Frameless Shower Doors: Channel vs Clips

What do the terms “channel” and “clips” refer to on your shower door?

What’s the difference between these pieces of hardware?

A typical frameless shower door has a door and one or more panels to the side of it. The door is held in place by hinges, but the side panels are held in place by one of two different methods.

The first method is with a channel. In this method, the side panels sit in a piece of metal channel along the floor and up the side of any walls. This method is included in the base price that we quote.

The second method is with clips. In this method, three or more clips hold the side panels in place. A typical door with one panel next to it will have a single clip along the floor and two along the wall. We generally quote clips as an option, but it does cost a little more.

The choice between these two methods is purely aesthetic. Both serve the same function: supporting the walls of the shower and keeping the water inside. Most people aim to minimize the amount of metal visible with a frameless shower door. While we can minimize the metal, we can’t eliminate it entirely. It comes down to whether you prefer a smaller, continuous line of channel along the glass edges or a few discrete pieces of metal with the clips.

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Live near Ann Arbor? Wolverine Glass has your frameless shower door covered!

Look for videos on our YouTube channel explaining the choices you can make and the process of designing and installing beautiful new glass and mirrors in your home. If you have any questions, reach out to us by calling (734) 426-5600 or submitting a contact form here. You can also visit our showroom from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.