Non-Standard Size Shower Screens
When a suitable off-the-shelf shower screen will not fit, we assess the completed opening, identify the practical risks, professionally measure the space and install a shower screen or enclosure designed around the actual bathroom.
It is not always simply an unusual width or height
Standard shower screens and enclosures are designed around common UK tray and building sizes. A typical product may include around 20–30 mm of adjustment, although thinner modern frames often provide a smaller tolerance.
A shower becomes non-standard when a suitable manufactured product cannot safely or practically accommodate the completed opening, shape, room layout or installation conditions.
The problem may be an odd size, but it may equally be caused by walls leaning out of plumb, uneven tiles, a half-height wall, boxing, an unusual wall angle, limited door movement or the need to control water within a difficult layout.
Our working definition
A non-standard shower screen or enclosure is one for which a suitable off-the-shelf product cannot accommodate the completed opening, shape, layout or installation conditions. We check whether an adjustable standard product can work before recommending bespoke glass.
Why a normal shower screen may not work
One issue may be enough to rule out a standard screen. In other bathrooms, several smaller restrictions combine into a more complex installation.
Walls out of plumb
A wall may lean inward or outward from the tray to the top of the glass, leaving a standard profile without enough adjustment.
Odd finished dimensions
The usable opening is outside the width or height range of available manufactured screens.
Uneven tiled surfaces
Irregular tiles can prevent a channel or glass edge from sitting neatly and, in more difficult cases, may require templating.
Half-height walls
Glass may need to sit on, beside or notch around a tiled wall while still providing suitable support for a panel or door.
Boxing, steps and angles
Pipe boxing, ledges, unusual wall angles and changes in level may require notches, stepped glass or a revised panel arrangement.
Restricted door movement
Toilets, basins, towel radiators and narrow walkways can prevent a normal full-width hinged door from opening safely.
A 900 mm tray does not automatically need 900 mm glass
The tray itself may measure 900 mm, but tile, adhesive, boards and wall construction reduce the usable finished opening. It is common for a nominal 900 mm tray to leave an opening closer to 870 mm.
That dimension may still suit an adjustable standard enclosure, but it should be checked rather than assumed. We measure from the completed tiled shower area and do not manufacture toughened glass from tray sizes, plans or customer measurements alone.
- Widths checked at several heights
- Wall plumb and angles recorded
- Tray or floor level assessed
- Door swing and nearby fittings checked
- Measurements transferred into CAD
- Any geometry that does not resolve is remeasured
Do not order bespoke glass before tiling is complete
Toughened glass cannot normally be cut, drilled or altered after manufacture. The final survey should take place after the tray, tiles, wall panels, niches, boxing and finished floor levels are complete.
When several non-standard conditions occur in one shower
Some projects are not defined by one unusual measurement. They need a complete solution because the wall, floor, ceiling and surrounding structure all affect the glass.
The complete space had to be measured and resolved together
A standard enclosure could not accommodate the wall variation, changing floor level, ceiling geometry and half-height wall at the same time.
Multiple widths, heights, levels and angles were recorded using laser and digital equipment, then checked through a CAD drawing.
The glass configuration was developed around the completed opening, while also considering door position, support, seals, access and the likely movement of water.
Non-standard work is often about combined constraints rather than simply ordering a rectangle to an unusual width.
Where a roof slope or attic conversion is the main feature of the project, see our dedicated Loft & Attic Shower Screens page.
The glass cannot be specified in isolation
The shower controls, shower head and likely water direction are among the first things assessed because they influence the panel position, door movement, seals and how comfortably the shower can be used.
Shower controls and water direction
The design should allow controls to remain accessible while positioning the glass where it can contain normal spray and splash.
Door swing and room clearance
A smaller door, fixed hinge panel, bi-fold arrangement or alternative hinge may solve a restricted opening.
Windows, niches and grab rails
Glass should not make important bathroom features inaccessible or prevent safe use of controls, shelves and support rails.
Fixing strength and finished surfaces
Hinges, channels and clamps require a suitable substrate behind porcelain, microcement, stone, panels or other finishes.
A minimal appearance still needs a secure installation
Non-standard shower screens commonly use 8 mm, 10 mm or 12 mm toughened safety glass. Thickness is selected around the panel size, fixing method, door loading, expected movement and safe handling.
Many screens and doors
Suitable for a wide range of configurations where the dimensions, hardware and support method allow it.
Greater rigidity
Often used for larger frameless panels or layouts where a more substantial glass specification is appropriate.
Large demanding panels
Considered where additional rigidity is useful, subject to the panel weight, hardware capacity and property access.
Do you always need a support arm?
No. However, thicker glass does not automatically remove the need for support. The panel dimensions, fixing positions, door loading and expected movement must all be considered.
Where support is needed, options can include wall-mounted braces, ceiling clamps, discreet arms positioned above the wall channel, glass-to-glass fittings or a header rail.
Customers often prefer as little visible hardware as possible, but rigidity and safe long-term use take priority over achieving a completely unsupported appearance.
Frameless glass should be designed around where the water will go
We assess the shower-head position, panel length, door opening, tray or floor falls, flat spots and the likely direction of splash before specifying the enclosure.
Seals, thresholds, deflectors and glass overlap can improve water control, but a minimal frameless installation should not automatically be described as completely watertight.
