Glass Thickness for Shower Screens: What You Need to Know

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When selecting glass thickness for shower screens, especially for the North American/European market (households in North America/Europe) from a B2B perspective (importers, distributors, agents, large supermarkets), attention should be paid to the following aspects: thickness standards and comparison table, glass types, installation considerations for thicker glass, safety certifications, and finally, a “conclusion suggestion.” Let's break down each point.

1. Glass Thickness — Common Thicknesses & Comparison Table

The typical thickness range for shower screen glass based on industry data is as follows:

Additional Notes:

• In the UK/Europe market, 6 mm is considered the "standard" entry-level thickness, with 8 mm recommended as a mid-range option and 10 mm as a designer or luxury option. 

• In North America, materials recommend a minimum thickness of 3/8" (≈9.5 mm) for frameless structures. 

• Industry guides emphasize that larger or taller glass panels that are too thin may bend (bowing) or vibrate when touched. 

Therefore, from a B2B import/distribution perspective, customers should select glass thickness according to structure type (framed vs. frameless), panel size, budget, and desired quality.

2. Glass Types

The commonly used types of glass for shower screens (considering safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal) are:

1. Tempered Glass (Toughened Glass)

   • Tempered glass is heated to near its softening point and then rapidly cooled to create surface compression, making it stronger. (en.wikipedia.org)

   • When broken, it shatters into small, blunt-edged pieces, reducing the risk of injury. 

   • It is the most common type used in shower screens in North America and Europe.

   • Advantages: High strength, good safety, moderate cost.

   • Disadvantages: Once processed, tempered glass cannot be cut or drilled, and if broken, the entire panel must be replaced.

2. Laminated Glass

   • Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass with a polymer interlayer (such as PVB or EVA). Even when broken, the pieces stay bonded to the interlayer. (en.wikipedia.org)

   • It is often used for higher safety standards, such as bulletproof or noise-reducing applications, and can also be used for shower screens.

   • Advantages: Higher safety, prevents glass shards from falling, maintains structure even when broken.

   • Disadvantages: Higher cost, increased thickness, heavier.

3. Annealed Glass

   • Ordinary annealed glass is generally not recommended for shower screens because when it breaks, it shatters into sharp pieces with low strength. It is typically avoided.

4. Low-Iron Glass

   • Low-iron glass, though not a safety-grade glass, has fewer color distortions and better light transmission, making it a good option for high-end or custom designs. For example, one user mentioned on Reddit:

     “3/8" is perfect and … Low iron glass is a must … Non‑low iron glass panels take on a greenish hue when looked at an angle to the wall tiles.” (reddit.com)

   • It enhances visual quality but should be chosen with caution regarding thickness and safety grade.

In summary, from a B2B import/distribution standpoint, tempered glass is recommended as the standard; for high-end markets, consider tempered + laminated or low-iron tempered combinations.

3. Considerations When Choosing Thicker Glass (e.g., 10 mm or more) for Installation

When selecting thicker glass (e.g., 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm), extra attention should be paid to the following aspects:

• Wall Strength/Support Hardware: Thicker glass is heavier, so if the wall and supporting components (clips, hinges, U-channel tracks, support rods) are not strong enough, it may cause wall cracks, instability, glass vibration, or water leakage. One source emphasizes:

  "It's best to consult with a glass professional to ensure your walls can support the weight of the glass." 

• Higher Installation Precision: Thicker glass is heavier and requires higher precision for level, vertical, and flatness control. If there is any wall unevenness, stress concentration may occur, which could lead to breakage or improper sealing.

• Hinge/Clip Specifications: Thicker glass requires corresponding heavy-duty hinges/support brackets/clips. If the hinges are under-spec, they may lead to malfunction or safety hazards.

• Drilling/Cutting Limitations: Tempered glass, once processed, cannot be drilled or cut. Therefore, dimensions, hole placement, and attachment points must be pre-determined during the processing stage. Thicker glass also increases processing costs.

• Increased Transportation and Installation Costs: The increased weight means higher logistics, handling, and installation labor costs. For B2B businesses, these hidden costs should be considered when quoting or managing inventory.

• Waterproof and Support Design: For large frameless or walk-in shower screens, thicker glass helps reduce bending and vibration. However, additional considerations for bottom U-channels, water seals, and support bars are needed. Industry guides mention that if glass is too thin for large panels, bowing may occur. 

• Safe Handling: Thicker glass generates more force when it breaks, so extra care must be taken during construction, transportation, and safety protection (such as applying film or corner protection).

• Cost and Inventory Considerations: For wholesalers/distributors, thicker glass has higher unit costs, heavier volume, and higher warehousing and shipping fees, which requires effective inventory and pricing strategy.

Therefore, while “thicker is better” can be true to some extent, from a B2B perspective, it is important to weigh the cost, structure, installation difficulty, and market positioning.

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

In conclusion, when importing or distributing shower screen glass, I recommend the following:

• For mid-range markets, framed or semi-frameless structures, standard sizes (e.g., 900 mm × 2000 mm or smaller), and cost-effective options, 6 mm (≈¼″) tempered glass is the ideal choice. This thickness is commonly used as an entry-level standard in Europe.

• For modern, frameless designs, high visual grade, and larger panel sizes (e.g., over 1000 mm in width or 2000 mm in height), 8 mm (≈⅜″) tempered glass is recommended. This thickness is common in high-quality frameless shower screens, offering a good balance between cost and quality.

• For very large panels (e.g., full-wall glass, doors up to 2200 mm high, widths over 1200 mm), or luxury/high-end custom designs, consider 10 mm or more (≈½″) tempered glass. You may even consider a tempered + laminated combination for enhanced safety and quality.

• Regardless of the thickness, ensure that the glass is safety glass (tempered) and meets the regulatory requirements for the target market (e.g., ANSI Z97.1, CPSC 16 CFR 1201 for North America, EN 12150, EN 14428, and CE mark for Europe).

• From an installation and structural perspective: Although thicker glass offers better quality and stability, it also increases costs, logistics, installation requirements, and market positioning. As a B2B distributor, these hidden costs must be factored into the pricing and service offering.

• For B2B clients (importers, distributors, agents, large supermarkets), I suggest clearly outlining the glass thickness, glass type (tempered/laminated), safety grade, and certification standards in product specifications to help customers assess product suitability.