NARROWLINE REEDED GLASS
Narrowline is a fine reeded glass, with closely spaced vertical fluting rolled into one face of the sheet. Compared to traditional wide-flute reeded glass, the narrow spacing gives more privacy, a cleaner contemporary look, and works better on small panels where a wide reed would only fit a couple of ridges.
It is currently one of the most requested finishes for kitchen and joinery cabinet doors, and it is equally at home in shower screens, internal partitions, wardrobe fronts and shopfronts.
Available in 6mm and 10mm. One thing worth knowing before you order: reeded glass is thicker at every ridge, and standard float glass concentrates its green tint in exactly those ridges. On a large panel in strong light that can read as a faint green striping. On cabinet doors and smaller panels it is rarely noticeable.
The reeds run one way only. Tell us whether they should follow the height or the width of your panel. For cabinet doors, vertical is almost always what you want.
Shower screens and any glazing in or beside a door must be toughened. Specify it when you order, as toughened glass cannot be cut afterwards.
Narrowline, narrow line, narrow reed — what is the difference?
None. Narrowline is the Australian trade name; people search for it as narrow line glass, narrow reed glass and narrow reeded glass, and overseas it is usually called fluted glass. They all describe the same product: closely spaced vertical ridges rolled into one face of the sheet. What separates it from traditional reeded glass is only the pitch — the reeds sit roughly 8–10mm apart instead of 20mm or more.
Narrowline vs traditional reeded glass
| Narrowline | Traditional reeded | |
|---|---|---|
| Reed spacing | Fine, closely spaced | Wide, pronounced |
| Privacy | Higher — more ridges break up the image | Moderate |
| Look | Contemporary, subtle | Period, decorative |
| Small panels | Works well — many reeds across a narrow door | Poor — only two or three reeds fit |
| Typical use | Kitchen and joinery doors, shower screens, partitions | Heritage windows, feature panels |
What it costs
Nothing here is a quote-on-request item — type your size into any product above and the price appears as you type. For reference, the rates are:
- 6mm Narrowline — from $280 per m²
- 10mm Narrowline — from $412 per m²
- 5mm Narrowline in low iron (no green tint) — from $346 per m²
- Polished edges from $10 per linear metre; toughening from $17 per m²
- Minimum $99 per piece
Free delivery across Melbourne metro and Geelong.
Common questions
Can Narrowline be toughened?
Yes, in both 6mm and 10mm. Anything used in a shower screen, a door, or a panel with glass below 500mm from floor level must be toughened under AS 1288 — see our guide on when Australian Standards require safety glass.
Which way do the reeds run?
One way only, and we cut to whichever direction you specify. For cabinet doors that is almost always vertical. Tell us in the order notes whether the reeds should follow the height or the width.
Which side faces out?
The ridged face normally goes inward on a cabinet door (so the flat side wipes clean on the outside) and outward on a shower screen (so water runs down the flat inner face). More detail in which side of patterned glass faces out.
Does it come without the green tint?
Yes — the 5mm low iron version above. Standard float glass concentrates its green tint in the thick part of every ridge, which on a large panel in strong light reads as faint green striping. Low iron removes it. See low iron vs standard clear glass.
How big can a panel be?
The sheet limits the reed direction, so very wide panels may need the reeds running the other way, or joining. Send your sizes through and we will tell you before you order.
We do not provide structural or engineering advice — for shower screens, doors and any application covered by AS 1288, confirm the thickness and glass type with your installer or a qualified professional before ordering.
