Have you ever stayed in a hotel or an Air BnB that had a shower that just felt luxurious?
When you think back to it, we’re willing to bet that shower had frameless glass walls and doors.
There’s something about frameless shower glass that feels like the height of elegance. With the right planning, you could have this luxury in your home.
Read on to learn more about shower glass installation and all the factors involved in it.
What Is Frameless Shower Glass?
Most glass showers use metal frames to hold the panes of glass in place.
This glass is relatively thin to keep costs down, so durability can be an issue. The joints of the metal frame can also be a visual obstruction and can provide a space for soap scum and hard water buildup to accumulate.
Frameless shower glass is a style of shower that gives you clean, elegant glass walls.
There’s no metal frame holding the walls in place, and the glass tends to be a bit thicker. This gives your bathroom a more polished luxurious feel, which is exactly what you want in a space designed to pamper you.
Cost
Because frameless shower glass has to be a little thicker in order to support itself without the metal frame, it tends to be a little pricier.
However, in the long run, you may save money on your shower installation if you take proper care of your frameless shower glass. The added durability translates to a longer lifespan, which means you won’t have to replace your shower as often.
In general, a frameless glass shower installation will cost you somewhere around $1,000.
Depending on your area, your vendor, and the specific products you choose, you may pay as little as $550 or as much as $1,300. Your price will also depend on the size of the shower you’re installing.
Custom Options
If you have a standard-size shower, you may be able to get a kit that will fit into your space.
If your shower space isn’t a standard size, you can still get the frameless glass shower of your dreams.
Each piece of glass will be custom-fabricated based on measurements taken of your shower area. You can pick from an array of different glass and hardware options to get the final look you want for your shower.
Types of Doors
One of the things you’ll need to decide on for your installation is what type of door you want.
There are two main categories to choose from: swinging and sliding. Which door style you pick will depend both on the effect you want and on your space.
If you want a truly frameless effect, you may want to go with a swinging door, which swings open on hinges. A sliding door will need at least a barn door-style metal bar running across the top. And while a swinging shower door can swing inwards, fire codes state that it must also be able to swing outwards, so you’ll need space to accommodate the door.
Glass Types
You may think that glass is glass is glass, but with frameless shower glass, that isn’t the case.
The most obvious difference in glass styles is frosted versus clear glass. In general, people prefer clear glass for the modern, open look it gives to a space, but frosted glass does offer slightly more privacy, something you may value if you have small children in the home.
You may also be able to get patterned glass which combines clear and frosted glass in a variety of attractive pattern options.
Cast glass is heavily textured and offers slightly more privacy than clear glass. And if you have a more expansive budget, you can get even get glass that can turn from clear to frosted with the flip of a switch.
Installation Process
When you get ready to get a frameless glass shower installed, the first step in the process will be a consultation with your contractor.
They’ll take a look at your shower area and bring product samples for you to take a look at and decide between. At this meeting, they may also take measurements of your shower area so they can begin manufacturing the needed glass pieces.
After the consultation, there will be a waiting period while your contractor gets your glass cut to size for you.
They’ll order the hardware you want, and when everything is ready, they’ll bring it in for installation. They’ll schedule an appointment with you, install the shower, and answer any remaining questions you may have about things like warranties and maintenance.
How to Clean Them
The beauty of frameless glass showers is the sparkling openness they bring to your space.
If the glass of your shower is smudged with handprints or coated with shower scum, it’s going to ruin the luxurious effect of the shower. You may be able to get a protective coating put on when the glass is installed to cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning it.
Protective coating or no, you still need to set up a routine cleaning schedule for your glass.
Keep a squeegee in your bathroom and use it to dry your shower glass after every shower to prevent hard water buildup or little water spots. Always use an approved glass cleaner and a gentle cloth to clean your glass; harsher means could damage the finish on your glass.
Learn More About Shower Glass Installation
A frameless glass shower can be a beautiful addition to your home.
Knowing what you want going into your shower glass installation will help you pick materials that work well for your style and your budget.
If you’d like to get frameless shower glass installed, get in touch with us at Cut Rate Glass. We are a team of professionals skilled in glass replacement and installation with the lowest prices in Las Vegas.
Contact us today to request a quote on your job.