Glazed shower enclosures Glazed shower enclosures
Glass shower enclosures for commercial and residential projects
Glass Projects supplies and installs glazed shower enclosures for hotels, apartment developments, aged care facilities, and high-end residential bathrooms. We handle everything from initial design through to installation — working with architects, builders, and fit-out contractors to get the details right before anything arrives on site.
All shower glass in New Zealand must comply with NZ Building Code clause B2 and be manufactured to AS/NZS 2208 (safety glazing for buildings). That means toughened safety glass is the standard — it is up to five times stronger than ordinary annealed glass and breaks into small, blunt fragments rather than dangerous shards. We specify the right glass type, thickness, and hardware for each project based on the enclosure configuration and the demands of the space.
Glass specification
Toughened glass to AS/NZS 2208 is the baseline for all shower enclosures. It is classified as Grade A safety glass — mandatory for wet areas under the NZ Building Code. Standard thickness is 8 mm for framed or semi-frameless enclosures and 10 mm for frameless configurations where the glass carries more load through its fittings.
Standard clear float glass has a slight green tint, which becomes more noticeable in thicker panels and frameless designs. For a crisper, more transparent finish, low iron glass removes most of that green cast. It is a popular upgrade for high-end residential bathrooms and hotel suites where the glass is a prominent visual element.
Where privacy is needed — ensuites visible from bedrooms, or shared commercial facilities — options include textured glass, satinised (acid-etched) finishes, or applied privacy films. These can be applied to the full panel or as a partial band at body height.
Enclosures, hardware & finishes
Shower enclosure design comes down to the bathroom layout, the look you are after, and the level of water containment needed. These are the main configurations we work with:
Frameless shower screens: minimal hardware, no visible frame around the glass. Panels are typically 10 mm toughened glass, connected with discreet clamps and hinges. This gives the cleanest look and works well in open-plan or feature bathrooms where the glass is a design element.
Semi-frameless enclosures: a frame or channel along the top and/or sides, with the door panel itself unframed. Offers a good balance between the frameless look and straightforward installation. Common in hotel and apartment fit-outs where consistency and durability across many units matter.
Fixed panels: a single glass panel fixed in place with wall-mounted brackets or a channel. No door, no moving parts — just a simple screen to contain water in walk-in or wet-room showers. Often specified for accessible bathrooms and aged care projects where ease of entry is a priority.
The hardware matters as much as the glass — particularly in wet environments where corrosion and daily use take their toll. We specify stainless steel and brass fittings with appropriate finishes for the project:
Hinges and pivots: wall-to-glass and glass-to-glass hinges for swing doors. Self-closing mechanisms are available for commercial applications.
Clamps and brackets: wall-mounted and floor-mounted options for fixed panels. Low-profile designs keep the focus on the glass.
Channels and U-profiles: aluminium or stainless steel channels at the base and sides for water containment and glass retention.
Handles and knobs: towel bar handles, round knobs, and pull handles in a range of finishes — polished chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and satin brass are the most commonly specified.
Finish selection should factor in the broader bathroom fit-out. We coordinate with the project team to match tapware, joinery, and other hardware finishes.
Shower glass is exposed to water, soap, shampoo, and cleaning chemicals daily. Surface coatings reduce maintenance and keep enclosures looking clean for longer:
Easy-clean coatings: a hydrophobic treatment applied to the glass surface that causes water to bead and run off, reducing mineral build-up and soap scum. Applied during manufacturing for a durable, long-term finish.
Satinised finishes: acid-etched glass provides a uniform frosted appearance for privacy while still transmitting light. Available as a full panel treatment or partial application.
We recommend easy-clean coatings for most shower enclosures, particularly in commercial settings where maintenance efficiency matters. It is a relatively small additional cost that makes a noticeable difference in day-to-day upkeep.
Compliance and standards
All shower enclosure glass is manufactured to AS/NZS 2208 (Grade A safety glazing) and installed in accordance with NZ Building Code clause B2. Hardware is specified for wet-area durability, and enclosures are designed to meet E3 (internal moisture) requirements where applicable.
For accessible bathrooms and aged care facilities, we design enclosures to support NZS 4121 (accessible design) with barrier-free entry, appropriate handle heights, and stable fixing systems.
How we work
Glass Projects handles shower enclosures from design consultation through to installation and sign-off. For commercial projects — hotels, apartments, aged care — we get involved at the specification stage, working with the architect or interior designer to confirm glass types, hardware, and layout details.
Every enclosure is measured on site and manufactured to fit. Each panel is cut, polished, and toughened to the exact dimensions of the opening — particularly important for frameless designs where tolerances are tight and the glass needs to sit flush with tiled surfaces.
Featured Project:
Hotel Indigo Auckland
Description: High-end frameless showers, glass partitions and restored heritage steel and timber joinery for the Hotel Indigo landmark on Albert Street.
Specify shower enclosures for your project
Talk to our team about glass type, hardware, and enclosure configuration. We work with architects, builders, and homeowners from specification through to installation.
Get in touch