Why would you need to specify tempered or not for an Andersen Storm Watch window?

Answer 1

Some areas make it manditory to have tempered glass in those situations. It's a safty issue. Tempered glass shatters and dosen't leave shards when it breaks.

Answer 2

Tempered glass is not like a windshield. A windshield is safety glass and has a sticky membrane between two sheet of tempered glass. Side windows in cars are tempered glass though. Tempered glass is in some ways tougher than regular glass but its real advantage is that because the surfaces are in tension, when the surface is compromised, the whole sheet breaks into cubes instead of long sharp shards. For this reason, tempered glass is required by code in doors, sidelights, showers, windows below 20" from the floor and in other places sometimes required by local code authorities primarily in hurricane prone coastal areas. You might want to spec tempered glass in your window if you feel the added expense is worth the increased safety. As for whether it is required by code, ask you local building official.

Answer 3

Some building codes specify that you must use tempered glass next to or above a door. This keeps the glass from cutting you in case slamming the door breaks the glass.

Answer 4

Most building codes require tempered glass when a window is below a certain height from the floor. This is a child safety issue. The company does not know what your window location will be so they ask what type glass you want.

Answer 5

If your glass is 18 inches or less from the floor, above a tub or in a shower enclosure, or within swinging distance of a door. Or in a sliding glass door or swinging door.
A previous post stated tempered glass in hurricane situations. In Florida, this glass still requires hurricaine shutters." Impact glass" does not.

Answer 6

"Tempered" glass will not break as easily as regular glass. If it does break, it crumbles like a windshield of a car.