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Trade 14 of 33Updated May 2026

A research dossier · 41 NSW + 32 QLD + 31 VIC homeowner posts · AS 1288 verified

Hiring a Glazier
is one of the few trades where the wrong glass can kill.

AS 1288 is the law. Safety glass (Grade A — toughened or laminated) is mandatory in any window within 500mm of a door, any glass within 700mm of a floor, all wet-area glass, all balustrades. The cheap glazier saves $80/m² by using standard float glass in places that should be safety. Six years later, a kid falls through it.

AS 1288

The Australian Standard. Non-negotiable.

Grade A

Safety glass. Required by law in many positions.

IGU

Insulated glass unit — the modern double-glazing.

How this page was built

A research dossier, not a referral page.

Sources

Reddit + Whirlpool + ProductReview, AS 1288 (Glass in buildings — Selection + installation), AGGA (Australian Glass + Glazing Association).

Verification

Pricing cross-checked. Safety glass position rules verified against AS 1288 + AS 2208 (Toughened safety glass).

Funding

No glazier pays for placement. Funded by the supply-side flyer service at flyers.needatrade.com.au.

Before we start

Glass is regulated.
By position, not by preference.

AS 1288 doesn\'t let you choose glass grade — it mandates which grade goes where based on position. Doors + within 500mm of doors + below 700mm from floor + wet area + balustrade + roof + low-window contexts all require Grade A safety glass. The cheap glazier ignores the standard. The working glazier knows the standard cold.

Float glass where Grade A is required = unlawful install + insurance void.

01

How much should it really cost?

Glass priced per m² of glass + per linear m of frame + the install. Safety glass costs 50–100% more than standard float. IGUs (double-glazed) 2–3× single pane.

Indicative ranges · AU 2026

Window replacement (single · float · 1m²)$280 – $480
Window replacement (Grade A · 1m²)$420 – $750
IGU window (double-glazed · 1m²)$650 – $1,200
Splashback (toughened · coloured · 1m²)$650 – $1,200
Shower screen (frameless · supply + install)$1,400 – $3,200
Glass balustrade (per linear m)$450 – $780/m

Ask this, exactly

"What glass grade does AS 1288 require for this position, and is that what you\'re quoting?"

02

How to tell a real one from a cowboy.

Red flags

  • !

    "Standard glass should be fine"

    Standard float glass is illegal in wet areas + within 500mm of doors + below 700mm from floor + balustrades. "Should be fine" = unlawful + insurance void.

  • !

    No mention of AS 1288

    Working glazier names the Standard. Cowboy quotes price + ignores the rule.

  • !

    No certificate after install

    Toughened safety glass has an etched stamp (AS 2208 mark) in the corner. Working glaziers point it out at handover. Cowboys forget — because the glass doesn\'t have one.

  • !

    IGU seal warranty under 10 years

    Reputable IGU manufacturers warrant the seal 10+ years. Anything less = bargain unit that will fog up in 5.

  • !

    Cash payment

    Standard pattern. No invoice = no warranty + no compliance trail.

Verification — 5 min, free

  1. ✓
    AGGA membership — strong positive signal. Industry body certifies practice.
  2. ✓
    ABN + Public liability certificate.
  3. ✓
    AS 1288 quote reference. The Standard named in the quote document.
  4. ✓
    Sample of the etched stamp shown on existing safety glass. Confirms compliance + verifiable supplier.

Ask this, exactly

"Can you confirm the AS 1288 grade for this position + show me where the safety etch will be on the supplied glass?"

03

AS 1288 + safety glass rules.

Doors+ within 500mm

Grade A required

  • All glass in doors. Side panels within 500mm of doors. Door safety = Grade A toughened or laminated.
Floorbelow 700mm

Grade A required

  • Any glass with its lowest edge below 700mm from the floor. Picture windows, low panels, balustrades.
Wet+ balustrades

Grade A required

  • Shower screens, bath enclosures, splashbacks. All balustrade glass. Pool fencing has its own AS 1926 rules.

Half-time

Glass grade is mandated by position, not by preference.

Quote anatomy, the cowboy test, AS 1288. The first three sort the working glaziers from the operators ignoring the Standard. The next seven are how working glaziers tell themselves apart.

04

When can they fit you in?

