Types of Shower Door Seals: What Each One Does and Where It Goes
Glass shower door seals come in seven types, and each one goes in a specific place. Find where your water gets out, pick the type, then match it to your glass thickness.
| Type | Where it goes | Glass we carry it for |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom sweeps & drip rails 16 seals · $12.08–$41.98 | Bottom of a frameless door, closing the gap to the curb. | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" |
| Straight-line seals (180°): H-jambs, Y-jambs and 'H' wipes 22 seals · $11.03–$35.68 | Where the door closes in a straight line against a fixed glass panel, and on the edge of a door that meets a wall. | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" |
| Corner seals (90° and 135° neo-angle) 15 seals · $18.90–$73.50 | Where the door meets a fixed panel at a right angle, or the angled panel of a neo-angle shower. | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", any thickness (tape-on / slide-in) |
| Bulb & fin seals 14 seals · $18.90–$125.90 | Hinge side, latch side and door-to-wall gaps, on doors that swing in, out or both ways. | 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", any thickness (tape-on / slide-in) |
| Magnetic seals 6 seals · $33.58–$50.38 | Glass door closing against a glass panel: one strip on the door, one on the panel, so the door pulls shut and stays shut. | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" |
| Framed door sweeps 6 seals · $11.55–$14.18 | The bottom of a framed (metal-frame) door. | any thickness (tape-on / slide-in) |
| Gaskets & glazing vinyl 13 seals · $0.97–$170.08 | Holding fixed glass in U-channel, headers and framed doors (not a door seal). | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", any thickness (tape-on / slide-in) |
Clip-on vs tape-on seals
Clip-on seals pressure fit onto the edge of the glass with no glue. Each is made for one glass thickness (1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or 1/2"), so measure your glass first: a seal for thicker glass slides off, one for thinner glass won't go on. Tape-on seals (bulb, fin, 'L', 'V' and 'T') stick to the glass edge or wall with clear VHB tape and are chosen by the gap they close, so they fit any thickness. Pre-taped versions end in T2.
Bottom sweeps & drip rails
What it looks like: A clear strip on the bottom edge of the door glass with a soft wipe underneath and usually a rigid lip on the inside (the drip rail).
Where it goes: Bottom of a frameless door, closing the gap to the curb.
How it installs: Clip-on: pressure fits onto the bottom edge of the glass. Made for one glass thickness.
- Bottom wipe with drip rail (most common): CRL P990WS $19.43 (3/8"), CRL P912WS $21.00 (1/2"), CRL P956WS $16.80 (5/16"), CRL P914WS $19.95 (1/4")
- One-piece bottom rail: CRL P501BR $19.95 (3/8"), CRL P661BR $20.48 (1/2")
- Bottom rail with replaceable wipe: CRL P500BR $31.48 (3/8"), CRL P660BR $25.18 (1/2"), CRL P450BR $18.90 (5/16")
- Soft bulb bottom wipe with drip rail: CRL P910BWS $41.98 (3/8")
- Sliding-door bottom wipes and U-channels with a long fin: CRL P995WS $12.95 (3/8"), CRL P997WS $12.08 (1/2"), CRL PCCAM73 $33.58 (3/8"), CRL PC12134 $39.88 (1/2")
Shop all 16 bottom sweeps & drip rails →
Straight-line seals (180°): H-jambs, Y-jambs and 'H' wipes
What it looks like: A clear strip shaped like an H or a Y on a vertical glass edge, or an 'H' wipe with soft legs.
Where it goes: Where the door closes in a straight line against a fixed glass panel, and on the edge of a door that meets a wall.
How it installs: Clip-on: pressure fits onto the glass edge. Made for one glass thickness.
- 'H' jamb (all-rigid, nearly invisible): CRL P380HJ $19.95 (3/8"), CRL P120HJ $20.48 (1/2"), CRL P516HJ $18.38 (5/16"), CRL P140HJ $14.18 (1/4")
- 'Y' jamb with soft leg (quieter close): CRL PCC10 $15.75 (3/8"), CRL PCC12 $16.80 (1/2"), CRL PCC8 $16.28 (5/16")
- Heavy-duty 'H' jamb with vinyl insert: CRL P180SDJ $29.38 (3/8"), CRL P120SDJ $27.28 (1/2"), CRL P1801P $25.18 (3/8")
- Multi-purpose 'H' wipe (door to wall, hinge side): CRL P375HW $15.23 (3/8"), CRL P500HW $20.48 (1/2"), CRL P312HW $25.18 (5/16"), CRL P250HW $13.13 (1/4")
- Dual-durometer seal & wipe (pivot side against a wall): CRL P880WS $16.28 (3/8"), CRL P120WS $19.43 (1/2"), CRL P770WS $35.68 (5/16"), CRL P14WS $11.03 (1/4")
Shop all 22 straight-line seals (180°) →
Corner seals (90° and 135° neo-angle)
What it looks like: A clear strip with a leg or fin set at 90° or 135°, or a tape-on 'L' or 'V'.
Where it goes: Where the door meets a fixed panel at a right angle, or the angled panel of a neo-angle shower.
How it installs: Clip-on (one glass thickness) or tape-on (any glass, chosen by gap).
- 90° strike seal / 'U' with 90° fin: CRL P090SJ $31.48 (3/8"), CRL PC1090 $27.28 (3/8"), CRL PC0890 $33.58 (5/16")
- 135° neo-angle door jamb and strike jamb: CRL P135DJ $29.38 (3/8"), CRL P135SJ $35.68 (3/8"), CRL P045DJ $25.18 (5/16"), CRL P045SJ $37.78 (5/16")
- Tape-on 'L' and 'V' seals, 'L' jamb stop: CRL SDTL $28.90 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL SDTNL $73.50 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL SDTS $26.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL P12LJT2 $18.90 (1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2")
Shop all 15 corner seals (90° & 135°) →
Bulb & fin seals
What it looks like: A round soft bulb, or one or two thin fins, running up a vertical edge.
