2022 Frameless Glass Shower Door Costs | Installation Guide

Updated May 3, 2022 · By Catie Bonner

What is a Frameless Shower?
Frameless Shower Installation Costs
Custom Frameless Shower Doors
Benefits of Frameless Showers
Is Choosing a Frameless Shower Worth it?
Hiring a Shower Remodel Professional

What is a Frameless Shower?

The most popular shower remodels today involve installing a shower that is enclosed in glass. Frameless showers are enclosed showers that use glass panels without metal framing support systems. Many homeowners prefer the look of frameless glass shower doors to framed shower enclosures because they are trendy, look cleaner, sleeker and more modern without metal fixtures. The look of these glass shower doors show off other visually appealing elements of your bathroom, such as tile, stone, and accents.

Frameless shower enclosures are typically made with heavy-duty tempered glass with a thick pane, since there is no metal framing to support the glass. Instead, the glass shower doors are attached using clips and hinges, which are caulked and sealed with silicone at the edges, to hold them in place. Most of the time, contractors will use safety glass so that the glass will not shatter.

Frameless Shower Installation Costs

Installing a custom frameless shower will typically cost more than installing a framed or semi-frameless shower. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $500 to $3,000 for a frameless shower, and another $70 per hour for labor and installation.

Keep in mind that the cost of installation will vary depending on the size of your shower, the type of glass and doors you choose, and any other add-on hardware and customizations. Generally, thicker glasses are heavier and cost more to install. Larger showers with custom glass doors can cost up to $3,000 or more, whereas smaller showers will cost on the lower end of the spectrum.

Also keep in mind that the cost to replace a frameless shower door only is lesser than the cost to replace the entire shower. For either option, be sure to save room in your budget for installation and labor, as well as hardware installation.

Frameless shower cost
Shower upgrade	Average cost
Total frameless shower replacement	$895
Frameless shower door replacement only	$425
Shower hardware and glass door clips	$250
Installation and labor	$70 per hour

You can always opt for semi-frameless shower models for slightly lesser cost if you can compromise with the shower style.

Custom Frameless Shower Doors

Customizing your new shower is the fun part of planning your shower remodel! In addition to choosing your shower tiles, fixtures, and showerhead, you can work with your contractor to choose a style of door and glass for the renovation.

Some bathrooms will require a custom frameless shower door. For example, if you are looking to remodel your master bathroom and plan to add a larger frameless shower area, you might require custom sizing for the glass doors to fit your needs. Typically, frameless glass shower doors that are wider than 60″ are considered “custom,” and will likely cost more to install.

You can also expect to pay more for custom glass types, such as:

Frosted glass shower doors
Tinted glass shower doors
Rain glass shower doors
Textured glass shower doors
Thicker 1/2″ glass shower doors

Frameless shower glass is a standard 3/8″ thick, but you can opt for the thicker 1/2″ glass. You will pay more for this type of frameless glass shower doors, but they will provide the strongest structural durability and longest lifespan.

You can even opt for a frameless double shower if you are updating your master bathroom to accommodate a couple.

Benefits of Frameless Showers

Although they are more costly to install than other types of showers, there is a good reason why frameless showers are so popular among homeowners today. Explore the top benefits of these showers below.

Clean, sleek appearance

One of the most exciting benefits of choosing frameless shower doors is the elegant appearance it can add to your bathroom remodel. Homeowners looking for modern updates to their bathrooms tend to dislike the appearance of bulky metal framing enclosing their shower. Without metal framing, shower areas often appear more open, which can make your bathroom look larger. Frameless glass can also show off designs and focal points of your bathroom, such as beautiful stone tiles, marble accents, and unique shower fixtures.

Durability

Because they use thicker paned glass, frameless showers are very durable and last 20-30 years or more when maintained properly. Without metal framing, they are also less susceptible to rust or corrosion, which are often reasons homeowners choose to replace or repair their showers.

Easy to clean

Metal framing, while practical, can be difficult to clean. It is prone to corrosion over time and often attracts the build-up of mold and mildew in crevices and corners. Without metal framing, frameless showers can be much easier to clean and maintain. They are also less likely to collect water or show water spots. Simply squeegee the shower doors after each use to keep the doors clean and water spot-free.

Customizable

There are multitudes of design options available to homeowners who choose frameless shower enclosures. Doors come in various sizes, styles and configurations, and can often swing both outward and inward. You can choose fixtures to add, such as handles, hinges, and towel bars that match your showerhead.

Is Choosing a Frameless Shower Worth it?

Frameless shower doors can give your new bathroom the look and feel of a high-end, luxury hotel and make it more enjoyable to spend time in the bathroom each day. According to Zillow, a shower renovation can also yield a 70% return on investment when it comes time to resell your home.

If you are torn between frameless vs. semi-frameless, keep in mind that frameless doors tend to only be a couple hundred dollars more than semi-frameless doors, so the investment may be well worth it. Framed showers, on the other hand, are significantly cheaper than both of the above options.

There are a few caveats about frameless showers to be aware of before choosing this type of shower:

Longer installation time

It will most likely take your bathroom remodeler a longer time to install a frameless shower compared to a framed shower enclosure. Installing the door’s clips and hinges is more labor intensive – contractors must ensure they are level and can support the weight of the thick-paned glass over time. During installation, your contractor will also need to caulk the glass to prevent leaks, which can take some time. Overall, the installation should take no longer than a full day to a few days to complete.

Water leaks

Even though your contractor will use caulk to seal the shower doors in place, water leaks are still possible. With wear and tear, the sealing can become less strong over time. Also remember that frameless shower doors do not have metal frameworks to keep them in place. This means that it is possible that the water escapes through the doorway if left cracked. If you experience water leaks with your shower after installation, you can always reach out to your contractor to request simple repairs and updates.

Glass door limitations

While frameless showers are customizable, there are certain limitations to keep in mind. For example, these showers cannot support sliding doors due to their lack of metal framework. You will need to choose a door style that agrees with the frameless design, such as a pivoting door or French door.

Hiring a Shower Remodel Professional

We recommend speaking with a bathroom remodeling professional in your area to compare costs between multiple shower and glass door options before deciding. Modernize’s network of bathroom professionals can help you get started comparing costs by providing you with customized quotes for your specific bathroom.

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