Impact-Resistant vs Tempered Glass Windows in Florida

"I think we need a Impact-Resistant window for the window above the bathtub." One of my customer said to me during our plan review meeting.

It's always good to have Impact-Resistant window because it helps to strength the integrity of the interior space if your budget allows it. However, you will need to understand why you need them so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Tempered Glass Window:

Tempered glass is one type of heat-treated glass in which the glass is first heated, and then the surface is rapidly cooled. This treatment results in the center of the glass remaining relatively hot compared to the surface. As the center thickness cools, it compresses the surfaces and edges. When tempered glass does break, it fractures into small, relatively harmless fragments. This phenomenon, often referred to as “dicing,” greatly reduces the likelihood of injury to people. The FBC requires safety glazing material, such as tempered glass, where there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure to human impact, as in door assemblies, bathtub or hot tub enclosures, railings or glass adjacent to stairways, etc. Safety glazing materials are designed to reduce or minimize the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries when broken by human contact.

Impact Resistant Window:

Impact-resistant glazing is available as laminated glass and is also considered a type of safety glazing. Laminated glass consists of two or more panes of clear glass bonded together with clear plastic-like film (usually polyvinyl butyral) sandwiched between the two. This inner “filling” ranging in thickness from .015 to .090 inches, which can be ordered in various colored tints to help reduce UV damage in the home, tends to hold the glass together upon impact. If cracked or broken, the glass fragments tend to adhere to the plastic interlayer thus preventing water, wind or wind-borne debris from entering the structure. Note that the frames for laminated glass are generally heavier than for regular residential windows, because although the glass may not break, a strong force could hit the window hard enough to cause the entire frame to give way. When undergoing testing, the window is tested as a unit that includes the glass, frame, attachment hardware, and the installation method. Products designed to protect your home's openings must be both tested and approved for wind load and wind-borne debris. Keep in mind that all glass other than impact-resistant window glass, even if tempered, reinforced or insulated needs to be protected during severe wind events.

The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires windows to be impact-resistant or protected if located within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 110 mph or greater. (Of course, even if your home is not located in this area, this may be a good idea.)

So my customer who's worrying about the window near the bathtub should think Tempered Glass Window and actually that's what is required for the code.

DISCLAIMER – This piece is intended to give the reader only general factual information current at the time of publication. This piece is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used for guidance or decisions related to a specific design or construction project. This piece is not intended to reflect the opinion of any of the entities, agencies or organizations identified in the materials and, if any opinions appear, are those of the individual author and should not be relied upon in any event.