If you are buying a glass shower door for the first time or replacing an old unit, one of the most important choices you’ll make is between frameless and framed design. While many of us grew up with framed or semi-frameless doors, fully frameless shower door construction has been the most popular option for some time now. However, Crittall style glass – which includes lots of framing – has gained traction with homeowners and designers alike.. The best style for your bathroom depends on various factors, including bathroom style, budget, and desired door type. We will delve into the pros and cons of each choice to help you make an informed decision that you’ll be happy with for the life of the door.
Shower doors and enclosures are made primarily of glass. To safeguard longevity and personal safety, either tempered or laminated glass is used – never annealed. In the past, the glass was surrounded by aluminum framing, but homeowners today have more options in the form of frameless glass enclosures.
A frameless unit is comprised of unframed sheets of glass. Some metal components are still used, and these often take the form of small metal clips and hinges. In some cases a metal header is also needed to extend across the enclosure and provide stability or a surface to which glass can be attached. Also, caulk joints may be used for securing glass panels on these showers. In summary, a frameless enclosure is characterized by:
Frameless glass can be used to construct:
Shower screens: A single piece of glass, either fixed or operable is installed in the tub or shower entrance leaving an open space for entry and exit.
Traditional framed shower doors and enclosures are built from pieces of tempered glass that are surrounded by aluminum framing. Somewhat thinner glass can be used on these because the framework provides rigidity and protects the glass’s vulnerable edges. Fully framed doors can swing on pivot or wall mounted hinges or slide along metal tracking (bypass doors).
An old look that has made a big comeback is black metal framed glass with mullions in the style of steel framed Crittall windows. These shower doors often have a gridwork of horizontal and vertical mullions, but there are variations on this. For example, some designs have just framing and vertical mullions. ABC Glass & Mirror offers the following types of shower enclosures with Crittall style glass:
ABC customers can achieve this look by choosing a shower enclosure from the Gridscape line or by having black U-channel placed around the glass and ceramic frit “mullions” applied to its outer surface.
As the name suggests, a semi-frameless shower is one on which you’ll find both framed and unframed glass edges. The entire perimeter of a semi-frameless enclosure is bordered by strips of aluminum, but the door panels themselves are frameless. One of the most popular types of semi-frameless shower enclosure is the bypass unit because sliding doors are a nice space-efficient option. This design features two operable door panels that move along parallel metal tracks. If needed to complete the enclosure, fixed glass panels can be installed perpendicular to the doors to completely partition off the shower area. Thus, characteristics of semi-frameless glass showers are:
While all three shower enclosure types are used in homes today, frameless designs are especially favored. Why is this?
In fact, one reason for their popularity may be the fact that frameless glass showers combine both aesthetic and practical benefits. The following door types are available for frameless shower enclosures:
With all these desirable features, what’s not to love about frameless glass showers? Not much, but in some instances another design may be preferable.
In some ways, Crittall style glass showers are the opposite of frameless units; instead of minimal metal, they showcase lots of dark framing and mullions. However, these styles are currently the two most popular options in shower design. Let’s look at a few scenarios where Crittall style glass might be preferable:
Crittall style glass is beautiful and versatile. It is visually striking, but it melds harmoniously with almost any bathroom décor. Since it is a trending look derived from old-fashioned windows, its appeal is fairly timeless. There are several issues to consider as you finalize your choice, though.
The main appeal of other framed shower designs is saving money. Since thinner glass can be safely used on a fully framed unit, these cost less to make, and the savings trickles down to the customer. If you’re remodeling your bathroom on a budget, choosing a framed unit allows you to upgrade from a curtain to a glass shower at a lower price point. There are a few other reasons you might consider a framed shower.
In terms of design, framed showers fall somewhere between frameless and Crittall style units because they have more metal than the former and less than the latter. Although it may seem odd, this is probably why they are not as popular as the other two. If you want the “all glass” effect, frameless is the way to go. On the other hand, Crittall style glass offers a completely different look that’s very much in vogue these days. Framed units may be easier to clean than Gridscape enclosures, but they’re not as simple to care for as frameless showers. In the end, this look is classic and perfectly acceptable, but not as popular as its rivals because:
Semi-frameless showers combine features of frameless and framed units. They are a classic pick that is functional and attractive. There are several reasons a homeowner might choose this type of shower door construction:
Semi-frameless shower enclosures allow you to integrate frameless glass edges into your design while saving money and tapping into some of the practical benefits of framing.
Many of the same cleaning tips apply to both framed and frameless glass showers. Let’s gets answers to some FAQs about shower door care.
How often should a frameless or framed glass shower be cleaned?
Cleaning on a weekly basis is usually a good place to start. You can make it more or less frequent as your experience indicates. A shower with lots of metal components, such as a Crittall style enclosure, may need to be dusted more often to prevent buildup of grime.
What should I use to clean a framed or frameless shower door?
Use an approved cleaner on the glass and avoid harsh or abrasive powders or sprays. Wipe it only with soft cloths, sponges, or paper towels – no scratchy scrubbing pads. Most shower hardware can be washed with a soft cloth and solution of water and mild soap. However, brass finishes should only be rubbed with a damp cloth. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaning supplies when working with any shower hardware.
Besides being thoughtful in choosing my glass shower design, are there any steps I can take to make my enclosure easier to care for?
Customers of ABC Glass & Mirror can absolutely order a glass shower that’s easier to care for. Choosing permanently protected glass gives you a shower that stays bright longer and comes clean more readily when you wash it. This glass is permanently coated during manufacturing and reapplication is never required. Choose glass that’s protected from the damaging elements in your tap water and make your life easier in the long run.
What should I be aware of as I design my custom glass enclosure?
Always consider how the custom shower will fit in with the bathroom as a whole and the other appliances. For example, avoid creating small unreachable gaps between the shower glass and a wall or other fixture as these will be impossible to clean.
Whether you choose a modern frameless design, a shower enclosure made from Crittall style glass, a semi-frameless system, or a traditional framed shower door, you can order from ABC Glass & Mirror. For almost two decades, our glaziers have been delivering and installing beautiful custom glass creations for residential and commercial clients in the Northern Virginia area. Follow this easy process to have the glass shower of your choice added to your bathroom:
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