Frameless vs semi frameless shower door comes down to how much metal holds the glass. A frameless door uses thick tempered glass held by hinges, clamps or a top roller rail, with no metal around the panel edges. A semi frameless door adds a partial frame, usually a wall channel, header or bottom track, around a thinner pane, so it costs less and is more forgiving to install. A framed shower door wraps every glass edge in metal.
Specs and prices below come from our own listings at the time of writing. For sizes and how to measure your opening, see our shower door sizes guide first.
Frameless vs semi frameless shower door: what each one means
Frameless
A frameless door relies on the glass itself for strength. Hinged frameless doors pivot on heavy wall or panel hinges. A frameless sliding shower door hangs from rollers on a top guide bar, with a small bottom guide and a threshold strip. With nothing framing the glass, panels are thicker, often 3/8 inch on our listings.
Semi frameless
A semi frameless door keeps some metal, typically a wall channel and a header or bottom track, while leaving the door edges bare. That partial frame supports the glass, so thinner panes work. On our listings the ANZZI Lancer uses 1/4 inch (6 mm) glass, the ANZZI Grove uses 8 mm and the ANZZI Longboat uses 10 mm. Seals run along the panel edges to close the gaps.
Framed
A framed shower door surrounds each panel with an aluminum frame and runs on a full bottom track. Framed doors on our site range from 1/4 inch to 0.4 inch glass.
Framed vs semi frameless vs frameless compared
| Feature | Frameless | Semi frameless | Framed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal around glass | Hardware and top rail only | Wall channel, header or track | Full frame and track |
| Typical glass on our listings | 0.25 to 3/8 in | 1/4 in to 10 mm | 1/4 to 0.4 in |
| Water containment | Seals and sweeps; small gaps by design | Seals plus partial frame | Frame and track channel |
| Wall tolerance | Lowest; walls must be plumb and square | Moderate | Most forgiving |
| Cleaning | Fewest edges to clean | Some channels | Track and frame collect grime |
| Price range on our site | About $250 to $1,800 | About $240 to $1,160 | About $500 to $1,100 |
Shower door glass thickness on our listings
Shower door glass thickness varies by model, not strictly by style, so read each listing. Here is what our product pages state:
- 1/4 inch (6 mm): the semi frameless ANZZI Lancer, the ANZZI framed 48 x 72 inch door and the fixed frameless ANZZI Himmel panel.
- 0.25 inch: the Vanity Art SH676-08 frameless sliding door.
- 8 mm (listed as .31 inch): the semi frameless ANZZI Grove and the framed ANZZI Pharaoh sliding door.
- 3/8 inch (10 mm): the ANZZI frameless hinged doors, the framed ANZZI Baron sliding door, the WOODBRIDGE MBSDC4876-B and BSDC6076-B frameless sliders and the semi frameless ANZZI Longboat.
- 0.4 inch: the Vanity Art framed bypass sliding doors.
Thicker glass suits frameless hardware but adds weight; a frame lets thinner glass work.
Water containment and leaks
No frameless door is fully watertight. The glass needs small gaps to swing or slide, and seals close most of them. The ANZZI Lancer lists a magnetic water seal, the Longboat lists anti water seals along the full length of each panel, and the ANZZI Kahn sliders include splash proof seals plus a threshold and cover. Framed doors hold water best because the bottom track forms a channel. With any style, aim the shower head away from the door gap and replace worn seals and bottom sweeps.
Plumb walls and out of square openings
Frameless doors are the least forgiving of crooked walls. The WOODBRIDGE MBSDC4876-B and BSDC6076-B frameless sliders state that the doors do not allow for any adjustment for out of plumb walls, that all walls must be at right angles and plumb, and that measurements should be taken only after tile is finished. Their stainless steel top guide bar can be trimmed up to 4 inches for width. A semi frameless or framed door with a wall channel hides small variations better. If your walls are out of plumb, have an installer check before you order.
