Older homes, older bathrooms
Sunset Heights was platted in 1884, and most of its homes were built by around 1916. Kern Place, below the Franklin Mountains near UTEP, began developing in 1914. Manhattan Heights, near Memorial Park, filled in mostly during the 1920s and 1930s.
Bathrooms from those decades are often small, with plaster walls, original tile and built-in tubs. After a century of settling, walls and floors are rarely plumb or level. A glass company may suggest a framed or semi-frameless door that handles uneven openings, or measure for custom-cut panels.
Tubs worth keeping
Many Central El Paso homes still have a cast-iron tub that owners want to keep. A glass tub door or a fixed splash panel can make that tub a usable shower without tearing out tile.
If old tile is cracked or loose where the hinges or channel would mount, the installer will want to know. Mention it in the form so they can plan.
Historic districts
Sunset Heights and Manhattan Heights are city historic districts. Kern Place is not. The city's permit guide says historic-district properties may need Historic Preservation review even when a project doesn't need a building permit. A simple door swap is interior work, but if your remodel touches windows, exterior walls or anything visible from the street, check with the city first. Our shower remodel permit checklist covers the basics.
Questions from Central El Paso
My bathroom walls aren't straight. Can I still get a frameless door?
Sometimes. Out-of-plumb walls can be handled with custom-cut glass or adjustable hardware, but a framed or semi-frameless door is often simpler. The installer will measure and recommend an option.
Can I put a glass door on my original cast-iron tub?
Usually, yes. Glass tub doors and fixed panels are common on older tubs, as long as the tub edge and surrounding tile are solid enough to mount to.
Do I need Historic Preservation approval for a shower door in Sunset Heights?
A shower door is interior work and normally doesn't need it. Exterior changes in a historic district can need review even without a permit, so check with the City of El Paso if your remodel goes beyond the bathroom.
ZIP codes commonly associated with this area include 79902 and 79903. Water hardness figures cited on this site come from the El Paso Water chemical analysis (PDF), which lists average hardness by source; your own tap may differ.
Get a free quote in Central El Paso
Tell us about the shower and where you are. We pass your request to a local El Paso area shower door company that serves your neighborhood.