What makes a shower frameless

A frameless enclosure uses glass thick enough to stand on its own, held by hinges, clamps, or a low-profile channel instead of a metal frame around every edge. The result is a bathroom where the tile and stone carry through uninterrupted, and fewer places for water and grime to collect. All shower glass is tempered safety glass.

Layouts

• Fixed panel: a single glass panel for walk-in showers with no door.
• Door and panel: a hinged door beside one or more fixed panels, the most common layout for alcove showers.
• Corner and neo-angle: enclosures that turn a corner, with the door on either face.
• Sliding: heavy glass panels on an exposed roller track, useful where a swinging door has no room to open.
• Floor-to-ceiling and steam: fully enclosed showers, covered below.

Glass thickness and type

For frameless work, 3/8-inch tempered glass is the typical standard. 1/2-inch glass is used for wide, tall, or minimally supported panels, or when you want a heavier look and feel. Thinner glass is generally reserved for framed or semi-frameless kits. We size each panel to the opening and to the hardware’s rated limits.

• Clear: standard clear glass has a slight green tint, most visible at the edges.
• Low-iron: less iron in the glass means less tint, so it looks clearer and shows white or pale stone truer to color.
• Frosted or textured: privacy where the shower faces a door or window.
• Protective coatings: factory-applied coatings that make water bead and cleaning easier.

Hardware and finishes

Hinges, pulls, clamps, and channels are where a frameless shower shows its quality. We match the finish to your faucets and fixtures, with common options including polished and brushed nickel, polished chrome, matte black, and brushed or satin brass. Hinges can mount to the wall or glass-to-glass, and the pull can be a simple knob, a ladder pull, or a towel-bar combination.

Steam showers

A steam shower has to hold vapor, so the glass usually runs to the ceiling or includes a transom panel above the door, and the door gets seals along its edges. Some designs include an operable transom for venting between uses. Because steam generators vary, we coordinate the enclosure with the generator manufacturer’s requirements and your contractor’s plans for the ceiling and tile.

How the project works

1. Design consult: layout, glass type, hardware, and finish.
2. Blocking: during framing, your contractor adds solid backing in the walls where hinges and clamps will anchor.
3. Templating after tile: once tile, stone, and curbs are finished, we measure the actual surfaces, since walls and floors are rarely perfectly square.
4. Fabrication: each panel is cut, edged, drilled, and tempered to the template.
5. Installation: glass is set, hardware adjusted, and the enclosure sealed.

Shower glass is often paired with custom vanity mirrors, and the same team handles interior glass walls and glass wine rooms. See all interior glass services. We work in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Parkland, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, and across our service area.

Shower glass questions

When should shower glass be measured?

After tile and stone are fully installed, including the curb and any niche trim. Measuring before then risks glass that does not fit the finished surfaces.

Should I choose 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch glass?

3/8-inch is the typical standard for frameless showers. 1/2-inch is worth it for very wide or tall panels, minimal hardware designs, or when you want a heavier door. We recommend a thickness once we see the layout.

Is low-iron glass worth it?

If your bathroom uses white marble, pale tile, or bright fixtures, low-iron glass avoids the green edge tint of standard clear glass. With darker finishes the difference is less noticeable.

Do frameless showers leak?

A frameless shower is not fully watertight like a framed unit. Small gaps at the door are normal, so a properly sloped floor, curb, and shower head placement matter. Clear sweeps and seals reduce splash.