A shower partition decides whether your bathroom remains dry after a shower or resembles a puddle. At the same time, it defines the room like hardly any other element. It is no wonder, then, that the shower partition is among the most frequently planned components in any bathroom renovation.
Most guidebooks show pretty pictures and standard dimensions. We go one step further. As a glass manufacturer with our own toughened safety glass (ESG) production since 2011, we show you what really matters when it comes to glass thickness, weight, measuring, and standards. After all, a pane of single-pane safety glass cannot be shortened after it has been tempered. A measurement error therefore costs not only nerves, but an entire new production.
What is a shower partition and what are shower partitions used for?
A shower partition is a fixed or movable wall made of glass, plastic, or masonry that separates the shower area from the rest of the bathroom. Shower partitions keep splash water contained and structure the space without visually shrinking it, in the case of glass.
In contrast to an enclosed shower cubicle, a shower partition often consists of only one or two elements. Typical examples include a fixed glass pane for a walk-in shower or an attachment for a bathtub. The professional platform BauNetz Wissen basically differentiates between framed, semi-framed, and frameless shower enclosures.
A look into German bathrooms shows just how important this topic is: According to a forsa study commissioned by the Association of the German Sanitary Industry, 53% of bathrooms had a shower enclosure. The proportion of floor-level showers rose from 7% (2011) to 17% (2017).
Furthermore, people shower a lot. According to the BDEW, every person in Germany consumed an average of 121 liters of tap water per day in 2023, of which 36% was used for bathing, showering, and personal hygiene. That is a lot of water that should stay in the right place.
Which shower partitions are there? An overview of the most important types
The design depends primarily on the floor plan. Therefore, before you think about glass, clarify: Where is the shower, where is the inlet, and where does the bathroom door open?
Walk-in shower partition: one pane, plenty of open space
A walk-in shower partition is a fixed glass pane without a door that is mounted to the wall and usually secured with a stabilizer bar. It is suitable for floor-level showers with sufficient depth so that splash water does not reach the open entrance.
The walk-in shower partition is a classic in the modern bathroom. It appears light and is easy to clean because there are hardly any profiles. However, it requires space. The shorter the pane and the flatter the shower area, the more water lands outside. Therefore, plan the shower head as far away from the open entrance as possible.
Bathtub shower partition: the attachment for the tub
Anyone who showers in the bathtub needs a shower partition on the tub. This is usually a one- or two-piece element attached to the wall that can be swung to the side. The pane sits directly on the edge of the tub. That is why a precise seal at the bottom is particularly important.
Hinged or folding shower partition
A hinged or folding shower partition consists of two or more segments. These can be folded together after showering. This saves space in small bathrooms and clears the way to the tub. The price for this: more hinges, more joints, and more maintenance.
Shower partition with sliding door
A shower partition with a sliding door does not require a swivel range. It is therefore ideal if there is a washbasin or toilet in front of the shower. Look for smooth-running, easily accessible rollers; that is exactly where limescale collects over time.
Corner shower partition with corner entry
With a corner shower partition, two glass elements meet at a right angle. The corner entry opens diagonally and fits particularly well with square shower trays, such as the 90 × 90 cm format. Because two panes must fit together exactly, clean measuring is especially important here.
Glass, plexiglass, or stone? A comparison of shower partition materials
Not every shower partition is made of glass. Plastic and masonry walls also have their fans. The following table shows the most important differences.
|
Criterion |
Glass (ESG) |
Plexiglass / Plastic |
Stone / Masonry |
|
|
Appearance |
transparent, high-quality, opens up the room |
transparent to matte, appears lighter |
solid, cozy, blocks light |
|
|
Scratch resistance |
high |
low, scratches more easily |
high (tiles) |
|
|
Cleaning |
easy, in seconds with a squeegee |
sensitive to abrasive agents |
grout needs maintenance |
|
|
Safety |
breaks into blunt crumbs |
hardly splinters, but is soft |
stable |
|
|
Weight |
2.5 kg per m² and mm thickness |
very light |
very heavy, check structural integrity |
|
|
Lifespan |
very long |
shorter, can yellow |
very long |
|
|
Subsequent adjustment |
not possible |
possible |
only with renovation |
In short: A shower partition made of plexiglass or other plastic is light and inexpensive, but ages faster. A stone shower partition looks solid, but costs space and light. A glass shower partition made of ESG combines transparency, hygiene, and durability, which is why it is the standard today.
