Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosures Explained
With modern bathrooms growing in popularity each year, semi-frameless shower enclosures are becoming more and more sought after. If you’re looking to modernise your bathroom space but aren’t quite sure what semi-frameless shower enclosures are all about, you’ve come to the right place.
To help you learn more about semi-frameless shower enclosures, in this article, we’re going to cover:
- The benefits they offer
- The key features to consider when choosing a semi-frameless shower enclosure
- Compare semi-frameless vs. other shower enclosure styles
- Installation tips
- Maintenance and care advice
But before we do any of that, let’s first take a look at what semi-frameless shower enclosures are all about.
What Is a Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosure?
As the name suggests, a semi-frameless shower enclosure is a type of shower design that incorporates both framed and frameless elements. This allows the shower enclosure to be both strong and durable while providing a modern and clean aesthetic.
To provide the modern aesthetic appeal that customers often choose semi-frameless shower enclosures for, they typically feature a frame around the door or the base while the walls or glass panels remain completely frameless.
Benefits of Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosures
There are a number of benefits to choosing semi-frameless shower enclosures. Some of them include:
Modern Aesthetic Appeal
Despite certain aspects of the shower enclosure being framed, semi-frameless shower enclosures are designed in such a way that they can still offer the modern and minimalistic look that many homeowners want to achieve in their bathrooms today.
Balance Between Style and Functionality
Unlike framed shower enclosures, which have been around for decades and can feel like a dated option, and their frameless counterparts, which may lack certain functionalities, semi-frameless shower enclosures are the perfect middle and offer the best of both worlds.
Cost-Effectiveness
Despite their modern look and aesthetic appeal, semi-frameless shower enclosures aren’t much more expensive than their framed counterparts. So, if frameless shower enclosures are a little over your budget, semi-frameless shower enclosures might be the right choice for you.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosure
When choosing a semi-frameless shower enclosure, there are a few key features that you need to consider, including:
Glass Thickness
The glass that semi-frameless shower enclosures are made out of can vary in terms of thickness. Most such enclosures have a glass thickness of 8mm, but there are thicker and thinner options as well.
Types of Finishes
Semi-frameless shower enclosures come in various finishes, such as chrome, brushed nickel, and bronze, to name a few. The finish you choose will play a significant role in the overall aesthetic of your shower, so carefully consider the type of finish you want to go for before buying.
Door Styles
Every semi-frameless shower enclosure comes with a door. And since they can all look different from one another, the door style of your shower enclosure is another aspect to consider depending on the look and feel you want to achieve.
Comparing Semi-Frameless to Other Shower Enclosure Styles
When it comes to shower enclosures, there are three different types that you can choose from - framed, semi-frameless, and frameless.
Semi-Frameless vs. Frameless Shower Enclosures
The main difference between a semi-frameless and frameless shower enclosure is that the former features some framing, mostly at the door or at the base. As for the latter, it features no framing at all and is instead held together by minimalistic brackets and hinges.
Semi-Frameless vs. Framed Shower Enclosures
The main difference between a semi-frameless and framed shower enclosure is that the glass in the latter is fully framed, meaning there are no exposed glass edges. It also doesn’t have the same clean and minimalist aesthetic appeal as the semi-frameless shower enclosure, which is only partly framed.
If you’re not sure whether semi-frameless shower enclosures are the right choice for you, consider comparing framed and frameless shower doors, and that will provide you with enough information to decide which enclosure style is right for you.
Installation Tips for Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosures
Installing a semi-frameless shower enclosure can be tricky, so here are a couple of tips that will help you out along the way.
Measuring and Planning
Before buying a semi-frameless shower enclosure, make sure to take the correct measurements and plan out exactly where the enclosure will be installed. This will not only help you with buying a shower enclosure that is the correct size but will allow for a seamless installation, reducing the risk of leaks in the future.
Choosing a Reliable Installer
We don’t recommend installing a semi-frameless shower enclosure on your own. This is especially true if you’ve never done it before. So, to ensure proper installation, we recommend hiring a reliable installer who will get the job done and ensure the proper functioning of the enclosure before use.
Maintenance and Care
To preserve the shiny and clean appearance of your semi-frameless shower enclosure, you need to clean and maintain it on a regular basis. Here are a couple of tips on cleaning the glass and maintaining the metal frames.
Cleaning the Glass
Over time, mineral deposits, water spots, and soap residue will begin to take over the glass of your shower enclosure.
To clean the glass and keep it in a pristine condition, use a squeegee to wipe down the glass surface after every shower, and occasionally use a non-abrasive cleaner to keep the glass shiny. For more stubborn deposits, you can also use a mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Please make sure that you don’t use any harsh chemicals, such as ammonia or bleach, as they can damage the glass or leave streaks.
Maintaining Metal Frames
The metal frames can be maintained in a very similar way to the glass. To keep them clean and shiny, wipe down after each shower and avoid using any harsh abrasive chemical solutions. If you want to, you can also lubricate any moving parts for a smoother operation and polish the metal so it maintains its luster for longer.
Final Thoughts / CTA
Semi-frameless shower enclosures provide the perfect balance between strength, aesthetics, and functionality. They’re the best choice for people who like the durability and functionality of framed shower enclosures but don’t want to go without the minimalistic aesthetic that their frameless counterparts offer.
If you’re interested in buying high-quality semi-frameless shower enclosures, at Plumbworld, we have options to suit everyone’s needs and budget. We also offer a variety of high-quality shower cubicles in the UK, just in case you’re also open to considering a slightly different alternative.