Category Archives: Blog

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Shower Enclosure FAQs

A shower enclosure is more than a single door: it’s a full glass surround built to fit your exact space. At CFG Shower Doors & Closets, we design and install custom enclosures across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, and our Boca Raton showroom is a great place to see configurations in person. Here are the questions homeowners ask us most when they’re planning an enclosure.

What’s the difference between a shower door and a full enclosure?

A shower door is a single operable panel, often set into an existing tiled opening. A full enclosure combines multiple glass panels, and sometimes a door plus fixed sides, to wrap a shower area that isn’t already boxed in by walls. If your shower only has one or two tiled walls, you’ll likely need an enclosure rather than just a door.

What are the common enclosure configurations?

The most common layouts are corner enclosures, neo-angle enclosures for corners with an angled front, walk-in configurations with a large fixed panel and an open entry, and alcove setups tucked between three walls. Each solves a different bathroom footprint. During your consultation we’ll match a configuration to your space and how you want to use the shower.

Should I go custom or stock?

Custom is usually the better answer for an enclosure because showers are rarely perfectly square, and an enclosure has more panels and seams that need to line up. Custom fabrication means the glass is cut to your actual dimensions for tight, even gaps and a clean fit. Stock kits can work for very standard openings, but they rarely deliver the same precision or look.

How does measuring work?

We take detailed field measurements of your opening, checking for walls that are out of plumb, floors that aren’t level, and any tile or curb details that affect the fit. Those measurements drive the fabrication, so getting them exact is critical. This is one of the biggest reasons a professional measure beats guessing with a tape and a stock kit.

What glass and coating options are available?

Enclosures use tempered safety glass and can be clear, frosted, rain, or other obscure patterns depending on privacy and style. We can also discuss a protective glass coating that makes the surface more water-repellent, which helps a lot with the hard-water spotting common in South Florida. Coatings make cleaning easier and help the glass stay clearer over time.

What glass thickness do enclosures use?

It depends on the style. Frameless enclosures typically use 3/8 inch tempered glass, and larger spans can call for 1/2 inch, while framed and semi-frameless enclosures can use thinner glass because the framing adds support. We’ll recommend the right thickness based on your configuration and panel sizes.

Are there special considerations for a steam shower?

Yes. A steam shower needs to be fully enclosed, usually with glass running to the ceiling and a transom or operable vent to contain and manage the steam. The sealing and layout are different from a standard enclosure, so it’s important to plan a steam enclosure as its own project. We’ll walk you through what a proper steam setup requires.

How long does an enclosure take from start to finish?

Because the glass is custom-fabricated, there’s a lead time between the final measurement and the install while your panels are cut, tempered, and prepared. Enclosures with more panels or specialty glass can take a bit longer than a simple door. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during your consultation so you can plan the project.

Can you work with my existing tile and layout?

In most cases, yes. We design the enclosure around your existing tile, curb, and bathroom layout, and we account for real-world conditions like uneven walls during the measure. If you’re renovating, it’s ideal to loop us in early so the tile, curb, and enclosure all work together for the cleanest result.

Talk to CFG. Planning a shower enclosure and not sure where to start? Browse our services overview, request a free quote, or contact CFG at 561.989.8373 to schedule a free in-home consultation.

Blog

Sliding Shower Door FAQs

Sliding shower doors are a space-smart favorite, especially in smaller bathrooms and over tubs where a swinging door just won’t work. At CFG Shower Doors & Closets, we design and install custom sliding enclosures throughout Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, with a Boca Raton showroom where you can see the styles up close. Here are the questions we hear most about sliding doors.

What’s the difference between sliding and hinged shower doors?

A hinged door swings open on one side like a regular door, so it needs clear floor space in front of it to open. A sliding door, also called a bypass door, moves along a track and doesn’t swing out at all. That difference is the whole reason sliding doors are so popular in tight bathrooms.

Why do sliding doors save space in small bathrooms and over tubs?

Because the panels glide past each other along a track, a sliding door needs zero clearance to open. Nothing swings into the room, which is exactly what you want when a vanity, toilet, or wall sits right next to the shower. Over a tub, a sliding or bypass setup lets you get in and out without a bulky door swinging over the bathroom floor.

What is a barn-style sliding glass door?

