A proper shower measure isn’t a tape measure and a notepad. It’s a laser level for plumb, a digital level for slope, multiple cross-measurements to confirm the opening isn’t a parallelogram, and notes on every wall-tile transition. We measure top, middle, and bottom widths separately (walls are never exactly the same width at all three points), check the curb for level, and look for any obstruction (shower head, niche edge, valve trim) the glass needs to clear. Tempered glass can’t be field-cut, so the measurement has to be right the first time.
Why isn’t a tape measure enough?
A tape measure tells you a single distance but doesn’t reveal whether the walls are plumb, whether the curb is level, or whether the alcove is actually square. Most shower walls vary by 1/4″ to 1″ between top and bottom widths. Cutting glass to a single dimension that doesn’t account for that variation produces gaps, leaks, and visible misalignment.
What tools do you bring to a measure?
Laser level (4-line or 5-line cross-beam), digital level (1° accuracy), 25-foot tape, plumb bob for tall openings, digital calipers for tile thickness reveal, and a clipboard or tablet for the cut sheet. We photograph the entire shower from several angles for the office.
What do you measure at each point?
Top width (often at the ceiling or where the wall meets a soffit), middle width, bottom width (at the curb). Same for height — at each end of the opening. Plumb-out at the door jamb. Slope of the curb (it should slope into the shower; if not, water management gets tricky). Tile lippage at any grout joints the glass will cross.
What’s a site template?
For larger or trickier openings — corner enclosures, neo-angles, or anything with multiple panels — we build a physical template out of cardboard or thin MDF strips that fits the actual opening. The glass is then cut from the template, not from the numbers alone. Templates remove almost all guesswork.
What if my walls are very out-of-square?
We compensate with hardware. Adjustable hinges, U-channel with shimming, or custom-cut wall jambs let us bring a slightly-off wall into a clean visual line. There are limits — past about 1/2″ of out-of-square in a 6-foot run, we’ll suggest a small framing adjustment before glass install.
Can I measure my own shower and order glass?
We don’t recommend it. Internet “measure your own shower” kits exist but don’t account for plumb, slope, or wall variation. The glass typically arrives slightly wrong and a homeowner is left with a $1,500+ piece of tempered glass that no one will adjust. We measure free across the GTA — it’s not a corner to cut.
When does the measure happen relative to the project?
Two visits in our process: an initial consult to discuss options and provide a quote (rough measurements), and a precise template visit after you say go, before glass is ordered. Tile must be installed, curb finished, and any niche or wall finish complete before the template. Don’t template over plastic-protected tile or unfinished walls.
How accurate does the measure need to be?
Within 2 millimetres (about 1/16″) for frameless work, looser for semi-frameless (where channels can absorb 3–5 mm of variation). Hinge cutouts and clamp positions are measured to within 1 mm.
Have a project you’re sizing up?
We do free in-home consults across the GTA. Call 416-897-0767 or message luxglass.com.
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