Tempered Glass

As a homeowner, it's important to be aware of the safety features in your home, including tempered glass. Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that is much stronger and more durable than regular glass. It is designed to break in a controlled manner, shattering into small, safe pieces when it is impacted with enough force. This feature makes it an essential safety feature in areas where there is a risk of injury or damage from broken glass.

We recommend the use of tempered glass in many areas of the home to prevent injuries and damage in the event of breakage. One common requirement is for any glass that is located within 36 inches of the floor to be tempered. This includes glass doors, windows, glass panels in stairways, shower enclosures, bathtub enclosures, and glass panels in railings. As a homeowner, you should take steps to ensure that you have tempered glass in these areas to protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.


Tempered Glass is made by having the glass sheets dry in tension. Being that it is in tension, it is much stronger. It also has the added side effect of breaking into thousands of little pieces if it does break. These small pieces are less likely to cause large cuts, and are far safer. 

So, how can you tell if you have tempered glass in your home? It can be difficult to identify tempered glass just by looking at it, but one way to determine whether a particular piece of glass is tempered is to look for a mark. Tempered glass is typically marked with a small label or logo to indicate that it has been tempered. This label may be located in a corner of the glass or etched directly into the surface.

As a home inspector, I check for the presence of tempered glass in these areas during inspections to ensure that the home is safe for the occupants. Homeowners should also be aware of the importance of tempered glass and take steps to ensure that it is properly installed and in good condition. If you have any doubts about the presence of tempered glass in your home, it's important to consult a professional to evaluate and address any potential safety issues.

In conclusion, as a homeowner, it's important to be aware of the presence of tempered glass in your home, particularly in areas where there is a risk of injury or damage from broken glass. Building codes require the use of tempered glass in many of these areas, and it's important to ensure that it is properly installed and in good condition. By taking these steps, you can help to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones in your home.