Frameless glass shower hardware is what we do here at Glass Simple! Our team includes veteran glaziers with decades of industry experience, so we understand the level of quality needed for a frameless glass shower that is safe, functional, and aesthetically amazing. Along with products from brands like FHC, we continue to offer more and more items in our own Glass Simple brand. We invite you to check out our selection, but right now we’re here to provide an overview of the hardware used in frameless glass shower construction. If you’re a homeowner tackling a DIY glass shower project and still have questions at the end, know that our Virginia-based team is available to help at (703)257-7150.

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1. How are fixed panels held in place?

 

On framed and semi-frameless enclosures, components like aluminum framing and U-channels are instrumental in holding stationary pieces of glass and giving the enclosure rigidity and stability. Since these elements are not used on frameless designs, glass experts know that they must build these from thicker tempered glass – 3/8” or 1/2”. This thick glass enhances the structure, but the fixed panels still have to be secured. While silicone joints are included, the bulk of this work is done by small clamps. Clamps can be glass-to-glass or wall mount, and they connect panels at 90, 135, or 180 degrees.

 

2. What are the door hinge options for frameless showers?

 

A glass shower door can be hinged to an adjacent piece of glass using glass mounted hinges or to a nearby bathroom wall using wall mount hinges. Both types can attach the door at 90, 135, or 180 degrees to accommodate various designs and layouts. Pivot hinges offer an alternative look and mode of operation. These attach a door panel to the surfaces above and below it – generally the floor or curb on the bottom and a header or wall at the top. These hinges create a pivot point from which the door panel moves open and shut. They offer a more modern look but don’t allow the closed to door to seal up like side-mounted hinges do.

 

3. Will I need anything besides clamps and hinges?

 

A frameless glass shower door generally has a handle of some kind to make opening easy and convenient. These fall into some general categories:

• Shower Door Pulls – Sold singly or as a back-to-back set, shower door pull handles are offered in many styles including mitered, tubular, and ladder-style.
• Glass Mounted Towel Bars – Also available in single or back-to-back options, glass mounted towel bars can serve a dual role as a towel storage option and an ergonomic door handle.
• Combination Pull and Towel Bar – You can also purchase a back-to-back set that has a pull handle on one side and a towel bar on the other. These are typically installed with the towel bar on the outside and the pull handle on the inside.
• Knobs – Knobs come in many styles from traditional, classic designs to funky shapes that will give a shower door contemporary vibes. They are much smaller than pulls and towel bars, so these may be used if you want to keep the metal components as low-profile as possible.
• Finger Pull – Finally, an even more low-profile option is a finger pull, which is not only a small piece of hardware but barely stands out from the glass.

 

In addition to a door handle, you have the option of adding extras:

• Sleeve-over or through-glass robe hook
• One or more additional glass-mounted towel bars for extra storage

 

4. But what about sliding frameless shower doors?

 

Thus far, we’ve been focusing on the hardware needed for a frameless shower enclosure with one or more swinging doors. However, frameless sliders are also popular, providing space-efficient operation and a modern aesthetic. Going this route, you will likely purchase a hardware kit that includes all the metal components you need, such as:

• Header
• Rollers
• Door handle
• Brackets
• Bottom guide
• Door stop

 

The hardware in a kit accommodates either the door panel and one fixed panel or dual doors. However, some shower areas also need one or two 90-degree return panels to complete the enclosure. In this case, you’ll need to purchase additional clamps to secure these pieces of stationary glass.

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Glass Simple sells the hardware components discussed here, and our experienced team is happy to answer questions and help you select the right pieces for your project. Give us a call at (571)707-7760!