Glass & Glazing (I03)

Glass work ranges from simple window repair to complex commercial curtain walls – but proper selection and installation ensure safety, energy efficiency, and longevity.

This BidScope guides you through glass applications: window glass replacement, door glass repair and replacement, shower enclosures and glass doors, mirrors (wall, vanity, full-length), glass railings, glass table tops, and custom architectural glass.

Learn glass types: annealed (standard float glass, breaks into sharp shards), tempered (heat-treated, breaks into small cubes, 4x stronger, required for safety applications), laminated (two layers with interlayer, holds together when broken, sound dampening, security), insulated (double or triple pane for energy), and specialty glass (tinted, reflective, frosted, textured).

Understand safety requirements: tempered glass required near doors (within 24 inches), bathrooms, stairways, floor-to-ceiling glass, any glass subject to human impact, building codes specify locations.

Master insulated glass: dual-pane or triple-pane, low-E coatings for energy, gas fills (argon or krypton), spacer systems, sealed units prevent moisture.

Navigate obscure and privacy glass: frosted, rain, seeded, textured patterns, one-way mirror, varying opacity levels, decorative options.

Learn glass thickness: 1/8 inch for small windows, 3/16 inch standard for larger windows, 1/4 inch for table tops and shelving, 3/8 to 1/2 inch for commercial and large installations, 1/2 to 3/4 inch for glass railings and structural.

Understand edge work: polished edges for exposed glass (table tops, shelves), seamed edges for framed applications, beveled edges for decorative effect.

Know measurement and installation: precise measuring critical (1/16 inch tolerance typical), proper glazing techniques, setting blocks and edge spacers, sealant selection for weather resistance, consideration for thermal expansion.

Navigate repairs versus replacement: cracked glass must be replaced, seal failure on insulated glass (fog between panes), scratches can sometimes be polished depending on depth.

Calculate typical costs: window glass replacement $150-400 per window, tempered glass $100-300 per piece, insulated glass unit $200-600, custom shower door $800-2,000, mirrors $200-800.

This tool ensures your glass work is safe, properly installed, and meets all code requirements.

What’s Included:

• Glass applications (window replacement, door glass, showers, mirrors, railings, table tops)
• Window glass replacement (broken panes, seal failure)
• Door glass repair and replacement
• Shower enclosures and glass doors (separate BidScope available)
• Mirrors (wall-mounted, vanity, full-length)
• Glass railings (interior stairs, decks, balconies)
• Glass table tops and shelving
• Custom architectural glass
• Glass types (annealed, tempered, laminated, insulated, specialty)
• Annealed glass (standard float, sharp shards when broken)
• Tempered glass (heat-treated, breaks into small cubes, 4x stronger)
• Tempering process and cannot be cut after
• Laminated glass (two layers with interlayer, holds together, sound, security)
• Insulated glass units (dual or triple pane, energy)
• Specialty glass (tinted, reflective, frosted, low-iron)
• Safety glass requirements by code
• Tempered required near doors (within 24 inches horizontally)
• Tempered in bathrooms (shower doors, tub enclosures)
• Tempered for floor-to-ceiling glass
• Glass subject to human impact requires tempered
• Insulated glass for energy
• Dual-pane vs triple-pane construction
• Low-E coatings (heat reflection, UV protection)
• Gas fills between panes (argon, krypton)
• Warm-edge spacers
• Sealed units (prevent moisture between panes)
• Seal failure (fog between panes, replacement needed)
• Obscure and privacy glass
• Frosted glass (acid-etched or sandblasted)
• Rain glass, seeded glass, textured patterns
• Opacity levels (light transmission vs privacy)
• One-way mirror glass
• Decorative glass options
• Glass thickness by application
• 1/8 inch for small windows
• 3/16 inch standard for windows
• 1/4 inch for table tops and shelves
• 3/8 to 1/2 inch commercial and large
• 1/2 to 3/4 inch for railings and structural
• Edge work (polished, seamed, beveled)
• Polished edges for exposed glass (smooth, safe)
• Seamed edges for framed (removes sharp)
• Beveled edges (decorative, angled)
• Measurement and installation
• Precise measuring (1/16 inch tolerance)
• Glazing techniques (putty, stops, gaskets)
• Setting blocks and edge spacers
• Sealant for weather resistance (silicone)
• Thermal expansion considerations
• Glass repair vs replacement
• Cracked glass must be replaced (cannot repair safely)
• Scratches (minor can polish, deep require replacement)
• Seal failure on insulated units
• Coating damage (delamination of Low-E)
• Cost factors ($150-400 window replacement, $100-300 tempered piece, $200-600 IGU, $800-2,000 shower door, $200-800 mirrors)
• Finding qualified glass contractors
• Insurance claims for broken glass
• Custom fabrication lead times