Whether you're building or remodeling, your choice of shower door has a significant impact on your bathroom's aesthetic finish. Before you can choose the right shower enclosure for your needs, though, it's important to get a fuller picture of your options. Here's a closer look at the differences between the three primary options: framed, frameless, and semi-frameless.

Framed

As the name suggests, framed shower doors feature metal framing around every section of the setup. All of the glass edges are wrapped in a protective metal sleeve, including the door of the shower enclosure—together, these edges help stabilize the structure. While the framing is prominent, it's available in a variety of finishes to easily match any design scheme. It's also typically the most cost-effective option. 

Frameless

Frameless shower doors have become increasingly popular because of their high-end, modern finish. Instead of framing along all edges, there's a minimal amount of metal used and never any used around the door. To achieve stability, heavy glass at least 3/8-inch thick is required. Metal clips are used at joints and hinges, and in some cases, very large and non-traditional shape arrangments require a metal header around the top. 

The enhanced thickness of frameless shower doors usually results in a higher price point than their framed counterparts. However, the lack of framing makes it easier to create customized fittings and a wider range of enclosure shapes. 

Semi-Frameless

Semi-frameless shower enclosures offer a mix of both worlds. In this arrangement, the door is left unframed, but metal edging is added to the rest of the sections. The addition of framing provides stability so that heavy glass isn't needed, which cuts costs while the unframed shower door still provides the modern appearance of frameless models. 

Know which shower enclosure is right for your home? Turn to the team at Circle City Glass in Dothan, AL, for dependable and efficient glass door installation. For nearly 20 years, the glass replacement specialists have proudly served the needs of residents and businesses across Houston County. From storefront doors to energy-efficient windows, they pride themselves on high-quality work using top-notch products. Learn more about their services online and request a quote for your shower door today at (334) 794-6160.