Frameless Showers vs. Framed Showers

Appearance

• A framed shower has, as the name states, a frame around it. The frame is typically either aluminum or brass and goes around the edges of the glass, top and bottom. A frameless shower either has no glass whatsoever and is anchored to the tile or has minimal metal for the structure only.

Glass

• Glass for a framed shower is thinner than glass used for a frameless shower. A framed shower typically uses either three-sixteenths-inch or one-quarter-inch glass. A frameless shower uses three-eighths-inch or one-half-inch glass for more support and stability. It is also known as heavy glass.

Cost

• Cost is a serious consideration when deciding on your shower. A frameless shower lacks the frame necessary to support it, and instead requires heavier glass, supports and hardware. Exact measurements are critical for the glass to fit, and the cut glass edges must be sanded down. The additional materials and labor makes the cost of a frameless shower significantly more than a framed door, typically almost double the cost at the time of publication.

Cleaning

• A frameless shower has fewer metal parts that need regular cleaning. Mildew and soap can get caught under the frame and along the edges where the metal meets glass on a framed door.