Featured Image: Shower Lagoon
Frameless glass shower doors have surged in popularity in recent years as homeowners develop a taste for clean and minimalist aesthetics. Manufacturers have responded by creating a wide selection of frameless shower door designs and styles. While having options is a good thing, it has also left many homeowners torn about the best choice for them. Which type of glass is the best? What kind of hinges do I go for?
We try to answer these and many more questions in our comprehensive frameless doors guide. Whether you are thinking of doing a bathroom renovation or you are in the process of building a new home, follow along.
If you are just getting started with your bathroom remodeling project, take a look at this other post: “6 Questions to Ask Before a Bathroom Remodeling Project.”
CLEAN & PRETTY
This lovely shower enclosure is made of frameless glass, which protects the walls from water damage. This is a very clean and stylish design. The silver and white color schemes are minimalist and pristine. Sebring Design Build is responsible for this lovely and modern bathroom.
RETREAT
The bathroom in this timber-frame house is fitted with a beautiful frameless glass shower. The WC appears to be located in the cellar. The location of the bathtub about the window ensures a pleasant bathroom experience. ADA – Arata Hatanaka Design Atelier created this relaxing space.
MASTER SUITE
The shower in this bathroom features attractive blue mosaic tile. Cynthia Karegeannes, Registered Architect, has created a masterpiece with this primary suite. Somehow, this lavatory scheme makes me think of the beach.
RUSTIC WARMTH
How comforting it is to soak in this tub. Wonderful sink area; the tiers provide a welcome variation from the usual vanities. The rustic decor creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Staprans Design created this rustic yet inviting bathroom.
BRILLIANT AQUA
Fans of nautical decor will adore this luxurious bathroom scheme. The modern bathroom has a splash of eye-catching color. There is a dazzling clarity and a refreshing simplicity to everything. Dunn Architecture Studio is responsible for this magnificent water-themed building.
RUSTIC ESCAPE
How about a restroom that transports you back in time to the Middle Ages? The room has a lot of charming country touches. The primary construction components of this space are stone and wood. Lands End Development – Designers & Builders did an amazing job on this country-style bathroom.
BLACK & WHITE
Might it be that you enjoy the game of chess? Black and white checkerboard wallpaper is a nice feature of this one. In this cutting-edge lavatory, the frameless sliding door is a standout feature. This stunning CB Showers bathroom is a study in black and white contrast.
ARTSY
There’s something artistic about how the shelf is concealed in the shower. As a storage space, it’s practical without sacrificing style. It appears there is a decent amount of room dedicated to the shower. Sebring Design Build outdid itself with this unique and stylish bathroom.
RELAXING
In this stunning bathroom, the awesome-shaped tub matches the sleek frameless glass enclosure of the shower. The tub size allows plenty of room when soaking in it, which everyone can agree on. National Kitchen & Bath Association has created a soothing bathroom layout.
HEAVENLY SHOWER
The showerhead will impress everyone and be widely regarded as fantastic. The shower is beautifully built; it’s minimalistic but has everything you need. An included white light helps illuminate the entire space. Sebring Design Build did an excellent job with this structure.
What are Frameless Glass Shower Doors?
Frameless glass shower doors as just that–glass shower doors without framing. Traditional framed glass shower doors make use of metal, rubber or some other material to secure the glass along the edges. The result is a bulky look that can become an eyesore especially for small bathrooms.
A frameless shower door does away with the framing, creating a cleaner and less cluttered look. Many homeowners will also agree that a frameless shower door is less of a hassle to clean and maintain. A quick wipe is enough to get it looking sparkling clean.
But the beauty and airiness of frameless glass shower doors comes with a number of downsides. For one, the cost of a frameless shower door is much higher than that of framed doors. This is due to the increased complexity to design and install frameless glass shower doors. Secondly, these doors come with a higher risk of leaking water into other areas of the bathroom. Proper design is essential in preventing this.
With good installation and proper maintenance, a frameless glass shower door is one of the best bathroom upgrades you can make. It leaves your bathroom feeling airier, brighter and bigger.
