A shower tray and door can have the same size on the order form and still be a poor fit once the walls are tiled. Before buying an enclosure, ask the fitter to check the finished opening and show you where the door will go when you open it. Both checks matter if you are fitting a shower into a narrow bathroom.
Measure where the glass will sit
If the shower sits in a recess, ask your fitter to measure between the finished walls at the top, middle and bottom of the opening. The widths may differ, particularly if one wall leans. Compare those measurements with the fitting range for the exact model. For a corner enclosure, confirm where the manufacturer measures from and how the glass sits on the tray. Merlyn's technical guide distinguishes the finished tray measurement from the adjustment range of the enclosure itself. Merlyn shower tray and enclosure measurement guide
When the tray and tiles are still to go in, agree the likely enclosure size early so the fitter can plan around it. Ask when the final measurement can be taken and who will check it before the glass is ordered. If you need to order sooner, get the supplier and fitter to agree the proposed finished dimensions and the model's fitting range in writing.
Draw the door open
A hinged door may leave enough room to get into the shower but swing into a towel rail. A sliding door avoids that swing into the room, but check how much clear space it leaves to step through. If you are comparing either option with a folding door, look at the opening on the model drawing and consider how you will reach the handle from inside.
In a compact Southfields bathroom, for example, sketch the shower door open next to the vanity and mark how far the vanity drawer pulls out. Then check the route from the bathroom door to the shower. If the layout is still up for discussion, our guide to keeping or changing a bathroom layout can help you decide what to move.
Put the details in the fitting quote
Record the tray and enclosure model numbers, the door opening direction, any side panel and who will confirm the final dimensions. Ask who checks the condition and support of the wall where the enclosure will be fixed, especially if an old screen is coming out. If you are keeping the tray, ask the fitter to inspect its edge and the adjacent finish before committing to the new glass.
Planning a bathroom refurbishment in South West London? Send OSPM your postcode and project details, along with a rough layout and any tray or enclosure references you have picked.
Have a project in mind?
Send OSPM your postcode, a description of the work and your preferred timing.
Tell us about your property