How to Replace a Framed Shower Door Sweep

By the IDEAL install crew · Frameless glass showers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since 2014 · Updated 10-26-2026

Framed shower doors don't use the clip-on sweeps that frameless glass does. Their sweep slides into a slot or channel in the bottom of the metal frame. Match the shape of that slot and the job takes about ten minutes.

Step by step

1. Pull out the old sweep. Open the door and slide the old sweep out the end of the bottom rail. If it's stuck, grip it with pliers and pull steadily from one end.
2. Look at the profile. Check the edge that sat inside the frame. A rounded bulb, a flat "T", a "star tip" or a plain flat strip each need the matching sweep.
3. Measure two things. Measure the width of the door's bottom rail for length, and the gap from the bottom of the frame to the curb for blade height.
4. Cut to length. Cut the new sweep to the rail width with sharp snips or a fine-tooth hacksaw.
5. Slide it in. Feed one end into the slot and push it along the rail until it sits flush at both ends. A drop of dish soap in the slot helps it slide.
6. Test. Close the door. The blade should lightly touch the curb without dragging or folding over.

Which sweep to buy

All are 36" long and cut to fit. To cut them cleanly, use the Plastic Trim Snips.

Common mistakes

• Buying a frameless sweep. Frameless sweeps pressure fit onto bare glass. They won't go into a framed door's slot.
• Blade too tall. A blade that folds over against the curb pushes water out instead of in.
• Cutting short. Leave no gap at the ends; that's where most leaks come from.

While the sweep is out

With the old sweep out, the bottom of the glass is usually the most spotted. A quick spray-and-buff with the IDEAL Conditioner clears it up.