Barn-style is a sliding design where the door glides along an exposed overhead track and roller, similar to a sliding barn door. It gives a modern, architectural look and often uses a single thicker glass panel that slides across a fixed one. It’s a stylish upgrade over a traditional bottom-track bypass door and works beautifully in contemporary bathrooms.

How do I clean and maintain the track?

The track is the main maintenance point on a sliding door. Water, soap residue, and mineral deposits can collect in the bottom channel, so wiping it out regularly keeps the rollers gliding smoothly and prevents buildup. Barn-style and top-hung designs reduce the bottom-track issue since more of the hardware is up top. A quick routine cleaning is all it takes.

What glass options can I get on a sliding door?

Sliding doors use tempered safety glass and come in clear, frosted, rain, and other obscure patterns depending on how much privacy you want. Heavier bypass and barn-style setups can use thicker glass for a more substantial feel. We’ll match the glass and hardware finish to your bathroom during the consultation.

Do sliding shower doors leak?

Sliding doors are designed with overlapping panels and seals that keep water in the shower or tub, so leaking isn’t a typical problem when the enclosure is measured and installed correctly. Because the panels overlap where they meet, water is naturally guided back inside. Proper installation and good seals are what make the difference.

What layouts work best for sliding doors?

Sliding doors are ideal for alcove showers set between two walls, tub-shower combinations, and any bathroom where floor space is tight. If your shower is a walk-in or an unusual shape, a hinged or fixed-panel configuration might serve you better. We’ll look at your layout and tell you honestly which style fits your space best.

Can sliding doors be customized to my opening?

Yes. We measure your opening and fabricate the enclosure to fit, including adjustments for walls that aren’t perfectly square. You choose the style, glass, and hardware finish, and we handle the precise measuring and installation so the panels glide smoothly and seal properly.

Are sliding doors a good value?

For the right layout, they’re an excellent value. You get a practical, space-saving solution that can range from a straightforward framed bypass to a high-end barn-style statement piece. Cost depends on the glass thickness, hardware, and style you choose, so the clearest way to see your number is a free quote from our team.

Talk to CFG. Want to know if a sliding door is the right move for your bathroom? Explore our services overview, get a free quote, or contact CFG at 561.989.8373 to book a free in-home consultation.

Blog

Framed Shower Door FAQs

Framed shower doors are the classic, dependable option, and they’re still the right call for plenty of bathrooms. At CFG Shower Doors & Closets, we install custom framed enclosures across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County from our Boca Raton showroom, and we’re happy to tell you honestly when a framed door is the better value. Here are the questions homeowners ask us most.

What is a framed shower door?

A framed shower door has a metal frame, usually aluminum, running around the full perimeter of the glass and the door itself. That frame provides the structural support, which means the door can use thinner glass than a frameless design. It’s the style most people picture when they think of a traditional shower enclosure.

What are the pros and cons of a framed door?

On the plus side, framed doors are budget-friendly, structurally sturdy, and seal water very well thanks to the surrounding channels. The trade-offs are mostly aesthetic and practical: the metal frame is more visible, and those frames and tracks give soap scum and mineral deposits more places to collect. For many bathrooms, that trade is well worth the savings.

Why are framed doors usually the most budget-friendly?

The frame does the heavy lifting structurally, so a framed door can use thinner tempered glass and lighter hardware than a frameless enclosure. Less glass thickness and simpler hardware generally mean a lower overall cost. That’s why framed doors are often the go-to when you want a quality shower enclosure without stretching the budget.

Are framed shower doors durable?

Yes. The metal frame protects the edges of the glass and adds rigidity, so framed doors hold up well to everyday use. The glass is still tempered safety glass, and the frame simply gives it extra support and protection at the edges. With basic care, a framed enclosure lasts for years.

Is the metal frame hard to keep clean?

It takes a little more attention than a frameless door, but nothing difficult. The frames and bottom track can trap water, soap residue, and, in our hard-water region, mineral deposits. Wiping down the tracks periodically and keeping the channels clear prevents buildup and keeps the door sliding or swinging smoothly.

What glass and finish options do framed doors offer?

You’ve got real choice here. Glass can be clear, frosted, rain, or other obscure patterns for privacy, and the frame comes in finishes like chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and bronze tones. Matching the frame finish to your fixtures pulls the bathroom together, and we’ll show you samples during your consultation.

Do framed doors seal against leaks better?

