How Important Is Shower Door Glass Thickness? Here’s How Much

If you’re reading this article, chances are you are considering installing a glass shower door for your bathroom. But there is one thing you should be well aware of when shopping: shower door glass thickness. Because not all glass is made the same. When you come into a store asking for a quote, you will have to provide thickness measurements. These are important to ensure that the glass shower door you want to install will stand the test of time.

Shower Door Glass Thickness Options

Glass manufacturers always have to overcome the challenge of creating shower doors that are thick enough to maintain structural integrity, yet still light enough to be mounted on the wall and moved around. As such, there are two common thickness options: 3/8″ and 1/2″.

1. 3/8″ is the thinnest. People tend to go for this because it is cheaper and also tends to be lighter and easier to move when installing.
2. 1/2″ looks and feels sturdier, for obvious reasons. But if you choose a shower door this thick, you may have to pay more for the “peace of mind,” so to speak.

There are also two other thickness options if you go for something different. Take for instance framed shower doors. You can choose between 1/4” or 3/16” thickness if you go for framed doors. The latter is the thinner option.

If you want to make an informed decision, it is always best to consult with a professional to determine how much weight your bathroom walls can bear before you decide on glass thickness. Thicker glass doors are heavier, which means mounting them on weak walls could cause serious damage. Obviously, this will cost you money and effort, so double check to make sure that this is what you want to do.

Consider The Different Parts Of The Door

A glass shower door has three main parts. You have the glass panel itself, the hinges that attach to the panel, and the hinges that attach to the wall. When determining shower door glass thickness, you must think about this hardware as well.

1. Glass panel: As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to use 3/8-inch glass for a door that opens and closes constantly. Since the door itself moves, you have to go for the thinner glass so as to not put too much stress on the hinges.
2. Door hinges: If you can, go for sturdier hinges that are meant to support thicker ½” glass. This will ensure that the hinges operate better, easier and longer, because they’re supporting that much weight in the first place.
3. Wall hinges: Whatever applies to door-attached hinges applies to these as well. Heavy-duty ones will tend to last longer and are less to get yanked out of the walls because of the weight.

Why You Should Always Go For Tempered Glass

Shower glass doors are almost always made of tempered glass, and for good reason. Tempered glass is much safer and more durable than common glass, which makes it perfect for such a high-traffic area like a shower! While not actually unbreakable, tempered glass is way safer if it breaks because it breaks into dull, oval-shaped pebbles instead of sharp, jagged pieces.

We Can Help You Choose The Right Door!

Here at Peninsula Glass, we know a thing or two about shower door glass thickness. So if you find it hard to choose the right one, we can help! Our team of experts are more than willing to answer your every query. So come and visit us today!