Frameless Shower: What to Know About This Popular Shower Type
Frameless showers are enclosed showers that use glass panels without metal framing support systems. This creates an open, modern look that makes bathrooms look larger. Frameless glass showers have become very popular among homeowners, and that popularity doesn’t appear to be waning any time soon.
What is the Difference Between Frameless Showers and Showers With Frameless Doors?
A frameless shower enclosure has a glass door in addition to at least one glass wall.
On the other hand, showers with frameless doors refer to a shower where three walls are made up of the existing bathroom walls, and then a glass door is added as the fourth wall. This may include a fixed glass panel depending on how small or large the entry space to the shower is. You can see an example of that in the photo above.
What Are the Parts of Frameless Shower Enclosures?
Frameless showers are typically made with heavy-duty tempered glass with a thick pane since there is no metal framing to support the glass. 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.
Glass Shower Cost
There are several elements of a frameless shower you will need to budget for:
- Glass shower door.
- Any glass shower panels you may need in addition to the door. This can mean fixed glass installed beside the door as well as a glass shower wall or walls if you are not installing your shower into an area where you will be utilizing existing bathroom walls.
- Labor and installation costs.
- Demolition costs if you are replacing an existing shower.
Let’s start with the total cost of a glass shower enclosure, and then break it down into these individual elements.
Frameless Shower Enclosure Cost
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 $3,985 to $10,980 for a frameless shower. That includes demolition of the old shower, materials, and labor.
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. You can learn more about standard shower sizes by reading our guide.
Generally, thicker glasses are heavier and cost more to install. Larger showers with custom glass doors can cost up to $10,000 or more, whereas smaller showers will keep costs on the lower end of the above spectrum.
Glass Shower Enclosures: How Installation Costs Break Down
Our table below shows the general breakdown in costs for showers with frameless doors. This includes the total cost, cost of the glass shower door, cost of the necessary hardware, and average hourly labor rate.
| Shower upgrade | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Total frameless shower replacement | $3,200-$10,200 |
| Frameless shower door replacement only | $598 |
| Shower hardware and glass door clips | $852 |
| Installation and labor | $176 per hour |
Frameless Shower Door Cost
The cost to install (or replace, if you already have one) the glass shower door only is significantly less. A frameless shower door costs an average between $480 – $882.
You can learn more about these costs by visiting our page on glass shower door replacement.
Are Frameless Showers Worth the Cost?
Frameless showers 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.
What Else Should I Know About Frameless Glass Showers?
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. Here are a few things you should consider.
Will You Need a Custom Glass Shower?
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 as well as any glass shower walls to fit your needs.
Typically, frameless glass shower doors that are wider than 60″ are considered “custom,” and will likely cost more to install.
What Kind of Glass Do You Want For Your Frameless Shower?
Many homeowners opt for clear glass, but you have other options, too. You may want to consider:
- Frosted glass showers
- Tinted glass showers
- Rain glass showers
- Textured glass showers
- Thicker 1/2″ glass showers
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.
What Type of Shower and Shower Door Will You Choose?
You can opt for a frameless double shower if you are updating your master bathroom to accommodate a couple, but be aware you will then be faced with the choice of having just one or two glass shower doors.
You should also know that frameless shower doors can swing in or swing out, but cannot slide. If you need sliding shower doors, then you should opt for a semi-frameless shower instead.
Benefits of Showers With Frameless Doors
Although they are more costly to install than other types of showers, there is a good reason why frameless showers are so popular.
Clean, Sleek Appearance
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 them clean and water spot-free.
Disadvantages to Frameless Glass Showers
Before you start getting quotes, consider some of the potential drawbacks of glass shower enclosures.
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.
But overall, the installation should take no longer than a full day to a few days to complete.
Potential for 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 water can escape through the doorway if it’s left cracked.
If you experience water leaks with your shower after installation, reach out to your contractor to request 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. You can explore our contractor directory to browse pros in your area, or you can ask Modernize to do the research for you.
Modernize can pair you with up to four bathroom remodelers in your area so that you can find the best price for your project as well as find a contractor you genuinely like.
Compare top-rated bathroom remodel pros in your area.
Read real homeowner reviews, explore qualifications, and view promotions. Modernize makes it easy to browse professionals and find one that will be perfect for your project.
