Fantastic Job With Measurement and Installation
I need to replaced a broken seal window pane. It was very easy to schedule the measurement and installation thru Loren. Trevor and Kevin did a fantastic job with the measurement and installation.
Key Takeaways:
Yes, South Carolina's bathroom glass safety code requires safety glazing for shower doors, tub enclosures, and most glass close to them. The rules come from two places: a federal impact standard for architectural glass and the glazing section of the South Carolina Residential Code. Both point to the same goal. Glass that a person could slip and fall into has to resist breaking into dangerous shards.
This guide walks through what those rules say, where they apply in a typical bathroom, and how to check the glass you already have. It's a plain-language explainer, not legal advice. American Glass and Glazing builds custom frameless shower doors and enclosures to these standards, so we've kept it practical.
The residential code names specific spots in a home where ordinary glass isn't allowed. Section R308.4 of the code lists them as "specific hazardous locations for the purposes of glazing." Doors, glass next to doors, large low windows, railings, stairways, and wet areas all make the list.
The bathroom falls under R308.4.5, Glazing and Wet Surfaces. It covers glass in walls, enclosures, or fences containing or next to bathtubs, showers, hot tubs, spas, saunas, steam rooms, and pools. Under R308.4.5, glass near a tub or shower counts as a hazardous location when its bottom exposed edge is less than 60 inches above any standing or walking surface. The rule applies to single glazing and to each pane in a multi-pane unit.
There's one main exception. Glass more than 60 inches away, measured horizontally from the water's edge of a tub or the edge of a shower, falls outside the rule.
Railings get their own line. R308.4.4 treats glass in guards and railings as a hazardous location regardless of size or height, which is why our glass railing installations use safety glass throughout.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing Materials, 16 CFR Part 1201, is the federal rule behind safety glass. It covers glazing in products like storm doors, sliding patio doors, bathtub doors and enclosures, and shower doors and enclosures. The standard defines a shower door and enclosure as an assembly of panels forming all or part of the wall or door of a shower stall.
The standard sets impact tests in two categories. South Carolina's code points directly to it: R308.3.1 says glazing "shall be tested in accordance with CPSC 16 CFR 1201" and must meet Category II test criteria unless the code's table says otherwise. Category II is the tougher of the two.
One detail surprises people. Section 1201.40 clarifies that the federal standard was never meant to cover glass in an exterior-wall window located over a bathtub or inside a shower stall. That doesn't make those windows exempt at home, though. The state's residential code still applies its own wet-surface rule to them.
ANSI Z97.1 is a voluntary consensus standard for safety glazing. Unlike the CPSC rule, it isn't a federal regulation. The residential code allows it in some places as a second recognized test path.
The limits matter for bathrooms. R308.3.1's exception lets glazing be tested to ANSI Z97.1 only when it is not in doors or enclosures for bathtubs, showers, hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, or steam rooms. So the shower door and the enclosure panels themselves go back to the federal CPSC test. Other hazardous-location glass in the room may qualify under either path.
South Carolina's residential code is based on the 2021 International Residential Code, and the glazing section of Chapter 3 as published on UpCodes carries the R308 framework described above. Local building departments enforce it, and some jurisdictions add their own amendments, so confirm details with yours before a remodel.
Here's how the rules play out in a typical bathroom:
You can check your own glass. R308.1 requires each pane of safety glazing in a hazardous location to carry a manufacturer's designation that stays visible in the final installation. The mark names who applied it, the type of glass, and the safety glazing standard it meets.
The code requires the mark to be acid etched, sandblasted, ceramic-fired, laser etched, embossed, or a type that can't be removed without being destroyed. Look in a lower corner of each panel. On frameless doors it's usually small and close to the edge.
AGG fabricates shower glass from tempered safety glass for every hazardous location, so the mark is there on the finished install. We build to the standard. Permits and inspections still run through your local building department. If you're comparing glass types for a new enclosure, our guide to clear, low-iron, frosted, and textured shower glass covers the look side of the decision.
Shower glass has to be safety glazing, and in practice frameless shower doors are tempered. Under R308.4.5 the enclosure is a hazardous location, and R308.3.1 requires its glass to pass the federal CPSC impact test. Laminated safety glass can also meet the test, but tempered glass is the trade standard for shower doors.
The code lists them in R308.4. They include glass in doors, glass next to doors, certain large low windows, railings, glass near stairways, and glass in or near tubs, showers, spas, and pools.
Look for the permanent manufacturer's mark, usually in a lower corner of the panel. Required by R308.1, it identifies the glass type and the safety standard it meets. No mark is a reason to have the glass checked.