Which glass for the shower partition? Glass shower partitions in detail
Single-pane safety glass (ESG) is used for glass shower partitions, usually in 6, 8, or 10 mm thickness. ESG is thermally tempered, significantly more break-resistant than normal float glass, and breaks into small, blunt-edged crumbs upon impact.
ESG is produced by heating float glass strongly and then cooling it abruptly. The requirements for this are regulated by the standard DIN EN 12150-1. You can read more about the production in our article What is ESG glass?
Several variants are available for the look:
- Clear ESG: The all-rounder. We offer clear ESG in 4 to 12 mm, made-to-measure and with polished edges.
- Extra-white ESG (low-iron glass): Low in iron oxide and without the typical green tint on the edge. Ideal if the glass edge is clearly visible.
- Satin ESG: Satin-finished on one side, translucent and opaque. Satin ESG creates privacy but shows water spots more clearly than clear glass.
- Satin ESG, scratch-resistant: Scratch resistance is not a standard feature of satin glass. This requires an additional special finish; we offer this variant in 12 mm.
- Tinted ESG in grey or bronze: Sets a subtle color accent and softens harsh contrasts.
- Laminated safety glass (VSG) as a special solution: If you want maximum safety, choose laminated safety glass, for example made of 2 × 4 mm ESG with 0.76 mm PVB film (8.76 mm total). If it breaks, the film holds the shards together. Please inquire about individual VSG structures via our contact form.
Black and tinted shower partitions: What is behind the trend?
The "black shower partition" is usually a clear glass pane with black profiles or fittings. If you prefer something more subtle, combine grey ESG with black fixtures. This looks modern without making the bathroom dark. Keep in mind, however: Limescale marks are slightly more noticeable on tinted glass than on clear glass.
What are the dimensions of a shower partition? Common formats from 100x200 to 150x200
The most common shower partition dimensions are 100 × 200, 120 × 200, 140 × 200, and 150 × 200 cm (width × height). For corner showers, 90 × 90 cm is common. A custom-made shower partition, on the other hand, adapts exactly to niches, sloped ceilings, or crooked walls.
Choosing the right glass thickness
The appropriate glass thickness depends on the design and width. These rules of thumb have proven themselves:
|
Design |
Common glass thickness |
Note |
|
Framed shower cubicle, bathtub attachment |
6 mm |
Frame stabilizes the pane |
|
Walk-in shower partition up to approx. 120 cm |
8 mm |
with stabilizer bar |
|
Walk-in shower partition from approx. 140 cm |
8–10 mm |
stabilizer bar mandatory, check wall construction |
|
Large, free-standing formats |
10–12 mm |
design fittings for the weight |
Important: The glass thickness must match the fittings. Clamps, hinges, and bars are always designed for specific thicknesses. So check the fitting first, then the glass.
Calculating the weight of the shower partition
Glass is heavier than many think. The rule of thumb is: 2.5 kg per millimeter of glass thickness per square meter. A glass shower partition measuring 120 × 200 cm and 8 mm thick therefore weighs: 2.4 m² × 8 mm × 2.5 kg = 48 kg.
|
Format (W × H) |
Area |
6 mm |
8 mm |
10 mm |
|
90 × 200 cm (per side of a 90x90 corner shower) |
1.8 m² |
27 kg |
36 kg |
45 kg |
|
100 × 200 cm |
2.0 m² |
30 kg |
40 kg |
50 kg |
|
120 × 200 cm |
2.4 m² |
36 kg |
48 kg |
60 kg |
|
140 × 200 cm |
2.8 m² |
42 kg |
56 kg |
70 kg |
|
150 × 200 cm |
3.0 m² |
45 kg |
60 kg |
75 kg |
The weight determines which wall plugs, profiles, and fittings you need. And it decides whether you can handle the installation as a two-person team. Further calculation examples can be found in our guide to calculating glass weight.
Custom-made shower partition: Measuring checklist from the glass manufacturer
This is the point that almost all guides omit. A custom glass shower partition is only as good as its measurements. Because ESG can neither be cut nor drilled after tempering. Any correction means a new pane.
How to measure correctly:
- Determine fittings first. Wall profiles, clamps, or hinges determine the deductions from the raw dimensions. Stick to the specifications of the fitting manufacturer.
