A shower enclosure is one of the most transformative items you can have in your bathroom. It has the ability to turn a boring space into something glamorous that you’ll want to spend most of your time in. One of its most important features includes the glass door. It comes in different designs, including framed and frameless builds.

Both options are versatile and safe. They provide various benefits and drawbacks that everyone should consider before picking what they want. In this post, we’ll take a look at the differences between framed and frameless glass doors to help you pick what type you’d like to install in your bathroom.

Framed Glass Shower Doors Description

The most distinctive feature of a framed glass door is the heavy-duty aluminum frame that surrounds the glass. It provides a cleaner and nicer look that you can choose to replace your bathroom curtains.

The glass that is found in framed glass doors is normally tempered. This means that when it breaks, it reduces to small circular pieces instead of sharp pieces of glass that can cause injury. The aluminum frame surrounding the glass helps to keep the door steady and reduces the risk of shattering in case it is knocked.

Framed glass doors are often easier to install. All you need to do is fix the frame over the shower material. The frame provides space for hinges and other types of hardware. This provides an opportunity to make a proper placement when installing the door.

Framed glass doors are also less likely to allow water to sip through. They prevent leaking by tracking and trapping flowing water. A metal frame that comes with a layer of caulk also prevents spilling. The overall design is also watertight to keep shower sprays inside the shower enclosure.

If you’d like to try a different design option, framed glass shower doors offer different types of metal frames. You can pick any that matches your home’s décor. Sliding framed doors also provide a viable alternative to pivot doors. They take up little space and leave more room for you to move around in your bathroom.

Framed doors also tend to cost up to 15% less when compared to frameless options. They use thinner glass, hence, helping you to save more money. Unfortunately, most framed doors only open outward. This can be a limitation in certain situations. The metal used to secure the glass can also corrode with time due to the excessive moisture. Water droplets and soap scum also tend to cause mildew, leaving the frame looking unattractive.

Pros

1. Are more stable
2. Easier to install
3. Help to contain water within the shower unit
4. Are available in a wide variety of frame designs
5. Cost-effective

Cons

1. Can be outdated where modern bathroom designs are used
2. Harder to clean and maintain
3. Are available in limited ranges of motion

Frameless Glass Shower Door Description

Frameless glass shower doors differ from their framed counterparts in that they do not have metal support on the tempered glass. The glass is made to be self-supporting. Most frameless glass door designs are more attractive and tend to feature a great overall look that many people appreciate.

There’s often a wide array of design choices to choose from when it comes to frameless shower doors. Consumers also get to enjoy different configurations, sizes, and style choices. The only metal that is used is that found on the hinges and handles. You can also have semi-frameless doors that have a metal enclosure at the top or on the sides.

Unlike framed glass doors, frameless options are available with a wider range of motion. The metal hinges used to allow you to swing the door both inward and outward. This means that you can open the door in whichever direction you choose. This is quite different from framed glass doors which are quite limited.

It’s easier to maintain a frameless shower glass door. This is because there is no frame to provide crevices for moisture buildup. A frameless glass shower door will have less of the grimy debris that tends to accumulate inside the frames. Cleaning and replacement are also made easier.

When you need to replace the glass door, all you need to do is find a manufacturer that makes the same type of glass and order for one. Framed options tend to force users to only buy replacement parts from the original manufacturer.

One of the best benefits that come with frameless glass shower doors is the airy and spacious feeling they bring into a bathroom. They also help to bring out the marble tiles or stonework you may have installed in your bathroom. They have a better bathroom influence compared to framed options.

Unfortunately, frameless doors tend to be pricier when compared to framed shower doors. They also aren’t as stable. The glass used tends to be thicker and heavier. This makes them more susceptible to failure if handled wrongly. Lastly, their installation can be quite complicated since there is no metal frame.

Pros

1. Available in a wide variety of designs
2. Can be opened either inward or outward
3. Easier to clean and maintain
4. Help to bring out your bathroom’s design features

Cons

1. More expensive
2. Complicated installation
3. More unstable compared to framed doors

Overview and Conclusion

Framed and frameless glass shower doors both have their own advantages and disadvantages. As seen in the description above, if you’re looking for something stable, easy to install, and cost-effective; framed glass shower doors are the better option. However, if you have a little bit more room in your budget, frameless glass shower doors are the go-to option since they provide more designs and are easier to clean and maintain.

FAQ

Is a frameless shower door worth it?

Frameless shower doors are a worthy investment because they do not have metal hardware that can corrode. This saves long-term costs and helps to give your bathroom that fresh look throughout.

Why are frameless showers so expensive?

Frameless shower doors cost more because they are made using thicker tempered glass.

Are shower doors safe for seniors?

Glass shower doors offer extra stability and safety. This is thanks to their handholds that make it easier for seniors to take a shower.