Frameless shower enclosures: is it worth it?

Frameless Shower Enclosures Let’s face it, frameless shower enclosures look great. It is a single pane of thick tempered glass with a door that can pivot or turn (bypass door) smoothly from the shower wall or glass panel. Because frameless shower enclosures don’t have the structural benefit of a metal frame, the glass must be thicker. The glass is usually a quarter inch (10mm) thick. It is very heavy (a 72″ x 24″ frameless door can weigh up to 70lbs compared to a framed shower door which can weigh 35-40lbs).

Every time I check in with the homeowner after an installation with a courtesy call, I always hear the same comment: “It’s so easy to clean.” !. Difficult to install: Due to the excessive weight of the frameless door, care must be taken to ensure it is properly installed, a task often best left to professionals. Left or right opening: Most frameless doors have the option of installing hinges on both sides, but don’t assume it. Frameless shower doors can be bypass or pivot. Bypass doors are simply sliding glass sheets that allow entry to a shower/tub. These are hinged slabs of thick glass that swing open/close like a door. The cost can range from five hundred to several thousand dollars. There are a variety of glass types including clear, dark, rain, silk, vapor mist, cobblestone, arctic frost…just to name a few. Hardware finishes can include anodized and painted finishes. Anodizing is defined as an electrochemical process that converts the surface of aluminum into aluminum oxide. This is also known as controlled corrosion. This produces a metal that resists scratching and abrasion and creates an extremely hard, long-lasting surface that won’t peel or chip. Painted finishes use a hard primer paint that is baked on and will last for years. Paint offers a broader spectrum of colors that anodizing does not. An anodized finish can have a rich shade of aluminum called clear anodizing. Anodizing can also give aluminum a deeper, richer metallic appearance that is not the same as painted finishes.

Care should be taken when framing a glass shower enclosure as glass is very heavy and needs backing for support. If you’re renovating, make sure you have some 2×4 studs (on your edge) along the side walls where the glass will be secured. *** As for the protective glass coating you are wary of buying, the first question is always “Does it work?” The answer is yes. You need it? That is a question for the owner to decide. Glass discolors over time becoming dull and not as bright, reflective and sharp as when it was first installed. Coating can help slow glass wear and add years to shine and make glass easier to clean, so a homeowner should weigh cost against outcome to decide if this is the right option for them. they.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, especially an en-suite master bedroom, don’t overlook the fact that a frameless shower enclosure can add value and curb appeal to your home, as well as having a nice shower to brag about. in front of all his friends.