Frameless shower enclosures use tempered safety glass. Holes, hinge cutouts, notches and edge fabrication are completed before tempering. Finished tempered glass cannot simply be cut or drilled at the job site.

Related: ProHouz Shower Glass Types

Why this matters

Frameless shower glass is custom fabricated and installed against finished construction. Design decisions can affect safety, water control, cleaning, appearance and long-term service. The best time to address these conditions is before glass is ordered.

What should be checked

• Finished wall, curb, tile and stone condition
• Glass thickness, dimensions and support
• Exact hardware model and manufacturer limitations
• Door swing or sliding travel and nearby obstructions
• Showerhead direction, water volume and drainage
• Access for installation, cleaning and future maintenance

Detailed guidance

Frameless shower enclosures use tempered safety glass. Holes, hinge cutouts, notches and edge fabrication are completed before tempering. Finished tempered glass cannot simply be cut or drilled at the job site.

The complete enclosure should be considered as a system. Glass, hardware, finished construction and water direction all interact. Correcting one item after fabrication is often more difficult than resolving it during design.

Manufacturer specifications

Where CRL or FHC hardware is referenced, use the current specification and fabrication template for the exact model. Similar-looking hinges can have different glass thicknesses, width limits, weight limits, gasket requirements, clearances and permitted hinge quantities.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a configuration only for appearance without checking daily practicality
• Assuming all hinges have the same capacity
• Ordering tempered glass before finished construction is ready
• Trying to correct a water-management problem only with extra silicone or plastic
• Ignoring cleaning access and future maintenance

When professional review is important

Professional review is especially important when a door hangs from a fixed panel, glass is unusually wide or tall, the opening is angled, walls are wavy, the shower is curbless, radiant heat is present, body sprays are used, or the enclosure requires complex drilling or notching.