Category Archives: Blog

Blog, Custom Glass, Shower Doors

Framed, Semi-Frameless, Frameless: What’s the Difference?

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of installing countless custom shower enclosures for customers across South Florida. We’ve noticed that many homeowners want a frameless shower door in their bathroom, however they tend to confuse it with both framed and semi-frameless shower enclosures (both of which NOT being what they actually wanted). 

Updating your bathroom with a custom shower enclosure is quite a project, so it’s important to get exactly what you’re looking for the first time so you’re not searching for another installer a few months later. Before inquiring about a custom shower door, you should know the difference between a framed, semi-frameless and frameless shower doors. 

What Is A Framed Shower Enclosure?

Traditionally, a fully framed shower door and enclosure is designed utilizing a metal frame that surrounds the glass panes. All edges of the glass are covered by the metal frame, with the door itself typically fastened with pivot or piano hinges. While there are options for different types of metal accents for the frames and hinges, you’re typically limited in your styling and hardware options. With that said, framed shower enclosures are great for limiting the amount of water that escapes your shower pan.

What Is A Semi-Frameless Shower Enclosure?

While not fully framed in metal and not fully glass, semi-frameless shower enclosures are a hybrid of the two. The majority of the enclosure is fitted with a frame, however key areas such as the door are left to give it that frameless touch. Semi frameless enclosures are some of the most common shower types being installed in new construction homes today. They are fitted with the same type of metal framing that is used in framed shower enclosures. Semi-frameless shower enclosures offer a cost-effective solution for those interested in a more modern shower space for their bathroom. 

What Is A Frameless Shower Enclosure?

A frameless shower enclosure is exactly that: a shower enclosure that uses absolutely no metal frame to hold it in place. Heavy glass is supported by extra-strength clamps that hold the glass without having to use a fully encasing frame. Widely popular for their overall appearance, frameless shower doors are what every homeowner is looking for. Modern and sleek, frameless shower doors are unrivaled in their appeal. It’s minimalist design allows the rest of your bathroom’s accents to shine through, while also making it appear bigger than it actually is. 

What Custom Shower Enclosure Is Right For Me?

The answer: it’s up to you! Ultimately it boils down to your design preference and what you’re looking for. A frameless shower door might be perfect for the master bathroom, while a framed shower enclosure is better for kid’s bathrooms where they won’t splash as much water onto the floor. You can’t go wrong with whatever you end up choosing, so make the best choice for your needs and style. Once you’ve decided what you’re looking to have installed, contact CFG to get a free quote. Reach us online or give us a call at (561) 989-8373 to take the first step towards your dream custom shower enclosure!

Blog, Shower Doors

Frameless Glass Shower Doors & Common Myths

The Truth of Frameless Glass Shower Doors

Frameless Glass Shower Doors have been growing in popularity thanks to their amazing aesthetic appeal and long-lasting durability. However, there are still some people who believe frameless glass shower doors are unreliable and unsafe due to the myths surrounding them. CFG Shower Doors & Closets wants to show the truth behind those myths. 

 

Breaking Down The Myths

No one can deny that glass shower doors add a level of elegance and luxury to your bathroom. They can also make your bathroom seem larger and more open, so why would people want to install other options? It’s because these people have most likely been exposed to some of the common myths that surround frameless glass shower doors and have decided to go with another option. The truth is that a lot of these myths are false and are made up by different people. Below, you’ll find the truth about glass shower doors.

  1. Glass doors “explode” when showering: This myth appeared after many people were claiming that their glass doors were exploding when taking hot showers. With any glass product, there is a minuscule chance of this ever happening. Glass shower doors are also made out of tempered glass, which is much stronger than standard glass. Even if it were to somehow break, tempered glass doesn’t break into shards making chances of injury much less.
  2. They are “maintenance free”: While it would be nice, there is nothing in this world that is “maintenance free”. While a protective glass coating can be applied to a glass shower door, it won’t make it maintenance-free. It will still require a usual cleaning.
  3. Frameless glass shower doors leak water: If the shower enclosure was properly installed, there should never be any water leaking from the shower. This can also happen if the showerhead is pointing too close to the door. If you think your shower enclosure was incorrectly installed, contact the CFG team immediately.
  4. Glass shower doors can’t be installed on fiberglass or acrylic: While it is true that it may not be the best to install on, it can still be done with the same level of effectiveness as any other wall. Just make sure that the proper type of installation is being done.
  5. Showerhead position is irrelevant: This is not true. Showerhead positioning may not seem like it plays a large role, but it can determine if there will be a leakage or not. Depending on what type of door is being installed, the showerhead needs to be placed in the correct location relative to the doors themselves.

 

Get Frameless Glass Shower Doors!

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your shower experience as well as make your bathroom look more luxurious than ever before, contact the team at CFG Shower Doors & Closets today! We’ll answer any questions you have and make sure you get exactly what you’ve been looking for.

