One of the most common questions we get at Jones Paint & Glass is what actually separates frameless, semi-frameless, and framed shower enclosures. It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that the best choice depends on your bathroom, your budget, and what you want the finished room to feel like.
Here’s how each shower glass option actually works.
Framed Shower Enclosures
A framed enclosure has metal borders running along all four sides of each glass panel and around the door. It’s the most traditional option and usually the least expensive upfront. The frame provides structural support, which means the glass itself can be thinner and lighter.
The tradeoff: framed enclosures trap water and soap scum in the metal tracks, making them harder to keep clean. They also show their age faster than the other options. If you have an older home, this is probably what you’re working with now.
Framed shower glass provided and installed by Jones Paint & Glass at a home in Utah County.
Semi-Frameless Enclosures
Semi-frameless designs keep a frame around much of the glass but remove the metal border from the door or between sliding glass panels. The result is cleaner than a fully framed setup without the cost of going all the way to frameless.
For a bathroom that needs an upgrade but isn’t getting a full renovation, semi-frameless lands in a useful middle spot. It’s a meaningful visual improvement over framed without a significant jump in price.
Semi-frameless shower glass provided and installed by Jones Paint & Glass at the St. George Area Parade of Homes. Photo by Mykal’s Architectural Photography.
Frameless Enclosures
Frameless is the option most people want once they see one in person. There’s no metal border around the glass. Instead, thick tempered glass — typically 3/8″ or 1/2″ — is held in place by minimal hardware: hinges, a handle, and small clamps at key structural points.
The practical benefits are real. No metal tracks means cleaning is straightforward. The glass itself holds up well over time. And because there’s less hardware collecting water and soap residue, the enclosure tends to stay looking good with less effort.
Visually, a frameless enclosure makes the room feel larger and lets your tile work do what it was meant to do. It’s also the option that holds up best from a resale standpoint.
Frameless shower glass provided and installed by Jones Paint & Glass at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. Photo credit Utah Valley Videos.
Which One Should You Get?
If your bathroom is primarily functional and budget is tight, framed or semi-frameless gets the job done. If you’re updating a master bath, renovating for resale, or are envisioning a luxury spa-like bathroom, frameless is almost always worth the extra cost.
The glass thickness options matter too. Our specialists can walk you through the difference between 3/8″ and 1/2″ tempered glass in person, along with hardware finishes, edge treatments, and glass types including clear, low-iron, and frosted. Every Jones Paint & Glass installation also includes our Scargard 2 protective coating, which makes the glass harder and more resistant to scratching without changing how it looks.
Come see the options at any of our Utah showrooms, or schedule a free in-home estimate and we’ll tell you exactly what works for your layout.
Jones Paint & Glass has been installing custom shower glass for Utah homes since 1938. See our full shower glass options →
About the Author
Mikelle Despain is a home design writer and digital marketing strategist who has been providing design tips, product advice, and remodeling strategies with Jones Paint & Glass for over a decade. A regular guest on the KSL Home Radio Show & Podcast with Heather Osmond, Mikelle regularly covers color trends, interior design, and the latest in windows, bathroom glass, custom glass and mirrors, and paint for Utah homes. With a background in journalism and a genuine eye for design, she brings a practical, Utah-specific perspective to every home improvement topic she covers.
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