Overview of Framed, Semi-Frameless, and Frameless Glass Showers
1st Oct 2024
Ready to upgrade to shower glass instead of a curtain? Putting in clear glass instead of an opaque or translucent barrier is sure to make your bathroom look and feel larger and brighter. There are three basic forms of glass shower construction:
Framed Glass Shower Doors and Enclosures
Enclosures and door systems built from tempered glass framed
in aluminum have been around for many decades. Glass as thin as 5/32” can
safely be used on this kind of shower enclosure because of the protection and
rigidity provided by the aluminum. Thinner glass equals less expensive glass,
so one of the main selling points of a framed enclosure is its lower price
point.
In general, framed construction is less trendy than frameless. However, some bathrooms feature a specific metallic finish – such as satin brass for a touch of opulence – and in this case, a framed shower can further the design scheme. Clear glass framed in aluminum with the popular matte black finish is a case in point.
At the same time, grid style glass is fashionable anywhere in a home, and it is framed in black metal and adorned with black mullions and muntins. On some installations, both the framing and gridwork are actually made of metal. However, a popular alternative involves surrounding the glass with black U-channel and creating the gridwork with ceramic frit printing.
In summary, framed shower pros include:
Semi-Frameless Shower Doors and Enclosures
Semi-frameless shower enclosures are characterized by a
combination of framed and frameless glass edges. Often, the perimeter of the
enclosure is framed in aluminum, but the doors themselves are always unframed
on this type of unit.
Semi-frameless design might be selected for a few reasons. While these installations are usually pricier than their framed counterparts, they also tend to be less expensive than a frameless glass shower stall. Also, the structure of some bathrooms calls for at least some framing to ensure the safety and dependability of the glass shower. Finally, certain shower designs might require framing for adequate support or as a surface to which to attach a particular piece of hardware.
Semi-frameless shower pros include:
Frameless Shower Doors and Enclosures
Showers built from frameless glass have been the most popular
pick for years, and they aren’t going away. These structures are held in place
by door
hinges,
caulk joints, and
clamps, and the
glass edges remain free of framing. On a “frameless with header” design, a
metal header will span the top of the enclosure. This can cut the cost by
allowing for the use of glass that is a bit thinner, and a metal header also
provides an upper surface to which to attach a pivot hinge.
Frameless shower pros include:
