How Ordering a Glass Shower Enclosure Works, Step by Step
Ordering a custom shower glass enclosure is easier when you know the order of events. This guide walks through the whole journey, from your first message to checking the finished door, so nothing catches you by surprise.
Quick answer
The journey is: send photos and rough measurements on WhatsApp, answer a few questions, arrange a measurement, receive a quotation, confirm glass and hardware, wait for fabrication, prepare the bathroom for installation, then inspect the result. Tempered glass cannot be altered after tempering, so confirm every detail before fabrication starts.
The whole journey in one table
A custom enclosure is made to your bathroom, not picked off a shelf, so there are a few more steps than buying a ready-made product. None of them is complicated, and most of the work for you happens at the start. Here is the sequence, with what you do and what we do at each point.
We do not promise fixed timings here, because the time each step takes depends on the bathroom, the design you choose and how quickly details are confirmed.
| Step | What happens | Your part |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2. Message and questions | We review photos and clarify details | Send photos, rough sizes; answer questions |
| 3. Measurement | Exact sizes are taken | Give access to the bathroom |
| 4. Quotation | We outline the cost factors | Review and ask questions |
| 5. Choices | Glass and hardware are confirmed | Approve every detail |
| 6. Fabrication | The glass is made to size | Wait; no changes now |
| 7-8. Install and check | Enclosure fitted and reviewed | Prepare the bathroom, then inspect |
The sections below take each step in turn. If you are still deciding whether an enclosure is right for you, our page on enclosure or curtain: which suits you may help before you begin.
Step 1: Your first WhatsApp message
You do not need a perfect set of measurements to start. A clear first message saves several rounds of back and forth later. Aim to include the following.
Photos: one wide shot of the whole bathroom, one of the shower area from the doorway, and one close-up of the floor and wall tiles where the glass will sit.
Rough measurements: the width of the shower space and the wall height you expect the glass to reach. Approximate is fine at this stage.
Layout: where the bathroom door, the toilet and any window are in relation to the shower.
Door side preference: which side you would like the door to open from, or where you prefer it not to open.
Type wanted: sliding, hinged, frameless or fixed panel, or tell us you are not sure and we will explain the options.
Your concerns: small space, elderly family members, children, water spilling outside, or a particular look.
If you want to take your own rough sizes first, the shower measurement guide shows where to measure. These are only for the first conversation; exact figures are taken later.
Step 2: Clarifying questions
After reading your message and photos, we usually come back with questions. They are not a test, just the details that decide what can be built. Typical examples:
Is the shower floor level with the bathroom, or is there a raised edge or tray?
Are the walls straight and the tiles finished, or is work still going on?
Where do the tap, shower head and drain sit, and which way does the water spray?
Do you prefer a door that slides, swings or a walk-in panel?
Does anyone in the household have trouble stepping over a threshold or reaching a handle?
Answer as simply as you can, and send a photo whenever words are awkward. If you are torn between door styles, the guide on sliding or hinged doors compared covers the real differences.
Step 3: Arranging the measurement
Exact measurements matter more than any other step. Tempered glass is heated and rapidly cooled to make it strong, and once that has happened it cannot be cut, trimmed or drilled to fix a small mistake. If the glass arrives a little too big or too small, the only remedy is to make it again.
That is why the final sizes are taken carefully, on site where possible, after the walls and tiles are finished. We arrange the measurement with you through WhatsApp or by phone. Be ready to show us the shower area, the position of any fittings, and anything that might get in the way of the door.
If tiles are not finished yet, tell us. Measuring against unfinished walls can lead to a wrong size once the final surfaces go on.
Step 4: The quotation and what shapes it
We do not give prices on this page, because every enclosure is different. What we can explain is what moves a quotation up or down, so you are not surprised and can compare offers sensibly.
| Factor | Why it matters | Can you influence it? |
|---|---|---|
| Size of the enclosure | More glass means more material | Yes, through the layout |
| Door type | Sliding, hinged and frameless differ | Yes, by your choice |
| Glass finish | Clear versus special finishes | Yes, by your choice |
| Hardware | Hinges, handles, tracks and seals | Yes, by your choice |
| Site conditions | Access, floor, wall straightness | Partly |
| Installation work | Complexity of fitting | Partly |
Ask for the quotation to state the glass type, the door type, the hardware and what is included in the installation. A clear quotation names each of these so that both sides agree on the same thing.
Step 5: Confirming glass and hardware
This is the last moment to change your mind. Once the glass goes into fabrication it is made to the agreed sizes and details. Go through the following before saying yes.
