How framing changes the quote
Continuous aluminium profiles spread loads and can forgive minor wall waviness better than discrete clamps. That forgiveness often translates into simpler install paths and sometimes lower total quotes for mid-spec projects — though premium slim profiles can narrow the gap.
Frameless: what you pay for
You pay for aesthetics, thicker glass, and hardware that can handle cantilevered leaves without twisting. If those do not matter to you, frameless is not obligatory — it is a preference with a price tag.
Cleaning reality
Frameless reduces metal edges you must wipe around — nice — but glass still needs routine care. Framed systems add channel corners where grime can collect if caulking ages. Neither is “self-cleaning.”
Thickness and engineering
Read shower glass thickness alongside this page: frameless designs often cluster at higher thickness on large doors; framed systems sometimes allow thinner glass where channels support the span — confirm with your vendor, do not assume.
Installation
Frameless tolerances reward meticulous installers — see shower installation cost. Framed can still go wrong, but the symptom profile differs.
Which should you pick?
Choose framed when budget is tighter, walls are imperfect, or you prefer a defined metal outline. Choose frameless when minimal visual and premium feel justify higher hardware and glass spec — and your site can support accurate fitting.