Shower Doors in Mountain View, CA

Shower doors in Mountain View go into a wider mix of homes than in most nearby cities. Census estimates put the owner-occupied rate at 38.6%, which means most households rent. Many of the bathrooms we are asked about belong to condo owners, townhome associations and small landlords as often as to single-family owners, and each of those clients needs a slightly different kind of answer.

What the city expects before an enclosure comes out

Mountain View's development permits site is unusually direct about bathroom work. It says a permit is required for bathroom remodels that include replacement of the tub or shower enclosure. The same page states that safety glass, tempered or laminated, is required for all glass shower doors and partitions, and that windows in a tub or shower area need safety glazing when their lower edge sits under 60 inches above a standing surface. Before we quote, we ask what else is changing in the room. A straight door swap on an existing curb is a different conversation from tearing out a tile surround, moving a valve or enlarging the stall, and we would rather sort that out on day one than at inspection.

Mid-century tract homes

The city grew fast after the war. Wikipedia's census table shows the population going from 6,563 in 1950 to 30,889 in 1960. Blossom Valley's ranch homes date to the 1950s and 1960s, and Monta Loma holds mid-century modern houses by Joseph Eichler, John Calder Mackay and Mardell Building Company. Bathrooms from that era are often compact, with a tub alcove that was never meant to hold heavy glass. In those rooms we usually look at:

• Tub glass doors in place of an old curtain rod or a tired framed slider
• A single fixed panel where a full door would crowd the toilet or vanity
• Semi-frameless doors when walls are out of plumb and a full frameless install would need too much shimming
• Wall condition behind the old track, since fasteners need solid backing

Condos, townhomes and rentals

For an owner of a rental unit, the priorities are usually durability, easy cleaning and a quick turnaround between tenants. Sliding doors on a bypass track and clear tempered glass with simple hardware hold up well under heavy use. In an association building, please check your CC&Rs for any rules on contractor hours, parking and elevator use before we book a date. We can give you a written scope to send to the property manager.

Frameless glass in newer construction

Mountain View is still adding housing. Wikipedia notes that in December 2017 Google received approval for nearly 10,000 new housing units near its future campus. Newer bathrooms tend to have true corners and solid blocking, which is where a frameless door or a full frameless enclosure makes the most sense. Thicker tempered glass, minimal clips and a clean hinge line give the look most owners are after.

Where your water comes from

The city buys its water wholesale from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and some addresses are served by Cal Water instead, whose Los Altos Suburban district covers parts of Mountain View. Cal Water reports that its local groundwater runs far harder than its purchased supply. Your bill tells you which system you are on, and that tells us how much protective coating and squeegee discipline your glass will need.

Repairs before replacement

Not every call ends with new glass. A sagging door, a worn sweep or a loose hinge can often be fixed. We tell you plainly when repair is the cheaper path and when the frame or glass is too far gone. Call (408) 604-0313 for a free written estimate.

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