- Measure the width three times. Measure at the top, middle, and bottom. Walls in older buildings are rarely exactly straight. The smallest value is decisive.
- Measure the height on both sides. Shower trays and tiles often have a slight slope. Note both values.
- Check plumb and square. Hold a spirit level against the wall. If it deviates significantly, you will need a compensation profile or a special shape.
- Plan for joints. You need a few millimeters of clearance between the glass and the wall, floor, and adjacent pane for seals and tolerances.
- Clarify holes and cutouts. These must be determined before tempering. Clarify whether your request is feasible in advance via our contact form.
- Double-check measurements, preferably with two people. A second pair of eyes is cheaper than a second pane.
Unsure? Then have the measurements taken by a specialist company. You can find an installer in your area via the craftsman search of the Central Association for Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning. You can also obtain fittings, profiles, and seals from the sanitary trade. You can then configure the matching ESG pane with us, precise to the millimeter and with polished edges.
Is a glass shower partition safe? Standards, heat-soak test, and accessibility
A shower partition made of ESG is very safe, as the glass breaks into small, blunt-edged crumbs when it breaks. A very small residual risk remains due to so-called nickel sulfide inclusions, which the heat-soak test further reduces.
Spontaneous breakage and heat-soak test
In rare cases, ESG can break without external cause. The cause is tiny nickel sulfide inclusions in the glass. During the heat-soak test (DIN EN 14179), the tempered glass is reheated so that affected panes shatter in the factory. The result is called ESG-H. Even after this, according to the SIGAB Guideline 203, a statistical residual risk of about one breakage per 400 tons of glass remains.
For a private shower, this risk is extremely low. Nevertheless: Protect the glass edges during transport and installation. Even a damaged edge can cause ESG to break later on.
Barrier-free shower partition: planning for all ages
A floor-level shower with a glass wall is not only stylish but also future-proof. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2022 only about 7.9 million of the nearly 39 million households had floor-level access to the shower, i.e., about one in five. KfW Research estimated the shortage of age-appropriate housing at 2.4 million back in 2020.
DIN 18040-2 provides guidance for planning. The portal nullbarriere.de summarizes the requirements well: level access, a maximum drop of 2 cm, and sufficient maneuvering space – 150 × 150 cm for wheelchair users. A walk-in shower partition without a threshold is ideal for this.
Cleaning the shower partition: How to keep glass clear for a long time
Limescale is the natural enemy of every glass shower partition. A squeegee used immediately after showering is most effective, supplemented by a glass sealant such as our Invisible Shield Set. For stubborn residue, the Consumer Center NRW offers tips for gentle descaling. All further professional tricks, including those for satin glass, can be found in our guide Cleaning glass without streaks.
Your shower partition begins with the right measurement
A shower partition is more than just a splash guard. It shapes the bathroom for many years. First, choose the design that fits your floor plan, then the fittings, and only then the glass. Calculate the weight, measure carefully, and plan for accessibility if the space allows.
Do you have your measurements ready? Then configure your custom-made tempered safety glass pane directly with us, manufactured in our own tempered glass production facility in Bavaria.
Frequently asked questions about shower partitions
How thick should a glass shower partition be?
For walk-in shower partitions, 8 mm tempered safety glass (ESG) is the standard. Framed elements and bathtub screens can use 6 mm, while large formats require 10 mm or more.
Can I shorten a glass shower partition myself?
No. Tempered safety glass cannot be cut or drilled after it has been tempered; the pane would shatter. All dimensions, drill holes, and cutouts must be finalized before production.
How much does a 120 x 200 shower partition weigh?
With a glass thickness of 8 mm, a shower partition measuring 120 × 200 cm weighs around 48 kg; at 10 mm, it weighs approximately 60 kg.
Is a plexiglass shower partition a good alternative?
It is lighter and cheaper, but it scratches more easily and shows signs of aging more visibly. For a long-lasting solution, tempered safety glass is the better choice.
Which shower partition is suitable for a bathtub?
A single or double-panel, pivoting bathtub screen made of 6 mm tempered safety glass. A hinged or folding shower partition provides additional space savings.
Does satin glass help against limescale stains?
Satin glass provides privacy, but it tends to show water spots more clearly than clear glass. The best way to combat limescale is daily squeegeeing and a glass sealant.
