Do Bathroom Windows Need Tempered Glass? | Window World (2024)

FAQs

Does a bathroom window have to be tempered glass? ›

When There Are Legal Requirements. According to International Building Code, if you have any fixture with a door (bathtub, shower, sauna, etc.), any window less than 60 inches above the floor must be tempered.

Glass is classified as a hazardous building material in the code, and safety glass is mandatory in areas that are identified as being at high risk of human impact, such as bathrooms, and for doors and larger windows. There are two main types of safety glass used in New Zealand.

' Frosted glass is the mostly commonly used obscure glass type in bathrooms. Decorative film and stained glass are also popular, though this might be seen in other rooms in the house. Stained glass for example can make a great statement in small hallway ideas, where the light-reflecting qualities can amplify the space.

Windows that have the potential for human impact are legally required to contain tempered glass. Also known as toughened glass, tempered glass is stronger and safer than regular glass.

Tempered glass, which is annealed glass that has been further strengthened during the manufacturing process, costs slightly more than annealed but the cost of custom cutting this type of glass is similar, so the total cost is about the same as annealed glass.

Do You Really Need Tempered Glass for Your Smartphone? Even though most smartphones today come with a tougher gorilla glass screen, you will definitely need a screen guard to protect your phone from possible damage. A tempered glass screen adds an extra layer of protection to your phone.

No reason you shouldn't have clear glass if you want it. We have a sahs window in our bathroom and only the bottom half is frosted so we get the right balance of privacy and natural light.

Most windows in a bathroom are made of either clear glass or frosted glass. Clear glass is great for letting natural light into the design effectively. Frosted glass is great for allowing light in while keeping a level of privacy. Depending on your personal preferences, both of these types of glass are amazing options.

Fortunately, federal codes require that glass shower doors be made of tempered safety glass. This means that when shattering happens, the glass breaks into many small pieces rather than large jagged pieces. While these smaller pieces are definitely less dangerous than non-tempered glass, lacerations can still occur.

Casem*nt windows, with their side hinges and wide opening, invite a wealth of natural light and fresh air into your bathroom. Their ability to fully open facilitates excellent airflow, swiftly clearing steam and preventing condensation buildup, which can lead to mould and mildew.

Are bathroom windows different? ›

Although there aren't windows designed specifically for bathrooms, several window types and styles work better than others. Bathroom windows offer numerous benefits, including added ventilation and natural light. Here are some key factors to consider before deciding on new bathroom windows.

Best choices for bathroom windows

Along with privacy, consider window treatments that can withstand humidity and moisture. Faux wood, vinyl mini blinds and roller shades are most popular for bathrooms since they are durable, withstand moisture and less prone to warping, chipping or cracking.

Tempered Glass in Wet Areas

The greater risk of slip and fall injuries in wet areas means that bathrooms, saunas, and hot tubs are places where is tempered window (glass) necessary. You must temper all glass if its bottom edge is less than five feet above a walking or standing surface such as a shower floor.

Likewise, tempered glass must be used in a window under certain circ*mstances. For instance, it must be included when all the following criteria are met: The window measures 9 square feet or more. Its bottom edge is less than 18 inches from the floor and its top edge is more than 36 inches above the floor.

Disadvantages of Tempered Glass

Motivated intruders may find it easier to gain entry because a single force can cause the entire window to fall apart. Additionally, it's impossible to re-size, re-cut, or re-shape tempered glass once it has undergone the tempering process.

To put it another way, the glass used in bathroom mirrors are required to be produced from tempered glass, which is a special form of glass that will not shatter into a thousand pieces if broken.

If the glass is less than 18” from bottom of glass to finished floor, then glass must be a tempered glass (safety glazing).

In the case of impact-resistant windows mentioned above, sometimes specific materials can be placed between the two panes, or some double-pane windows use tempered glass for either one or both of the panes, but that is not necessary for all double-pane windows.