James B. ParkerYou may have decided to put a glass shower door on your bathroom renovation to-do list, but have you considered what the ideal glass thickness for your shower door should be?
While shopping around for shower doors and enclosures, one of the factors you need to decide on is which glass thickness is best for you.
Why does it matter? Besides safety, the glass thickness for your shower door will determine how the space will look and feel.
There’s a wide variety of glass thicknesses for shower doors that you can find on the market today, but two are the most common: 8mm and 10mm.
But choosing the best glass thickness for a shower door is not as easy as simply picking one over the other without considering other factors. For instance, the ideal glass shower thickness will depend on the type of shower glass you choose and the shower enclosure style you want.
How Important is the Thickness of a Glass Shower Door?
Glass shower doors are a remarkable addition to any shower space. They look minimal yet modern and at the same time can give the illusion of a much larger area. But picking a glass shower door is easier said than done. There are different features you need to check off the list, like glass thickness.
Not many homeowners are aware that the shower door glass thickness matters a great deal. This is because not all glass is made the same. When you’re going to ask for a quote for your new shower door, you’re going to need to provide the thickness, so it’s better to decide now rather than later.
Essentially, you need to choose thickness for your glass shower door that can stand the test of time. The glass shower door should be able to withstand force since it’s going to experience shock from maintenance and cleaning.
In addition, the glass shower door needs to be sturdy, strong, and resilient to usage and moisture, providing excellent quality and longevity.
Ideally, you want to get a thicker glass shower door. After all, the thinner the glass is, the more fragile it is. But also remember that the price-point differs depending on the glass thickness. So, it’s worth noting that the thicker you go, the more you will have to pay.
Types of Glass for Shower Doors
When you’re choosing the best glass thickness for your shower door, you should be aware of the different types of glass used in shower doors. There are two common types: tempered and laminated glass.
While laminated glass is suitable, there are many advantages to choosing tempered glass for your shower door. It’s generally more durable and safer than other types of glass, and you can always benefit from that extra security in a high-traffic area like the shower.
Although tempered glass doesn’t mean it’s unbreakable, it has extra features in case the glass does break. Instead of breaking into sharp, jagged pieces, tempered glass will break into oval-shaped, dull pebbles.
What Is the Best Glass Thickness for Shower Doors?
When it comes to glass thickness for shower doors, there are a variety of sizes available.
- 4mm
- 5mm
- 6mm
- 8mm
- 10mm
- 12mm
Out of these six glass thickness options, 8mm and 10mm are the most common choices. But first, are you going to have a framed or frameless shower door?
Glass Thickness for Frameless Shower Doors
Without the framing, the glass panel itself should contribute to the overall structural integrity of the shower door or enclosure. Hence, the glass for frameless shower doors tends to be thicker.
A minimum thickness of 10mm is necessary to ensure the overall integrity and stability of the frameless door. It’s the most popular choice, especially if the budget is limited.
But for those looking for a more aesthetic appeal, the thicker 12mm glass provides a more impressive overall look and feel. But also remember that the thicker you go, the heavier the glass will be.
Picking the correct hardware is critical to ensure that it can support the weight of the glass shower door. After all, there will be no frames holding the glass panel. Instead, there are only pieces of hardware to join pieces of glass and allow the shower door to open and close.
Glass Thickness for Framed Shower Doors
For framed shower doors, you can usually get away with thinner glass. Since there is a metal framing surrounding the four corners of the glass panel, it will still be secure even with thin glass. The common choices are between 5mm and 6mm.
Choosing between the two will ultimately depend on your budget for the door and personal preference.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to pick your glass shower door? Of course, there’s always a benefit of choosing thicker glass for your shower door, but remember that it will also add to the price. Not to mention, you need to get sturdier hardware to hold it in place securely.
Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of how important it is to consider the glass thickness of your shower door. It will ultimately define the structural integrity, overall soundness, along with the style and feel of your glass shower door.
