There's something undeniably luxurious about stepping into a steam-filled shower after a long day. The warm vapor envelops you, loosening tight muscles as it transforms your bathroom into a personal spa retreat.
If you're considering adding a steam shower to your home, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing between a frameless glass shower door or a framed sealed unit. Each option offers distinct advantages and considerations worth exploring before making an investment.
Heavy Glass Frameless Steam Shower Benefits
When clients visit our showroom, they're often immediately drawn to our heavy glass frameless enclosures. It's easy to understand why — the clean lines of heavy glass allow your bathroom's design elements to take center stage. The frameless look has many pros, including:
Open Aesthetics —The minimalist design creates an open, spacious feel that showcases beautiful tile work and fixtures.
Design Flexibility — Frameless enclosures offer greater flexibility with custom sizes and configurations, allowing for more creative freedom in your bathroom design.
Cost Effectiveness — Heavy glass options are typically more affordable than fully framed steam units, providing luxury appeal at a more accessible price point.
Understanding the Trade-Offs
Of course, every design choice involves certain compromises. Heavy glass enclosures are no different.
The Reality of Steam Containment
Heavy glass enclosures won't seal 100% tight. The operating doors and transoms require small gaps to function properly, allowing some steam to escape. However, we can add acrylic weather stripping to minimize this effect, and most customers find that the majority of steam remains contained due to the small size of these gaps.
Installation Limitations
These enclosures require proper wall backing to support the weight of the heavy glass doors. They aren't suitable for fiberglass shower bays or walls without adequate structural support.
The Advantages of Framed and Sealed Steam Showers
For homeowners who prioritize maximum steam retention, framed sealed units offer compelling value, including:
Maximum Steam Retention — With magnetic door strikes and tight seals, framed units can achieve nearly 100% steam containment, allowing the shower to properly pressurize for the full steam experience.
Versatile Installation Options — These units can be installed in fiberglass shower bays or in enclosures without the proper backing required for heavy glass doors, making them suitable for a wider range of existing bathrooms.
Factors To Consider
When evaluating a framed steam shower, it’s important to be aware of certain characteristics that may impact your overall satisfaction.
Higher Investment
Framed steam showers typically come with a higher price tag than their frameless counterparts.
Aesthetic Compromise
Many customers find the aluminum framing less visually appealing than the clean lines of frameless glass. The aluminum framing, while functional, lacks the minimalist elegance that draws many to frameless designs.
Adding a Sauna
Recently, we've noticed growing interest in glass sauna enclosures. They have many of the same pros and cons as steam showers. However, an additional consideration we’ve noticed is that when using metal or aluminum for a sauna, the metal may get too hot.
One memorable project involved a combination steam shower and sauna installation where the client discovered that standard metal hardware became uncomfortably hot during sauna use. They ended up swapping it for a wooden handle to replace the metal one.
Making the Right Choice
Budget considerations, existing bathroom structures, and personal preferences all influence your ultimate decision. Whether you're drawn to the clean lines of frameless glass or the maximum steam retention of framed units, our team brings generations of expertise to every steam shower installation and can help you find the best fit for your home.
Ready to explore steam shower options?