Quick answer
Choose a frameless screen for the cleanest look and the easiest glass to clean. Choose a semi-frameless screen if your walls are not perfectly straight or you want to keep the cost down. A semi-frameless screen still looks current.
Frameless uses thicker glass with minimal hardware. Semi-frameless frames the fixed panels and leaves the door edge largely open.
| If this matters most | Better fit |
|---|---|
| The cleanest, most open lookNo metal frame around the edges. | Frameless |
| Easy glass cleaningNo channels to trap soap scum. | Frameless |
| Walls that are slightly out of squareThe frame takes up small gaps. | Semi-frameless |
| A lower screen costThinner glass and simpler fitting. | Semi-frameless |
| A look that still feels currentClean door edge with a light frame. | Semi-frameless |
Order the glass after tiling, once the real opening is measured.
What is the difference between frameless and semi-frameless?
A frameless screen uses panels of 10-millimetre toughened safety glass held by small brackets and hinges. There is no metal frame around the edges. A semi-frameless screen uses 6 to 8-millimetre toughened glass. It frames the fixed panels but leaves the door edge largely unframed.
Our wider shower screen types guide also covers the fully framed screen. This page puts the two most popular choices side by side.
Why choose a frameless screen?
The look is the main draw. With no frame, light passes through and the shower feels part of the room. It suits small bathrooms, where an open view makes the space feel larger.
Cleaning is easier too. There are no frame channels to collect soap scum, so a squeegee after each shower and a weekly wipe keeps the glass clear.
The cost is higher. Frameless glass is thicker and the fitting must be precise.
Why choose a semi-frameless screen?
It is the middle ground. The frame on the fixed panels gives structure and hides small gaps. That makes it more forgiving if the walls are slightly out of square, which is common in older Sydney homes.
It usually costs less than frameless and still looks clean. The frame channels collect a little residue, so it needs a bit more cleaning than frameless, but far less than a fully framed screen.
How do wall and floor tolerances affect the choice?
A frameless panel must sit flush against the wall. If the wall is out of square, the glass cannot close the gap and water gets through. Fixing the wall first adds cost to a frameless job.
A semi-frameless frame can take up some of that error. If your walls are in poor shape, ask us at the measure whether straightening them is worth it for a frameless screen, or whether semi-frameless is the sensible call.
What about the door: hinged or sliding?
The screen type and the door type are separate choices. Both screen types can take a hinged or pivot door. A sliding door suits a tight room where a swinging door would hit the vanity or toilet. A hinged door opens wider and is easier to clean.
If the shower is open to the room, a fixed panel with no door is another option. See our wet room guide for how that works.
How do we handle shower screens?
The screen is chosen in the design phase, after the layout is settled. Farah Dawood, our architectural designer, helps pick a screen that suits the room, the tile layout and the budget.
The glass is measured and ordered after tiling is done, so the fit is exact. Every shower recess is waterproofed to AS 3740 before the screen goes in. Your screen choice goes in the fixed-scope written quote after a free on-site measure.
Frequently asked questions
Is a frameless shower screen worth the extra cost?
It can be, if you want the cleanest look and the easiest glass to clean. If your walls are out of square or the budget is tight, a semi-frameless screen is a sound alternative.
Are semi-frameless shower screens less likely to leak?
The frame helps cover small gaps, so a semi-frameless screen is more forgiving on walls that are not perfectly straight. Either type seals well when it is measured and fitted properly.
How thick is the glass in a frameless shower screen?
Frameless screens commonly use 10-millimetre toughened safety glass. Semi-frameless screens use 6 to 8-millimetre toughened glass.
Which shower screen is easiest to clean?
Frameless, because there are no frame channels to collect soap scum. A squeegee after each shower keeps either type looking good.
When is the shower screen ordered?
After tiling is complete. That lets the glass be measured against the finished opening, so the fit is exact.