Pivot vs sliding frameless door
A pivot or hinged frameless door swings out and gives the widest clear opening; the ANZZI 30 x 72 inch frameless hinged door lists a 30 inch walk in opening. A sliding frameless door bypasses on rollers, so it suits tub fronts and tight bathrooms, but one panel stays fixed. The WOODBRIDGE MBSDC4876-B, for example, lists a 15.5 inch walk in on a 44 to 48 inch opening. Some sliders add soft close, including the Vanity Art SH676-08 and the ANZZI Mountain Series.
Hardware finishes
Finishes include polished chrome, brushed nickel, matte black and, on some ANZZI models, brushed gold. ANZZI lists RHINO ALLOY certified aluminum or stainless steel hardware, and the Grove uses 304 stainless steel. WOODBRIDGE and Vanity Art list stainless steel fittings.
Cleaning and protective glass coatings
Frameless doors have fewer edges and no full track, so they are easier to wipe down. Several listings include a factory coating: ANZZI TSUNAMI GUARD is described as a protective coating that repels water and helps prevent stains, soap scum and limescale, and WOODBRIDGE lists a water and stain resistant glass coating. These are manufacturer claims.
Weight and installation
Glass weight affects installation more than anything. The semi frameless ANZZI Lancer lists 39 pounds, while the WOODBRIDGE MBSDC4876-B frameless slider lists 139 pounds, with a 214 pound shipping weight. Vanity Art and ANZZI note that two people are needed, and most ANZZI listings recommend professional installation. Our listings describe the glass as ANSI certified tempered glass, and WOODBRIDGE specifies ANSI Z97.1. A licensed installer and your local code have the final word.
Shower doors we carry, by type
| Model | Type | Glass thickness | Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANZZI Lancer 23 x 72 | Semi frameless hinged | 1/4 in | 23 in | $239.99 |
| ANZZI Longboat 60 x 76 | Semi frameless sliding | 10 mm | 60 in | $499.99 |
| ANZZI Grove 63 x 78.74 | Semi frameless hinged | 8 mm | 63 in | $1,159.99 |
| ANZZI 30 x 72 frameless hinged | Frameless hinged | 3/8 in | 30 in | $499.99 |
| WOODBRIDGE MBSDC4876-B | Frameless sliding | 3/8 in | 44 to 48 in | $737.00 |
| Vanity Art SH676-08 | Frameless sliding, soft close | 0.25 in | Not listed | $939.71 |
| ANZZI 48 x 72 framed | Framed sliding | 1/4 in | 48 in | $519.99 |
| ANZZI Baron 39 x 74.75 | Framed sliding, corner | 3/8 in | 39 in | $699.99 |
To be upfront: most of our catalog is frameless. True semi frameless doors are a small group, mainly the ANZZI Lancer, Castle, Longboat and Grove, and two of those listings have limited specs, so check the spec sheet. You can browse the full range on our ANZZI brand page.
Cost: frameless vs semi frameless vs framed
On our site, semi frameless doors start lowest, about $240 for the Lancer, and run to about $1,160 for the Grove. Frameless doors span about $250 to $1,800, with most 48 and 60 inch sliders between roughly $450 and $900. Framed doors run about $500 to $1,100. Installation labor is extra. Planning a full remodel? Our freestanding bathtub buying guide, shower panel vs shower system guide and rain shower head size guide cover the other pieces.
Frequently asked questions
Is a frameless or semi frameless shower door better?
Frameless is better for a clean look and easy cleaning if your walls are plumb. Semi frameless is better for a lower budget, thinner glass and walls that are slightly out of square.
What shower door glass thickness should I choose?
Frameless doors on our site mostly use 3/8 inch glass, while semi frameless and framed doors often use 1/4 inch or 8 mm. Follow the thickness the manufacturer designed the hardware for.
Does a frameless sliding shower door leak?
A little water can escape at the gaps. Seals and a threshold strip keep most of it inside.
Is a framed shower door outdated?
Not necessarily. A framed shower door holds water well and tolerates uneven walls.
Need help choosing between a frameless and semi frameless shower door? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more and a $200 flat rate below that. Returns follow our return and refund policy.
