In modern home design, the bathroom is no longer an afterthought. Homeowners want bathrooms that are upscale, spa-like and luxurious, and more and more, they’re being showcased in the home, rather than fitted for utility. That’s why bathroom remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects in Australia.
How do designers achieve these upscale finishes for their bathrooms? Beyond high-end fixtures, marble and decorative tile, frameless shower screens are one of the most popular fixtures in contemporary bathroom design.
Compared to their framed counterparts, frameless shower screens enable designers to achieve openness and fluidity in design, as well as deliver a distinctive upmarket look.
What Are Frameless Shower Screens and Why Are They Popular in Home Design?
Frameless shower screens are essentially clear or patterned glass doors that are attached to the shower with minimalist hinges. Framed shower screens, on the other hand, feature a bulky frame that can be visually unappealing.
In terms of benefits, there are many reasons people utilise frameless shower doors. They include:
- Sleek Appearance: Compared to fully- or semi-framed shower screens, frameless screens offer a more upscale, elegant appearance. They open up the shower stall and create an open appearance. There are no bulky metal frames or rubber seals that can create a restricted look. Plus, since they’re made from thicker glass, the doors are heavier, which adds a premium feel.
- Durability: Frameless shower doors utilise thicker glass than framed doors, which helps to reduce the risk for cracking. Additionally, metal frames start to corrode over time, and if water seeps into the frame, they can begin to separate. Frameless shower screens, on the other hand, tend to be more durable because they have fewer components that can fail.
- Customisability: Traditional shower doors come in a variety of standard sizes. This limits the designer’s ability to customise the bathroom, since there are only a handful of widths the door can be. For example, if you wanted an extra-wide door, you likely wouldn’t be able to achieve that look with a framed shower screen. Conversely, frameless shower doors are often custom-built to fit exact needs.
- Minimise Mould Risk: Another disadvantage of framed doors: They’re often sponges of bacteria and mould growth. Soap scum and mould grow around the edges of the door and underneath the frames, and it’s often visible. Frameless doors do not have rubber seals or bulky hardware, and therefore are much easier to clean and are less likely to attract mould.
Are Frameless Shower Doors Right for Your Home?
If you’re undertaking a bathroom remodelling project, you might be wondering if you should utilise frameless shower doors. And the answer depends on the concept you are going with. If you want to create a more upscale, minimalist environment, frameless is the way to go. Framed doors, although versatile, do not deliver the design appeal of frameless screen. Therefore, modern, contemporary and even upscale traditional or farmhouse bathrooms would benefit from frameless screens.