Check the door type and the side it opens from. Check the handle style and where it sits. Check the glass finish, especially if you are choosing something other than clear; our page on frosted, tinted and patterned shower glass explains the trade-offs. Check that the enclosure height and width match the numbers in the quotation.
If you are comparing tempered glass with other glass types for any part of the project, read about the difference between tempered and laminated glass first. For showers, tempered glass is the usual choice.
Confirm before fabrication
Tempered glass cannot be changed after tempering. Read the sizes, door side, handle position and finish one last time and reply with a clear yes only when everything is right. A short pause here prevents a redo later.
Step 6: Fabrication
During fabrication your glass is cut, shaped, finished and tempered to the agreed details. There is little for you to do except stay reachable in case a question comes up.
It is tempting to ask for small changes at this stage, such as a slightly different handle position or a new door side. Please do not leave these for later. Changes after tempering generally mean making new glass. If something truly needs to change, tell us immediately, and we will explain what is still possible.
We do not give a fixed duration for fabrication in this guide. Your timing depends on the design, the finish and the details confirmed, and we discuss it with you directly.
Step 7: Preparing for installation day
A well prepared bathroom makes the installation smoother and safer. Use this checklist the day before.
Clear the shower area and the floor around it of buckets, bottles, mats and decorations.
Confirm the tiling is finished and that grout has been completed in the shower zone.
Make sure the water supply to the shower is accessible, and tell the installers where the water points are.
Keep a clear path from the entrance to the bathroom so large panels can be carried in safely.
Move small children and pets away from the working area.
Make sure someone is at home to give access and approve the position of the door.
If you are choosing an enclosure for a household with older relatives or children, mention this early. Our guide to safety for elderly people and kids lists what to think about.
Step 8: The after-installation checklist
Before the installers leave, take a few minutes to check the work with them. A calm review on the spot is far easier than discovering an issue later.
| Check | What to look for | What to do if off |
|---|---|---|
| Door movement | Opens and closes smoothly without scraping | Tell the installer straight away |
| Gaps and alignment | Even gaps, no obvious tilt | Ask for it to be adjusted |
| Seals and silicone | Clean lines with no breaks | Ask them to fix visible gaps |
| Handle and hinges | Firm, with no wobble | Ask for it to be tightened |
| Glass surface | No chips or deep scratches | Photograph and report it |
| Water test | Water stays inside the shower | Mention where it escapes |
Silicone needs time to cure before it sees water. Follow the installer's advice on curing time and avoid showering until they tell you it is safe to do so. Once you are using the shower, a gentle routine will keep it looking good, and our page on looking after shower glass explains the habits.
If something is off
Even careful projects sometimes need a small fix. The best approach is to act calmly and quickly.
Take clear photos of the problem and a short video if it involves movement, such as a door that scrapes. Send them on WhatsApp with a short description of when you noticed it and what you were doing. Do not try to force a stuck door, over-tighten hardware or cut the silicone yourself, since that can make matters worse.
We will look at what you send and tell you the next step. Be honest and specific about what you saw; it helps us find the cause. You can always reach us through the contact page or the WhatsApp chat you used for the order.
Frequently asked questions
What should I send in my first WhatsApp message?
Send photos of the whole bathroom and the shower area, rough width and height measurements, the position of the door, toilet and window, your preferred door side, and the type of enclosure you want. If you are unsure about any of it, just say so.
Can the glass be changed after it is made?
No. Tempered glass is heated and rapidly cooled, and after that it cannot be cut, trimmed or drilled. A wrong size normally means making a new piece, which is why every measurement and detail must be confirmed before fabrication.
Do tiles need to be finished before measuring?
It is much better if they are. Final sizes are most reliable when the walls and floor are finished. If work is still going on, tell us so we can decide the right moment to measure.
How long should I wait before using the shower after installation?
Silicone needs time to cure, and the time depends on the product used. Follow the installer's advice on curing time and do not shower until they say it is safe.
What affects the quotation for a shower enclosure?
The size, door type, glass finish, hardware and the conditions on site all play a part. We explain the factors for your bathroom when we respond, and the quotation should list what each item covers.
What if the door does not move smoothly after installation?
Tell the installer right away, or send photos and a short video on WhatsApp if you notice it later. Avoid forcing the door or adjusting the hardware yourself. We will advise the next step.
Want us to measure and advise?
Send the bathroom measurements or a photo of the space on WhatsApp, or call us to arrange a measurement and a quotation.