Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Cost to install glass shelves
The interior style of your home is something that you can use to express yourself, and choosing the right look and feel is important to make it a happy place. Glass shelves are a feature that can add a sleek and stylish addition to your property.
In this guide, we look at the average cost to install glass shelves in the UK. We’ll also look at the benefits of having a glass shelf made to measure, creating custom glass shelves that fit perfectly in your home.

The interior style of your home is something that you can use to express yourself, and choosing the right look and feel is important to make it a happy place.
Glass shelves are a feature that can add a sleek and stylish addition to your property. Whether you’re looking to add extra storage for your home, create a feature display for treasured photos and possessions, or want to add a visual contrast to other elements in your home, glass shelves have a lot to offer.
We’ve put together the average cost to install glass shelves in the UK, along with the benefits of having a glass shelf made to measure, creating custom glass shelves that fit perfectly in your home.
Item | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
---|---|---|---|
Shelf installation handyman rate | £33 | £42 | £38 |
Bespoke toughened glass shelves (6mm) | £22 | £88 | £55 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
How much does it cost to install glass shelves?
If you already have shelves that you need installing, the average cost to install glass shelves is around £33 to £42 per hour. That’s based on an experienced handyman coming to fit the shelves in place.
The cost of installing glass shelves will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Size and quantity of glass shelves
- Complexity of installation
- Time taken to complete the job
- Any prep work needed (if drilling is needed or the wall needs treating)
- Where you live
If you have a particularly awkward or unique space where you want to install glass shelves, the cost might increase. Ask your local shelving expert if they offer free consultations in person to provide a quote, or send them photos or videos of the space to give them a better idea of what’s needed.
Cost of a glass shelf made to measure
Toughened glass is a great option for shelving. It’s both sleek in appearance and durable at the same time, perfect for creating glass shelves made to measure. Similar to safety glass, toughened glass is strengthened to be able to bear heavier loads than traditional glass.
You also have the option of different finishes for your made to measure glass shelves when you use toughened glass. You can opt for effects such as frosting, tinting, back painting or sandblasting.
On average a bespoke 6mm toughened glass shelf will cost around £22 to £88 per m2.
Factors affecting the custom glass shelf cost
If you’re planning to have bespoke glass shelves made, you’ll need to consider a number of factors that will affect the total glass shelf price. These include:
- Dimensions of shelf
- Number of shelves
- Thickness of glass
- Complexity of design and installation
- Any prep work needed
- Type and quality of fixtures and finishes
- Where you live
We recommend speaking to your local glass shelving specialists to discuss the details of your project. They’ll be able to give you their professional advice about the options available, types of glass, fixtures, finishes. Most importantly, they can provide you with accurate prices for building and installing glass shelves in your area.
Glass shelf cost calculator
Getting quotes from specialists is always the best way to cost your job, but you can get a rough idea of the glass shelf price you’ll pay by weighing-up the various glass shelf cost factors.
First of all, the size and quantity of glass shelves you need will be a major contributing factor when costing, with larger shelves costing more than smaller ones. Then there’s the complexity of installation, this is often overlooked and you’ll need to set-aside budget to cover this. The good news is, your local glass shelf expert should make you aware of any installation costs at the quote stage.
As well as the shelves themselves and any project complexities, the cost of your job will be increased if any prep work is needed, such as drilling or additional support on the wall. Finally, geography comes into play. The location of the installation will affect your shelf cost, with London and the South East being more expensive than the rest of the country.
As an example of a glass shelf cost calculation, installing three 6mm toughened glass shelves measuring 3m2 each will cost you on average £495.
Glass shelf fitting quotes
Before you gather any quotes, it’s ideal to have specifics on the glass shelving set-up you want (including drawings and measurements if possible) ready to show the tradesperson if they ask, as this will help you get an accurate price.
It’s always advisable to get as many quotes as you reasonably can before choosing a glass shelf specialist, as this way you can ensure you’re getting the best combination of professionalism and project cost. The good news is, you don’t have to spend lots of time finding and contacting various companies, you can simply enter your postcode in the free search tool below and trusted tradespeople will come to you!
Benefits of custom glass shelves
Choosing to have bespoke glass shelves for your home is a great decision, for a number of reasons.
1. Versatile design
Glass shelving can fit with most interior design styles, from traditional through to contemporary. So, no matter what your home’s style is, you can find glass shelving to suit.
2. Show off your displays
One of the big benefits of glass shelving is it maximises the visibility of whatever you display on them. Nothing is hidden, no matter what angle you’re looking at the shelves from.
3. Fit any space
Having glass shelves made to measure means you can tailor their dimensions to fit any space in your house. Even awkward corners or nooks can be turned into a bespoke display case using custom glass shelves.
4. Easy to clean
The joy of glass is that it’s super easy to clean. You can use glass cleaner to remove residue and glass is generally stain-resistant, so you can keep your custom glass shelves looking like new for years.
5. Great for lighting
Unlike wood or metal, glass shelves won’t cast strong shadows. Instead, they’ll create bright displays with excellent lighting thanks to their transparency. You can even try coloured lighting effects that will easily shine through the glass shelving to add a unique touch to the display.
Useful glass shelves checklist
- Decide where you want to install your glass shelves.
- Speak to a local glass shelf installer for accurate quotes and professional advice.
- If you need bespoke glass shelves made to measure, contact your local shelving specialists.
- Shop around for fair and competitive costs for installing glass shelves or making custom glass shelves for you.
- Always hire tradespeople with relevant experience and ask to see recent examples of their work.
- When hiring a tradesperson, check their ratings and reviews from previous customers to gauge the quality of their work.
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