Our goal is to address the questions we typically get asked by customers when making inquiries about shower doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frameless shower door or enclosure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Frameless shower doors and enclosures use 3\/8\u201d or \u00bd\u201d thick tempered glass<\/strong> making it strong enough to stand on its own without a metal frame around the edges. The glass for each door or enclosure is custom cut and fabricated to fit your exact opening. This gives a clean, precise installation that fits your space perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Semi-framed is also called semi-frameless and is the middle option between fully frameless and fully framed. It has a supporting frame around the perimeter of the enclosure, but not around the actual glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the glass edges are exposed, it has the appearance of a lighter, more open look than fully framed doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Framed shower doors have a frame around every edge of the glass, including the door itself. Metal surrounding all the glass edges adds stability and allows for the use of thinner glass (\u00bc \u201c instead of 3\/8\u201d) when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three options discussed above cover the broad types of doors and enclosures. The following are specialty configurations and\/or explanations for options available within the three main styles which you might consider depending on your existing space and unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These operate on a track and are ideal for bathrooms where a swinging door isn\u2019t practical. Available in framed, semi-framed, and frameless variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the most expensive option but it\u2019s popular because people like the bold, modern look. Like the name suggest, these have exposed rollers at the top and a single sliding panel that glides smoothly across a stationary panel just like a barn door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are usually built using frameless glass with special gaskets and transoms because they contain steam, they are designed to fully seal the space from floor to ceiling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most popular with people who want a minimalist look, these use fixed panels to create a walk-in shower design without a swinging door. They\u2019re often referred to as a European-style bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common glass thickness for custom shower doors and enclosures is 3\/8\u201d though you can request \u00bd \u201c glass. No matter the thickness you get, it\u2019s all tempered glass. FYI: We only use \u00bc\u201d glass on some semi-frameless tub sliders because the glass is so thin it can warp during tempering process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cascade Glass offers a frosted obscure glass called satin etch for shower doors. Most of the shower doors we do are some sort of standard clear glass which has a green edge or many like low iron glass which has a clear edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It really comes down to what style you prefer most, what you can afford and what works with your existing space. Glass shower doors are a beautiful way to showcase tile work in your bathroom and can even increase the value of your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cascade Glass Co. has been installing custom glass shower doors since 1965 and will offer our best professional recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for keeping the glass clean once it\u2019s installed, we recommend a surface coating called Invisible Shield and offer a 10-year warranty on it. Invisible Shield is an amazing product because it keeps all the elements like soap scum, water spots and cleaning to a minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For frameless enclosures and doors, Cascade gives customers two options for hardware (hinges and clips): Maxum Series & Majestic series. Both series have many colors from black to pewter to brushed nickel to antique copper and come in many finishes.Hinges come in two mounting types: glass to wall and glass to glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main difference between the Maxum and Majestic Series is that the Maxum has square corners and edges while the Majestic has rounds corners and edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy-duty solid forged brass shower door hinges with square corners and edges come in these styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adjustable heavy-duty solid forged brass shower door hinges with square corners and edges (Maxum Series) or rounded corners and beveled edges (Majestic Series) allow for the door closing position to be adjusted after installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy-duty solid forged brass shower door hinges with rounded corners and beveled edges are available in the following types.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy choose a frameless enclosure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Frameless](\"https:\/\/www.cascadeglass.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-custom-shower-doors2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSemi-framed glass door<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why choose semi-frameless?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Framed shower doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why choose framed doors?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/www.cascadeglass.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-custom-shower-doors3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSpecialty options and choices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sliding Glass Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sliding Barn-Style Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Steam Enclosures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stationary Glass Panels & Partitions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Swing, Pivot, and Bypass Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Stationary](\"https:\/\/www.cascadeglass.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-custom-shower-doors1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShower door glass options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choosing the right style for your bathroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shower door maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shower door hardware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.cascadeglass.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-maxum-series-hinges.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMaxum Series Hinges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Adjustable Maxum & Majestic Series Hinges<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Majestic series<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.cascadeglass.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/blog-Majestic-series-hinges.jpg\")
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