimed it was manageable for DIYers with very good skills.
Price
Depending on size, Legend doors on Amazon go for $200-300, but the available models do not qualify for Prime shipping and currently have shipping charges of $135 from a private seller. At a store like Home Depot, which appears to sell many Coastal doors, the prices are $50-100 higher with in-store pick-up. As the doors weigh less, they might be manageable to buy locally.
Cleaning
As with most tempered glass doors, Coastal shower doors can be cleaned with glass cleaner and non-abrasive cloths or sponges. Using a squeegee on the door after showering will keep the spots down between deep cleanings.
Warranty
1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
Comparison to Competitors
However, the price for the framed style can be up to 200% less than frameless or semi-frameless models. Even though the glass is thinner, it is more protected by the metal frame. When properly installed, a framed Coastal door can last more than 10 years. The aluminum frames won't rust or corrode, so the door will look good over the years.
Verdict
The consensus of verified customer reviews from retailers who sell a lot of these doors is that it is a well-designed product if you don't mind having a framed door.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
Aluminum framed glass shower doors with frosted glass have been around for years, especially on stall showers. While these full-framed glass doors are now often seen with clear glass panels, what is new in the market is the frameless doors that roll along a track with minimal hardware. The glass is usually 3/8" to 5/16 thick so that it can support itself without a frame.
Some doors are promoted as semi-frameless, but this is not a standard term in the industry. Products with this label, such as the Delta Semi-Frameless Sliding Door considered in this review part, but not all of the traditional frame. The Delta, for example, has a frame that the glass slides into, although the door itself has no frame.
The doors can be single sliders with a stationary glass panel, dual sliding doors where both doors move, hinged or pivot doors that open outward, or both in out.
The minimal hardware and tracks on all doors are available in decorator colors such as brushed nickel, antique bronze, matte black, chrome, or brushed gold.
Size
The glass used for shower doors is tempered, which means it cannot be cut without destroying an important property: if it breaks, it will crumble into tiny pieces rather than large shards that could cut you. If you try to cut it anyway, it may shatter unless you anneal it first by heating it to 900F in a kiln. Since most homeowners do not have the equipment to do that, and the results may still remove the tempered quality, it is best to buy a shower door in the appropriate size.
While framed glass showers often use 1/8" glass, modern showers use glass at least 3/16". For companies that add a coating to the glass to make it more spot resistant, the glass is usually ¼" or more. The properties of the glass change the thicker it get, as this chart used by Kohler shows:
3/16" Tempered
1/4" Tempered, ClearCoat* technology
5/16" Tempered, ClearCoat technology, smoother glass, increased durability, great structural strength
3/8" Tempered, ClearCoat technology, smoother glass, increased durability, great structural strength, available in increased height options
*The name of the protective coated may differ by manufacturer.
The glass on frameless shower doors is often clear, but depending on the manufacturer, may be frosted, transitional with bands of frosted glass on a clear paned, tinted, rain glass, patterned, or gridded. The more opaque glasses offer more privacy.
The hardware and any support pieces on frameless or semi-frameless showers are corrosion-resistant aluminum or stainless steel and are often coated to enhance these properties.
Compatibility
Glass doors weigh from more than 50 pounds to nearly 200, and that is assuming that they have no additional backwalls or extensions to increase the weight. Anything as large and heavy as shower doors requires two people to carry them to the worksite and install them.
Installation is complicated and may require permits from the city. Some manufacturers recommend professional installation and may not honor the warranty if a contractor does not do the work. Others are more DIY-friendly for those who have medium to advanced skills.
Using a professional can add hundreds to the door but spending the extra may be worth it to get the job done right. If there is damage or other problems during installation, the burden will usually fall on the contractor.
Materials
Clean, sparkling glass is beautiful, but soap scum and mineral deposits are the natural enemies of glass shower doors. For a shower door that is easy to maintain, look for a quality tempered glass door coated at the factory to resist spotting.
Squeegeeing off the door after using the shower will keep and door looking clean, while deep cleaning with one of the many glass cleaning products on the market will help your glass overcome dirt, grime, hardwater, and more. Even a solution of water and vinegar applied with a non-abrasive cloth or springe and wiped with a microfiber cloth will do the job.
Value
Price
Installing a glass shower door can be price – from $300-$3,000 for materials and installation. The highest shower door prices are for custom frameless options, but a standard door might be $1,000 or more plus installation costs. Framed doors are more economical but give off a completely different vibe in the room.
Warranty
Most doors have a 1-year limited warranty, although this varies. More important concerns regard the availability of replacement parts and customer service. Based on reviews on Amazon and Home Depot, some manufacturers are particularly willing to troubleshoot problems and replace parts with minimal hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Why choose a frameless door?
Frameless doors have become more popular over the last few years as they open up the bathroom and bring more light into the shower – which allows easier reading of the tiny print on shampoo bottles. More open showers are elegant, make the room feel bigger, show off beautiful tile work, capitalize on views, bring in natural light, and impose a sense of calm.
Designers who plan bathroom remodels often suggest repositioning showers for the best light and the maximum space. Even with an alcove shower or tub-shower combo in place, you can still enjoy the modern touch of a frameless door.
q: Are frameless shower doors dangerous? Will they explode?
Glass shower doors can expectedly break if damaged is shipping or by the homeowner. A more serious concern is the reports that doors unexpectedly shatter during use or even during the night. When this started happening, manufacturers and contractors were skeptical about this occurrence, but the problem is widespread enough to be an industry concern.
While exploding glass happens in a very small percentage of cases, the occurrence is scary for homeowners. Fortunately, the number of serious injuries from this problem is very small as well.
The problem has been tied to tempered glass, which breaks into small pieces rather than large chards for safety. The tempering process alters the tensile strength and other properties of the glass so that it will not break if hit head-on but might shatter if the edge of the glass is bumped. This might happen if there are imperfections in the glass or if a roller loosens and the door drops a bit, or the door hits the sidetrack.
Properly maintaining doors and checking for damage is the best protection against this seemingly bizarre occurrence.
q: Are glass doors a cleaning nightmare?
Clear glass doors are subject to water spots and smudges, but modern cleaning products are up to the challenge. Routine squeegeeing will keep the door from a buildup of soap scum, while cleaning will remove fingerprints and smudges. Cleaning clear glass might be easier than cleaning frosted glass.
q: Are frameless doors manageable for those with physical disabilities?
A frameless door must be carefully selected for a user in a wheelchair or with mobility issues. The space the door allows when it is open is crucial, but a hinged or folding door might be more convenient than a slider. Glass doors are not built to bear bodyweight, and pulling on the door or bumping into it can cause structural issues.
This does not mean that someone with a disability cannot enjoy the beauty and other advantages of a frameless door. Companies with an understanding of physically challenged customers can provide excellent choices that meet ADA requirements.
Some approved shower doors are available at big box stores, but medical products companies that meet the needs of disabled customers can offer a selection of accommodating frameless and framed products.
q: How can you overcome the lack of privacy with a frameless door?
With a glass door, the openness puts you on display while showering. If this is offensive or bothersome to a buyer, frosted or transitional glass with a mix of clear and frosted glass that offer privacy might be a better option.
q: Will frameless doors work if the walls are not level?
Installing a frameless door when the walls are out-of-plumb can be challenging. Some doors are more forgiving than others, and manufacturers are upfront about tolerances for even walls. Sometimes, a contractor can level the wall or find a fix for the problem.
