6 Mistakes To Avoid When Renovating A Bathroom With Glass

Glass is a practical and stylish material that can effortlessly modernise any bathroom. However, it requires an eye for detail to really make glass bathroom renovations sing. Here are some common mistakes to avoid, and what to do to ensure that your installations are long lasting, functional and pleasing to the eye. 

Choosing the wrong glass thickness

It might be tempting to cut costs by using a thinner glass, but for larger installations such as shower screens, 6mm glass can look flimsy and even be dangerous. Large or frameless screens will usually require thicker glass held in place with an eight or 12mm U channel. This will provide greater stability, safety and add a luxurious finish to your bathroom. 

Not using approved safety glass

Bathrooms are functional environments that are heavily used, and often wet and slippery. The wrong type of glass could be a serious hazard. If you are on a tight budget, suppliers might not highlight the importance of using toughened safety glass in the bathroom. 

This is also known as tempered glass, and it has been heated up to extremely high temperatures and then rapidly cooled. This makes the glass about five times stronger than regular glass. In the unlikely event that it does break, it is designed to shatter into small blunt pieces rather than dangerous sharp shards.

For very large frameless installments, laminated glass may be the best option. This is glass with a  polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer bonded between two or more panels. If the glass does break, it will typically form radial cracks rather than falling away into sharp pieces. It’s usually used for windscreens, or where the glass is guarding against falls from height. 

Mismatched hardware

If you’ve invested time and money in selecting stylish brushed chrome or brass taps and towel rails, don’t forget to choose complementary hinges, brackets, channels, and handles. This will create a more cohesive and polished look and draw the room together. 

These details can be easily overlooked, but they are what elevates the space above the ordinary. Glass hardware doesn’t have to have a default shiny chrome finish: it’s usually available in modern options such as brushed nickel, matt black, or antique brass. 

However, the fixings, especially hinges, clamps, and channels, should be made from a quality core metal such as marine grade stainless steel or solid brass. This will ensure they can withstand humid environments and hard water without rusting or corroding over time. 

Neglecting ventilation

Glass installations are a real showstopper, but a poorly ventilated bathroom will mean they are constantly fogged up, and prone to unsightly water stains and mould and mildew buildup. A ventilation system should be included from the earliest design stages to ensure that it’s adequate and effective.

Bathrooms with no opening windows and fully enclosed showers will need extra careful thought. Strategically placed extraction fans and vents will help to keep the room hygienic, make it easier to clean and prolong the life of the fixtures and fittings. 

Not allowing enough door clearance

If you are installing pivoting shower doors, particularly in smaller bathrooms, measure up carefully to ensure that the doors can swing open without obstruction. It’s incredibly annoying to have a door that always bumps into a sink, toilet or vanity unit, and risks damage to the glass through repeated impacts. 

Sliding glass doors are a modern and space-saving alternative for small spaces. 

Triple check your measurements

Mistakes in glass cutting are difficult to undo, and even a few millimetres off can cause gaps, leaks and instability. If you are not experienced at working with glass, it’s advisable to order made to measure panels or consider hiring a professional installer. If you are determined to do the work yourself, double and triple check your measurements.