Frameless vs semi-frameless
Both are Grade A toughened safety glass and both are sized from your measurements in the designer. The difference is the thickness of the glass and how it is held. Prices below are live from the designer for the same wall-to-wall screen, supply only, inc. GST.
| Frameless | Semi-frameless | |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | 10 mm (or 12 mm) Grade A toughened, polished edges | 6 mm Grade A toughened in an aluminium frame |
| Look | Just glass and small hinges, brackets or a slim channel | Slim aluminium jambs on the walls and a framed door; the glass edges between panels are frameless |
| Walls out of plumb | Fixed panel cut on a rake to follow the wall | The wall jamb takes up the run-out; glass stays square |
| Weight | A 700 mm door is about 35 kg; two people to install | Lighter; one person can manage a door |
| Cleaning | Easiest: no frame for water to sit in | A frame to wipe, but still far less than fully framed |
| Price (wall-to-wall, fixed panel + door, standard size) | from $549.23 | from $657.07 |
Our advice: frameless for most renovations, especially with walls that aren't plumb, because the rake cut makes it sit perfectly. Semi-frameless when budget matters most or the screen is on a hob where the jambs help.