Glaziers run 2–6 weeks out for standalone jobs. Custom IGUs + frameless shower screens have 2–4 week manufacturing lead times. Broken-window emergencies are usually same-day for boarding up + 1–2 weeks for proper replacement.

Ask this, exactly

"What\'s the manufacturing lead time on the glass + the install date — in writing?"

05

What happens next, step by step.

  1. 1Step

    Site measure

    Position + dimensions. Glass grade per AS 1288. Sealing + frame details.

  2. 2Step

    Quote + spec

    Glass grade named. Manufacturing lead time. Install date.

  3. 3Step

    Custom manufacture

    Glass cut + toughened (or IGU assembled) at the factory.

  4. 4Step

    Install

    Existing glass removed. New glass set with correct sealant + setting blocks.

  5. 5Step

    Cure + test

    Silicone cure 24 hours. Door / panel tested.

  6. 6Step

    Handover + compliance

    Etched safety stamp shown. Manufacturer warranty pack handed over.

06

Single, double, or laminated?

Option A

Single-pane

Standard float. Cheap. Poor thermal + acoustic performance.

Right when: budget repair, low-priority window, garage.

Wrong when: comfort or energy efficiency matters.

Option B · most popular

Double-glazed (IGU)

Two panes + argon-filled gap. Significant thermal + acoustic improvement. Modern standard.

Right when: main living window, cold climate, busy road, new home build.

Option C

Laminated

Two glass layers + PVB interlayer. Strong, retains fragments when broken. Premium acoustic option.

Right when: security, acoustic priority, balustrades, low-position windows.

07

Warranty — seal + manufacturer.

  1. Layer 01

    Glass manufacturer

    Toughened safety glass marked AS 2208. Manufacturer cover on the unit itself.

  2. Layer 02

    IGU seal warranty

    Reputable manufacturers warrant the seal 10+ years. Lesser brands 2–5. Sealed unit failure = fogging.

  3. Layer 03

    Installer workmanship

    1–5 years on the install. Frame fitting, sealant, alignment.

  4. Layer 04

    Statutory consumer law

    ACL always applies. Wrong glass for position = non-compliant install + claimable.

Ask this, exactly

"What\'s the IGU seal warranty + manufacturer name + installer workmanship — in writing?"

08

Wet areas, balustrades, doors.

  • Wet area glass

    Shower screens + bath enclosures + splashbacks. Grade A toughened safety. AS 1288.

  • Balustrades

    Glass balustrades over 1m above ground need engineering + structural compliance + Grade A safety.

  • Pool fence glass

    AS 1926 pool fencing applies. Different + tighter rules than standard balustrade.

  • Heritage windows

    Original-pattern timber-frame restoration. Some leadlight + stained glass. Specialist sub-trade.

Ask this, exactly

"Does this position need AS 1288 Grade A, AS 1926 pool fencing, or anything else specific?"

09

Edge cases — get a second opinion for…

  • Heritage leadlight / stained glass

    Specialist heritage glazier. Restoration + sympathetic replacement.

  • Curved glass

    Bent toughened specialty. Long lead time + specialist install.

  • Pool fence glass

    AS 1926 compliance. Inspector sign-off. Different + tighter rules than standard balustrade.

  • Frameless shower screen

    Specialist install. Wall-fixing + alignment tolerances tight. Cheap install = leaks.

  • Splashback (coloured)

    Custom-coloured back-painted toughened glass. Lead time 2–4 weeks.

  • Bushfire zone (BAL-rated)

    BAL-12.5+ has specific glazing requirements. Specialist install + tested products.

  • Cyclone zone (FNQ)

    TC-rated wind-load glass. Frame + fixings specified.

  • Roof glazing / skylights

    Specialist work. Different sealing regime. Often a roof plumber + glazier coordination.

  • Strata common-property glass

    OC approval. Common-property windows / balustrades.

10

After they leave.

Silicone sealant cure 24 hours. IGU manufacturer warranty registered. Keep the etched-stamp evidence + warranty PDF + installer details — required at sale.

Ask this, exactly

"Will you register the manufacturer warranty + provide the AS 1288 compliance documentation in writing?"

If you've read this far

A glazier who quotes the AS 1288 grade for the position is not a unicorn. It's the law.

We can introduce you to glaziers in your area who already work this way. No paid placement.

Find a vetted glazier Window · splashback · balustrade
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