If you're a fan of home design and home improvement TV shows, you've undoubtedly noticed a trend in bathroom design over the last few years: frameless shower doors. These sleek glass doors, sometimes also referred to as Euro shower doors, are just panes of pure glass with no metal or plastic framing around the edges. If you're thinking of building a home or remodeling your bathroom, you might be wondering if these popular doors are still practical. Here are a few of the pros and cons.

PROS

Spacious Look

There's nothing more desirable in modern homes than open-concept design and frameless shower doors provide that spacious and airy feel that homeowners are looking for. With no frames to break up the visual lines of the doors, your bathroom will look wider and more spacious. You won't feel as cramped even if your bathroom is small.

Less Mold

Without frames and rubber seals, there are fewer surfaces where water can pool and cause mold on your shower surfaces. Even the most fastidious shower owner can't keep every speck of mold and mildew away when there are crevices that can't be reached. Frameless doors limit that problem.

Easy to Clean

Fewer spaces for mold also means fewer spaces to clean. It's much easier to wipe down a pane of glass when it doesn't have tricky seals and frames to try and clear out. The time you spend cleaning your shower will be reduced when you have frameless shower doors.

CONS

Prone to Leaks

Because frameless doors are designed to look sleek and modern, they don't typically have frames and seals, as mentioned. While that maintains the integrity of the design and the smooth lines, it can be impractical for some homeowners because the shower may be more prone to leaks. If you're thinking of choosing frameless doors, it's imperative that your shower is designed to funnel as much water as possible into the drain. Make sure your shower has the proper slope in the floor and the size of the drain is large.

Cost

The cost of frameless doors can also be prohibitive to some homeowners. Because there is much more glass and less metal or plastic parts, the cost of the glass and installation can be higher than a regular shower door. The average cost is between $545 and $1350, depending on the size of the space and the amount of glass required to enclose it. Contact someone like Beach Glass & Window Company for assistance.