Shower Doors in San Jose, CA

Shower doors in San Jose cover a lot of ground, literally. The city counted 342,037 housing units in the 2020 census, and they range from late 19th and early 20th century houses in Naglee Park, the Rose Garden and Willow Glen to the tract homes built during the postwar annexation boom and the apartments and condos that followed. We measure, supply and install frameless, semi-frameless and sliding glass across that range.

The annexation-era bathroom

Under City Manager A. P. "Dutch" Hamann, from 1950 to 1969, San Jose annexed property 1,389 times and grew from 17 to 149 square miles. Population went from 95,280 in 1950 to 459,913 in 1970. That much building in two decades left a huge number of homes with the same basic bathroom: a tub-shower combination in a tiled alcove, often with an aluminum-framed slider that has long since corroded at the track.

For these bathrooms we usually suggest one of three upgrades: 1. A frameless sliding system on a single top rail, which removes the bottom track where soap scum collects 2. A fixed tub screen with no door, for households that do not need full splash protection 3. Converting a tub to a walk-in shower with a frameless door and panel, which is a bigger remodel and does involve a permit

The 22-inch opening and other city rules

San José's Bulletin #274, dated August 2025, sorts kitchen and bath work into three levels. Cosmetic work such as tile, paint and replacing faucets or toilets does not need a permit. A minor remodel, with several fixtures replaced but nothing moved and no wall changes, needs a permit but no plans and can be bought online at SJPermits.org. A major remodel, where walls or framing change or fixtures move, needs plans and plan review.

Two lines in that bulletin matter directly to glass. Shower doors must open with at least a 22-inch unobstructed opening, and a shower pan must be at least 1,024 square inches with a 30-inch minimum finished dimension. When we design a door for a narrow stall, we plan the hinge side, door width and fixed panel so the clear opening meets that 22 inches. Rough inspections apply to tub and shower work under a permit, so if your project includes new valves or a new pan, the glass goes in after that work passes.

Hard water in much of the city

San Jose Water, whose service-area map covers San José along with Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos and Saratoga, publishes hardness by source in its water quality report. Its groundwater averages 288 ppm, with a range of 175 to 451 ppm, roughly 16.8 grains per gallon on average. Imported Valley Water surface water averages 99 ppm and local mountain surface water 151 ppm. Valley Water's scale treats anything over 180 mg/L as very hard. Some parts of San José are served by other water retailers, so check your bill. If your house is on a groundwater-heavy supply, ask us about protective glass coatings and finishes that disguise mineral spots.

Our services in San Jose

• Frameless shower doors and multi-panel enclosures
• Semi-frameless doors for a lower price point
• Sliding doors, including top-rail frameless sliders
• Fixed glass panels and walk-in screens
• Tub glass doors and tub screens
• Repair or replacement of broken, leaking or sagging doors

Getting a price

Costs follow the glass, the hardware and the opening. Sliders and semi-frameless doors are generally the most economical; frameless enclosures with 1/2-inch glass cost the most. Every quote we write itemizes panels, hardware and coating. Call (408) 604-0313 or send photos to begin.

Get a Free Estimate