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Want Custom Shower Doors Installed?

Q&A About Custom Shower Doors

Are you thinking about or are about to have custom shower doors installed? Before you do, you may have some questions you’ve been wondering about. CFG Shower Doors and Closets have been doing installations for years and want to answer some of the more common questions. These are more general questions, so if you have any detailed questions, feel free to reach out to our expert team of installation professionals. 

Below, you’ll find seven of the most common questions we’ve been asked about custom shower doors being installed.

 

What style of shower door?

The first and most important question we see is simply “what type of door should I have installed?”. While we would love to provide you with a straightforward answer, this is entirely up to you and what type of preferences you have. Custom shower doors are all unique in their own way and are created with your ideas in mind. If you need help trying to decide what to go with, our team can help guide you in the right direction. Some of the most common types of doors include sliding doors, pivot doors, framed doors, frameless doors, and bi-fold doors.

 

Do I have enough space?

Once you’ve figured out what type of door you want, now you need to see if you have the correct amount of space for the installation. This can be done in two different ways. You can send us the dimensions of your bathroom or we can send one of our professional team members out to get the measurements. 

 

What does the “shower area” consist of?

What we mean by “shower area” is whether or not the shower doors encompass just the shower or both the shower and the bathtub. If it is both, we recommend going with a sliding door as it provides a more elegant and luxurious look and feels. If it is only the shower area, a pivot door should fit nicely.

 

What features will it include?

When designing your custom shower doors, it’s important to think of the features they will include. What we mean by features is the quality and type of glass the doors will be made of. Our team can help guide you through this process as it can be confusing when trying to think of all the different combinations. 

 

How much does it cost?

Once all the planning and designing of the custom shower doors are done, next comes budgeting. Pricing isn’t easy to give an answer to as each combination and build is different from each other. Every company should provide you with a free quote of exactly how much it should be.

 

How long will the installation take?

Installation time on custom shower doors can vary depending on what type of door you go with as well as the size of it as well. They shouldn’t take more than a day or two. 

 

Contact CFG Today

Now that some of the common questions are out of the way, it’s time to start planning your custom shower doors. If you’re ready to start planning and installing, contact the experts at CFG Shower Doors & Closets. Visit our contact page or call us at 561-989-8373.

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Different Glass Stair Railing Solutions For Your Home

Glass Stair Railings

Whether you’re building a new home or looking to breathe fresh air into your current home, a glass stair railing can add a special touch of elegance that was missing before. Many people will usually associate glass stair railings with commercial buildings or nice restaurants, but the truth is that they can be integrated seamlessly into any modern home. Not only do they look more elegant than a normal railing system, but they can often be safer.

A normal handrail system is usually composed of vertical spindles. It’s not uncommon for small children and animals to get curious and stick their heads between the spindles. This can cause them to get stuck, possibly endangering themselves. Glass railings don’t have these gaps so you’ll never have to worry about any heads getting stuck.

 

Glass Stair Railings Resistance

The thought of glass can be scary to some looking to have a glass stair railing put in, however, there’s no need to worry. Glass railings are made from tempered glass, which is heat-treated in order to change its physical composition. This makes it extremely hard to break or shatter, and in the event it does, it’s designed to break into small cubes, making the chances of injury much lower.

 

Varieties of Glass Railing Options

Just like normal handrailing options, glass stair railing comes in tons of different styling options. Each of these options come with their own upsides and can be customized in different ways to best suit your style and look. Below are some of the more popular options you’ll find.

 

Dadoed Glass Railing

  • A unique mix of traditional with an elegant and sleek modern look
  • No spindles. Handrail and glass panels are held with structurally sound newels. 
  • Secured within the frame of newels
  • Provides a seamless glass design

 

Standoff Glass Railing

  • Standoff glass handrail system
  • Glass is not held in place by a base rail
  • Popular on balconies as they provide an unobstructed view
  • Has a “floating” appearance to it

 

Clamped Glass Railing

  • Bold and unique mounting style
  • Utilize newels to secure glass

 

Mostly seen in older commercial buildings such as city halls, this glass railing system is a work of art. The exposed hardware creates a nice contrast to the modern look. The exposed hardware also provides structural integrity as well as a nice appearance. 

 

Cleaning Glass Railings 

When you think of glass, you probably also think of fingerprints and smudges. The thought of trying to keep glass railings spotless can often be discouraging to some, but dont worry! Cleaning glass railings is easy, all you need is a soft rag and a glass cleaning solution, such as Windex. Any blemishes that appear should come off with total ease.

If you’re looking to learn more about glass railings, or you want to have one installed into your home, contact the professionals at CFG Shower Doors & Closets. We offer a variety of custom glass solutions, with installation and service as seamless as your new glass stair railing.