With all the possibilities – curtain, framed door, semi-frameless enclosure, Crittall style glass – frameless showers seem immovable in their place as America’s preferred glass shower option. Frameless doors keep the focus on the glass, but the  shower hardware serves as an important finishing touch. What is it about the combination of heavy glass and minimal metal that keeps these shower enclosures so popular?

Perfect Partner for Tile

Frameless showers eliminate strips of framing in favor of small pieces of shower hardware. Frameless shower enclosures are usually built from standard clear or low iron glass. A customer can opt for privacy glass, such as patterned, tinted, frosted, or cast glass, but this is less common. One of the main perks of a clear frameless shower is its ability to keep the shower tile clearly visible, with no aluminum strips interrupting the view. A homeowner who has just spent hours picking the perfect shower tile and invested a lot of money having it installed, does not want it hidden or detracted from by the shower enclosure, and the “barely there” effect is only possible when frameless construction is chosen.

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Stunning Glass and Metal Pairings

Also, on a frameless glass shower, the metal is not a “necessary evil” as it sometimes seems to be on a framed or semi-frameless unit. The handles, clips, and hinges are more like accessories adorning, but not detracting from, the beautiful heavy glass. In fact, the metal on a frameless shower allows the customer to more clearly define the style of the unit:

• Matte black hardware is bold and fashion forward.
• Chrome and brushed nickel are classics unlikely to ever really go out of style.
• Oil-rubbed bronze has a patina that makes it perfect for maintaining an authentic feel in a period home.
• Brass or gold plated hardware gives the unit a touch of luxury and opulence.

In short, framing can restrict design possibilities, but the small pieces of shower hardware used on frameless showers are like accent items that form a pleasing contrast with the glass.

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Easy Care and Cleaning

The simplicity of frameless enclosures – small pieces of sleek shower hardware and large expanses of unframed glass – make them easier to maintain than their framed or semi-frameless counterparts. Without framing, there are fewer nooks and crannies where scum, mineral deposits, and the like can easily accumulate. There are fewer corners and edges to deal with while cleaning. Drying and cleaning frameless shower enclosures is just more straightforward, which contributes to their staying power. Customers who wish to maximize this quality will likely choose simple shower hardware, clear glass, and a permanent protective coating for the glass.

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Appearance Isn’t Everything, But…. 

Appearance isn’t everything, even when it comes to designing a bathroom, but frameless showers have a lot going for them in this category, too. Well chosen shower hardware surrounded by sparkling glass is a beautiful addition to any bathroom. Simply put. transparent enclosures with unframed glass edges joining each other and the existing walls unencumbered by framing have an attractive and luxurious appearance. Moreover, the clean, classic look of a frameless shower allows it to coordinate with many different bathroom styles. Clients know they can change the bathroom’s theme and color scheme but still have the frameless glass shower look amazing. 

Count on Glass Simple to supply quality shower hardware in the styles and finishes today’s homeowners crave. Browse our  options or give us a call at (571) 707-7760.