Shower Door Seal Terms, Explained

The words you'll see on seal packaging and product pages, in plain English.

Bottom sweep (wipe)

A seal on the bottom edge of a shower door with a soft fin that closes the gap to the curb so water can't run out underneath. More →

Drip rail

A rigid lip on a bottom seal that catches water running down the glass and drops it back into the shower. Most frameless bottom seals combine a drip rail and a sweep. More →

H-jamb

A clear seal shaped like the letter H that pressure fits onto the edge of a fixed glass panel where a door closes in a straight line (180°). More →

Y-jamb

A straight-line seal with a soft angled leg that the door closes against, for a quieter, softer close than a rigid H-jamb. More →

'H' wipe

A seal with soft legs that fits on the edge of a door and seals the gap to a wall or to the panel on the hinge side. More →

Strike jamb (strike seal)

The seal on the panel edge that the latch side of the door closes against. More →

Door jamb seal

A seal on the hinge side of the door, between the door and the panel or wall it hangs from. More →

Neo-angle shower

A shower with angled glass panels that meet the door at 135°, usually fitted into a corner. It needs 135° seals. More →

Bulb seal

A seal with a round, soft bulb that compresses when the door closes. Clip-on versions fit one glass thickness; tape-on versions are chosen by gap. More →

Fin seal

A seal with a thin, flexible fin that bends against the glass or wall to block water. More →

Magnetic seal

A pair of seals with magnets that pull a glass door closed against a glass panel and hold it shut. More →

Durometer

A measure of how hard or soft a material is. A dual-durometer seal combines a rigid clip with a soft sealing lip. More →

Pressure fit

How clip-on seals install: they push onto the edge of the glass and grip it, with no glue or tape. Each is made for one glass thickness. More →

VHB tape

Very-high-bond, double-sided, clear tape that mounts tape-on seals to the glass edge or wall. More →

Glass thickness

How thick the shower glass is: usually 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or 1/2". Clip-on seals must match it exactly. More →

Gap

The space between the door and the curb, wall or panel that a seal closes. Product pages list the suggested gap. More →

Acetic-cure silicone

Silicone that releases acetic acid (a vinegar smell) as it cures. It can turn brass green. More →

Neutral-cure silicone

Silicone that cures without releasing acid, so it is safe on metals like brass. More →

Frameless shower door

A glass door held only by hinges and clamps, with no metal frame around the glass. Usually 3/8" or 1/2" glass. More →

Hard water

Water with a lot of dissolved minerals. It leaves white spots on glass and stiffens seals over time. More →