Buying Guide For Frameless Shower Doors

by Grace Motley

Frameless shower doors are popularly used in modern bathrooms with an open design. As the name suggests, these doors have no metal edges and are ideal for a contemporary aesthetic. However, they may have a few metal elements in hinges, handles, and clip-on accessories. 

Frameless shower doors mainly stand out because they highlight the fixtures and hardware inside the shower space. Thanks to the lack of visual obstructions, you'll end up with an elegant bathroom. What's more, your door can be customized by a professional. When shopping around for frameless shower doors, you can use the buying guide below:

Thickness

The thickness of your frameless shower door is significant because it affects its sturdiness. Glass doors that are too thin can break easily into small pieces that can cause injuries. Additionally, the lack of frames in a frameless shower door means that its structural integrity depends on the thickness of the glass. The two typical thickness options are:

  • 3/8ʺ Shower Glass

This is the minimum thickness required for the stability of a frameless shower door. The 3/8ʺ thickness option is quite popular because it's cheaper than thicker glass. If you're on a budget, you can use 3/8ʺ shower doors, as you'll be assured of quality and safety. 

  • 1/2ʺ Shower Glass

If you're in the market for the greatest durability, you'll be impressed by the half-inch frameless shower door's structural integrity. Storefronts commonly use this premium glass, and it will suit any modern home. You may need to splurge a bit for the half-inch shower glass, but you'll enjoy sound construction in return.

Size

It's crucial to measure your shower when buying a frameless shower door. Fortunately, frameless doors can be as big or small as you like, because smaller pieces can be joined, or they can be customized to the size of your shower. Some typical sizes provided in terms of width and height include 48-inch × 76 inch, 60-inch × 76-inch, and 24-inch × 72-inch. Professionals advise homeowners to determine measurements within 1/16 of an inch.

Design

One of the advantages of frameless shower doors is that they can be customized to your preferences. To start, you can choose between pivot hinges, door-to-wall hinges, or glass-to-glass hinges. Each hinge has its pros and cons. For example, a pivot hinge will let you open the shower door 180 degrees in either direction.

You'll also get to choose the materials for accessories like clamps and hinges. Brass components are pretty popular with chrome or brushed nickel finishes. While clear frameless doors are standard, you can also choose other designs, including grey, bronze, and crepe. 

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