Is safety glass used in all exterior home doors?

Question

I locked myself out today, without keys, shoes, or cellphone, and with my oven on. None of my neighbors are home during the day, so I decided I had to get inside somehow. We have a back door with the top half of the door being glass with wood squares forming or simulating panes. I tried to break out one pane with a hammer and after beating on the glass with all my might for quite awhile it didn't break. I was finally able to use a long flathead screwdriver between the door knob and frame and pop open the door (which is ok because we also have a dead bolt we can use). Now I'm wondering if all exterior doors have safety glass? This made me feel much better about break-ins considering I had such a horrible time breaking into my own home!

Answer 1

it depends on the age. glass in small panes is quite strong. if its a newer door then yes it would be tempered safety glass which has 4 times the strength of regular glass.

Answer 2

I will say in the last ten years for sure. You can and, I have popped open the sliding glass doors for people locked out, it's easy with a screw driver and people should know this for their safety.
I always recommend putting a safety lock on sliders for safety, they can't be opened then from the outside.

Answer 3

All exterior doors and panels which are located adjacent to doors should be fitted with thicker glass than other windows.

Safety glass is something different as it is laminated. This is not necessarily needed.

If you couldn't break the glass with a hammer I would suggest you have no need to worry.

Answer 4

No, not all doors have safety glass. However, the newer laws might now require it. I hope so.

Answer 5

all the newer ones do, theres still some that dont use safty glass,