All advice / Design and finishes
Why the shower screen matters
The shower screen is one of the most visible elements in a bathroom. It sits at eye level, it is the first thing you touch in the morning, and it determines how much light passes through the shower recess. The wrong screen makes a small bathroom feel smaller. The right one opens the room up.
There are three main types: frameless, semi-frameless and framed. Each has a different look, a different price point and different installation needs.
Frameless shower screens
A frameless screen uses panels of 10-millimetre toughened safety glass held by minimal brackets and hinges. There is no metal frame around the edges. The result is a clean, open look that lets light through and makes the bathroom feel larger.
Cleaning is easier because there are no channels or frame edges to trap soap scum. A squeegee after each shower and a weekly wipe keeps the glass clear.
The trade-off is cost and precision. Frameless screens need walls that are straight and plumb. If the walls are out of square — common in older Sydney homes — the glass panel will not sit flush, and the gap lets water through. Wall preparation before installation adds to the cost.
Expect to pay $800 to $2,000 or more for a frameless screen, depending on the size and configuration.
Semi-frameless shower screens
A semi-frameless screen frames the fixed panels but leaves the door edge largely unframed. It uses 6 to 8-millimetre toughened glass. The frame at the top and bottom provides structure, while the unframed door keeps a clean look.
This is the middle ground. It costs less than frameless, tolerates walls that are slightly out of square, and still looks current. Most mid-range bathroom renovations in Sydney use a semi-frameless screen.
Cleaning is a little more work than frameless — the frame channels collect some residue — but less than a fully framed screen.
Framed shower screens
A framed screen has an aluminium or steel frame around every panel and uses 4 to 6-millimetre glass. It is the most forgiving on walls that are not perfectly level and the most affordable option.
The frame channels collect soap scum and mineral deposits. Regular cleaning with a mould-resistant bathroom cleaner keeps them in good condition, but they require more attention than frameless glass.
Framed screens suit tight budgets and older homes where wall straightening would add too much cost. They are functional, durable and still available in modern finishes — matt black, brushed nickel and chrome.
Sliding, hinged and fixed panels
The screen type and the door type are separate choices. A frameless screen can have a hinged door, a pivot door or a fixed panel with an open entry. A framed screen can have a sliding door — useful in small bathrooms where a swinging door would hit the vanity or toilet.
Sliding doors suit tight spaces. Hinged doors open wider and are easier to clean. Fixed panels with no door at all are used in walk-in and wet room designs where the shower is open to the room.
Which screen suits your renovation
In a small bathroom, a frameless fixed panel with an open entry makes the room feel bigger than a framed sliding door. In a large bathroom, a frameless hinged door is the clean, premium choice. In a budget renovation, a semi-frameless or framed screen delivers a good result without the wall preparation cost.
The choice also depends on the tile and tapware finishes. Our colour schemes guide covers how the screen frame colour ties into the room's palette — matt black frames with dark tapware, for example, or chrome frames in a lighter scheme.
How ETR handles shower screens
The shower screen is selected during the design phase, after the layout is settled. Farah Dawood, our architectural designer, helps choose a screen that suits the room size, tile layout and budget. The screen is measured and ordered after tiling is complete, so the fit is precise.
Every shower recess is waterproofed to AS 3740 before the screen goes in. A free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney is the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Are frameless shower screens worth the extra cost?
In a small bathroom, yes — the visual difference is significant. A frameless screen makes the room feel more open and is easier to clean. In a larger bathroom with a separate shower recess, the difference is less noticeable, and a semi-frameless screen may be a better value.
How thick should shower screen glass be?
Frameless screens use 10-millimetre toughened safety glass. Semi-frameless screens use 6 to 8-millimetre glass. Framed screens use 4 to 6-millimetre glass. Thicker glass is heavier and more expensive, but it does not flex or rattle.
Can I put a shower screen in a wet room?
Yes, but many wet room designs use a fixed glass panel instead of a full screen with a door. The panel acts as a splash guard while keeping the open, walk-in feel. The floor is graded to a drain, so water is managed by the fall, not the screen.
How do I stop water marks on a frameless screen?
A squeegee after each shower removes most water before it dries. A weekly clean with white vinegar or a glass cleaner removes mineral deposits. Some screens come with a nano-coating that makes water bead and run off, reducing spots.
What colour frames are available?
The most common finishes are chrome, matt black, brushed nickel and brushed gold. Matt black is the most popular in current Sydney renovations. The frame colour should match or complement the tapware and towel rail finishes in the room.