What standard covers glass in the home?

AS 1288 sets safe glass type and thickness for windows, splashbacks, balustrades and pool fences — including where toughened or laminated safety glass is required. Ask the glazier to confirm compliance for each location.

When is safety glass required?

In doors, low windows, wet areas, balustrades and near floor level, AS 1288 requires grade-A safety glass. Confirm this before the glass is ordered.

How do you vet a glazier?

Written quote (glass type and grade, framing, install), insurance, and confirmation the glass meets AS 1288 for each location.

Trade 14 of 33Updated June 2026

A research dossier · 260 trade-region files across 8 states & territories · 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.

In a hurry? Start here

Jump to what you need

I've got quotes

Compare them properly

Most glazier quotes price different scopes. See what a real quote contains, line by line.

I need someone now

Handle it urgently

Make-safe price first, full quote second — and verify the licence before anyone starts.

Is this one legit?

Verify this tradie

The free 60-second routine: licence, insurance, ABN, history — before you pay a deposit.

My state

Check your state rules

Licensing, deposit caps and the common gotcha for your state and territory.

Or grab the four printable buyer checklists →

90-second briefing

Read this first

Before you hire a glazier, know this.

1
Glass type matters for safety — wet areas, low panels and doors need Grade A safety glass (AS 1288).
2
Confirm whether it is a repair, a reglaze or full replacement, and whether the frame is included.
3
Energy-rated and laminated glass cost more but may be required — confirm the spec.
4
Get the glass type, thickness and standard specified in writing.
5
Get the insurance details and a written scope before any deposit.

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 tradies.needatrade.com.au/flyers/.

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.

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?"

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. High-risk operator 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. Quote-trap operators 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

✓
AGGA membership — strong positive signal. Industry body certifies practice.
✓
ABN + Public liability certificate.
✓
AS 1288 quote reference. The Standard named in the quote document.
✓
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?"

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.

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?"

What happens next, step by step.

1Step
Site measure
Position + dimensions. Glass grade per AS 1288. Sealing + frame details.
2Step
Quote + spec
Glass grade named. Manufacturing lead time. Install date.
3Step
Custom manufacture
Glass cut + toughened (or IGU assembled) at the factory.
4Step
Install
Existing glass removed. New glass set with correct sealant + setting blocks.
5Step
Cure + test
Silicone cure 24 hours. Door / panel tested.
6Step
Handover + compliance
Etched safety stamp shown. Manufacturer warranty pack handed over.

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.

Warranty — seal + manufacturer.

Layer 01
Glass manufacturer
Toughened safety glass marked AS 2208. Manufacturer cover on the unit itself.
Layer 02
IGU seal warranty
Reputable manufacturers warrant the seal 10+ years. Lesser brands 2–5. Sealed unit failure = fogging.
Layer 03
Installer workmanship
1–5 years on the install. Frame fitting, sealant, alignment.
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?"

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?"

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.

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.

The verification routine below is how you confirm any glazier you find — their licence number, insurance certificate, ABN, specialist endorsements, and references — before you sign or pay a deposit. We don't introduce, list or recommend specific tradies. No paid placement.

Verify any glazier's licence 60-second routine · 6 free checks

Editorial position: we don't list, rank or recommend tradies on this site.
The separate operator platform — members.needatrade.com.au — opens later this year.

The toolkit

Use these before you sign.

The four components below apply to every Australian trade contract. The trade-specific sections above add the layer on top.

44 homeowner quotes · Reg State trade regulator + work-safety regulator · AS AS 1288 · 9 operator quotes · Last reviewed June 2026

Quote anatomy

What a real quote should contain

Operator + ABN

Full legal name + active 11-digit ABN

Verify on the Australian Business Register before paying any deposit. If the ABN isn't active, the contract has no enforceable counterparty.

State trade licence

Licence number + class on the quote

Cross-check on the relevant state regulator (linked in the glossary licence-check section). Confirms they can legally do the work.

Public liability insurance

$10–20 million cover, still current (not expired)

This is what pays if they damage your home — or a neighbour's — or someone is injured during the job. Ask them to email you the insurance certificate; "I'm covered, mate" is not proof.

Workers' insurance

In place if they bring any workers onto your property

If a worker is hurt on your property and the operator has no workers' insurance, you can be the one left liable. A genuine sole trader with no employees may not need it — just ask.

Itemised scope of work

What's included, what's not, line by line

"Standard installation" means nothing in court. Specific scope items are what get enforced.

Materials specification

Brand, grade, quantity, AS standard where applicable

Prevents the "we used what was on the truck" substitution that turns up under failure inspections.

Variations clause

How changes get priced + agreed, in writing

No written variation = unenforceable. Verbal "we'll work it out" is how budgets blow out by 40%.

Deposit + progress

Within your state's legal cap (e.g. NSW 10%; VIC 10%/5% by threshold; QLD tiered 20%/10%/5% by job value)

Above-cap deposits are illegal. Caps differ by state — check your state's current regulator guidance. Progress payments should align with completed stages, not arbitrary dates.

Warranty terms

Workmanship period + manufacturer warranty pass-through

Statutory warranty applies regardless, but written terms accelerate enforcement.

Completion definition

What "practical completion" means for this job

Triggers final payment + starts the defects liability period.

Dispute path

Named regulator/tribunal for disputes (e.g. NCAT, VCAT, QCAT)

Knowing the path before signing makes you a less attractive target for a dispute.

If a quote you receive is missing any of these, ask for them before you sign or pay a deposit.

The working operator vs the cowboy

Where

✓ Working operator

✗ Cowboy

Quote

Written, itemised, with named scope + exclusions. Numbered + dated.

A number on a text. "I'll do it for $X."

Licence

Licence number on the quote; matches the name on the state register.

"I'll send the licence later." Never does.

Insurance

Emails you the insurance certificate the same day you ask.

"I'm insured, mate." Never actually sends the certificate.

Deposit

Within statutory limit. Held in their account, receipted.

Asks for cash up front. Above the legal limit.

Variations

Written. Cost + time impact. You sign before work changes.

Verbal "we'll sort it out". Surprise invoice at the end.

Warranty

Written workmanship period. Manufacturer cert handed over.

"My word's my warranty." No paper.

References

Three recent jobs with photos + contact for past clients.

"All my reviews are on Google."

Clean-up

Final clean defined in scope. Photos taken at handover.

Site left messy. Promises to "come back tomorrow".

State-by-state contract compliance

Choose your state:

NSW $5,000

Regulator

Building Commission NSW

Common gotcha