What Is the Difference Between Shower Clips and U-Channel?

Frameless shower enclosures are the default of contemporary bathrooms, smooth, minimal and impeccably elegant. However, behind all of the frameless designs is hardware that holds it all together without the viewer noticing. Shower clips and U-channel are the two most widely used systems to secure the fixed glass panels.

On the face of it, they both perform the same job. However, when you start digging into the technical and visual variations, it is easy to see that whatever decision you make will affect the appearance, the experience and even functionality of your space in the shower. Whether you are renovating a bathroom or doing a fresh construction, these differences can aid in coming up with the best solution to your design.

What Are Shower Clips?

Shower clips (also called glass clamps or brackets) are small typically square or rounded metal jigs that fasten glass panels directly onto the wall, floor or ceiling.

They are usually applied in cases whereby the homeowners or designers desire to portray a clean and floating appearance. Since the glass seems to be just floating in empty space with a few non-obtrusive clamps keeping it in place, this type is popular with ultra-modern or luxurious bathroom design.

In Quality Glass Fittings, there are many shower clips with brushed or polished finishes to suit other bathroom hardware. All clips are enabled with precision support and reduced visual clutter.

Key characteristics of shower clips:

• Minimal contact with glass
• Needs exact drilling in the glass.
• Glass is frequently needed to be tempered and cut to order.
•  is less closed and dirty.
• A little more costly because of accuracy and workmanship.

What Is a Shower U-Channel?

The U-channel is a metal profile (an elongated and narrow strip) that takes the form of a U; it is used to hold the edge of the glass panel. The glass can be placed in the channel and it is attached by a silicone or rubber gasket inserts.

Although it is less discreet than clips, the U-channel offers an endless support line, so it is the best in installations requiring stability or even waterproofing.

U-channels are often applied both to homes and business premises based on the fact that it is cheap and strong. They also have the ability of covering the small wavy surfaces like a slightly bowed wall or a sloping floor.

Key characteristics of U-channel:

• Provides a tighter control on the whole length of the edge of the glass.
• Easier to install
• Better suited in the wet rooms and steam showers.
• More low-cost hardware.
• A little heavier appearance than clips.

Key Differences Between Clips and U-Channels

Now that you know what each method is, let’s look at how they compare:

Pros and Cons of Shower Clips

✔ Pros:

• Premium, high-end aesthetic
• Almost invisible hardware
• Perfect to use on luxurious and modern designs.
• Less difficult to wash at the bottom.

✘ Cons:

• Installed by professional.
• Increased price- glass processing.
• Not so forgiving to the unevenness of walls or floors.

Shower clips are effective in cases when you wish to see your glass panel floating. The result is, however, the illusion that would require more cautious measurements and installation. Quality Glass Fittings offers you a range of different finishes to suit any bathroom design.

Pros and Cons of Shower U-Channel

✔ Pros:

• Gives good, uninterrupted hold.
• Less difficult and time-consuming to install.
• More water-resistant- perfect in damp places.
• Less expensive in bigger projects.

✘ Cons:

• More visible hardware 
• Streaked with dirt when not capped or kept. 
• A little less sleek than clips. 

U-channel systems can be very useful when durability, affordable cost, or a short turn around are important. They are particularly convenient to high-traffic or rental homes where functionality can sometimes be more important than beauty. Quality Glass Fittings has U-Channels with high-quality and corrosion-resistant choices.

Which Option Is Right for Your Bathroom?

No universal formula. What you will consider doing with shower clips vs U-channel will all depend on a few fundamental considerations:

1. Aesthetic Preferences

In case you want to have the luxurious, smooth look, shower clips produce a minimalist look. They become the dream of a designer in terms of contemporary beauty.

However, when you are okay with a bit more metal on display to save on costs and effort, U-channel can be great.

2. Budget Constraints

The clips on the shower also have high prices because they require precision in the cuts in the glass as well as skilled installation. U-channels can assist you to lower the total cost of your frameless shower without losing its stability.

3. Conditions of the Surface of Installation.

The U-channel system is more tolerant of marginally uneven walls or floors, or an older structure. Flat, well-prepared surfaces are needed to yield maximum results with clips though.

4. Moisture Considerations

U-channels provide superior water-tightness in wet room or steam showers. Clips can be more sealed and maintained as they could leak water.

Expert Tip

When in doubt, mix and match. Other homeowners opt to install both systems together so that the bottom is covered with a U-channel to maximize its ability to keep the water out of the house and the sides with clips to keep the profile clean.

And don’t leave out the last touches! By matching your shower hardware (towel bars knobs and hinges) with your preferred support system you can take the design to the next level.

Find high-quality shower brackets in polished and brushed finishes to match your bathroom style.

Conclusion

Depending on whether you are designing your dream bathroom, or a contractor engaged in a high-end renovation, whether to use shower clips or U-channel can result in a significant difference in the end product.

Choose shower clips if:

• You desire high quality, minimalistic appearance.
• Budget is not a big issue.
• You are professional installer.

Choose U-channel if:

• You desire a more useful, cheaper one.
• You will require high resistance to water.
• You have older or crooked surfaces.

At the end of the day, there are merits in both systems and once combined with superior quality material supplied by reputable sources such as Quality Glass Fittings, either of the two systems can produce a beautiful outcome.

Are you Planning to Remodel Your Bathroom?

We sell a large variety of frameless shower hardware such as high-end U-Channel and smooth shower clips at Quality Glass Fittings.

Need help choosing? Talk to our professionals now--we will find you the ideal solution to your space.