SLEEK SANCTUARY
There’s a lot of room to move around in this bathroom. Everyone will appreciate this lavatory’s abundance of natural light and convenient shelving. Domiteaux + Baggett Architects, PLLC designed this stunning bathroom, and it’s easy to see why: everything about it is modern and minimalist.
ELEGANT BATH
Do you desire an exceptionally sophisticated bathroom? The cleanliness of this bathroom is guaranteed, as no one with taste would ever want to soil such a luxurious space. The gorgeous window and candlelit chandelier grab your attention immediately. Jim Deen/Kitchen Kraft created the complete layout.
CENTER STAGE
The glass enclosure of the shower serves as the room’s focal point. Among its many finer points is a mosaic-adorned wall. The Amoroso Design bathroom design is a breath of fresh air. The photo frame hanging on the wall to the left is another nice touch.
LIMESTONE CHIC
Do you want a bathroom that is at once modern and rustic? This beautiful bathroom features charcoal grey limestone in a luxurious and rustic design. JRP Design & Remodel nailed it with this one.
Key Considerations When Buying a Frameless Shower Door
If you have decided to go ahead with a frameless shower door, there are some essential considerations to keep in mind as you look for the right one.
1. Fully Frameless Glass vs. Semi-Frameless Glass
One of the biggest frustrations when it comes to buying a frameless glass shower door is the lack of standards. One seller will define a frameless shower door in a different way from another and a third one will choose yet another definition. Honestly, it can be pretty confusing to a lot of homeowners.
Two terms you will come across are fully frameless and semi-frameless. Some shower doors make use of long U channels at the bottom or sides of the door to secure it. While some sellers will still say this is a frameless door the more accurate term agreed on by many in the industry is semi-frameless. Other frameless shower glass doors use clamps to secure the glass door to the wall or a fixed glass panel. This is what many refer to as a fully frameless shower door.
When you go shopping ask whether the door uses U channels or clamps (sometimes called clips). Clamps generally have a more minimalist look compared to U channels.
FRESH & NATURAL
This bathroom incorporates various natural materials to create a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere. Everyone will agree that the design of this bathroom is very honest and refreshing. It’s nice that they even paid attention to the bloom’s stems and leaves—what an excellent piece of design work by Tim Clarke Design.
ROLLER TOP
Not one, but two incredible roller-top, frameless-glass shower enclosures. The glass partition in the shower is only one of the many wonderful elements of this lavatory. Sebring Design Build has created an attractive bathroom design.
PEACEFUL
The bathroom is predominantly white but has plenty of interesting lines and textures. Despite the obvious lack of frills, the tranquil atmosphere here was palpable. Sebring Design Build has created a great design for a relaxing bathroom setting.
TAKE A SEAT
This bathroom has a unique take on the standard bathtub. The broad rim provides seating on top, so you may relax while waiting for it to fill with water. Estes/Twombly Architects, Inc. is responsible for the design of this warm and welcoming toilet area.
2. Type of Hardware
Another very important issue is the type of hardware used on the door. This refers to the material used in the U channel (for semi-frameless glass doors) and in the clamps (for fully frameless glass doors) as well as any other component including the hinges.
You will find terms like brass construction, aluminum construction and anodized construction. If possible, always go for brass hardware. Shower frameless glass doors are quite heavy, sometimes weighing up to 200 lbs. The hardware used must be able to bear all that weight safely and ensure structural integrity. Brass is much better at this than aluminum and many other materials you encounter.
You can then choose to have the brass components coated in a finishing of your liking. Common finishes include chrome, oil rubbed bronze and brushed nickel.
One tip that can help you determine that you are buying the right hardware is to ask for part numbers. Look up the part numbers online to find original manufacturer information. This will tell you exactly what materials are used and safe weight tolerances as stated by the manufacturer.
