Reliable Custom Shower Screens
South Melbourne Glass, the trusted glazier serving Melbourne, VIC, has specialised in custom shower screens for residential and commercial bathrooms across the city since 1978. Whether you are renovating a compact inner-city apartment in Southbank or updating a heritage home in Albert Park or Middle Park, a made-to-measure screen can transform the way your bathroom looks and functions. Call (03) 9690 4982 today to book your free measure and quote.
Frameless, Semi-Frameless, and Framed: Which Style Suits Your Bathroom?
The right screen style depends on your bathroom layout, budget, and aesthetic goals. South Melbourne Glass supplies and installs custom shower screens in all three styles.
Frameless screens use thick toughened glass (typically 10 mm or 12 mm) secured by polished or matte hardware, with no surrounding metal frame. They suit modern bathrooms and walk-in shower recesses, and create a seamless, open feel that works especially well in Melbourne's mix of contemporary apartments and newer builds. These screens typically sit at the higher end of the price range.
Semi-frameless screens combine a minimal frame around the perimeter with frameless glass panels for the door or moving section. They offer a cleaner look than fully framed screens while remaining more budget-friendly than a fully frameless design.
Framed screens use aluminium framing on all sides. They are the most watertight option and suit period homes or bathrooms where a tighter seal around the enclosure matters most.
How Much Does a Custom Shower Screen Cost in Melbourne?
Custom shower screen pricing in Melbourne can typically range from around $800 for a straightforward framed screen up to $2,500 or more for a large frameless installation with premium hardware. Key factors include glass thickness, screen size, the number of panels, hardware finish (chrome, brushed nickel, or matte black), and access difficulty. A free on-site measure and quote gives you an accurate figure before any work begins.
How Our Installation Process Works
South Melbourne Glass follows a clear, consistent process from first contact to finished screen.
- Free Measure and Quote: A glazier visits your home, measures the space precisely, and discusses your style preferences and budget.
- Design and Glass Fabrication: Your screen is cut, edged, and toughened to Australian standards (AS 1288) at our South Melbourne workshop.
- Hardware Selection: You choose the frame style and hardware finish to match your bathroom fixtures.
- Professional Installation: Our glaziers fit the screen, secure all brackets and seals, and check the door swing and water containment.
- Final Inspection: We confirm everything is level, sealed, and functioning correctly before we leave.
Which Custom Shower Screen Style Suits Your Bathroom?
The right custom shower screen style depends on your bathroom layout, budget, and the aesthetic you want to achieve. South Melbourne Glass supplies and installs all three principal styles across Melbourne's inner suburbs, including South Yarra, Port Melbourne, and Southbank.
List of services
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FramelessList Item 1
Frameless custom shower screens use toughened glass secured with minimal hardware. They open up tight spaces, suit contemporary interiors, and make cleaning straightforward. The absence of metal channels also makes them practical for barrier-free shower designs.
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Semi-FramelessList Item 2
Semi-frameless screens combine clear glass with selective aluminium framing along fixed edges only. This provides additional structural support while preserving an open, light-filled look. They suit renovations where the layout calls for a hinged or sliding door alongside a fixed panel.
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FramedList Item 3
Fully framed screens use aluminium channels on all sides of the glass. They offer a robust, cost-effective solution suited to family bathrooms, rental properties, and older terrace conversions where durability and low-maintenance installation are priorities.
Do Our Custom Shower Screens Meet Australian Standards?
Yes. Every custom shower screen supplied and installed by South Melbourne Glass uses toughened safety glass complying with AS/NZS 2208 and installed in accordance with AS 1288. These standards govern safety glazing in hazardous locations, and bathrooms are classified high-risk because wet floors increase the likelihood of impact with glass.
Compliant glass carries a permanent etched stamp confirming it has been tested to the standard. Non-compliant glazing can cause a building inspection to fail and may affect home insurance. South Melbourne Glass employs a Master Glazier and Certified Glaziers and holds AGWA membership, ensuring every installation meets its obligations under the National Construction Code.
Glass Thickness and Hardware Options
Glass thickness requirements vary by screen style and are assessed at the measure-and-quote stage.
- Framed screens typically use 4-6mm toughened glass, with aluminium channels carrying the structural load.
- Semi-frameless screens generally require at least 6-8mm glass where framing is absent.
- Frameless screens require a minimum of 10mm toughened glass, as the panel relies on the glass and its fittings for strength.
Hardware options include wall-mounted brackets, pivot hinges, inline sliding mechanisms, and fixed panel clips, available in finishes to complement your tapware and tiles. Clear, frosted, and low-iron ultra-clear glass finishes may also be available depending on your project.
Your Shower Screen Questions, Answered
Can I Install a Shower Screen Myself?
DIY installation is not recommended. Toughened glass is heavy, precise levelling is essential, and professional fitting ensures compliance with Victorian building requirements.
How Do Custom Shower Screens Prevent Leaks?
Custom screens are measured to your exact dimensions. Proper seals, quality hardware, and correct door alignment keep water contained within the enclosure.
What Glass Thickness Do I Need?
Frameless screens need 10 mm or 12 mm glass. Semi-frameless screens use 8 mm to 10 mm. Your glazier recommends thickness based on panel size.
What Is the Difference Between Frameless and Semi-Frameless Custom Shower Screens?
Frameless screens use 10mm toughened glass with minimal hardware and no aluminium channel. Semi-frameless screens retain framing on selected edges for additional support, typically using 6-8mm glass.
Does My Custom Shower Screen Need to Comply With AS/NZS 2208?
Yes. The Building Code of Australia requires shower screens to comply with AS/NZS 2208 and AS 1288. Compliant glass must be Grade A toughened or laminated safety glass and carries a permanent etched stamp.
What Glass Thickness Do I Need for a Frameless Shower Screen?
Frameless panels require a minimum of 10mm under Australian Standards. Semi-frameless installations generally use 6-8mm, and fully framed screens may use 4-6mm.
Can South Melbourne Glass Measure and Quote My Bathroom?
Yes. South Melbourne Glass offers a measure-and-quote service across Melbourne, including South Yarra, Southbank, and Port Melbourne. Call (03) 9690 4982 or visit the contact page to arrange a time.
How Do I Request a Free Measure and Quote?
Call (03) 9690 4982 Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, or submit an enquiry through the contact page for a no-obligation quote tailored to your space.
Get a Free Measure and Quote Today
South Melbourne Glass has been serving Melbourne, VIC, homeowners and builders since 1978. Our glaziers are AGWA members and work to AS 1288 standards on every job. To arrange a free, no-obligation measure and quote for your shower screens, schedule your installation online. You can also find us on Google as South Melbourne Glass to read reviews and confirm our location.
