With one notable exception which we’ll discuss at the end, frameless glass shower designs tend to be preferred over framed alternatives. For decades, framed and semi-frameless units were the go-to for those homeowners who wanted something better than a curtain and liner. However, in more recent times, frameless hinged and sliding shower doors are seen in middle class homes throughout America, even though they are generally more pricey than glass showers with aluminum framing. Why?

 

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Reason 1: Frameless Glass Offers a More High End Look

 

When homeowners of the past remodeled or had a new bathroom built, practical concerns often dominated the design decisions.  Bathrooms in the past century tended to be smaller, fewer in number, and less luxurious than 2025 restrooms. A suburban home might have a family bathroom with a single vanity, commode, and tub/shower combo tucked into a compact space. In many cases, the primary bathroom was not much different, although double vanities, Jacuzzi tubs, and glass showers might be present in more upscale homes. Today, homeowners want bathrooms that aren’t just utilitarian spaces but inviting havens of relaxation as well. One of the best ways to achieve this vibe is by opting for a frameless glass shower with its high-end aesthetic and sleek look and feel. By choosing an enclosure that is constructed with clamps, hinges, and caulk joints instead of clunky frames, they give the space a much more on-trend appearance.

 

Reason 2: Frameless Design Preserves a Clearer View of the Stone or Tile on the Shower Walls

 

When remodeling or designing a bathroom, a lot of thought goes into the wall covering inside the shower enclosure. Bulky frames partially block the view of the shower’s interior, even if the glass is clear. On the other hand, frameless showers use much smaller metal components like hinges, giving far less obstructed visibility of the tile or stone that you so carefully selected. With a frameless glass enclosure, the glass, metal, and tile can truly complement one another.

 

Reason 3: Shower Enclosures Without Framing Are Easier to Clean

 

Last but not least, frameless design is more simple, with fewer nooks and crannies that are hard to clean and where soap scum can accumulate. The smooth surface of a frameless enclosure, without all the sections of aluminum, can be well-cleaned without the hassle involved in maintaining a framed glass shower. To maximize this, choose smooth clear glass, rather than a textured option like acid-etched or patterned, which might camouflage spots and smudges but that is harder to truly get clean.

 

Are Any Framed Shower Options Popular Today?

 

Yes, there is one framed shower enclosure style that has been trending for a while and does not seem likely to fade any time soon: grid-style glass. This glass has the classic look of steel-framed windows of old, with a grid of metal bars on its surface. This look is achieved in a couple of different ways:

• The glass is framed in metal and has an actual metal grid.
• The glass edges are encased in U-channels, and a ceramic frit grid is printed on the glass surface.

 

While this trend began with matte black framing and grids, we are now seeing frames and grids in white and various metallic finishes as well.

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Do you need hardware for your frameless glass shower project? Browse the Glass Simple website and give our team a call with any questions at (571)707-7760!