Should I Seal the Bottom of My Glass Shower Door?

Is there a gap at the bottom of your shower door?

Should I seal the bottom of my glass shower door?

In the UK, over 65% of households use frameless or semi-frameless glass shower screens.

They look sleek, modern, and minimal — but they often come with one frustrating issue: water leaking from the bottom.

After every shower, do you find a small puddle on your bathroom floor?

Sometimes, water even slowly seeps out through the gap under the door.

You wipe it again and again, thinking maybe you just showered a bit too hard —
but the real problem might be this: your shower door isn’t sealed at the bottom.

To stop leaks with a frameless shower door or other type of shower doors, you need to properly seal the bottom edge — it makes all the difference.

Many UK homeowners ask:
“Do I really need to seal the bottom of my shower door? Can I just leave it as is?”

The answer isn’t always black and white.

But if you:

• Have a frameless glass shower door
• Notice the floor around your shower is always damp
• Or even already have a bath seal strip installed, but water still leaks through

…it’s time to take a closer look at that bottom gap.

You won’t need any drilling or special tools.

Sometimes, a simple shower door seal strip is all it takes — and we’ll walk you through how to tell if you need one, how to choose it, and how to install it the right way.

Ready?

You’re just one seal strip away from a drier, safer, and mould-free bathroom.

 

 

2. When Do You Need to Seal the Bottom of Your Glass Shower Door?

Not every glass shower door has to be sealed at the bottom — but if your bathroom shows any of the signs below, sealing that gap is probably a must.

1. Visible gaps and watermarks near the edge of the floor

If you often notice small water droplets or streaks along the edge of your floor after showering, chances are there’s a gap under the door that’s letting water escape.

This is especially common in showers without a threshold or water barrier. It may not look dramatic at first — but this type of slow leak adds up over time.

2. Water seeps into grout lines or spills outside the shower

Ever stepped out of the shower only to find a mysterious puddle near the door?

That water probably flowed through a tiny, unsealed bottom edge — soaking into grout lines or escaping onto your bathroom floor.

It’s even more noticeable in bathrooms with light-coloured tiles, where water damage and mould show up faster.

 

3. Frameless or sliding doors are more likely to leak

Minimalist, frameless shower doors — and sleek sliding designs — look amazing, but they’re also the most leak-prone.

Why? They often lack built-in support along the bottom or sides, which makes it easier for water to escape.

If you have a frameless setup, don’t worry — we’ve covered it in detail in Stop Frameless Shower Door Leaks.

 

 

4. Poor floor slope – water doesn’t drain properly

In many UK homes, especially older bathrooms, the floor isn’t sloped enough.

After a shower, water often sits near the door instead of draining away.

If you notice puddles forming by the entrance, it could be time to add a proper bottom seal.

 

3. When not to seal the bottom of your shower door

Sealing the bottom of your glass door is a great way to stop leaks — but it’s not always needed.

Here are a few cases where you probably don’t need a shower bottom seal at all:

• Your door already has a built-in threshold or track that blocks water
• You’ve got a well-fitted seal that’s already doing the job
• The door hinge is designed to guide water back in — no leaks or puddles
• You’re using a wet room layout with no door at all

Actually, data from UK households shows that over 40% use sliding or hinged shower doors — many of which already have some built-in water protection.

If you’re not sure what type of shower door you have, check out our handy guide: All Types of Shower Door Seal Replacement.

It’ll help you quickly figure out your door style and the right seals you might need.

Pro tip: Some doors seem to have “waterproofing built in,” but over time, that seal can wear down.

If you notice your floor is always damp or there are water marks left behind, it might be time to rethink adding a bottom seal strip.

We also recommend reading: Shower Door Screen Seals: The Complete Guide to learn more about how seals should be used.

Up next, we’ll share 3 effective ways to seal the bottom of your glass shower door — keep reading!

 

 

4. Three Ways to Seal the Bottom of Your Shower Door (Pros and Cons)

If you’re sure your shower door needs sealing at the bottom, the next step is choosing the right solution.

Here’s a quick rundown of three common methods, along with their advantages and drawbacks, to help you make the best choice:

1. Installing a Single Fin Bottom Seal Strip + Threshold Seal (Recommended)

This is the most popular option and easy enough for DIY enthusiasts to handle.

