Shower enclosures and glass
Glass thickness, door mechanisms, rollers, and protective coatings explained.
At a glance
Quick Checklist
Key points at a glance
- 1Minimum 6mm glass for shower doors
- 2Check door swing clearance
- 3Consider sliding doors for tight spaces
- 4Easy-clean coating is worth the premium
- 5Quality rollers and hinges matter most
Questions to ask your installer
Take these to your next conversation with your fitter
- 1Are my walls straight and plumb enough for frameless glass?
- 2What door type works best for my bathroom layout?
- 3Which brands have the best quality rollers and hinges?
- 4Is the easy-clean coating worth the extra cost for my water type?
- 5How do I adjust the doors if they drop over time?
- 6What's the lead time for replacement parts if something breaks?
💡 Tip: A good installer will welcome these questions. If they dismiss them, that's a red flag.
💡Myth vs Reality
Common Myth
"Thicker glass is always better"
The Reality
8mm is premium but 6mm is perfectly adequate for most enclosures. The hardware quality matters more.
Common Myth
"Frameless enclosures are maintenance-free"
The Reality
They look stunning but need more precise installation and can leak if walls aren't perfectly straight.
What to look for
- •Glass thickness: 6mm minimum, 8mm for premium feel and stability
- •Framed vs frameless: frameless looks cleaner but costs more and needs perfect walls
- •Door type: pivot, sliding, bi-fold, or hinged - each suits different spaces
- •Easy-clean nano coatings (like ClearShield) reduce limescale buildup significantly
Common mistakes
- •Buying cheap enclosures with plastic rollers that fail within 2 years
- •Not checking if walls are plumb before ordering frameless glass
- •Choosing a door that swings into the toilet or vanity
- •Forgetting to account for tile thickness when measuring
Quality considerations
- •Metal rollers last far longer than plastic ones
- •Magnetic seals provide better water retention than rubber flaps
- •Adjustable wall profiles compensate for out-of-plumb walls
- •Quality enclosures have smooth, silent door action
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This guide is written to help you make informed decisions, not to sell you anything. Always discuss your specific situation with a qualified installer.