Usually, yes. Size doesn't exempt it from the wet-surface rule. If its bottom edge is less than 60 inches above the standing surface and it sits within 60 inches horizontally of the shower's edge, it needs safety glazing.
Shower and tub glass follows clear rules in South Carolina. The 60-inch wet-surface zone, the federal impact test, and a permanent mark on every pane tell you whether the glass is right.
Owner DJ Sorensen brings 19 years of glazing experience to every enclosure American Glass and Glazing builds. Our semi-frameless shower doors and frameless enclosures use safety glass from the start. Have questions about an American Glass and Glazing project? Our residential glass services FAQs cover the basics.
I need to replaced a broken seal window pane. It was very easy to schedule the measurement and installation thru Loren. Trevor and Kevin did a fantastic job with the measurement and installation.
Trevor and Kevin did a great job installing the glass in our window.. they cleaned the glass and swept the floor and clean everything up and left it just like they found it .. they are both very friendly and professional glass installers .. I highly recommend them and if we have another window go bad we absolutely will use them again ..
Your technician Trevor was wonderful! It was a very tough job but he removed the old glass, inserted the new and cleaned everything up. He is a tremendous asset to your company!
Trevor & Kevin were very professional & did a great job installing our shower door. Very personable & explained everything that was done. We would recommend this company 100%.
Trevor and Kevin took heat care of us. They came to my gym to replace a broken mirror. Everyone was friendly and professional all the way through the process. Mirror looks great and they cleaned up after themselves. Definitely recommend!!! Patrick Flynn - Owner Anytime Fitness Forestbrook
We chose American Glass & Glazing after speaking with Loren and she answered questions about their products and services. We were ready to replace the standard builders grade shower frame door that came with our home to something more elevated and easier to clean. From start to finish through on-site measurement, Loren and then the installers Trevor and Steven were very friendly and helpful. Work was done quickly - in only about two week turn around from start to installation. We would highly recommend American Glass & Glazing if you’re in the market for a shower upgrade or other glass project! I’ve added a before and after photo of the shower door. The frameless glass with black hardware really is a fabulous sleek look!
Trevor, Kevin and Lauren were all awesome. Professional and great craftsmanship. They installed a large mirror at my gym and did an amazing job! Definitely recommend. Patrick Flynn - Anytime Fitness Forestbrook
Trevor and Chip are seasoned professionals! They were timely, kind, and very knowledgeable. Our shower glass is absolutely perfect. We couldn't have asked for anything better. We know exactly who to call for all of our glass needs moving forward. Thank you for ending our renovation journey on a high note.
Trevor and Kevin did an incredible job, very friendly and efficient and the glass install on my shower looks sooooo good. Would definitely use them again!
This company and its employees are very helpful. The installers were excellent very courteous efficient and professional. I recommend this company for your glass needs. Would use them again.
We love our shower door. We received excellent customer service from start to finish. We highly recommend them.
Great company and genuine people who are a pleasure to work with . We had an issue with leveling our store front door . I called Loren , she scheduled promptly. Trevor and his team came in , the next day , they went above and beyond in removing the front door and making sure the base is at a level then re-installed the door.
Best company!! The install guys to the office, a great experience!!!
The only company to go to for your glass needs! They just replaced our “builders grade” shower door with a semi-frameless door. They did a beautiful job! Highly recommended!
This company is the only glass company in the area that returned my call. They are fast, friendly and affordable. Loren and Trevor were both very knowledgeable and professional. They clean up before they leave as well. Highly recommend American Glass & Glazing for your glass repair or replacement needs!!
This company is amazing! I was so fortunate to have them replace the glass on a broken window rather than replace it!! Everyone is very courteous and their workmanship is exceptional. These folks really take pride in what they do. Thank you again!
I needed a small piece of glass, and was very pleased to have it done right there and then. Clean store, friendly service. Definitely will go there for all my glass needs.
American Glass & Glazing are the Best!!! From the start with Loren, she was fantastic answering all my questions and scheduling. Everything went perfectly with Trever and the install of a new tempered glass section on my oceanfront condo, window... fantastic! He also followed up and called me about checked about other patio doors on operation I asked for from Loren. This is what I want in a Window Contractor. Call them
Trevor and his assistants were on time, very courteous, and efficient in fixing our windows. They were truly a pleasure to deal with. My husband and I would highly recommend to others.
Super fast and friendly. Did a excellent job on our back doors glass replacement.
Very nice people and easy to work with! Measuring and installation went smoothly and they were very thorough with clean up. 5 stars for communication as well, this is hard to find!
