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F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety Glass
No, but he may be saving your life - or keeping you out of legal trouble. You may not know that glass is one of the few building materials actually regulated by the Federal government and that usage of glass in and near doors falls under strict Consumer Product Safety Commission rules. Quality glass shops know that all glass in doors must meet these requirements which generally means that either tempered, laminated glass or plastic must be used. When a glass shop won't sell you a certain type of glass for a particular application, it is usually with your safety in mind. In this case, it would be illegal for either the glass shop--or the homeowner--to install non-safety glass in that door. This becomes an issue when the door is old and was manufactured before the safety glazing laws took place. While the CPSC regulates safety glass usage in and near doors, building codes regulate what types of glass can be used in other hazardous locations. Many codes require safety glass below a certain height, in areas with a lot of water and potential for slippage such as hot tub enclosures, on stair wells or in other hazardous locations. Safety glass is more expensive than "plate glass," but the benefits you'll receive in terms of that safety and peace of mind will be well-worth the expense. Frequently Asked Questions Windows
Probably. The reason that your window had insulating properties is because there was a SEALED airspace between both pieces of glass. When one of the pieces breaks, not only has that glass been destroyed, but the sealed airspace has been destroyed as well. The whole unit usually is replaced in such cases. Is it possible to reseal the glass in the same frames. The answer is possibly "yes" from a technical standpoint, but 'no' from a practical one. The time and cost involved to retrofit such units would be much more expensive than buying new ones.
There are a number of tools and testers available that will check for low-E coatings. These are generally too expensive for the homeowner to buy, but if you call a quality glass shop they will usually be able to test the glass for you. Many window film companies that do residential work also have equipment to check. Sometimes, the glass will have a manufacturers' marking on it that helps tell if Low-E coating is present.
Insulated glass consists of two pieces of glass with a sealed dead air space between them. Somehow, the seal has failed. This is usually caused by improper sealing at the factory, i.e., leaving a void in the sealant or an improper compound mix on the sealant itself. If the window becomes cracked, this will also cause the window to fog.
No, the glass is factory sealed. The glass cannot be cut apart and adequately resealed. A Cut Above Glass replaces a defective insulated glass unit with a new one. Our replacements have a 5 year warranty. |
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Servicing the Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, North Phoenix and Rio Verde area.
The glass in my door broke and the glass shop won't sell me a piece of plate glass to replace it. The salesman says I need to buy safety glass. Is he trying to cheat me?