Shower enclosure glass: thickness, finish and how to order

Shower enclosure glass should always be tempered: it is four to five times stronger than ordinary glass and, if it does break, it crumbles into small blunt granules rather than sharp shards. Frameless shower doors typically use 8 mm glass and fixed panels 6–8 mm, with frosted glass instead of clear wherever privacy matters. Below we walk through choosing the glass, measuring correctly and placing an order.

Why must shower glass be tempered?

A bathroom combines wet floors, the risk of slipping and constant swings between hot and cold water. Ordinary float glass breaks into large, sharp pieces that can cause serious injury. Tempered glass is heated to about 650 °C and then cooled rapidly, which locks the surfaces into compression. The result resists both impact and thermal stress far better, and its break pattern is what earns it the name safety glass.

In Europe, thermally toughened safety glass is described by EN 12150, and building regulations in many countries require safety glass in showers, doors and partitions. For the full story of the process, see what tempered glass is and where it is mandatory.

Property	Annealed float glass	Tempered glass
Strength	1×	4–5×
Thermal shock resistance	~40 °C	~200 °C
Break pattern	Large sharp shards	Small blunt granules
Cutting or drilling afterwards	Possible	Not possible

What thickness should shower glass be?

It depends on how the enclosure is built. We temper glass in 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm; for showers, 6, 8 and 10 mm cover almost every design.

Design	Typical thickness	Why
Sliding doors in a full frame	6 mm	The frame supports the glass along its edges
Fixed panels	6–8 mm	Larger panels lean towards 8 mm
Frameless hinged door	8 mm	Carries the hinge load without flexing
Tall walk-in screen	8–10 mm	Extra stiffness for large free-standing panels

Treat this as a starting point: the hinge, profile and support system you choose sets the final thickness, as each is designed for specific glass sizes. Our guide to choosing glass thickness explains the general principles.

Clear or frosted shower glass?

Clear glass makes a bathroom feel larger and shows off the tiling and fittings. In a shared family bathroom, or where the shower sits near a window, frosted glass is often the more comfortable choice: it lets soft light through while hiding the view.

Criterion	Clear tempered	Frosted tempered
Privacy	None	View is obscured
Light	Maximum	Soft, diffused
Water marks	More visible	Usually less noticeable
Shower thicknesses we offer	6 · 8 · 10 mm	6 · 8 mm
Look	Minimal, “invisible” enclosure	Calm, enclosed feel

Our frosted glass is satin-finished on one side and resists fingerprints. The satin face is usually turned away from touch, which in a shower means outwards, so state the orientation in your order. Combinations work well too, such as a clear door with a frosted fixed panel, and the same logic applies to bathroom partitions that screen off a WC.

How do you measure and order shower glass?

Why are holes, cut-outs and edges done before tempering?

This is the single most important rule when ordering shower glass. Tempered glass cannot be cut, drilled or edge-polished: once its internal stress is disturbed, the whole pane shatters. That is why all processing is completed before tempering:

• holes for hinges and wall brackets;
• holes for handles;
• corner notches and hinge cut-outs;
• edge polishing, which matters in showers because the edges stay exposed.

We cut to size on a CNC table to ±1 mm, but the finished pane can only be as accurate as the dimensions you send. Include a drawing; a photo of a hand sketch with the sizes written on it is enough. Give each hole’s diameter and the distance from its centre to two edges, in millimetres.

Measuring and ordering checklist

1. Measure only after tiling and flooring are finished. Sizes taken before tiling will not fit.
2. Measure the width in three places (top, middle, bottom) and the height on both sides. Walls are rarely perfectly straight, so note any difference.
3. Check the walls for plumb and the floor for fall with a spirit level.
4. Choose the hardware first. Hinges, profiles and supports determine the glass size and hole positions; follow the clearances in the manufacturer’s diagram.
5. For each panel, list width × height (mm), thickness, glass type (clear or frosted) and quantity.
6. Mark holes and cut-outs on the drawing: diameter plus the centre’s distance from two edges.
7. Specify the edge finish; we recommend polished edges.
8. For frosted glass, state which side the satin face should be on.
9. Give the delivery address and floor. Every pane is labelled and secured on an A-frame for delivery.

If in doubt, have an experienced installer take the measurements. With tempered glass there is no adjusting on site.

What about the bathroom mirror?

A bathroom mirror is often ordered together with the shower glass. Our mirror is float glass with a silver coating and protective paint layers, giving distortion-free reflection and a corrosion-resistant back. We recommend 4 mm for smaller mirrors and 5 mm for wall mirrors over 1 m²; edge polishing, drilling and custom shapes are available on request.

One key difference: a mirror cannot be tempered, because the coating does not survive tempering temperatures. For safety, we recommend a protective film on the back. Keeping the mirror out of direct water spray and ventilating the bathroom well helps protect its edges over time.

How should you look after shower glass?

• Wipe the glass with a squeegee after every shower. It is the simplest way to prevent limescale.
• Use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner; abrasive powders, scouring pads and sharp tools can scratch the surface.
• Avoid oily or silicone-based products on the frosted face, as they typically leave marks.
• Protect corners and edges from knocks during installation and use. The edges are the most vulnerable part of tempered glass.
• Check hinges and screws from time to time and adjust the hardware if the door starts to drop.

Ready to order? Send us your sizes

We cut, process and temper clear and frosted glass for shower enclosures and bathroom partitions, as well as mirrors, in our own factory. Send your dimensions as text, an Excel sheet or a photo of a drawing through the quote form. Our software calculates the cutting plan, and the quote arrives as a PDF within one business day. For questions about hardware or installation, get in touch.