WHAT IS TEMPERED GLASS?

TEMPERED GLASS IS A STRONG, BREAK-RESISTANT TYPE OF SAFETY GLASS.

Tempered glass has been heat-treated and placed under pressure to withstand greater forces on its surface than annealed (un-tempered) glass. When it breaks, it will shatter into small granular pieces rather than jagged shards. Although the granular pieces are less likely to cause injury than jagged shards, the granular pieces do have sharp edges and should still be handled with care to reduce the risk of lacerations and other injuries.

WHY DOES MY GLASS APPEAR GREEN?

The glass contains small amounts of iron, which can appear green in some lighting and at some angles – this is a natural characteristic of glass. It can appear to be more noticeable in some lighting or in bathrooms with light-colored paint. If looking at the glass at an angle, it may appear to have green edges. It can be more noticeable as the glass thickness increases (10mm can be more noticeable than 6mm).

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GLASS BREAKS, CRACKS, OR CHIPS?

Delta® shower doors are made with tempered glass, which is a heat-treating process that places the glass under pressure to increase its strength. The tempering process also allows the glass, if it should break, to separate into small, granular pieces for consumer safety. However, the granular pieces are still sharp and should be handled with care to reduce the risk of injury.

ANY CRACK OR CHIP IN THE GLASS MAY PROPAGATE AND CAUSE BREAKAGE EVENTUALLY.

  • Hard surface contact impact
  • Chips that turn into cracks
  • Cracks

Due to a number of factors, a damaged tempered glass panel may break right away if impacted by a hard surface, or during a high velocity operation. It may also break at a later time.

When the glass breaks, the pressure produced within the glass during the manufacturing process is released. Due to this release of pressure, a glass breakage event can appear quite dramatic – it can result in a loud sound and the glass pieces can travel across a room.

NOTE: If your panel has a chip, or appears to be damaged, DO NOT USE. Please contact our Delta® Shower Door Customer Experience Team.

HOW DO I INSTALL GLASS SAFELY?

Follow these essential tips to protect yourself and your investment while achieving a smooth installation.

  • 1. CONFIRM SIZE AND FIT

    Be sure the shower door system you choose fits your environment by reading the door dimensions and installation guide requirements before starting.

  • 2. USE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

    Any persons handling the glass should be wearing all recommended safety gear and accessories to protect the eyes and upper and lower extremities (arms, hands, legs, and feet) during installation.

  • 3. TWO CAPABLE PEOPLE

    Two capable adults should handle installation. While the glass may not feel heavy, its size and dimensions can make placement challenging depending on the environment, shower door design, and your physical condition.

  • 4. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

    Ensure you fully understand your shower door installation project and have all the required tools and equipment. 

  • 5. CHECK FOR CRACKS OR CHIPS

    Check glass before installing. If chips, scratches, or other damage are found, do not install the glass. Contact Delta® Shower Doors Customer Experience Team. If the shower door system has a second glass panel, do not install it if one appears damaged. Both glass doors may be compromised.

  • 6. USE CORNER PROTECTORS!

    Before installing, have a cushioned spot to rest panels like a carpet or blanket (to avoid contact with hard surfaces).

    Corner protectors should be kept on until instructions tell you to remove them.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm GLASS?

The main difference is the ‘feel’ in the slide or opening. More heft translates to a more luxurious experience. All Delta® shower door glass, regardless of width, is made of tempered glass and functions in the same manner.

WHAT INDUSTRY STANDARD DOES DELTA FOLLOW FOR GLASS AND SHOWER DOORS?

IAPMO: The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials Specific Standard.

IAPMO IGC 154-2019 Shower and Tub/Shower Enclosures, Bathtubs with Glass Pressure-Sealed Doors, and Shower/Steam Panels covers shower/steam panels, enclosures for showers and tub/shower combinations, bathtubs and tub/shower combinations with glass pressure sealed doors, and floor mounted showers intended for new and retrofit applications and specifies requirements for materials, physical characteristics, performance testing, and markings.

ANSI: American National Standards Institute Specific Standard.

ANSI Z97.1 American National Standard for Safety Glazing Materials Used in Buildings – Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Test is the American National Standard for safety glazing materials used in buildings. It sets specifications and testing methods for the safety properties of safety glazing materials used for all building and architectural purposes. By prescribing the minimum safety performance characteristics of safety glazing materials, ANSI Z97.1 affords a basis for safety standards for adoption in regulations by federal, state, and local regulatory bodies, as well as for use by building code officials, architects, designers, specifiers, and others as a reference standard. ANSI Z97.1 has been adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 CFR 1201), an agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for regulating consumer products such as glass shower door systems.

SGCC: Safety Glazing Certification Council.

SGCC maintains a certification program under which manufacturers of safety glazing products voluntarily submit their products for testing to an SGCC-approved independent testing laboratory. The testing procedures used in SGCC's program are consistent with those established in ANSI Z97.1, CPSC 16 CFR 1201 and CAN/CGSB 12.1.