Framed or Frameless? That is the Question for Today's Homeowners

Today's blog post is written by A-Star Glass and Metal in Huntington Beach, CA. A full-service glass company committed to being the best in Southern California. Their expertise is in high quality custom glass work.

A common question for homeowners when remodeling a bathroom is "What is the difference between a framed and frameless shower?" The obvious answer is that one has a frame around the perimeter and one does not. A frameless shower is made of heavier glass (usually 3/8" but can be ½") that is held in place by either wall camps (a piece rectangular piece of hardware that come in any metal finish) or u-channel (shaped like a "u", the glass sits inside.) Frameless showers can be made more custom with unusual shapes, unique handles, or curved tops.

Of course there is a big cost difference between framed and frameless, a general rule of thumb is that a framed shower is about ½ the cost. Both will get the job done, both come in a variety of metal finishes and glass types, so when is it a good idea to go frameless? When you are proud of your tile and want to show it off, when your bathroom is a showpiece of the home, or if you want the space to appear larger. If you are planning to sell the home, a frameless shower is what discerning buyers are looking for in spa-like master baths.

A framed shower is appropriate if you are not trying to show off your shower, if visitors seldom come into your bathroom, or if you are planning on renting the place out or are not trying to sell it. Don't get me wrong - framed showers can be very nice and can save plenty of money. I have a surfer friend who lives in a beach cottage and is thrilled with his framed shower, and it looks great. I have also seen new homeowners ask to have brand new framed units removed and a frameless installed as part of the contract. That gets expensive.

If you are buying or selling a home and have a question about upgrades that affect a home's value, speak with your local community expert and real estate agent at HouseHunt.