Unfortunately, many people make mistakes when they take on glass shower doors, splashback, or mirror installation projects in their homes. These mistakes can cause costly damage if a qualified contractor doesn't fix them quickly.

This post explores some of the most serious glass installation mistakes and outlines a few fixes that only an experienced professional can help you with.



Failure to account for weight distribution 

If you don't install large panes of glass correctly, they can become unbalanced over time due to uneven weight distribution across the frame. This issue happens when you don't properly tighten the screws or fail to install these large panes evenly along the top and bottom tracks.

To fix this issue, a qualified contractor will first loosen the screws, shim the glass and tracks and reinstall the panes. They will also make sure to properly tighten the screws but also be careful not to over-tighten them. Remember that glass is quite delicate and doesn't take kindly to too much force.

Uneven weight distribution can also occur when you join two separate pieces of glass together without ample support in between them (i.e., with silicone sealant only). Without good support, the glass will start to bow out and become unstable.

A contractor can add additional structural support, usually a glass connector bar or hooks, to fix this problem. This solution will give the glass extra support, which allows the glass to hold its shape better over time.

Failure to seal glass components properly

Without a proper seal, glass components can easily become susceptible to damage by water and other elements.

For example, a glass shower door or splashback needs to be properly sealed to remain watertight. Without a proper seal, the water can seep through and cause damage to the glass and other areas of your home. This effect is more pronounced if you use silicone as the main sealant.

You need to apply silicone sealant in a specific way, with more attention to the perimeter joints and corners, not just the edges of the glass panel itself. A qualified contractor will know where to apply the sealant and how much to use for each glass component.

But first, your contractor might first need to carefully remove the glass and clean the edges before they reapply the sealant. Afterward, they can clean off any sealant residue for a crisp glass finish. After all, aesthetics are just as important as the glass's functional properties.

Improper tool use and handling techniques 

Handling large sheets of glass (especially tempered ones) takes expertise and precision—two qualities that many DIYers lack. Improper tool use during installation can cause chips, cracks, cuts, and more on delicate glass surfaces.

For example, if you use glass cutters, you should have a glass-specific cutting board so you don't accidentally cut the glass. And even if you have this board, you can easily cause glass damage if you apply too much pressure when you start to cut.

Similarly, if you use the wrong type of drill bit during installation, you can easily damage the glass. Glass drill bits tend to be diamond-coated and create a very clean cut. If you use a regular steel bit, glass chips and pieces will likely fly off when you drill.

Fortunately, glass installation professionals know all the right tools to use with glass components. They also know the glass handling techniques to ensure that your glass components remain intact and flawless.

Note: Remember that a good contractor also has access to higher-grade materials which are more durable than what is available for home projects. And with their help, you can create unique layouts that fit your décor. The perfect layout can enhance the overall look of your home without any compromise on functionality.

At the end of the day, you only need a qualified glass contractor like South Melbourne Glass, with experience in post-installation fixes. With their knowledge and expertise on your side, you can be confident that your home is safe from any potential issues that might arise from incorrect glass installations.