Upgrading to a frameless glass shower door transforms your bathroom from ordinary to extraordinary. It delivers an open, light-filled feel, showcases your tile or stonework, and makes cleaning easier as there is less hardware and thus fewer crevices. Frameless showers are also much more customizable, allowing for greater design flexibility. At ABC Glass & Mirror, our seasoned glazing team, serving the DC/MD/VA region for over 20 years, has installed hundreds of frameless enclosures. In this guide, we’ll walk you through cost considerations, DIY vs custom options, size and glass choices, installation steps, maintenance tips, and how a frameless glass shower door can boost your home’s value.
Why are many homeowners choosing frameless glass enclosures? Because they offer what traditional framed units cannot: unobstructed views of beautiful tilework, virtually no metal framing, a sleek, upscale aesthetic, and more possibilities for customization.
The price of frameless shower doors depends on your location, the size and complexity of the installation, the type of glass, and whether you choose a DIY kit or a fully custom job. Stock kits from home-improvement stores may cost several hundred dollars, whereas custom fabricated frameless enclosures can run into the $1,000-plus range for the DC/MD/VA area.
Do-it-yourself frameless shower door kits appeal because of the lower cost. You’ll need to measure carefully and install yourself, which can become challenging if your walls and surfaces aren’t plumb and level. Channel, gaps, uneven caulk joints or misaligned panels often undermine the high-end look you were going for.
Custom systems differ in key ways:
In Northern Virginia, fully custom frameless shower doors often cost $1,000 to $3,000+, which includes professional installation. Because the tempered glass is heavy and needs accurate support (no metal frame to rely on), correct installation is critical to safety and longevity.
Factors affecting cost include:
Bottom line: If you’re investing in a bathroom remodel, upgrading to a frameless glass shower enclosure is a smart choice.
When browsing your options, it helps to understand the major categories of glass shower enclosures and doors.
Types of Doors & Enclosures
For starters, let’s look at the three framing options:
Configurations
These can be conveniently broken down into three general categories: swinging, sliding, and bifold. Depending on the size and shape of the shower enclosure as well as homeowner preferences, a shower can have a single swinging door or a set of double doors. Each door panel will be attached to an adjacent wall by means of metal hinges, and vinyl seals will be utilized for water containment. If you are considering swinging door(s), keep in mind the clearance needed for the door(s) to open without hitting anything or blocking access to a cabinet or fixture. Per building codes, this type of door must be installed so that it can open outward even if it can also swing inward.
Barn Door Style Sliding Glass Shower Doors
For this reason, as well as personal tastes, some home decorators prefer sliding glass shower doors. In the past, bypass shower doors were always framed or semi-frameless. This meant that the space efficiency of a sliding door system could only be achieved at the cost of foregoing a fully frameless enclosure.
Today, innovative frameless shower enclosure systems, such as barn style sliding glass shower doors make it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds. Fans of HGTV and home décor blogs know that a barn style door consists of a door panel that hangs from and glides along a metal bar. These doors are already popular substitutes for traditional interior doors when home decorators want something space-friendly and in keeping with modern décor trends. You can bring these same appealing traits to your bathroom with a frameless shower door of the same style.
They are made from frameless glass and operate by means of rollers that move along a metal bar near the top of the enclosure. On single door systems, a door panel is hung next to a fixed wall of glass and slides in front of it to open. On our dual roller system, both panels are operable. Additional glass panels are added to the shower as needed to create a complete enclosure. For extra-large showers, glaziers can install a set of double barn style doors flanked by stationary pieces of glass.
See Also: Get Ahead of Shower Door Trends with Barn Style Sliding Glass Shower Doors
Another distinction that can help you navigate the shower door world is bathtub doors versus shower doors for a stall with no tub. Glass professionals can install frameless tub doors as well as build frameless enclosures from the floor up. As you decide between bathtub shower doors and a shower-only enclosure, consider the following questions:
Next, let’s look at some of the other designations used to describe shower door options in the glazing world.
Shower doors come in a wide variety of standard sizes, yet your exact dimensions will depend on your space and chosen configuration. Examples of common sizes include:
Because size depends on configuration (e.g., number of panels, door type, enclosure angle), working with a glass professional ensures correct fit and avoids costly mis-cuts.
Safety tempered glass is standard, but there are various styles and upgrades available:
Clear Glass
Most popular for frameless setups because it:
Many glass companies offer upgrades for clear glass. At ABC Glass and Mirror, for instance, customers can choose between standard clear glass and low-iron, which has reduced iron content. Standard clear glass has a green cast, while almost no green can be detected when low iron glass is viewed through the face of the glass. The edge of low iron glass will have some color, but standard clear will be much darker. Alternatively, clients can opt for clear OptiShower or HydroClear glass which is permanently sealed to prevent corrosion, discoloration, and staining. These coated glass options stay clean longer and are easier to care for.