Bifold shower door was installed with close attention to all details, no matter how small. They measured and remeasured to ensure that it was installed correctly and without flaws. Crew was highly professional, personable, and presented themselves that was a credit to their company. I highly recommend American Glass & Glazing for shower door update and install.
From start to finish our experience was perfect. The tech, Trevor, was tidy, polite, meticulous with his work. We had a couple of non-square pieces that needed precise patterns and he got them traced out exact. I'd highly recommend this company. Prior to calling we were stood up by one, then another came out and said they'd get us an estimate but never did. I was exasperated! Needless to say I was concerned but 3rd time was a charm.
Great job!!! Trevor and Justin were so friendly, courteous and professional. Installation was done in a timely fashion. This is a great company, from speaking with Loren who was very helpful all the way through to the installation. Love my shower door.!!!
Excellent Service! From scheduling to installation it was a great experience. Installers Trevor and Kevin were very professional, on time and Excellent work! We highly recommend this company!
The experiencing was amazing , they were quick and fairly priced. Was very pleased!
The entire process was easy from start to finish. The installer was courteous and quick to resolve issues with first install. Customer service department was polite and quick to respond as well.
Trevor and Kevin came to replace a bad glass panel, and did a great job replacing the glass. Thanks guys! On time, knew their job and cleaned up! Professional!
I had a window that needed to be replaced in a condo. American glass came out and measured, ordered, and replaced. I wasn’t able to be at the property when they did the work, but they kept me advised of their progress and made this project very easy.
Prompt and friendly small business. They were quick to come out and make a template for a custom glass top we will use to protect a coffee bar. Very happy with results, communication, and keeping appointments! Set it perfectly and cleaned spotlessly!
Trevor is very knowledgeable and does amazing work. I highly recommend American Glass & Glazing to everyone.
Looking for glass replacement for broken window seal. I wasn’t up for replacing the entire window and called for pricing and info. American Glass & Glazing responded promptly. I appreciate that they sent the same technicians to quote the job and perform the installation. They were on time, kind and courteous. I appreciate craftsmen working on my home having patience and not being in a giant rush to do a job. That is what I got with this company. I’ve decided to add another window for glass replacement that appears to be on its way out. I highly recommend calling American Glass & Glazing for your broken window seals if you have cloudy glass. I wasn’t up for trying to figure out who the window manufacturer is then pay shipping, removing interior shutters and having it installed myself then re-installing shutters & caulk which is how window warranty works. No thanks! If you’re considering a solution for your windows with broken seals, give them a call.
This company and their employees I had interaction with, were the best. Lauren, Trever and Keven were very professional, very respectful and just a true blessing to work with!! I thank each of them for making this an easy transaction. They were there when they said they would be! Everything was on time! I was never waiting to see when they would show up. They give you an hour window and they were there inside that window! Always with a call they were on their way! I love their communication with the customer!! ♥️
Staff was very easy to work with and are very respectful. The install took most of the day but was worth it! Love the new shower doors!’
Loren was responsive and easy to work with. Our delivery team, Trevor and Kevin, were awesome — professional, prompt, and super accommodating. Give these guys a raise! I’d definitely use American Glass again.
Just received delivery of our glass top for dining room table and could not be happier. What a pleasure working with Lauren and Trevor. From placing the order to delivery, true professionals. Would highly recommend.
Trevor and Kevin did a great job installing our new balancer, locks, and window glass. Very professional, punctual, and kind. We didn’t know the balancer was broke and Trevor told us about it which we appreciated. They ordered the part and installed it along with the other items. Thank you Trevor and Kevin. We would highly recommend this company and will use them again if needed.
Trevor from American glass did a great job replacing a difficult window with mutins that needed to line up exactly. Highly recommend.
Can’t say enough good things about this company! They are so friendly and do an amazing job! They came in under everyone else on price and had it installed in 2 weeks where everyone else was 3-4 weeks out. I will be referring them to everyone I know who needs glass installed. Thank you!!!
A professional, courteous and pleasant experience from start to finish. Loren in the office was thorough and communicative. We had a very clear idea of what to expect the day of measurement, the lead time to manufacture, and what the day of install would be like. Trevor and Kevin arrived, on time, and performed a seamless install, left our home in better condition than they found it, and did it with a smile. After our experience today, our family won’t consider using any company other than American Glass & Glazing, and neither should yours!
Excellent experience from my call to completion of the job. I needed to replace a damaged panel on my sliding glass door. The technicians were on time, did a great installation, and cleaned up when done. Would highly recommend.
Excellent. New glass made a huge difference. Trevor and Kevin were great - worked around drywall installers on site. Installed quickly and completely cleaned up.
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