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Framed Vs. Frameless Showers: Which Is Right For You?

In the same way that you could say the stove is the heart of the kitchen, the shower is the heart of the bathroom. Where you bathe and wash away all of your worries matters, and when your shower just isn’t a rejuvenating, relaxing, or — dare we say — luxurious experience, it can leave you feeling underwhelmed with your bathroom.

A solution that has worked for many homeowners in the Washington, DC area to boost their bathrooms is the addition of elegant frameless glass showers. Most homes are outfitted with standard framed glass showers, but there’s a better way — and perhaps you’re thinking of making the switch. So what are the key differences between the two — framed or frameless? At Nova Custom Glass, we’ve got frameless showers down to a science and an art form — because after all, it’s both! Let us answer all of your questions today.

The Glass Difference

Both framed and frameless showers are typically made from tempered glass that has been treated to make cleaning easier. What you may not know is that framed glass doors are typically thinner to accommodate the supports for the door frame. Frameless shower glass, alternatively, is thicker since it requires no such accommodation for frames. Instead, frameless shower glass utilizes clips and hinges that are set into the glass, caulked, and sealed with a robust silicone.

Finding a Shower That Fits Your Style

Whether you’re working with framed or frameless shower glass, you do have some style options available, such as frosting, patterns, etchings, and special infusions to reduce water spotting. The big difference between the two concerns how you can configure the glass enclosure.

Framed glass is more limited in what it is capable of achieving. Typically, framed shower doors are on a sliding track or are set into a heavy frame to allow it to pivot open and closed. Frameless glass, however, allows for some more options. You can choose from side-by-side French doors, or single doors that pivot from a stationary pane without the need for a bulky frame. You’ll find that frameless glass allows for more customizable options, including three-wall enclosures and modern, contemporary designs.

Installation Process

Framed and frameless shower glass should always be installed by professionals, regardless of if they are stock or custom pieces. This is especially true for a frameless shower glass installation, which tends to be more labor-intensive. The necessity of professional installation services is due to the precision that is required absent a frame. If a frameless shower door is incorrectly installed and not perfectly balanced, it can begin to sag over time.

Framed showers are generally simpler to install due to the thinner, lighter-weight glass and the inclusion of frames, which require a little less precision than frameless glass. While the duration of the installation varies depending on the size and intricacy of the shower in question, frameless glass installation will take longer than framed, but usually no more than a few hours.

Is There a Cost Difference?

Whenever you’re opting for custom glass, whether it is framed or frameless, you should expect a higher price point compared to stock options. Since the sizes of showers and individual preferences and expectations vary so greatly from project to project, it’s difficult to provide an exact price difference. While frameless glass may be more expensive, you are getting what you pay for — including more customization options, contemporary design, and a more luxurious experience.

Do Frameless Showers Leak?

You might be tempted to think that, in the absence of a frame, does water simply splash about the bathroom unhindered? Fortunately, no. Although frameless glass is just that — frameless — these showers have rubber gaskets and silicone caulked edges to keep water where it belongs. Like any rubber product, the gaskets can crack and degrade over time, but they are easily replaced as part of your normal shower maintenance. So rest assured, just because a shower is frameless, it is perfectly capable of keeping all of the water where it belongs — in the shower and off of the floor.

Glass Maintenance

Anyone who owns a framed shower and has taken the time to examine the metal track will tell you just how susceptible they are to corrosion and mold growth — this is that nasty orange or black residue that can collect in the nooks and crannies. These tracks are notoriously difficult to clean. Alternatively, frameless glass is far less likely to have major mold or mildew problems since there is no place for water to collect. Frameless glass is also much easier to treat with applications that deter water spots, which in turn makes them easier to clean.

Are There Any Risks With Frameless Glass?

Although it is exceedingly rare, there have been reports of both framed and frameless shower doors shattering, sometimes when they’re not even in use. This can be due to several reasons, but any glass manufacturer will tell you that it is an inherent risk that is present with all glass shower doors.

In the extremely unlikely event that a frameless door shatters, the glass is tempered. Tempered glass does not shatter into sharp shards, but instead breaks apart into small, rounded pieces, reducing the danger to any occupants. Even if the risk of shattering does exist, it should be considered minimal.

How Long Does a Frameless Shower Last?

Since frameless glass does not have to contend as frequently with the issues that plague framed glass, like mold, mildew, and corrosion, they will typically last much longer. Properly maintained, you can expect a frameless shower to enhance your bathroom for decades to come.

Find Your Frameless Shower Custom Glass Solution With Nova

Since 2008, Nova Custom Glass has been providing custom glass solutions to residents throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. If you’re ready to utterly transform your bathroom with a luxurious contemporary frameless shower, contact us! View our gallery of past work to get inspired, then fill out our contact form to begin your project.

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