A made-to-fit result starts with the opening, not the product you have in mind. Knowing how to submit opening measurements gives the quoting process a clear starting point for wardrobe doors, mirrors and shower screens. A few accurate dimensions, supported by useful photos, can help confirm what will suit the space before the next step is arranged.
For final manufacture and installation, a professional site measure is often the right call, particularly for shower screens or openings with uneven walls. Submitted measurements are still valuable. They help narrow down suitable configurations, finishes and practical options early, so there is less back and forth later.
How to submit opening measurements
Measure the finished opening where the product will sit. This means measuring between completed walls, floors, tiles, cabinetry or bulkheads, rather than working from plans or an earlier stage of the build. If flooring, skirting, tiles or plaster are still to be completed, note that clearly when submitting the dimensions.
Use a steel tape measure where possible. It is easier to hold straight across wider openings and gives a more dependable reading than a soft tape. Measure in millimetres and write each figure down as you go. For example, record 2406 mm rather than 240.6 cm or 2.406 m. Keeping every measurement in the same format avoids confusion.
When you submit your opening measurements, include the width, height, depth where relevant, the product type and a few clear photos of the full opening. State which dimension is width and which is height. A simple note such as “wardrobe opening: 2406 mm wide x 2420 mm high” is clear and easy to check.
Do not allow for tracks, frames, gaps or fitting tolerances yourself unless specifically asked. Those allowances depend on the selected system and the conditions of the opening. Submit the true opening size, then let the product specification account for the necessary details.
Start with the finished opening
The opening must be ready to measure. For wardrobe doors, this usually means the floor and top of the opening are complete, with the surrounding walls and bulkhead in their final position. For mirrors, check whether the mirror will sit above a vanity, between walls or within a recessed area. Each arrangement needs a slightly different set of dimensions.
Bathroom openings need extra care. Tile thickness, wall straightness, waterproofing details and the position of fittings all affect a shower screen. If wall tiles are not yet complete, the opening can change. In that situation, provide the current details for an initial discussion, but arrange a site measure once the tiled surfaces are finished.
Plans can be useful for showing the overall layout, especially on a new build or renovation. They should not replace dimensions taken on site. Actual openings can differ from drawings once linings, tile and flooring are complete.
Measure more than once
Walls, floors and ceilings are not always perfectly square or level. That is normal, especially in renovated homes. Taking several readings shows whether an opening varies and gives a clearer picture of what is needed.
For a wardrobe opening, measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. Measure the height on the left, in the centre and on the right. Send all readings, not just the largest or smallest one. If the opening is consistent, that will be obvious. If it changes across the space, that information helps determine the best approach.
For a mirror between two walls, measure the width at more than one height. Measure the finished height from the surface where the mirror starts to where it will finish. If the mirror sits above a vanity or splashback, include the distance from the benchtop to the ceiling or to the intended top edge.
For shower screens, measure the opening width at the base, around the middle and near the top. Also note the height from the finished floor or shower base to the intended top of the glass. These dimensions are useful for an initial estimate, but a site measure is strongly recommended before finalising a shower screen specification.
Record what is around the opening
Dimensions tell part of the story. The surrounding surfaces and nearby features can affect the product layout, panel configuration and fitting method. A few notes and photos make the measurement submission far more useful.
For wardrobe doors, note whether the opening has a bulkhead, skirting, cornice, carpet, timber flooring or tiled floor. If there is an existing robe fit-out, show where the shelves and hanging rails finish in relation to the front opening. This helps confirm whether the door system can be positioned as intended.
For a mirror, include any power points, lights, taps, cabinetry or wall returns that sit close to the proposed mirror area. Note whether the wall surface is tile, plasterboard or another finished material. If the mirror needs cut-outs or a particular edge alignment, mark that in the photos or describe it plainly.
For shower screens, photos should show the shower base or floor, both wall faces and the area above the opening. Include the position of the shower mixer, shower rail, bath edge or fixed nib wall where relevant. This is not about creating a complicated brief. It gives the measuring process enough context to identify details that may need checking on site.
Take photos that answer practical questions
Clear photos save time. Stand back far enough to show the whole opening, then take closer photos of the left side, right side, floor and top section. Good natural light helps, but the key is that the edges and surrounding finishes can be seen.
If you can, include a tape measure in one full-opening photo as a visual reference. Keep it straight and readable. Avoid photos taken at a sharp angle, as they can make the opening look different to its actual shape.
A simple set of photos is usually enough: one full view, one photo of each side, one at the floor or shower base, and one showing any nearby feature that may affect the installation. For a wardrobe, an internal photo can also help show the existing layout.
Choose the product details you already know
You do not need every final decision before submitting measurements. It does help to state the product you are considering and any preferences that are already clear.
For sliding wardrobe doors, mention the panel style and frame finish if you have a preference. Options can include mirror, Super White glass, VJ primed, Gyprock vinyl and vinyl-backed panels, with finishes such as Matt Black, White, Chrome, Brushed Gold and Matt Natural. The opening size and surrounding room will help guide what works best.
For shower screens, note whether you are considering a frameless or semi-frameless design. If a hardware finish is important to the bathroom scheme, include that too. Brushed Gold, Matt Black, Matt White, Brushed Nickel, Chrome and Gun Metal each create a different look, but practical site conditions still need to suit the selected design.
This is where submitted measurements support better advice rather than lock in a decision too early. A wider opening may suit one door arrangement better than another. A bathroom layout may call for a different glass configuration once the finished wall positions are checked.
Know when to book a site measure
Self-submitted dimensions are ideal when you are at the planning stage, comparing options or seeking an online supply estimate. They are also useful for straightforward finished openings where the scope is clear.
A site measure is the better choice when the opening is large, angled, tiled, recessed or part of a bathroom renovation. It is also worthwhile where multiple wardrobe openings need to line up, mirrors need detailed cut-outs, or the final finishes have not yet been installed. The site measure confirms the finished dimensions, checks the surfaces and allows the product specification to be resolved before manufacture.
Aurex Glass can take the process from initial measurements through to site measurement, supply and installation. That means the submitted information can be used to start the conversation, while final details are checked against the actual space.
A simple submission checklist
Before sending your details, check that you have measured the finished opening, recorded all figures in millimetres and labelled width, height and depth correctly. Include multiple readings where the opening may vary. Add photos that show the entire area and the surfaces around it, then mention the product type and any finish preference.
If something is unfinished, unknown or likely to change, say so. Clear information is more useful than a rushed guess. The right next step may be an online estimate now and a site measure once the space is ready.
Good measuring is not about making every decision yourself. It is about giving the project a reliable starting point. Measure the opening carefully, share the details clearly, and leave the final fit to a proper check of the finished space.