Reeded glass is back. After two decades of all-clear frameless shower screens dominating Perth bathrooms, designers and renovators are reaching for textured, patterned glass again — and reeded is leading the way. It softens light, adds privacy without going opaque, and gives a bathroom the kind of warm, tactile quality that smooth glass can’t.
This guide covers reeded glass shower screens and the broader family of patterned glass options used in Perth bathrooms — what each looks like, when to use which, how they perform in real bathrooms, and what they actually cost.
What Is Reeded Glass?
Reeded glass is patterned glass with a series of parallel vertical ridges (the “reeds”) running across one face of the sheet. The other face is smooth. Light passing through the reeds is refracted into a soft vertical streak pattern, giving you the appearance of glass while obscuring detail behind it.
Reeded glass has been used in joinery, pantry doors, and front-door sidelights for over a century — but the 2024–2026 trend is reeded glass used architecturally in shower screens, splashbacks, and feature walls. It’s a heritage detail repositioned as contemporary luxury.
Reeded vs Fluted vs Ribbed Glass
These three terms get used interchangeably but they describe slightly different things:
• Reeded glass — narrow, closely-spaced vertical ridges. Usually 5-10mm peak-to-peak. Highest privacy of the three.
• Fluted glass — broader, deeper vertical channels with a more pronounced curve. Usually 15-25mm peak-to-peak. More dramatic visually.
• Ribbed glass — generic term that covers both reeded and fluted. Some glass suppliers in Perth use “ribbed” to mean the same thing as reeded.
If you’ve seen a bathroom that looks like fluted glass, ask the supplier exactly which pattern. Fluted is more decorative and lets more light through; reeded is more privacy-focused and more refined-looking up close.
Other Patterned Glass Options for Perth Shower Screens
Frosted Glass
Acid-etched or sandblasted to create a uniform translucent matte finish. Gives total privacy but loses sparkle — the glass looks flat compared to reeded or clear. Frosted glass shower screens are common in rental properties and second bathrooms where privacy matters more than design.
Satin Glass
A premium version of frosted glass, acid-etched on one side with a smoother finish. Doesn’t show fingerprints the way standard frosted does and feels softer to the touch.
Patterned / Cathedral Glass
Vintage-style patterns — small diamonds, rain, flemish, cross-reed — pressed into the glass during manufacture. A patterned glass shower screen gives the most decorative result and works well in heritage Perth bathrooms.
Tinted Glass
Grey, bronze, or low-iron clear glass. Tinted versions cut glare and add a moody luxury feel. Pairs well with darker tiles and matte black hardware.
Privacy, Light, and Cleaning Considerations
Reeded and patterned glass change three things compared to clear:
• Light: reeded glass passes about 85-90% of clear glass’s light transmission, but diffuses it into a soft glow. Frosted drops to about 70%. In a dark bathroom with one small window, this matters.
• Privacy: reeded gives strong privacy at conversation distance, full silhouette obscurity at 2m+. Fluted is more decorative and slightly less private. Frosted is total privacy at any distance.
• Cleaning: the textured side faces away from the shower so it stays dry. The smooth side faces the shower and cleans like any standard glass. Reeded grooves do collect dust on the dry side — wipe weekly.
How Reeded Glass Shower Screens Are Made
Reeded glass is manufactured in two ways:
1. Rolled (pressed) glass — molten glass passes through a patterned roller during manufacture. The texture is permanent and part of the sheet. Most reeded glass in Perth bathrooms is rolled.
2. Acid-etched or applied texture — a clear sheet is treated to create a pattern. Less common for shower screens.
Rolled reeded glass is then toughened to AS1288 Grade A safety standard before it’s installed. Toughening is done off-site at an accredited processor, then the panel is returned for edge polishing and hardware fitting. Lead time on reeded glass shower screens in Perth is typically 10-14 working days — slightly longer than clear glass because not all reeded patterns are stocked locally.
Reeded & Patterned Glass Shower Screen Costs in Perth
Reeded glass shower screens cost roughly 25-50% more than the same configuration in clear glass. The cost difference comes from:
• The patterned glass sheet itself (around $80-$180 per square metre supply premium)
• More careful handling during install — reeded glass can chip more easily during edge polishing
• Sometimes longer lead time on less-stocked patterns
A typical reeded glass frameless shower screen in a standard Perth bathroom (1,200mm panel + door) is supplied and installed for $1,800-$3,200. Fluted glass falls in the same range.
Where Reeded Glass Works Best in Perth Bathrooms
Reeded glass earns its place in three scenarios:
1. Ensuites visible from the bedroom — reeded glass gives privacy without making the doorway look closed.
2. Compact bathrooms with minimal natural light — softens harsh ceiling light and feels less utilitarian than clear.
3. Heritage or character homes — pairs beautifully with subway tile, brass tapware, and warm timber. A frameless reeded shower screen looks era-appropriate without being literal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reeded glass harder to clean than clear glass?
The shower-facing side cleans the same as clear glass. The textured outside face collects dust faster but isn’t exposed to water, so it only needs occasional wipe-down. Overall, not noticeably more work.
Can reeded glass be used on a frameless shower screen?
Yes. Reeded glass shower screens are available in fully frameless, semi-frameless, and framed configurations. Frameless reeded screens look the most contemporary and use 10mm toughened glass to AS1288.
Does reeded glass shower screen still let in light?
Yes — around 85-90% of clear glass light transmission. Diffused rather than direct, so you get glow not glare. A reeded shower screen in a windowed bathroom feels brighter and softer than the same room with a frosted screen.
Can I see through reeded glass at close range?
You can see shape and movement at very close range but no detail. From two metres away it’s effectively opaque to silhouette. Good for ensuite shower screens visible from a bedroom.
Does Glazewell stock reeded glass in Perth?
Glazewell sources reeded glass and other patterned glass on each project. Pattern samples are available at our showroom at 30 Fortitude Boulevard, Gnangara so you can compare reeded, fluted, frosted, and satin in person.
What thickness is reeded glass for shower screens?
10mm toughened safety glass is standard for frameless reeded shower screens, the same spec as clear frameless. Semi-frameless reeded uses 6mm. Framed reeded options use 5-6mm.
See Reeded & Patterned Glass at the Glazewell Showroom
Visit 30 Fortitude Boulevard, Gnangara to compare reeded, fluted, frosted, and satin glass samples for your bathroom. Glazewell’s experienced team will measure your shower recess, walk through the pattern options, and quote a fully installed price. Call (08) 9316 6821 or request a quote online.