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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.

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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.

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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.

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Frameless Shower Door FAQs

A frameless shower door is one of the cleanest ways to open up a bathroom, and it’s the look most of our clients ask about first. At CFG Shower Doors & Closets, we design and install custom frameless enclosures across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County from our showroom in Boca Raton. Here are the questions we hear most, answered honestly so you know what to expect before you commit.

What actually makes a shower door “frameless”?

A frameless door uses thick, structural glass that supports itself, so there’s no bulky metal frame wrapping the perimeter. Instead of a channel holding everything together, the glass is held by discreet hinges and clips mounted to the wall and, when needed, a slim header bar for stability. The result is a nearly all-glass look that shows off your tile and makes the space feel larger.

How thick is the glass in a frameless shower door?

Frameless doors are typically built from 3/8 inch tempered safety glass, and heavier configurations can use 1/2 inch glass. That thickness is what lets the panel stand on its own without a frame, and it also gives the door a solid, quality feel when you open and close it. We’ll recommend the right thickness based on your opening size and how the door is hung.

Do frameless shower doors leak?

Frameless doors are designed with intentional, minimal gaps, so a small amount of water management is part of the design rather than a flaw. We control water with clear seals, sweeps, and a slight slope in the glass layout so water drains back into the shower. When the enclosure is measured and installed correctly, and the shower floor is pitched properly, water staying in the shower is not an issue for the vast majority of layouts.

What hardware finishes can I choose from?

Hinges, handles, and clips come in a range of finishes including chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and brass tones. Picking a finish that ties into your faucets and lighting pulls the whole bathroom together. During your free consultation we’ll show you samples so you can see how each finish reads against your tile and fixtures.

Can a frameless door fit an out-of-square opening?

Yes, and this is exactly why custom fabrication matters. Very few shower openings are perfectly plumb and square, especially in older South Florida homes. We take precise field measurements and fabricate the glass to your actual opening, scribing and adjusting so the door hangs true and the gaps stay even. A stock, off-the-shelf door can’t do that.

How do I clean a frameless door and deal with hard-water spots?

South Florida water is hard, so mineral spotting is the main maintenance concern. The easiest habit is a quick squeegee after each shower, which keeps mineral deposits from building up on the glass. We can also talk to you about a protective glass coating that makes the surface more water-repellent and easier to wipe down. Routine cleaning with a non-abrasive glass cleaner keeps everything looking new.

Is tempered glass safe?

Tempered safety glass is heat-treated to be much stronger than ordinary glass, and if it ever does break, it crumbles into small, dull pieces instead of large sharp shards. That’s why building codes require tempered glass in showers. Every frameless enclosure we install uses tempered safety glass for exactly this reason.

How long does it take from measurement to installation?

Because the glass is custom-fabricated, there’s a lead time between the final measurement and the install day while your panels are cut, tempered, and prepared. The exact timeline depends on the current fabrication schedule and the complexity of your configuration. We’ll give you a realistic window during your consultation so you can plan around it.

What drives the cost of a frameless shower door?

Price is shaped by several factors: the glass thickness, the overall size and number of panels, the hardware and finish you choose, the complexity of the configuration, and any custom fabrication needed for an out-of-square or oversized opening. Because every job is measured and built to your space, the honest answer is that a quick look and a free quote will tell you far more than a generic price ever could. Reach out and we’ll walk you through it.

Is a frameless shower door worth it?

For most homeowners, yes. Frameless enclosures look high-end, they’re easier to keep clean because there’s less metal for grime to collect on, and they tend to add real appeal when it comes time to sell. If budget is tight, semi-frameless and framed options deliver a lot of the same benefit for less, and we’re happy to compare all three with you.

Talk to CFG. Ready to see what a frameless enclosure would look like in your bathroom? Explore our full range of services, request a free quote, or contact CFG at 561.989.8373 to schedule your free in-home consultation.

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