Where it goes: Hinge side, latch side and door-to-wall gaps, on doors that swing in, out or both ways.
How it installs: Clip-on bulb seals fit one glass thickness; tape-on bulb, fin and 'T' seals stick to the glass edge and are chosen by the gap.
- Clip-on clear bulb seal: CRL PCR10 $29.38 (3/8"), CRL PCR12 $33.58 (1/2"), CRL PCR8 $18.90 (5/16")
- Tape-on vinyl bulb seal (by gap): CRL SDTJ $26.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL SDTB $26.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL SDLB $44.65 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap))
- Tape-on double fin and 'T' wipe: CRL SDTDF $26.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap)), CRL SDTW $26.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap))
- Silicone bulb for the tightest gaps: CRL S1LB $89.25 / 5-pack (any (chosen by gap))
Shop all 14 bulb & fin seals →
Magnetic seals
What it looks like: Two clear strips with a magnetic receiver inside.
Where it goes: Glass door closing against a glass panel: one strip on the door, one on the panel, so the door pulls shut and stays shut.
How it installs: Clip-on: pressure fits onto the glass edge. Each fits a range (1/4"–5/16" or 3/8"–1/2").
- 45° left-hand + 45° right-hand (door swings one way, straight line): CRL PMA10 $50.38 (3/8", 1/2"), CRL PMB10 $50.38 (3/8", 1/2"), CRL PMA8 $33.58 (1/4", 5/16"), CRL PMB8 $33.58 (1/4", 5/16")
- 90° (two of them for a door that swings both ways): CRL PMC10 $50.38 (3/8", 1/2"), CRL PMC8 $33.58 (1/4", 5/16")
Framed door sweeps
What it looks like: A vinyl sweep with a T, flat, star-tip or bulb top.
Where it goes: The bottom of a framed (metal-frame) door.
How it installs: Slides into the metal bottom track of the door, so it doesn't depend on glass thickness.
- Slide-in sweeps: CRL M6228 $14.18 (any (chosen by gap)), CRL M6226 $25.18 (any (chosen by gap)), CRL M6227 $23.08 (any (chosen by gap)), CRL M6184 $14.18 (any (chosen by gap)), CRL M6211 $14.18 (any (chosen by gap))
Shop all 6 framed door sweeps →
Gaskets & glazing vinyl
What it looks like: Vinyl that presses into a metal channel or header around the glass.
Where it goes: Holding fixed glass in U-channel, headers and framed doors (not a door seal).
How it installs: Press-in.
- Dry-glaze U-channel vinyl: CRL FV4DUC $29.38 (3/8"), CRL RV4DUC $13.65 (3/8")
- Header vinyl: CRL HV380 $0.97/ft (100 ft min.) (3/8"), CRL V4EHK $1.89/ft (100 ft min.) (any (chosen by gap))
- Glazing vinyl rolls: CRL SDV732C $102.88 (1/4"), CRL SDV734C $86.08 (1/4")
Which one do I need?
Start from the leak: where is it leaking? lists the exact part for each spot and glass thickness, with prices. Or let the Seal Finder narrow it down for you.
Free shipping to the lower 48 states and DC. On small orders, CRL, the factory that makes these parts, adds its own packing or small-order fee, passed on at cost (see exceptions). All sales are final, so measure your glass first.
Use our Seal Finder
Pick your door, point to where it leaks and we'll show only the seals that fit your glass. Takes about 30 seconds.
Products in this guide
Most commonBottom Wipe with Drip Rail for 3/8" Glass
Most commonMulti-Purpose 'H' Wipe for 3/8" Glass
Clear 'H' Jamb, 180°, for 3/8" Glass
Most common'Y' Jamb with Soft Leg, 180°, for 3/8" Glass
90° Strike Seal with Vinyl Insert for 3/8" Glass
135° Neo-Angle Strike Jamb Seal for 3/8" Glass
Most commonClear Bulb Seal for 3/8" Glass
Magnetic Seal, 45° Left-Hand, for 3/8"–1/2" Glass
Common questions
What are the different types of shower door seals?
Bottom sweeps and drip rails, straight-line 180° seals (H-jambs, Y-jambs and 'H' wipes), corner seals for 90° and 135° neo-angle showers, bulb and fin seals, magnetic seals, framed door sweeps and gaskets. Each one seals a different spot on the door.
What is the most common shower door seal?
On frameless doors, the bottom wipe with drip rail: CRL P990WS ($19.43) for 3/8" glass and CRL P912WS ($21.00) for 1/2" glass. The most common side seal is the multi-purpose 'H' wipe, CRL P375HW ($15.23) for 3/8" glass.
Are shower door seals universal?
No. Clip-on seals are made for one glass thickness (1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or 1/2") and must match it. Tape-on bulb, fin, 'L' and 'V' seals are chosen by the gap instead and fit any glass thickness.
What is the difference between a sweep and a drip rail?
The sweep (wipe) is the soft fin that closes the gap to the curb. The drip rail is the rigid lip on the inside of the shower that catches water running down the glass and drops it back in. Most frameless bottom seals combine both.
How do I install a shower door seal?
Pull off the old seal, clean the glass edge with rubbing alcohol, cut the new seal to length with a fine-tooth hacksaw or snips, and pressure fit it onto the glass edge. Tape-on seals stick on with clear VHB tape instead.
Is shipping free?
Shipping is free to the lower 48 states and DC. On small orders, CRL, the factory that makes these parts, adds its own packing or small-order fee, passed on at cost. All sales are final, so measure your glass first.