One of the hottest growing trends in the home renovation and new home design markets today is the emphasis on form in a bathroom instead of just function. For the first time, bathrooms are being designed and remodeled to be beautiful instead of just practical. Standard sinks are being replaced with artistic vessel sinks, vanities resemble high-end furniture rather than bathroom storage, and tattered plastic shower curtains are being replaced with elegant frameless shower doors. In fact, frameless shower door systems are quickly becoming one of the must-have additions to any modern bathroom.
What Is A Frameless Shower Door?
Gone are the days of plastic shower curtains whose selection was restricted to pattern that best matched the existing color of your bathroom walls and counter tops. Consumers have said farewell to the frosted sliding or swinging plastic doors framed in cheap aluminum that had become faded and even corroded over the years. The new choice for anyone looking to update the look of the bathroom, or design a new one from scratch, are frameless shower doors. A frameless sliding shower door system is one that relies on fixed glass panels to support the main track on which the sliding doors move. The doors themselves are glass as well and bordered with a thick silicone gel which prevents rough edges, eases movement along the tracks, and creates a watertight seal where the door meets the fixed panel. The same gel is used to seal joints where fixed panels meet, acting as both an adhesive and a water sealant. Decorative metal connectors or brackets may also be used in conjunction with the gel to add extra stability where fixed panels are joined. Any frameless shower door hardware used is then mounted directly onto the glass.
Are Frameless Shower Door Systems Safe?
Frameless glass shower doors are made from heavy-duty, tempered safety glass. The glass is thick enough to support the weight of the upper track, or header bar, while also being strong enough to withstand most potential impact forces. Because the glass is tempered, even if breakage were to occur, the frameless glass shower door would break into rather smooth and small pieces resembling pebbles or gravel, as opposed to jagged chunks and glass splinters. Because the system eliminates the need for the older aluminum supports and frames, the chances of cuts and scrapes resulting from worn or corroded metal is eliminated as well.
What Types Of Frameless Systems Are Available?
Frameless Sliding Shower Door Systems
The most common frameless system on the market is a sliding model. Frameless sliding shower doors used primarily in conjunction with standard bathtubs. A track is mounted on the rim of the tub that the fixed panels and sliding door set into. There are typically two fixed panels supporting the header bar, one on each side of the sliding door itself. The upper track system for the sliding door is built into the header bar.
Frameless Bypass Shower Door Systems
For bathrooms containing walk-in shower systems as opposed to standard tubs, frameless bypass shower doors are the design of choice. Most walk-in showers are set into a corner, leaving two sides flush against a wall two sides exposed. The frameless bypass shower door system consists of the same fixed glass panels mentioned above that comprise the full exposed sides of the shower as well as a door frame design on the remaining exposed side. A glass door is hinged into the frame and designed to create a watertight seal when closed. As with the sliding systems, the frameless shower door hardware is connected directly to the glass panels and door.
Custom Frameless Shower Door
For bathroom with unique layouts, or consumers who prefer a mom-traditional design, custom frameless shower doors are also an option. While traditional shower systems are square, these custom systems can vary in shape from rectangular to octagonal. Custom frameless shower door systems can also be designed smaller than the standard systems, ideal for guest bathrooms or areas where space is an issue, or larger than a traditional unit, perfect for areas such as master bathrooms where over-sized showers are more common. Other methods of customization include the use of colored or tinted glass, frosted glass or laser etched glass featuring intricate designs. Frameless shower door hardware is also fully customizable to match any style of room from vintage to ultra-modern.
If you’re looking to completely redo a tired bathroom, add a focal point to your existing bathroom, or are in the process of building a bathroom from the ground up, selecting a frameless shower door system is the perfect way to add a touch of class and elegance while also maintaining function and efficiency.
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