How to Use Glass in Your Home: Practical Ideas and Buying Advice

Our Glass Buyers Guide explains how to use glass throughout your home, with practical ideas and buying advice. Glass is clean, modern and incredibly versatile. It brings light into rooms, protects surfaces and can be used in subtle or dramatic ways throughout your home. This guide covers common uses, typical thicknesses and how to measure accurately.

Glass Shelving – A Practical Glass Buyers Guide

Glass shelves are ideal in bathrooms, kitchens, alcoves and display areas.

• 8mm glass – suitable for shorter shelves (up to 1m long) holding lighter items such as toiletries and small ornaments.
• 10mm or 12mm glass – better for longer shelves or where you expect heavier loads such as books or large decorative pieces.

All shelves should have polished or bevelled edges to improve safety and appearance. The type of support and the weight of items placed on the shelves will dictate how long they can be. For this reason, choosing the correct thickness is important when planning glass shelving. If you have any queries the team will be happy to help advice for your project.

Glass Splashbacks

Glass splashbacks protect walls and make kitchens feel brighter and more contemporary.

• Heat resistant when toughened – which is ideal behind a hob.
• Non-porous and easy to wipe clean.
• Available in clear, tinted, painted or mirrored finishes.
• Perfect behind hobs, sinks and preparation areas.
• We can include cut-outs for plug sockets and switches; for safety, these splashbacks must be toughened.

As a result, glass splashbacks work particularly well in busy kitchens where hygiene and easy cleaning matter. If your project is focused specifically on kitchen splashbacks, you may also wish to visit our sister company, Splashbacks.co.uk , which specialises exclusively in bespoke kitchen splashbacks.

Coloured and Specialist Glass

In addition to clear glass, we can supply coloured, tinted and specialist glass finishes for shelves, splashbacks and feature panels. These options are ideal when you want to introduce colour, reduce glare or create a more design-led finish while keeping a clean, modern look. We can colour match to a wide range of paint colours and RAL colours, including popular brands such as Farrow & Ball, Dulux, Crown and Laura Ashley. If you are considering coloured glass, please contact us to discuss suitability, lead times and finishes.

Shower Screens, Doors and Panels

Custom glass shower panels give a sleek, minimal look and are easier to clean than framed enclosures.

• 10mm laminated glass is recommended for shower doors and fixed panels.
• Suitable for walk-in showers, wet rooms and corner enclosures.
• Precise cut outs can be made for hinges, handles and fittings.

Shower Cubicles and Wet Rooms

For full cubicles or wet rooms:

• Use 10mm laminated glass for strength and safety.
• Panels can be cut to fit sloping ceilings and unusual layouts.
• Choose clear glass for a more open feel or tinted for privacy and mood.

Table Top Protectors

A sheet of toughened glass can protect dining tables, sideboards and antique furniture from scratches, rings and heat.

• Cut to the exact size of the surface.
• Choice of clear, low iron (extra clear) or tinted glass.
• Polished edges for comfort and safety.

Glass Balustrades

• Glass balustrades provide safety without blocking views or light. Ideal for staircases, mezzanines and balconies
• 10mm toughened laminated glass is suitable when there is a handrail on top
• 17mm toughened laminated glass is recommended for frameless designs with no top rail

Always follow building regulations and seek professional installation for balustrades.

How to Measure for Glass – Glass Buyers Guide

Accurate measuring is essential because all glass is cut to order and cannot be trimmed once manufactured.

General rules

• Use a steel tape measure and record measurements in centimetres or millimetres.
• Measure the width and height in at least three places.
• If the measurements differ, use the smallest value.
• For glass fitting inside a recess, always allow a small tolerance (3mm on each side, so a total tolerance of 6mm) so the glass can be positioned safely.
• Note any cut outs required for sockets, switches, brackets or hinges and provide measurements in mm.

Templating service

For projects that MirrorFit installs, such as splashbacks, shower glass and balustrades, a templating service is available. A trained fitter will visit, take precise measurements and create accurate templates so glass is manufactured to fit exactly.

Examples

• Shelves: Measure the span between walls or inside the alcove, and the desired depth of the shelf.
• Splashbacks: Measure the full width and height of the area to be covered and mark the precise location of any sockets or switches.
• Shower panels: Measure from finished floor level to the desired height. Record angles or sloping ceilings carefully.
• Balustrades: Measure each opening separately and record required height and fixing positions.

Here is more information on our Measuring and Fitting Service.

Choosing the Right Glass Thickness – Summary

• 8mm, 10mm or 12mm for shelving, depending on span and load
• 6mm toughened for splashbacks
• 10mm toughened laminated for shower screens and shower doors
• 17mm toughened laminated for frameless balustrades

Ready to Plan Your Glass Project?

Whether you already have measurements or are still exploring options, we are happy to help. Before ordering, accurate measuring is essential because all glass is cut to order and cannot be trimmed once manufactured.

• Use our online tool for an Instant Glass Quote.
• Speak to our team for advice on thickness, safety and finishes.
• Discuss bespoke projects, coloured glass or complex installations.

If your project includes mirrors as well as glass, you may also find our Mirror Style Guide helpful.