Choosing the Right Shower Door: Frameless vs. Semi-Frameless or Framed

Making the decision to add glass shower doors to your home is just the beginning of your journey to an improved shower area. Many more decisions await your consideration, one of the most important of which is the choice from among frameless, semi-frameless, and framed glass. These three variations differ in look, price point, and practical features. Understanding the key characteristics of each style will help you make an informed choice that you’ll be happy with for years.

See Also: Everything There is to Know About Frameless Glass Shower Doors

Frameless Shower Doors – #1 in Today’s Market

Today’s favorite look in shower doors is definitely frameless. These shower enclosures are built from thicker glass than their semi-frameless and framed counterparts – 3/8” or 1/2”. Although this thick glass  makes frameless glass shower doors more expensive, it is necessary for the safety and rigidity of the unit. Without the support of metal framing, the glass must be thick enough to provide structural stability. Along with this heavy glass, shower door experts use metal clamps, caulk joints, and sometimes headers to construct a frameless shower enclosure.

In spite of the fact that they are the most expensive of the glass shower door options, homeowners and designers love the aesthetics of frameless enclosures. They are usually built from clear glass and yield a shower that:

• is bright and airy.
• is fully customizable.
• keeps shower tile visible.
• does not have nooks and crannies where water can pool and grime can accumulate.
• brings modern vibes to any bathroom.

Semi-Frameless Shower Doors – A Blend of Features

Definitions of semi-frameless shower doors can vary across the glazing and home design industries. A simplified definition would simply say that these doors include both frameless and framed glass edges. A designer or homeowner might choose some variation of a semi-frameless shower door for a few reasons:

• They are a little cheaper than frameless shower doors.
• Sometimes a small amount of metal framing is needed to achieve structural integrity.
• Certain shower door types – such as bypass doors – are only available with semi-frameless construction.

A semi-frameless shower door can be more modern and upscale than a framed door, and in some situations it is the perfect compromise between frameless and framed.

Framed Shower Doors – A Classic Look with an Appealing Price Tag

Framed shower enclosures are made of glass that’s surrounded by metal framing. This type of shower door has been around for a long time and remains a solid option, especially if you’re remodeling on a budget. Since the frame provides support, glass as thin as 5/32” can be used in the construction of framed shower enclosures. Therefore, the door does not have the substantial feel of a frameless shower door, but the price is considerably lower. Some customization is possible for framed shower doors, and they allow budget-conscious decorators to replace a shower curtain with glass.

Frameless, Semi-Frameless, and Framed Shower Doors from ABC

Whether you want a frameless glass enclosure to put the finishing touch on your luxurious master suite or a set of bypass doors to replace the shower curtain your kids never close, ABC Glass and Mirror is here for you! Our team offers each client and project personalized attention, commitment to customer satisfaction, and a shower door tailored to your needs and objectives. Call our team at 703-257-7150 and make an appointment for a free in-home consultation. One of our estimators will visit your home, measure the shower area, provide recommendations, and go over product options and pricing. We’ll follow up with an emailed estimate so you can make a no-pressure decision in the convenience of your home. Custom shower doors are our specialty, so call today to learn more.