Ordering a made to measure shower screen is one of the most important decisions you can make when fitting out a bathroom, yet it is surprisingly easy to overlook the finer details that determine whether the finished result truly works for your space. Unlike off-the-shelf alternatives that ask you to adapt your bathroom around a fixed size, a made to measure shower screen is designed entirely around your specific dimensions, your preferred style, and the practical demands of daily use. Getting it right from the outset will save you time, money, and considerable frustration further down the line.
Measuring Accurately Is Everything
Before you even begin browsing designs or selecting glass finishes, you need to understand that the quality of your made to measure shower screen is only as good as the measurements you provide. This sounds obvious, but it is the single most common area where things go wrong. Walls in older properties, and even in many newer builds, are rarely perfectly plumb or square. If you measure at only one point along the height of a wall, you may find that the screen fits at the top but leaves a gap at the bottom, or vice versa. The correct approach is to measure at multiple points — top, middle, and bottom — and to note the smallest measurement, as this is the one that will determine whether the screen can be installed without forcing it against an uneven surface.
Equally important is measuring the threshold or tray accurately. The position of any upstands, lips, or trays will affect how the base of a made to measure shower screen sits, and any discrepancy here can lead to water escaping onto the bathroom floor. If you are in any doubt about your ability to take accurate measurements, it is well worth having a professional surveyor visit to do this on your behalf before placing your order.
Choosing the Right Glass Thickness
Glass thickness is a factor that many people underestimate when selecting a made to measure shower screen. The most common thicknesses available are 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm toughened safety glass. Thinner glass is lighter and can work well for smaller screens or where the framework is providing significant structural support, but for frameless or semi-frameless designs, a thicker glass panel is generally advisable. A 10mm made to measure shower screen will feel considerably more substantial, will be less prone to flex when the door is opened and closed, and will give the installation a more premium, solid feel overall.
All glass used in shower screens in the United Kingdom must comply with British safety glazing standards, meaning it must be toughened or laminated so that if it breaks, it does so into small, relatively harmless pieces rather than large dangerous shards. Always confirm that any made to measure shower screen you order meets these standards before committing to a purchase.
Frameless, Semi-Frameless, or Framed?
The style of your made to measure shower screen — whether it is fully framed, semi-frameless, or completely frameless — will have a significant impact on both the aesthetics and the practicality of the finished installation. Framed screens use metal channels around all edges of the glass panels and tend to be more forgiving of slight measurement inaccuracies, as the frame can be adjusted to a degree. They are generally easier to seal effectively against water ingress, though the channels themselves can trap soap scum and limescale over time, making cleaning more involved.
A frameless made to measure shower screen, by contrast, relies on the precision of the glass itself and the hardware used to support and hinge it. There are no channels to hide imperfections, which means the measurements must be exceptionally accurate and the installation surface must be as flat and level as possible. The payoff for this extra care is a beautifully clean, open appearance that suits contemporary bathrooms particularly well and is far easier to wipe down and keep clean.
Considering the Opening Mechanism
How your made to measure shower screen opens is a practical consideration that deserves careful thought before you place your order. Hinged doors that swing outwards require sufficient clear space in front of the shower enclosure to allow the door to open fully without striking a toilet, basin, or opposite wall. In a compact bathroom, this can be a genuine constraint. A bi-fold door folds back on itself, requiring far less clearance, and is often the preferred choice for made to measure shower screen installations in smaller or more awkwardly shaped rooms.
Sliding doors are another popular option, particularly for walk-in bath shower combinations or larger enclosures, as they require no swing space at all. Before finalising your specification, stand in your bathroom and physically map out how the door will move when in use. Consider who will be using the shower — elderly relatives or young children may find certain mechanisms easier or safer to operate than others.
Profiles, Finishes, and Hardware
The metal profiles, hinges, and handles that accompany your made to measure shower screen should be chosen both for their durability and for how well they complement the rest of your bathroom fittings. Chrome remains the most popular choice and suits a wide variety of styles, but brushed nickel, matt black, brushed brass, and gunmetal finishes are increasingly sought after for bathrooms with a more defined aesthetic direction. If your taps, towel rails, and accessories are all in brushed brass, for instance, selecting the same finish for your made to measure shower screen hardware will create a cohesive, well-considered look.
It is worth asking about the quality of the coating on any metal components. Poor-quality finishes can tarnish, pit, or peel when exposed to the daily humidity and chemical contact that a shower environment involves. Spending a little more on well-finished, corrosion-resistant hardware will pay dividends in terms of longevity.
Glass Coatings and Easy-Clean Treatments
Many suppliers of made to measure shower screen glass offer the option of an easy-clean or hydrophobic coating applied to the surface of the glass. These treatments work by causing water to bead and run off the surface rather than sitting and drying to leave limescale deposits. In areas with hard water — which covers much of England — this kind of coating can make a meaningful difference to how easy the screen is to maintain. Some coatings are factory-applied before delivery, while others can be applied on-site after installation. It is sensible to ask whether the coating is permanent or whether it needs to be reapplied periodically, and to factor this into your ongoing maintenance routine.
Lead Times and Installation Planning
A made to measure shower screen is, by definition, produced specifically for your order and cannot be drawn from stock in the way a standard-sized screen can. Lead times vary depending on the complexity of the design and the current demand, but it is reasonable to expect anything from two to six weeks between placing your order and receiving the finished product. Factor this into your renovation timeline carefully, particularly if other trades are involved. There is little point having a tiler complete the wet wall installation if the shower screen will not arrive for another month.
Ensure that the installation area is fully prepared before the screen arrives. Walls should be tiled, sealed, and cured. Any tray or wet room floor should be in its final position. Having everything ready means that once your made to measure shower screen is delivered, it can be fitted promptly without the risk of it being damaged in transit or storage while other work is completed.
Getting the Seal Right
Finally, no matter how perfectly specified and beautifully finished your made to measure shower screen may be, a poor seal around the edges will cause problems. Water will find any gap, and damp penetrating behind tiles or into floor substrates is both damaging and costly to remediate. Use a good-quality, mould-resistant silicone sealant that is specifically rated for wet room use, and take the time to apply it cleanly and allow it to cure fully before the shower is used. This small final step protects the considerable investment you have made in your made to measure shower screen and ensures it serves you well for many years to come.