What glass thickness is used for sliding windows in the Philippines?

Standard aluminum sliding windows use 5mm or 6mm clear tempered glass for openings up to 900mm wide. For wider openings (900mm to 1500mm), 8mm tempered glass is specified to handle the increased wind load and span without excessive deflection.

What thickness of glass is required for frameless shower enclosures?

Frameless shower enclosures require a minimum of 10mm tempered glass for the fixed panels and door. 12mm is the preferred specification for enclosures wider than 900mm and for pivot doors taller than 2100mm. Thinner glass is not appropriate for frameless applications as it lacks the structural self-support required.

How thick should glass be for a frameless glass railing in the Philippines?

Glass balustrades and railings require a minimum of 12mm tempered glass for residential applications. For commercial installations with higher crowd load requirements, 15mm to 19mm laminated glass is standard. Laminated glass is preferred over single-ply tempered for railings because the PVB interlayer retains fragments if the glass breaks.

Materials Guide

Glass Thickness Guide Philippines — Choosing the Right Spec

From 5mm window glass to 19mm laminated balustrades — the complete Philippine application matrix with engineering rationale for every specification.

Specifications by Glass Thickness

Thickness	Weight (kg/m²)	Primary Applications	Max Unsupported Span
5mm Tempered	12.5	Small window panels, cabinet glass, decorative partitions	600mm
6mm Tempered	15.0	Standard residential sliding windows up to 900mm wide	900mm
8mm Tempered	20.0	Wider sliding windows (900–1500mm), doors, table tops	1200mm
10mm Tempered	25.0	Frameless shower doors (semi-frameless), glass partitions	1500mm
12mm Tempered	30.0	Frameless shower enclosures, frameless doors, residential railings	1800mm
15mm Tempered	37.5	Commercial glass partitions, high-load balustrades	2100mm
10.38mm Laminated	26.0	Commercial balustrades, overhead glass, security glazing	1800mm
12.76mm Laminated	32.0	High-load commercial railings, hurricane-rated facade elements	2100mm
19mm Tempered	47.5	Structural glass fins, heavy commercial partitions, floor glass	3000mm

The Engineering Logic

Glass thickness is determined by the unsupported span, the wind load, and whether it's framed. A larger panel must be thicker because bending stress increases exponentially.

5mm - 6mm Glass

Standard for residential windows up to 900mm wide. Keeps the glass light enough for roller systems to operate smoothly without excessive force.

8mm Glass

Specified for openings wider than 900mm, sliding doors, and table tops. Provides strength while distributing weight properly for heavy-duty rollers.

10mm - 12mm Glass

Used for frameless applications like shower enclosures and glass partitions, where the glass must act as its own structural beam.

12mm+ Laminated

Required for railings, balustrades, and overhead glazing where fragment retention after breakage is a critical safety requirement.

Applications

Quick Reference Guide

Right thickness. Right application. Every time.

5–6mm Tempered

Small to medium residential windows. Jalousie blades. Cabinet glass. Not suitable for doors or frameless applications.

8mm Tempered

Wide windows (900–1500mm). All sliding doors. Full-frame glass doors. Glass table tops.

10mm Tempered

Semi-frameless shower enclosures. Glass office partitions up to 2100mm high. Floor-to-ceiling systems.

12mm Tempered

Fully frameless shower enclosures. Frameless pivot doors. Residential glass balustrades up to 1100mm high.

10.38–12.76mm Laminated

Commercial balustrades and overhead glazing where fragment retention after breakage is mandatory.

15–19mm Tempered

Structural glass fins. Heavy commercial partitions. Floor glass panels. High-crowd-load commercial railings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common glass thickness questions answered.

What thickness is used for sliding windows?

Standard aluminum sliding windows use 6mm clear tempered glass for openings up to 900mm wide. For wider openings, 8mm tempered glass is specified.

What thickness for frameless showers?

Frameless enclosures require a minimum of 10mm for semi-frameless and 12mm for fully frameless. Thinner glass cannot support itself safely.

How thick for a glass railing?

Residential railings require 12mm minimum tempered glass. Commercial installations require 15mm tempered or 10.38mm laminated glass.

Can I use thinner glass to save cost?

No. Undersized glass in typhoon conditions deflects excessively under wind load, generating stress that causes spontaneous breakage. It's a false economy.

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