Pros:

• Simple to install and replace

• Available in various lengths and angles to fit most frameless glass doors

• Doesn’t damage your existing door structure

Cons:

• Needs regular checks for wear and tear

• Can come loose if not installed properly

If you’re not quite sure what a shower door seal strip is, check out our quick guide: What’s That Plastic Bit at the Bottom of My Shower Door?

 

Quick tip: Avoid using Bulb-type seals at the bottom!

Some people think any seal will do, but soft, bulb-shaped seals actually aren’t great for the bottom of your door.

They tend to get squashed, trap water, and can lead to mould over time.

So it’s best to steer clear of those for sealing the base.

For more reasons why bulb seals aren’t suitable for the bottom, check out our handy guide: Why Bulb Shower Door Seals Never Be Installed at the Bottom

 

 

2. Using Clear Silicone Sealant

This “invisible” sealing method works great for small gaps or tricky areas like bathtubs and irregular corners.

Pros:

• Excellent waterproof seal

• Perfect for sealing uneven or oddly shaped gaps

Cons:

• Hard to remove — you’ll need a sharp blade and patience, and there’s a risk of scratching the glass

• Can yellow or grow mold over time, making cleaning a real hassle

• Some cheap silicones aren’t eco-friendly and might affect your health

 

3. Installing an Aluminum Threshold Strip

This option works well if you have strong water flow or larger gaps under your shower door.

Pros:

• Very sturdy and provides excellent waterproofing

• Durable and built to last

Cons:

• Requires professional installation and special tools

• More expensive and takes up some floor space

• Doesn’t look as sleek as frameless shower doors

 

淋浴门底部封水方式对比表

Sealing Method	Advantages	Disadvantages	Recommended For
Single Fin Bottom Seal + Threshold	✅ DIY-friendly ✅ Easy to replace ✅ Highly adaptable ✅ Doesn’t damage door structure	⚠️ May fall off if installed incorrectly ⚠️ Needs regular aging checks	Most UK homeowners looking for cost-effective DIY solutions
Clear Silicone Sealant	✅ Strong waterproofing ✅ Nearly invisible	⚠️ Hard to clean ⚠️ Difficult to remove ⚠️ Some silicone materials may not be eco-friendly	Ideal for sealing small corners or tricky gaps around shower doors
Aluminum Threshold Strip	✅ Very stable ✅ Excellent waterproofing ✅ Highly durable	⚠️ Takes up floor space ⚠️ Higher cost ⚠️ Requires professional installation	Suitable for those reinstalling shower doors or preferring classic framed designs

 

 

 

5. What to Watch Out for After Sealing the Bottom: Don’t Let Good Intentions Backfire

Getting a shower door bottom seal properly installed can seriously cut down on leaks.

But that doesn’t mean you’re done for good. A few small details will decide whether your seal works long-term — or if you’ll be fixing it again and again:

Is the seal installed flat and snug?

Many people find after installation that their seal doesn’t quite fit right — it might be too big or too small, leaving gaps where water still sneaks through.

Our tip: measure the gap at your shower door carefully before buying a seal to make sure you get the right size.

For an easy guide, check out: How to Measure Shower Screen Seal?

 

Does the door still open and close smoothly?

Some seal strips have fins that are too stiff, or the measurements were off — this can make your door hard to open or close, and even cause annoying noises.

This is especially true for frameless glass doors or sliding door systems, where the gap is already tight.

Pick the wrong size seal, and you could end up with a stuck door in no time.

Check out the picture below — don’t let your seal strip be installed like this:

Example: SIM-0003a has a 23mm fin, but works best for gaps between 18–23mm

Going beyond this size range will affect the seal’s effectiveness and speed up damage to the strip, especially with frequent opening and closing of the door.

 

Regularly check for wear and tear

Over time, shower door seals can yellow, harden, or even crack.

Once you notice any of these signs, it’s best to replace the shower door seal right away instead of putting it off.

Otherwise, a small gap can quickly turn into a big leak.

For tips on picking a durable and suitable seal, check out our guide: 5 Golden Rules to Choose the Right Shower Door Seal

 

 

Whether to seal the bottom really comes down to if your shower door’s leaking

At the end of the day, deciding to seal the bottom of your shower door depends on what’s happening in your bathroom.

If you often spot puddles by the door or have tried other fixes but water keeps sneaking out, then adding the right bottom seal could be just what you need.

Don’t let a small gap cause big problems — a quick fix could make your bathroom dry and hassle-free!