Fluted vs Clear Shower Glass
Clear glass is the most popular choice for frameless shower screens, creating a bright, open and minimal appearance that keeps the bathroom feeling spacious.
Fluted glass offers an alternative for projects where added privacy, texture or a more distinctive architectural finish is preferred. This guide explains the key differences between the two options, helping you decide whether fluted glass is right for your project.
What’s the difference?
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Clear glass → fully transparent, open and minimal
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Fluted glass → textured, diffuses light and adds privacy
Clear Glass
Clear glass is the most popular choice for frameless shower screens.
It creates a bright, open feel and allows your full bathroom design to be visible, making it ideal for smaller spaces or where you want a clean, minimal look.
Best for:
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Open, spacious feel
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Showcasing tiles and finishes
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Minimal, modern designs
For a brighter, more refined alternative, explore our Glass Options & Specifications guide to learn more about low iron glass.
Fluted Glass
Fluted glass features vertical grooves that gently diffuse light while maintaining brightness.
It provides enhanced privacy without fully obscuring the space, while also adding a distinctive architectural design feature.
Best for:
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Added privacy
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Softening the look of the space
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Creating a more design-led or architectural feel
You can explore fluted alongside frosted, bronze, smoked and other finishes in our
Privacy
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Clear glass: Minimal privacy - the shower area remains fully visible
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Fluted glass: Enhanced privacy — shapes, colours and movement are softened but not completely obscured
Light & Space
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Clear glass: Maximises light and openness
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Fluted glass: Still allows high levels of light transmission, but softens and diffuses it
Appearance
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Clear glass: Clean, minimal and timeless
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Fluted glass: Textured, decorative and more distinctive
Cleaning & Maintenance
Both options are suitable for shower use and easy to maintain with regular cleaning.
Fluted glass may require slightly more attention during cleaning due to its textured surface, although it can help soften the appearance of water marks.
Clear glass offers a completely smooth surface and is generally the easiest option to clean.
For recommended day-to-day maintenance, see our Care & Cleaning Guide.
Which should I choose?
Clear glass is the most popular option and is ideal if you want the most open, minimalist appearance while keeping tiles and bathroom finishes fully visible.
Fluted glass is a more distinctive alternative, suited to projects where you would like softened visibility, added privacy and a textured architectural detail.
Need Help Choosing?
We can help you select the right glass for your layout, privacy requirements and overall design.