3. Type of Hinges
For the door to open and close, it must be fitted with a hinge. Installing a hinge on a glass door and a frameless one at that, is an entirely different kettle of fish from installing a hinge on a normal door. The hinge must be able to support the weight of the door and allow it to turn smoothly without any problem.
There are three types of hinges you can use for your frameless shower door: door-to-wall hinges, pivot hinges and glass-to-glass hinges. Ask your contractor for recommendation on which is best in your situation. Each hinge comes with its own benefits and complications.
For example, a glass-to-glass hinge is more problematic to install compared to a glass-to-wall hinge. A pivot hinge has the advantage of allowing the shower door to open 180 degrees in either direction.
Take a look at some great images and additional information we found at Dulles Glass & Mirror.
4. Type and Thickness of Glass
Lacking in framing, frameless shower doors must be thicker to achieve proper support and structural integrity. There are two sizes that are recommended: 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch. Anything thinner than this and your shower door will keep wobbling whenever you open or close it. Note that 1/2 inch frameless shower doors cost more than 3/8 ones.
In addition to the thickness, you also need to choose the type of glass you prefer. This is mostly a matter of aesthetics and each seller stocks different variations, some with proprietary names. Some of the options you will come across include clear glass, frosted glass and rain glass. One thing they all have in common–they are all tempered glass. Tempered glass is as a result of a special manufacturing process that makes it stronger and changes how it breaks. In case of breakage, it fragments into numerous small chunks that are not as hazardous as normal glass.
DARK & DRAMATIC
Looking for a dramatic atmosphere in your bathroom? Make it as dark as possible. Sebring Design Build included a spacious, luxurious shower with dark tile in this bathroom. Unique to this work of art is a black wall with a geometric pattern of intersecting rectangles.
GORGEOUS BATH
It would be impossible to leave this bathroom if it were in your home. This master bathroom by Sebring Design Build is a work of art in terms of aesthetics and cost. A marble accent wall complements the largely white decor of the bathroom. Wow, that’s one stunning layout!
Reasons To Go For Frameless Glass Shower Doors
1. Frameless shower doors provide the appearance of a larger bathroom.
Glass has a natural propensity to make a space appear and feel larger. Frameless shower doors are composed of durable glass with thicknesses ranging from 3/8” to 1/2”.
Because thicker glass bends less, it does not need to be supported by a frame.
It also expands the appearance of even the smallest bathroom. Shower door layouts in frameless styles can be adapted to fit bathrooms of any size.
2. Elegant designs are possible with glass doors.
Frameless showers have a seamless appearance because they use almost no metal. The glass is attached to the wall directly with discreet and straightforward hardware. Many one-of-a-kind designs feature glass on numerous or all sides for an ultramodern look.
3. Clear glass keeps your bathroom feeling open and airy.
Because frameless glass shower doors enable you to see through them, they do not operate as a visual barrier similar to a shower curtain or framed door would.
This creates a more open and airy feeling in your bathroom, making it appear larger, brighter, and less confining.
4. Frameless glass doors let in natural light.
Using natural light in the bathroom has various advantages—a good source of vitamin D, flawless cosmetic application, hair removal, and higher self-esteem. Shaving your legs behind a dark shower curtain or squinting under fluorescent lights is never a brilliant idea. When it comes to light, frameless glass shower doors ensure that you have plenty of it.
5. Display beautiful tile designs
The beauty of your shower is overshadowed by opaque doors that give the impression that a giant box is sitting in your bathroom. This takes away from the natural feel and grandeur of your bathroom decor. Frameless glass shower doors enable greater aesthetic enjoyment by providing a clearer view of the tile pattern, color, and embellishments.
6. Provides a spa-like environment
Bathroom renovations provide an excellent return on investment, both financially and personally. The use of frameless glass shower doors adds a sense of calm and transparency to the space.
A Note About Accessories
Make sure to ask the seller what kind of accessories come with the door and which ones you can add on your own. All shower doors come with a door handle while others also provide a towel bar. Other accessories you may want to include would be a threshold to prevent leakage, towel bar/handle combos and recommended glass cleaner.
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