However, for reasons of privacy or aesthetics, homeowners sometimes prefer another type of glass for a frameless shower. Additional possibilities include:
Other Glass Options
Each glass variation serves a function: design impact, privacy, or cleaning ease—and your choice should reflect your bathroom’s usage and style.
Proper installation is just as important as quality glass. At ABC Glass & Mirror we follow a reliable 4‐step process to ensure your enclosure performs and looks its best:
Because frameless glass doors use heavy, load‐bearing glass (without a supporting frame), professional installation is crucial for safety and durability.
To protect your investment and keep the glass looking pristine year after year, follow these best practices:
Simple daily and ongoing maintenance significantly extends the life and clarity of your frameless shower enclosure.
When real estate professionals talk about home improvements, bathrooms are consistently near the top of the list. Upgrading a shower with a clear, frameless glass door or full enclosure enhances the perception of space, introduces an upscale aesthetic, and generally appeals to more buyers.
According to design and resale experts, a well-executed bathroom update, including a frameless glass shower, can boost your home’s appeal in today’s competitive market. An inviting bathroom can give a home the edge over houses at the same price point with less attractive bathrooms, which is one reason HGTV’s Scott McGillivray says, “Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most important room in the house when it comes to resale.”
In short: yes, frameless shower doors are a worthwhile investment, but how much you pay, how they perform, and how long they last depend on a few key decisions:
Working with a specialized glass contractor like ABC Glass & Mirror ensures you get the right design, materials, and installation quality for your budget and bathroom goals.pe of enclosure you want – neo-angle, right angle, tub doors, etc. – and then prioritize the specific features that appeal to you, such as protected glass or a steam shower. You can then contact local glass companies for specific pricing options. Feel free to take a look at the ABC Glass and Mirror frameless shower doors page for more information on these trending shower enclosures.
What makes a frameless shower door different from a framed one?
Frameless shower doors use heavy, tempered glass panels without metal framing around the edges. They’re supported with discreet clamps and hinges, creating a sleek, open look that showcases your tilework and makes cleaning easier.
Are frameless shower doors safe?
Yes — when installed by professionals, frameless shower doors are completely safe. ABC Glass & Mirror uses tempered safety glass that’s four to five times stronger than standard glass and designed to crumble into small pieces if broken.
How thick should the glass be for a frameless shower?
Most frameless enclosures use ⅜-inch or ½-inch thick tempered glass. Thicker glass improves strength and is therefore more rigid and stable. Your installer will recommend the right thickness based on panel size and layout.
How much do frameless shower doors cost in Northern Virginia?
Costs vary depending on size, configuration, and hardware. On average, a custom frameless glass shower door installed by ABC Glass & Mirror ranges from $1,000 – $3,000+, including materials and professional installation.
Can frameless shower doors be installed on any shower?
Usually, yes — but proper wall structure and alignment are key. Frameless systems require solid, plumb walls to support heavy glass. During your consultation, ABC Glass & Mirror technicians measure and inspect your space to confirm compatibility.
Do frameless glass showers leak?
If the shower has a proper layout – ie the shower head does not point at the door and the curb slopes in ¼” – ⅜” per 12”, your enclosure won’t leak. We also seal joints and edges with precision to prevent splashing or leaks.
What types of glass are available for frameless shower doors?
You can choose from clear, low-iron, acid-etched, patterned, cast, or tinted glass. Clear and low-iron glass are most popular for displaying tile, while frosted or patterned options add privacy.
How do I clean and maintain a frameless glass shower door?
Use a squeegee after each shower to prevent water spots. For cleaning, avoid harsh chemicals — use mild dish soap or a vinegar-water mix with a soft cloth. Protective coatings like HydroClear and OptiShower can help resist staining.
Can I add a towel bar or robe hook to my frameless shower door?
Yes. ABC Glass & Mirror offers towel bars and robe hooks in a wide range of hardware finishes, including brushed nickel, matte black, chrome, and brass, and we can integrate towel bars and robe hooks directly into the glass for functionality and style.
How long does professional installation take?
Most frameless shower door installations take 1 hour per panel, including setup and cleanup. After installation, we’ll walk you through maintenance tips and warranty coverage to ensure long-term performance.
We’d love to help you transform your bathroom with a custom frameless glass shower door.
Phone: (703) 257-7150
Locally Owned & Operated: 8395 Euclid Avenue, Suite B, Manassas Park, VA
Service areas: Northern Virginia • Maryland • DC
ABC Glass & Mirror is a family-owned and operated business backed by over 20 years of glazing experience in the Northern Virginia area.
