The Rise of Glass Shower Screens

March 6, 2026March 6, 2024 by Adam Blundell

In the ever-evolving world of bathroom design, glass shower screens have emerged as a hallmark of modern aesthetics, combining functionality with sleek elegance. But this wasn’t always the case. In this article, we dive into the history of shower enclosures and explore the reasons behind the burgeoning popularity of glass shower screens, particularly the frameless variety, as the quintessential choice for contemporary bathrooms.

Before Glass Shower Screens

Initially, bathrooms utilised more rudimentary solutions for containing water during showers. Shower curtains, made from waterproof materials, were the norm, offering a simple, cost-effective way to prevent water from splashing out of the shower area. However, they lacked durability and aesthetic appeal, and without a regular and thorough cleaning routine, they could become a breeding ground for unsightly mould.

The introduction of toughened glass shower screens marked a significant shift. This innovation came about as a response to the demand for more durable, hygienic, and visually appealing alternatives. Toughened glass, known for its safety and strength, became increasingly popular in bathroom designs from the late 20th century onwards, offering a clear advantage over its predecessors due to its ability to withstand impact, temperature changes, and most importantly, moisture.

The Evolution of Glass Shower Screens

Over the years, glass shower screens have undergone significant transformations to cater to a range of design preferences and functional requirements:

Framed Shower Screens: These were among the first iterations, where the glass is encased in a metal frame. While providing structure and stability, the frames could interrupt the visual flow of the bathroom design.
Semi-Framed Shower Screens: A compromise between framed and frameless, semi-framed screens offer a sleeker look with minimal framing, usually around the door or the outer edges.
Frameless Shower Screens: Representing the pinnacle of modern bathroom design, frameless shower screens offer an unobstructed view, maximising light flow and creating a sense of spaciousness. Their minimalist aesthetic complements any bathroom décor, making them a popular choice among homeowners and designers alike.

Why Choose a Frameless Glass Shower Screen?

Frameless glass shower screens stand out for several reasons:

Aesthetic Appeal: Their sleek, minimal design enhances your bathroom’s visual appeal, creating a seamless look that complements any style.
Illusion of Space: By eliminating visual barriers, frameless screens make bathrooms appear larger and more open.
Ease of Cleaning: Without frames, there are fewer crevices for mould and mildew to develop, making them more hygienic and easier to maintain.
Customisation: Frameless screens offer flexibility in design, allowing for customisation to fit any bathroom layout.

Discover and build the perfect frameless glass shower screen for your bathroom.

Purchase Bespoke Glass Shower Screens Online at Express Toughening

At Express Toughening, we specialise in creating bespoke glass shower screens that blend seamlessly with your bathroom’s design. Our team is equipped to cater to your specific needs, ensuring that your frameless glass shower screen is not just a functional element but a centrepiece of your bathroom. For more information on our range of options or to discuss your bespoke glass requirements, please contact us. Let us help you elevate your bathroom with the sophistication and elegance of a frameless glass shower screen.

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What Our Customers Say

Andrew Cooke

Superb customer service from the Express Toughening team – when I made a mistake on my order online, they dealt with the issue quickly organising partial refund immediately. My order arrived quickly and their courier messaged me before delivery to check I was in. Quality product at the best price I found online.

Kiron Kular

A massive Thankyou to Helen from Express Toughening for being so patient, co-operative and helpful with my orders. She resolved a re-make without any fuss and in an extremely timely manner. If you want glass – go to Express Toughening and ask for Helen!

Andy Beviere

Extremely easy company to deal with, glass ordered weeks ago and asked for a specific delivery date due to glass testing and no one being onsite. Delivered on time and when asked for other types glass stated they couldn’t help but recommended an equally helpful company!!

Wouldn’t hesitate to use again.

Brian White

I’ve used Express Toughening twice now and have been very impressed with the glass they have supplied and also the helpfulness of the staff. The first job was a couple of years ago when they supplied me with a 6mm satin frosted toughened glass door for our shower room. From my measurements they supplied a fabulous door which had the hinge and lock holes cut out and also took into account the out of square measurement of the door frame. It fitted a treat and is stunning to look at.

More recently (late last year) they supplied me with painted toughened glass splash backs (7 items altogether in 6mm glass with the biggest being 2.1 metres long), all cut to my sizes and with numerous switch and socket cut-outs. My local glass supplier said they could not cut out the close together sockets and switches, but Express did and got it spot on!

As with the glass door, the splash backs were delivered to me by Expresses’ own transport and without any problems and quality issues.

After the scary bit of fitting them all the result is faultless and stunning. Thanks go to Alex who helped me with the ordering process and technical aspects of glass splash backs.

David Convery

4mm toughened glass for greenhouse. Although slightly dubious about ordering from a company I’ve never heard of and not local (300mile away) I’m so glad I took the plunge. A great customer service from Helen and the team from start to finish, clearly there was nothing for me to worry about.

Their website is easy to use and made ordering online a doddle and for those shapes, they don’t have on their website a quick email and rough diagram sorted any issues there. All glass arrived on time well packed and with no breakages.

It’s a company I wouldn’t hesitate to use again and I’d definitely recommend it to others who need quality glass cut to size.

Tony Fields

Excellent product.
Exactly what it says on the tin.
Brilliant, friendly service from Helen.
Definitely recommended.
(And we’re on the Scottish border)

Tony Owen

Fantastic service, fantastic prices and fantastic products – I could not recommend Express Toughening highly enough – I got an immediate response to my request for a quotation, and Helen was so helpful in answering my questions. Order placement was easy and everything arrived exactly on time and as promised. I won’t look anywhere else for my next order – great prices (way cheaper than other quotes) and great service!

Thank you!

Sam Richardson

We have been using Express toughening for a number of years, mainly for glass screens and Toughened Glass for balustrade. The company are always reliable, deliveries always on time and friendly helpful service.