Find the right shower seal: complete guide

The short answer

If you want a result in 90 seconds: launch the configurator. It asks for shower type, glass thickness, position and dimensions — and recommends the matching set.

If you want to understand why a particular profile fits a particular shower, read on.

Three variables that decide everything

Which seal you need comes down to three variables:

1. Shower shape (walk-in, recess, corner entry, hinged door, sliding, folding)
2. Profile type (magnetic, lip, U-profile, water deflector, abutment)
3. Glass thickness (6, 8, 10, 12 mm)

The combination of these three variables uniquely determines the right seal. Nothing else.

Step 1 — Identify the shower shape

| Shape | Description | Typical profiles | |---|---|---| | Walk-in | Open level-floor shower, one fixed glass panel | Water deflector at the bottom, optional abutment to the wall | | Recess | Door between two masonry walls | Magnetic door seal, floor seal, abutment | | Corner entry | Two doors meeting in the corner | 2× magnetic 135°, corner seal 90°, floor seal | | Hinged door | One door leaf, fixed panel beside it | Magnetic 90°/180°, floor seal | | Sliding door | Door on a side rail | Lip seal, floor seal | | Folding door | Multi-segment door, folds up | Magnetic 135° | | Bathtub screen | Glass panel mounted on the bathtub | Short floor seal, corner seal |

Step 2 — Choose the profile type

Magnetic seal

Best choice for hinged doors. Two profiles with built-in magnets that pull together when closing. Available in 90°, 135°, 180°.

→ More about magnetic seals

Lip seal

Classic for sliding doors and older hinged doors without magnets. A flexible lip presses against the fixed panel or wall.

→ More about lip seals

U-profile

Protects the glass edge and seals against floor, ceiling or wall. Frequently used on fixed panels and architect-style walk-ins.

→ More about U-profiles

Water deflector

Specifically for walk-in showers. Redirects water at the glass edge back into the shower zone.

→ More about water deflectors

Corner seal

Vertical glass-to-glass connection in the corner entry. Mostly 90°.

→ More about corner seals

Floor seal

Closes the gap between glass and shower tray / floor. Mandatory for almost all shower shapes.

→ More about floor seals

Abutment profile

Vertical join between glass and masonry wall. Frequent on walk-ins and fixed panels.

→ More about abutment profiles

Step 3 — Determine the glass thickness

Standard values:

• 6 mm → DIY-store, standard
• 8 mm → premium, modern
• 10 mm → high-end
• 12 mm → rare, specialist

→ Tutorial: Determine glass thickness

Complete sets per shower shape

Typical sets per shape — for fully re-sealing a shower:

Walk-in set

• Water deflector at the bottom (width of the glass front)
• Abutment profile to the wall (height of the glass)
• Optional U-profile on top (for walk-ins with stabiliser)

Recess set

• Magnetic 90° (door height) → 1× door profile + 1× fixed-panel profile
• Floor seal (door width)
• Abutment profile to the wall

Corner entry set

• Magnetic 135° × 2 (door heights)
• Corner seal 90° (height of the glass corner)
• Floor seal × 2 (widths of the two doors)

Hinged door set

• Magnetic 90° or 180° (door height)
• Floor seal (door width)
• Optional abutment profile to the wall

Sliding door set

• Lip seal at the door stop (door height)
• Floor seal with deflector lip (sliding-door front width)

Folding door set

• Magnetic 135° between door segments (height)
• Floor seal (width)

Bathtub screen set

• Short floor seal (length of the glass on the tub)
• Corner seal 90° (vertical glass-to-wall)
• Optional water deflector

Original vs. universal profiles

For brand-name showers (Kermi, Hüppe, Schulte etc.):

• Original profiles: fit 100 %, often more expensive (€30–60 per profile), longer manufacturer lead times.
• Universal profiles: €10–25, mostly available immediately, fit very well to OK depending on model.

Strategy: try universal first. If it doesn't seat properly, switch to the original.

Take measurements correctly

Three rules:

1. Measure at the glass edge, not on the profile or wall.
2. Both dimensions (height and width).
3. Add 10 % reserve — you can trim oversized seals easily, but cannot extend short ones.

Most online shops sell standard lengths (1 m, 2 m, 2.5 m). For special lengths, order by the metre.

Common mistakes when buying seals

From our experience, the top 5:

1. Wrong glass thickness (#1 by far)
2. Wrong magnetic angle (bought 90°, needed 135°)
3. Seal too short (forgot the reserve)
4. Wrong magnet orientation during installation (door pushes itself away)
5. Universal profile in a special groove (won't fit the channel)

More on this: 5 mistakes when buying shower seals

Summary

1. Determine the shape (walk-in, recess, …).
2. Choose the profile type per position (door, floor, corner, wall).
3. Measure the glass thickness.
4. Measure the length + 10 %.
5. Order — universal first, original if it doesn't seat.

→ Or just: configurator. Saves the research.