Everyone enjoys a hot shower. It’s the ideal way to start your day—or to escape after a long day. Because the bathroom receives the most use of any room in the house, it is one of the first places homeowners search for renovation ideas.
The investment in a bathroom remodel will pay off instantly—when you’re using the home—and in the future when you decide to sell the home. If you’re thinking about remodeling your shower, you might be considering the advantages of framed vs. frameless shower doors.
Continue reading to learn whether frameless shower doors are better for your house.
Why People Like Framed Glass Shower Doors
A framed shower door is installed in a sturdy heavy-duty aluminum metal frame to add strength and support. These enclosures feature a ton of flexibility and options and are an excellent choice for those seeking value and practicality. Framed showers are the least expensive shower enclosure option and are widely considered to have the best water retention performance available.
Here are some advantages of framed doors.
- Framed shower designs provide more stability to the glass the frame holds.
- A framed door reduces the risk of shattering.
- Framed shower doors are budget-friendly and cost less than frameless shower doors.
- They are easier to install.
- Framed shower doors keep in more water because water gets caught in the track. The frame itself also prevents water from leaking through.
Why People Like Frameless Glass Shower Doors
A frameless type of shower door is made of sturdy tempered glass that does not require the support of metal around its exterior edges. Frameless options are popular with homeowners because the style helps to showcase a bathroom’s beautiful stonework, exquisite tile designs, and sparkling hardware.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of these enclosures.
- Frameless door panels make your space appear bright and spacious.
- These design styles offer a sleek, contemporary look.
- These popular options have no obstructing views.
- A frameless shower door design will improve the appearance and feel of your bathroom.
- Frameless shower doors are easier to clean than framed doors and reduce mildew buildup growing in the shower.
- A frameless custom glass shower enclosure is easier to clean than framed doors
Cost Differences
When picking a custom shower door for your bathroom, one of the first things to consider is your budget. The price difference between framed and frameless shower doors might be substantial. In general, a frameless shower door will cost you more money.
A frameless door is more costly than a framed shower door for two main reasons: First, they are harder to install and take more time, so installation is more costly. Secondly, these popular enclosures are made with thicker tempered glass, which is more costly.
Nevertheless, costs vary greatly based on the type of glass used, the height of the shower door, and other criteria. Many homeowners believe that the additional cost of a frameless door is worthwhile since they like the look.
Installation Differences
Here’s one thing to consider about the framed option. These glass door panels take less time and labor to install than their frameless counterparts. This is because framed shower doors fit more easily onto tracks, and the frameless glass is thinner and lighter. In addition, the door is hinged to the metal frame.
Installing a frameless door, on the other hand, is much more labor-intensive due to the larger weight and the fact that the clips used to connect the door must be perfectly level. If the doors are not level, they may begin to droop over time. If the shower is tiled, specific drill bits must be used to correctly install the clips.
Cleanings and Upkeep Differences
Cleaning the shower is tough, especially in corners and along seams. However, when it comes to cleaning and maintaining shower doors, the frameless shower is easier to clean as all you need is a clean cloth to get rid of the dirt.
Framed shower doors are harder to clean as the metal frames and metal tracking catch dirt and moisture that can lead to mold growth. They are also prone to corrosion, and maintenance can be a bit hard.
When cleaning frameless or framed enclosures, we suggest using a shower glass solution that is less invasive and a squeegee to wipe down your glass. Wipe down your shower after every shower. This takes a few minutes and will prevent water from drying and leaving stains on your shower door.
The Final Verdict
There are several alternatives for glass shower enclosures, ranging from semi-frameless enclosures to frameless and framed (and many others.) If you are thinking about remodeling your bathroom, a frameless shower enclosure offers several advantages, and many homeowners are choosing to install these glass panels.
The main difference between framed vs. frameless shower doors is the thickness of the glass. The thicker glass of a frameless shower door design creates a sleeker appearance that requires less hardware. Because these doors require heavier, thicker glass to stand without bending and cracking, they are more expensive. They do not require a frame to keep them stable.
Framed shower doors are less expensive, and they require less time and less labor to install than their frameless counterparts. That’s because framed shower doors fit into tracks and are lighter than frameless doors.
In the end, the frameless vs framed shower doors debate comes down to each individual person. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each and decide which is best for you. You can’t go wrong with this!
Contact a Top-Rated Shower Door Company to Get a Free Estimate & Schedule a Consultation
Customize your dream bathroom with Wise Glass! We are leading experts when it comes to custom shower door enclosures. We offer exceptional customer service, and your satisfaction is our number one priority. Contact us today to get a free estimate and to schedule a consultation.