Where the floor falls toward the opening, the shower head is aimed directly at a gap or a proposed panel is too short, we will explain the risk and recommend a more practical design.
From initial assessment to final handover
We take responsibility for guiding the project through the correct sequence, so the customer does not need to understand glass tolerances, hinge machining, support geometry or seal gaps.
Initial assessment
We review the proposed layout, likely obstacles, standard-product options, water direction and the probable fitting route.
Quotation and preparation
The likely glass, hardware, finish and installation requirements are outlined, with any assumptions clearly identified.
Finished site measure
Once tiling is complete, we record sizes, plumb, level, angles, clearances, fixing surfaces, support and access.
Fit, seal and hand over
The glass is installed and aligned, followed by clear advice on sealant cure time, door operation, cleaning and care.
Typical lead time after measuring
Made-to-measure glass commonly takes around three to four weeks from the final survey. Straightforward projects can occasionally be quicker, while shaped glass, specialist finishes and complex machining can take longer.
Non-standard does not always mean bespoke
A customer may believe the opening needs made-to-measure glass simply because the exact visible size is not shown in a product title. Many recognised manufacturers publish an adjustment range within the technical details.
Where the completed dimensions, wall plumb, tray shape, screen height, door clearance and fixing surfaces are all suitable, a standard adjustable screen may remain the more sensible solution.
Our role is to identify the correct fitting route, not to recommend bespoke glass when an appropriate manufactured product will work.
The hardware and machining can matter as much as the glass
A rectangular fixed panel with chrome fittings is a different proposition from a shaped enclosure with a door, several notches and a specialist metal finish.
Glass size and thickness
Larger, heavier or thicker panels affect material costs, handling, hardware and the number of installers required.
Shapes and machining
Raked edges, notches, hinge cut-outs, drilled holes and other CNC work are additional to a straightforward rectangle.
Door and support hardware
Hinges, clamps, handles, support arms and specialist fittings can form a significant part of the final specification.
Hardware finish
Chrome is normally more economical than aged brass, bronze and other specialist finishes.
Access and handling
Tight stairs, restricted turns, large panels and more distant projects can affect the installation cost.
Existing-screen removal
Removing an old enclosure, dealing with existing holes or working around retained finishes may require additional time.
As a practical example, a chrome hinge may cost around £80, while the equivalent aged-brass hinge can cost £180 or more. Some specialist hinges are considerably higher. Final pricing is based on the current component cost and confirmed specification.
Non-standard shower screens across Wiltshire and surrounding areas
We assess and install non-standard shower screens across Wiltshire, Bath, parts of Bristol and suitable projects throughout the surrounding Cotswolds area.
Coverage is confirmed according to the postcode, type of screen, survey requirements, project value and installation access.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about finished sizes, walls that are not straight, shaped glass, support, water control and the measuring process.
What is considered a non-standard shower-screen size?
A screen is normally considered non-standard where a suitable off-the-shelf product cannot accommodate the completed opening, height, shape, wall angles or installation conditions within its adjustment range.
Can you make a shower screen for walls that are not straight?
Yes. Walls that are out of plumb are one of the most common reasons for using made-to-measure glass. The finished opening must be measured so the wall variation and fitting allowances can be included in the design.
Does a 900 mm tray need a 900 mm shower enclosure?
Not necessarily. Tiling and wall build-up normally reduce the usable opening. The correct product depends on the completed dimensions, tray shape and manufacturer adjustment range.
Can I supply my own measurements for bespoke glass?
Customer measurements are useful for an initial discussion, but we do not manufacture bespoke toughened glass from them. The final survey is completed professionally after the shower area is tiled and finished.
Can glass be notched around boxing or a half-height wall?
Yes. Bespoke glass can include notches, cut-outs, stepped sections, drilled holes and shaped edges, provided they are designed and machined before the glass is toughened.
What happens if the tiles are very uneven?
Minor variation can often be managed within the installation tolerances. More irregular surfaces may require a physical template or a revised fixing detail.
Can a shower door be hinged from a fixed glass panel?
Yes, provided the fixed panel, glass thickness, hinges, fixing method and support are suitable for the weight and repeated movement of the door.
Does thicker glass remove the need for a support arm?
Thicker glass can improve rigidity, but it does not automatically remove the need for support. Panel size, fixing positions, door loading and the overall configuration still need to be assessed.
Can a frameless enclosure be completely watertight?
Frameless glass can provide very good water control, but performance depends on the tray or floor falls, shower-head direction, panel length, seals, thresholds and door layout. A minimal design should not automatically be described as fully watertight.
Can you install a shower screen where there is underfloor heating?
Often yes, but the type and depth of the heating should be established. Where floor drilling is unsafe or uncertain, the glass can often be configured around wall or ceiling support.
How long does a non-standard shower screen take?
Surveys are usually arranged within a week. Glass manufacture commonly takes around three to four weeks from the final measure, with longer lead times possible for specialist finishes or complex machining.
How soon can the shower be used after installation?
The silicone should normally be allowed to cure for 24 hours before the shower is used. The correct waiting time is confirmed during the final handover.
Nothing off the shelf fits?
Send your postcode, a short explanation and photographs of the completed shower area. We can normally identify the likely options, the main considerations and whether a standard or made-to-measure screen is most suitable.
