You’re remodeling a bathroom — maybe a primary bath in Old Metairie or a guest bath in the Garden District. You’ve got everything else figured out — tile, fixtures, paint — and then you hit the shower glass options. Frameless or framed? What thickness? Clear or low-iron? Does the hardware really matter?
There are more decisions than most people expect. Here’s a walkthrough of every choice you’ll face, what each one means, and what we recommend for most New Orleans bathrooms.
Frameless vs. Semi-Frameless vs. Framed
The framing choice changes the entire look of the shower.
Frameless is what most people picture when they imagine a modern, high-end shower. The glass panels stand on their own with minimal hardware — small hinges, clamps, and clips. The look is clean and architectural. Frameless requires thicker glass (3/8″ or 1/2″) to support itself without a frame.
Semi-frameless uses a partial metal frame around the perimeter of the door or fixed panel, but the door swings or slides freely. Cheaper than frameless, still looks clean. Uses thinner glass.
Framed is the most traditional and least expensive option. Metal frame around all glass panels. Functional, less visually open. Used to be standard in older homes, but is rarely chosen for new builds today.
Glass Thickness
Standard options are 3/8″ and 1/2″.
3/8″ is the most common choice for frameless residential showers. It’s strong enough to be self-supporting, costs less than 1/2″, and visually it looks substantial. The right choice for the vast majority of bathrooms.
1/2″ is a premium option. The extra thickness makes the glass feel more solid, looks slightly more high-end, and adds resistance to flex. We use it for larger panels (over 36″ wide) or where the customer wants the heaviest, most premium feel.
Glass Clarity: Clear vs. Low-Iron
Standard glass has a slight green tint when you look at it edge-on. It’s not noticeable in a window, but in a frameless shower where you’re looking through the panel head-on every day, it’s there.
Low-iron glass (sometimes called “starphire” or “ultra-clear”) removes the iron content that causes the green tint. The result is glass that looks truly clear — almost invisible. It costs more than standard, but for a frameless shower where the glass is the centerpiece, most customers say it’s worth it.
For framed or semi-frameless showers, the cost upgrade to low-iron is usually less worthwhile — the metal hardware already breaks up the visual.
Picking shower glass for your remodel? Text us photos of your space at (504) 368-8826, and we’ll walk you through the options that fit.
Hardware Finishes
Match (or intentionally contrast) the other fixtures in your bathroom. Standard options are polished chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, polished brass/champagne bronze (trending), and oil-rubbed bronze.
We carry every standard finish and can order specialty finishes if needed.
Door Style: Pivot, Sliding, or Fixed Panel?
Pivot door is the classic frameless setup — a single panel of glass that swings on hinges. Works for almost any layout.
Sliding doors use a track system with one or two glass panels that slide horizontally. Better for tight spaces where a door swing isn’t practical.
Fixed panel only (no door) works for walk-in showers with a long approach. Looks high-end, eliminates the door, but requires a larger overall shower footprint to keep water contained.
Treated vs. Untreated Glass
We can apply hydrophobic glass treatments (ShowerGuard, EnduroShield) at the factory or after installation. These coatings cause water to bead and roll off instead of clinging — meaning fewer water spots, less mineral buildup, and easier cleaning. In New Orleans’ hard water, this upgrade pays off.
Tempered Glass — Required by Code
All shower glass must be tempered. This isn’t optional. Tempered glass is 4x stronger than regular glass and breaks into small pebbles instead of sharp shards. We don’t install non-tempered glass in showers. Ever.
Ready to Get Started?
Star Glass Inc. serves Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the greater New Orleans metro. Reach us any way that works best for you:
Call or text: (504) 368-8826 Email: glass@starglass.com
Visit us: 1000 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053