When renovating a bathroom, it is easy to overlook the right time to arrange the shower screen. Ordering the glass  early may seem practical: it can be manufactured while the tiler finishes the bathroom. However, leaving every decision until the tiling is complete can create problems with fixings or door clearance.

The best approach is to choose the design and agree on installation requirements before tiling, then take final measurements for glass production once the finished surfaces are in place. For most custom shower screens, this helps ensure an accurate fit and avoids unnecessary alterations.

Why You Should Not Manufacture Glass from Unfinished Measurements

The dimensions of a shower area change during finishing work. Wall levelling, tile adhesive and tiles all reduce the available opening. These layers may also vary in thickness across the surface.

For example, the distance between two walls may be slightly different at the top and bottom. The difference can be difficult to see, but it matters when positioning glass panels, hinges and door clearances.

Preliminary measurements are useful for discussing the design and obtaining an initial estimate. Final measurements establish the dimensions needed for production.

This distinction is particularly important with toughened glass. A finished panel cannot simply be trimmed or drilled on site. Its dimensions, holes and cut-outs must be completed before the toughening process. If a manufactured panel does not fit, a replacement may be necessary.

What to Agree on Before Tiling

At the planning stage, establish how the shower enclosure will work and what preparation its installation requires.

Screen Layout and Entrance Position

Decide whether you want a fixed walk-in screen or an enclosure with a door. If the design includes a door, check its opening path against the vanity unit, toilet, towel rail and other bathroom fittings.

The showerhead position should also suit the enclosure layout. Avoid directing the spray towards an open entrance or the gaps around a door.

Support for Fixings

The fixing method depends on the design, the weight of the glass and the wall construction. Stud walls may need additional reinforcement where hinges or other load-bearing fittings will be installed.

It is much easier to provide this support before the wall is tiled than to add it afterwards.

Concealed Pipes and Wiring

Fixing positions must be coordinated with any pipes or electrical wiring inside the walls.

Before the walls are closed, keep photographs and a measured record of concealed services. Share this information with the shower screen installer.

What to Plan for a Shower Without a Tray

If the glass screen will stand directly on a tiled floor, its position should be established while the shower area is being prepared.

The screen layout needs to work with the drain position and floor falls. Water should flow towards the drain rather than collect near the entrance. A glass screen cannot compensate for poorly planned drainage.

This is especially important for a walk-in shower without a door. Keeping water within the shower area depends on the overall layout as well as the size of the glass panel.

Discuss these details with both the contractor preparing the shower floor and the enclosure specialist before tiling begins.

When to Take Final Measurements

Final measurements for glass production should normally be taken once all surfaces affecting the fit are complete. This means:

• the shower walls and floor have been tiled;
• the shower tray is installed, if the design includes one;
• the threshold, ledges and other surfaces adjoining the glass are finished;
• the position and layout of the enclosure have been agreed.

The installer checks more than width and height. Wall alignment, angles, changes in level and the points where the glass meets surrounding surfaces all affect the finished installation.

Measuring after tiling allows the design to reflect the actual shower area.

Once the dimensions have been approved, avoid changing the finishes around the glass without consulting the manufacturer. Even a small additional layer can affect the fit.

Are There Exceptions? Recessed Glass Channels

Some designs require coordination with the glass installer during the tiling stage. A recessed channel that holds a fixed glass panel is one example.

With this type of system, the channel is selected to suit the tile thickness and installed as part of the tiling work. The glass is fitted later.

If you want this appearance, discuss it before finishing the walls and floor. Achieving the same detail after tiling may require alterations.

How to Schedule the Order

Dividing the process into stages helps the tiler and glass installer coordinate their work.



Ask about production lead times when you first discuss the project. This allows you to include the shower enclosure in the renovation schedule without assuming that the glass will be available immediately after tiling.

If your bathroom is already tiled, start with an assessment of the finished shower area. The installer can identify suitable fixing methods and door arrangements for the existing space.

ALP offers a range of shower enclosure options. To discuss your project, prepare photographs of the bathroom, approximate dimensions and an example of your preferred design. An early consultation helps you plan the installation, while final measurements confirm the right fit for your finished shower area.