We've all heard of someone walking into a glass door. Yet somehow, standing in a wet, slippery enclosure surrounded by glass panels never seems to cross our minds as a risk. What makes a shower screen different?
You'd be right to ask. Glass is not as solid as it feels. When tapped it sounds rigid, but when pushed against, you will notice that it moves. Glass sits in the space between solid and liquid in its physical behaviour, and that flexibility, however slight, is exactly why stabilisation is one of the most important considerations in any shower installation.
When a panel of glass is not adequately stabilised, it will flex and bow. Flex refers to the natural movement in glass, the slight give you feel when you push against a panel. Bow is what happens over a greater span, when a panel begins to curve inward under the weight of its own length, much like a long piece of cardboard left unsupported in the middle. The thinner the glass, the more pronounced this effect. Over time, or under sudden pressure such as someone losing their footing and falling against the screen, an unstabilised panel can give way.
All shower enclosure installations must be safe and compliant according to the glazing authority. A professional shower specialist will ensure the correct method of stabilisation is selected for your specific configuration. There are four main ways to stabilize a shower screen, and the right choice depends on your configuration.
The Corner Glass Shelf
The corner glass shelf is a triangular piece of glass set at the 90-degree junction between two panels. Its primary function is structural, though it doubles as a practical surface for your shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.
The Stabiliser Bar
The stabiliser bar is a horizontal bar that clips onto the glass and anchors to the opposite wall, tying the panels together. It works equally well on a full enclosure where all three panels need to be tied into one rigid structure, and is sometimes the preferred choice when a window or obstacle makes a shelf impossible.
Ceiling Clamp
Where the ceiling allows, glass can be secured directly into it via a clamp. This does require either a concrete ceiling or a solid timber structure to take the load. Note that at very high ceiling heights, such as 3 metres, an additional form of support may still be needed.
The Fin
The fin is a narrow return panel set at 90 degrees. Think of it like drawing an L on a page, the shorter the bottom of the L, the more self-supporting the structure becomes. If that bottom edge exceeds a certain width, an additional form of support is required.
A professional shower specialist will consider the physical context of the installation and the needs of the people using it daily when selecting the right method, and sometimes a combination of two is the best solution. This is also worth keeping in mind when you arrive with your Pinterest inspiration board. Many images circulating online are sourced from overseas, where standards differ. We will always work to get as close to your vision as possible, just never at the expense of the people using that shower every day.