Choosing the right shower screen for your bathroom can be a big decision. With so many options available, it can be hard to know what will make your bathroom look perfect. 

Frameless shower screens have been gaining popularity in Australia. They’re an unobtrusive, sleek, option for your bathroom and help to make the space appear larger. 

Getting your shower screen installed by a professional is a must and has the benefit of letting you choose standard-sized frameless shower screens, or custom options to be cut and fitted for your bathroom.

Benefits of choosing frameless shower screens

There’s a reason that frameless bathroom shower screens are rapidly becoming more popular. The benefits of frameless shower screens range from aesthetic to practical, making them a great option for your bathroom. 

Visual appeal – When people think about frameless shower screens, they usually think about the modern and open aesthetic they provide. They’re a beautiful addition to any bathroom and they help accentuate the other design elements. Their lack of clunky frames and minimal fixings also helps to make your bathroom seem larger and more open. 

Easier to maintain – Frameless shower screens are also surprisingly easy to maintain. With fewer nooks and crannies for moisture and debris to collect, they stay cleaner longer and mould has a hard time growing on them. They also have fewer parts than other shower screens and so breaks or wear are less common. 

Price – In the past, one of the main downsides of frameless shower screens has been that they were a much more expensive option. Now that they have become more popular, the price has become affordable. They will still likely be more expensive than other options, but the gap has been closed dramatically.  

Many styles – The range of options that frameless shower screens come in lets you choose the best style for your home. Making your shower a unique and stylish addition to your bathroom. 

Types of frameless glass designs

There are a surprising amount of options when it comes to frameless shower screens. They all share a frameless construction but other than that, you can talk to your shower screen installer and choose a design that suits your home. 

Some common configurations of frameless shower screens include:

Fixed panel shower screens

Simple and quick to install, fixed panel shower screens use a single piece of glass with no doors or other panels. they can be recessed into the wall and tiles or fixed using brackets depending on your bathroom and taste. Fixed panel shower screens are a great minimalist design that maximises the open space of your bathroom. 

Wall-to-wall shower screens

Great for showers that have a wall on either side of the recess, wall-to-wall shower screens span the gap with a door in the middle or to one side. They help contain your shower without blocking it from view. 

Corner shower screens 

Probably the most common option as most showers tend to be in the corners of the bathroom. Corner or L-shaped shower screens create a space for the shower while also containing water. They also do a great job of making your bathroom feel bigger. 

Sliding door shower screens

While many frameless shower screens use hinged doors, another option is to use sliding doors. Depending on their design they can give a modern feel or a contemporary industrial feel. Using a sliding door is also a great way to use less space for smaller bathrooms. 

Bathtub shower screens

A lot of Australian bathrooms save space by combining the bathtub with the shower. Using any of the above styles you can help keep your bathroom open while creating a space for your bathtub and shower. 

Types of glass you can use for frameless shower screens

For user safety toughened glass is used for all frameless glass shower screens. This is also a requirement by law. This will typically be manufactured from clear 10mm or 12mm toughened glass, and attached with stainless steel spigots, brackets or a channel. 15mm glass is becoming a popular option in contemporary homes for its sturdiness and aesthetic. 

Most glass used in frameless shower screens is kept transparent to take advantage of the effect but if you talk to your Shower screen installer, you may be able to get frosted or tinted options. 

Other materials used to fasten your shower screen include: chrome-plated brass fittings, silicone is typically used to seal the area where the glass meets any surface to prevent leakage. 

How much does a frameless shower screen cost?

Frameless glass shower screens are more costly than standard framed shower screens. This is due to three factors, the dedicated fixings utilised together with the thicker toughened glass.  

The third cost component involved is the installer's labour. Standard-sized spaces will be easier and more cost-effective to specify, while larger custom fittings will be more costly. If you have unusual dimensions or cutting required, expect the cost to escalate.

The cost of getting a frameless shower screen installed is generally around $200 - $700 and including labour, your can expect to pay roughly:

• $410 for a two-panel frameless shower screen (+ $195 installation)
• $550 for a rectangular frameless glass shower screen (+ $195 installation)
• $690 for a three-panel sliding door frameless shower screen (+ $400 installation)

Who installs frameless shower screens?

Installation of frameless glass shower screens is typically carried out by a glazier or dedicated shower screen installer. If you have jobs outside of the bathroom that you want to get done at the same time, such as new windows or glass doors, it can be worth hiring a glazier. Otherwise, a specialist frameless shower screen installer will generally be your best bet. 

Hiring a frameless shower screen installer

It's always worth taking your time to hire the right frameless shower screen installer for your job. At hipages, we recommend getting at least three quotes before you settle on any tradie. And make sure to ask them plenty of questions so that you know they are right for you. 

Some questions to ask shower screen installers include:

• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long is the warranty on your materials?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?
• What materials do you recommend for this job?