Framed doors tend to be very good at water containment because the perimeter frame and channels naturally guide water back into the shower and give seals a solid surface to work against. That makes them a practical choice for tub-shower combinations and layouts where water control is a priority.

When is a framed shower door the best choice?

Framed doors shine when budget matters, when you want dependable water sealing, or when the layout is a standard tub or alcove shower. They’re also a smart pick for rental properties and busy family bathrooms where value and durability come first. If you’re weighing framed against semi-frameless or frameless, we’ll lay out the differences so you can decide with clear eyes.

Can a framed door be made to fit my shower?

Yes. We measure your opening and fit the enclosure to your space, including adjustments for walls that aren’t perfectly square. Even though framed doors use standardized framing, a proper measure and professional install are what keep the door aligned, sealed, and operating smoothly for the long haul.

Talk to CFG. Curious whether a framed door is the right fit and value for your bathroom? See our services overview, request a free quote, or contact CFG at 561.989.8373 for a free in-home consultation.

Blog

Semi-Frameless Shower Door FAQs

A semi-frameless shower door hits a sweet spot for a lot of South Florida homeowners: it keeps much of the open, modern look of frameless glass while trimming some of the cost. At CFG Shower Doors & Closets, we build custom semi-frameless enclosures for clients across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, with a showroom in Boca Raton where you can see the options in person. Here are the questions we get asked most.

What does “semi-frameless” actually mean?

A semi-frameless door uses metal framing on some edges but not all of them. Typically the stationary panels are framed for support while the swinging door itself is left frame-free, so you get a cleaner sightline where it matters most. It’s a middle path between a fully framed door and an all-glass frameless enclosure.

How is it different from framed and frameless doors?

A framed door has metal wrapping every edge of the glass, which is sturdy but visually heavier. A frameless door has no perimeter frame at all and relies on thick, self-supporting glass. Semi-frameless lands between the two: it keeps a slim frame on the fixed panels for stability and cost savings, while opening up the door section for a lighter look.

Where is the metal, and where isn’t it?

On a typical semi-frameless enclosure, you’ll find framing around the fixed glass panels and along the wall channels, while the operable door has exposed polished glass edges with just hinges or a handle. That’s the visual trade-off in a nutshell: enough metal to add rigidity and keep glass thickness down, but not so much that it clutters the view.

What glass thickness does semi-frameless use?

Because the frame carries some of the load, semi-frameless doors often use glass that’s a bit thinner than a fully frameless panel, commonly around 1/4 inch tempered safety glass. That’s part of why they cost less. We’ll confirm the right thickness for your specific configuration during the measure.

How does the cost compare to framed and frameless?

Semi-frameless generally sits in the middle on price: more than a basic framed door, less than a fully frameless enclosure. You’re paying for a more open look than framed without stepping all the way up to the thick structural glass and heavy-duty hardware of frameless. Because every job is custom, the factors that move the number are glass size, hardware finish, and configuration, so a free quote is the best way to see where your project lands.

Do semi-frameless doors seal well and stay leak-free?

Yes. The framed edges give seals and sweeps a solid surface to press against, so water control is very manageable. As with any shower, proper measurement and a correctly pitched shower floor do most of the work. When it’s installed right, a semi-frameless enclosure keeps water where it belongs.

How much maintenance does a semi-frameless door need?

Upkeep is easy but slightly more involved than frameless because the frames and tracks can collect soap residue and mineral deposits over time. A quick squeegee after showering plus periodic cleaning of the metal channels keeps everything fresh. In hard-water areas like ours, staying ahead of mineral spotting on the glass is the main thing.

When is semi-frameless the right choice?

Semi-frameless makes a lot of sense when you want a more open, updated look than a framed door but the budget or the layout doesn’t call for full frameless. It’s also a smart pick for tub enclosures and certain sliding configurations where the added frame support is genuinely useful. If you’re not sure, we’ll compare all three styles against your space and budget.

Can a semi-frameless door be customized to my bathroom?

Absolutely. We fabricate the glass and frames to your actual opening, so the enclosure fits properly even when walls aren’t perfectly square. You choose the hardware finish and glass options, and we handle the measuring and fitting. That custom approach is what separates a clean, lasting install from an ill-fitting stock kit.

Talk to CFG. Want help deciding if semi-frameless is right for your bathroom? Browse our services overview, get a free quote, or contact CFG at 561.989.8373 to set up a free in-home consultation.