With the growing move in bathroom renovations from traditional metal framed sliding shower door systems to frameless glass shower doors, consumers everywhere are anxious to learn just how these new systems stack up. While the overall look of the frameless system may be more appealing, there is still some question as to the durability and strength of the new designs.
Why Go Frameless?
The initial benefit of a frameless shower door system is it’s visual appeal. The aluminum frame system has been completely eliminated, providing a more streamlined and modern look. The aluminum frames themselves had become notorious over the years for fading and corroding when exposed to everyday bathroom cleaning products. By eliminating the metal frame component of the shower door system, the need for costly upkeep and frame replacement is eliminated as well.
How Are Frameless Glass Shower Doors Designed?
In order to replace the support once provided by the metal framework, fixed glass panels are integrated into the sides and corners of the shower door system. The support they add provides a place for the upper track, or header bar, to rest on. The joints were the fixed panels meet are connected with a thick silicone bonding agents which maintains the seamless appearance of the design while also creating a waterproof seal between the panes. The sliding doors themselves are also rimmed with the same silicone material to provide a cushion to the edge of the glass and eliminate sharp edges.
How Well Can The Glass Hold Up?
Another primary concern with consumers of the strength of the glass used in a frameless door. Because the metal framework has been eliminated, the strength of the glass has been increased to accommodate the extra support needed. The glass used in frameless systems is often twice the thickness of glass used in traditional metal framed doors. Like any glass used for household applications, the doors and support panels are tempered which increases their overall durability.
A frameless glass shower door is not only beautiful, it is also extremely durable. Because of the visual appeal and ease of maintenance, the demand for frameless systems will continue to grow and eventually surpass that of the older framed designs.
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