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Bathrooms | The BMA says ...
Q “I’m planning a new bathroom and have decided to install a new shower enclosure. There is a great choice in the market. But my concern is about glass thickness. Why is some glass 3mm thick and other glass much thicker? I assume the thicker glass is better.”
A – Actually it is wrong to assume that thicker glass is “better” than thinner glass. It doesn’t always follow.
Glass thickness depends on the overall design and structure of the enclosure. Good enclosures are highly engineered products which are designed to be rigid and function safely.
Some enclosures are designed with metal frames which fully surround the glass. In this case the glass and frame work together to form a rigid structure and the glass does not need to be so thick. Fully framed enclosures are usually constructed with glass down to around 3mm, the frame takes the weight.
Other enclosures are designed to be completely frameless. These look modern, minimalist and streamlined but without the frame the glass needs to be much thicker. The glass needs to be self supporting. Frameless enclosures typically have glass thicknesses between 12 and 15mm.
So glass thickness is a function of the overall enclosure design and construction and should not be a concern provided that the product is designed and manufactured by a reputable brand. It is important, however, to ensure that the glass used is “toughened safety glass which conforms to the relevant repuirements.”
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

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