If you looked at bathroom design even just a few years ago, and compared it to design today, you’d probably see a dramatic difference. The truth is that bathroom design is changing, and homeowners are wanting to transform their bathrooms into a spa-like retreat. One of the most important decisions you’ll likely have to make is what you want your shower to look like.
Your shower is the focal point of your bathroom, so spending time figuring out the details, such as your shower door can have a huge impact on the design. With the addition of a frameless shower glass door, you can transform your bathroom into the perfect oasis to start your day or wind down at night. Not sure where to start? Here’s all you need to know about frameless glass shower doors.
What Are Frameless Shower Glass Doors?
Frameless shower glass doors are shower doors that do not have a metal frame. Instead, glass panels are held in place by clips or hinges. In order to achieve stability, the glass used is thicker than traditional glass used in framed showers, and is typically ⅜”-½” thick tempered glass.
Frameless showers are aesthetically pleasing, and offer numerous design options, allowing you the ability to personalize your shower. If you’re looking to draw attention to certain design elements, such as tile, hardware, or any other features, you also may want to consider a frameless shower. They also require less upkeep and deep cleaning compared to a framed shower.
What Maintenance is Required?
With their simplicity in style and design, frameless shower doors are much easier than their counterparts to keep clean. Because of the minimalistic design, there are less nooks and crannies for mold to develop. There is, however, no way to prevent mold and mildew buildup from occurring if your bathroom isn’t properly ventilated.
To keep your shower spotless daily, you can use a squeegee at the end of each shower. This will prevent soap scum and water droplet buildup from occurring. Every week or two, wipe down the glass with a shower squeegee. Talk to your glass door provider for their recommendations on what will be the safest and most effective options.
What are the Pros and Cons?
There are numerous benefits to choosing frameless shower glass doors for your bathroom upgrade. If you’re looking for your shower to be the focal point of your bathroom, and like a modern, clean look, frameless is the perfect way to go. As we stated above, they also require much less maintenance and upkeep.
There are a few drawbacks to frameless showers, such as the cost. Frameless showers require much thicker glass, leading to a higher cost at installation, so budgeting accordingly is necessary. They are also much more complicated to install, so you’ll need to leave it to the experts rather than conducting a do-it-yourself project.
For more differences between frameless showers and framed glass showers, click here.
How Much Will it Cost?
Prices for frameless glass showers can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, but the answer truly depends on what you want for your home. Several things to consider when budgeting for your dream shower are the number of glass panels needed, the size of those panels, the type of glass, and the type of door you want.
One factor to be mindful of when budgeting for your dream shower is the impact the installation will have on the value of your home in the long run. The return on investment may be worth it. If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to design and cost, you can check out our project calculator here.
What is the Installation Process?
Although there are many DIY glass shower enclosures, they can be a real headache if the condition of your existing shower is poor or you aren’t familiar with the installation process. “Stock” sizes of glass require a one-size-fits-all approach that may lead to gaps, leading to leaks, or large caulk joints may detract from the clean look you’ve been looking for in the first place.
Reaching out to glass experts for your project allows you to have a more custom approach when it comes to the shower of your dreams. The consultation aspect is invaluable, as you are able to seek the insights of professionals when it comes to glass type, hardware, and measurements. There are also typically more options for glass and hardware when going the custom route versus a kit you can pick up at your local hardware store. Best of all, contacting a professional will help reduce your stress levels, time investment, and help you rest easily knowing that your shower is safely installed, giving you peace of mind.
When you’re ready to design the bathroom of your dreams, start with the experts at Premier Glass Austin. Contact us for a complimentary in-home consultation today!
