How long is the typical commercial glazing warranty in Florida?

Glass manufacturer: 10 years on IGU seal failure, 5-10 years on lamination. Aluminum manufacturer: 5-10 years on finish. Installer labor: 1-2 years standard, 5 years on extended commercial. Sealant: 10-20 years on structural, 5 years on weatherseal.

What's the most common cause of commercial glass warranty claims?

IGU edge seal failure (typically years 7-12 on standard low-E units) and sealant joint failure (typically years 3-7 if installed poorly, years 10-15 if installed correctly). Glass breakage from impact is not a warranty claim — it's an insurance or owner-replacement event.

Does the installer warranty travel with the building if ownership changes?

Yes, on commercial glazing. ACG installer warranty is transferable to subsequent owners within the warranty term with documentation. Manufacturer warranties on glass, aluminum, and sealant are also transferable.

ACG Blog

Florida Commercial Glazing Warranty Explained — Manufacturer vs Installer Coverage

Manufacturer vs installer warranty on Florida commercial glass: what's covered, what isn't, and how to enforce. Covers Solarban, Viracon, Kawneer, YKK AP, sealant warranties.

By Connor Walsh, President — American Commercial Glass · May 23, 2026 · 8-12 minute read

Commercial glazing warranty is a stack — manufacturer + installer + product-specific — and most owners don't know which warranty covers what. This is the practical breakdown.

Manufacturer warranty layer 1 — glass

Glass manufacturer warranty covers the glass itself: edge seal failure on insulating units, low-E coating defects, lamination delamination. Solarban (Vitro) IGU warranty: 10 years on seal failure. Viracon IGU warranty: 10 years. Lamination warranty: 5 years standard, 10 years with SGP upgrade. Glass warranty does NOT cover installation defects, sealant failure, or breakage.

Manufacturer warranty layer 2 — aluminum system

Aluminum framing manufacturer warranty (Kawneer, YKK AP, Tubelite, EFCO) covers extrusion finish (PVDF Kynar 70/30 or Kynar 500, anodized class I/II, powder coat) typically 5-10 years against fade, chalk, peel, and adhesion failure. Aluminum substrate warranty is generally lifetime on the structural extrusion itself. Hardware (operators, locks, hinges) is typically 1-3 years.

Installer warranty — labor and installation defects

Installer warranty covers installation workmanship: anchor performance, sealant joint, flashing, weatherstripping integration. Florida commercial glazier standard is 1-2 years on labor. ACG standard is 2 years; extended 5-year available on commercial scopes. Installer warranty does NOT cover acts of God, building structural movement beyond design, or owner-caused damage.

Sealant warranty — the often-forgotten layer

Structural sealant (Dow Corning 995, Sika SikaSil WS-305) carries manufacturer warranty 10-20 years when applied per spec by a Dow- or Sika-approved applicator. Weatherseal sealants are typically 5-year manufacturer warranty. ACG is an approved applicator for both Dow and Sika commercial sealant lines.

What voids commercial glazing warranties — most common

Owner-side power washing with non-approved chemicals (citrus-based, ammoniated). HVAC overspray reaching sealant joints. Building settlement beyond design tolerance. Tinted film applied after installation (voids low-E coating warranty almost universally). Modification of frame for tenant signage without manufacturer approval.

Enforcement — how owners actually claim warranty

Document the defect with photos and date. Contact the installer first within 60 days of discovery. Installer triages — installation defect vs material defect. If material defect, installer files claim with manufacturer and coordinates remediation. If installer is non-responsive, owner contacts manufacturer directly with installer's contact info and copy of original purchase. Manufacturer-direct claims work but slower.

ACG warranty service standard

5-day response on all warranty calls. 10-day site visit for inspection. Remediation scope and timeline issued within 5 days of inspection. Most warranty issues resolved within 30-45 days of initial call. Documented in our service tracking system; reported to owner monthly until closed.

Recommended owner warranty file at substantial completion

Manufacturer certificates (glass, aluminum, sealant, hardware). NOA documentation if HVHZ. Shop drawings as-built. Installer warranty letter on company letterhead with project address and warranty term. Sealant applicator certification. Punch list signoff with dates. Annual cleaning specification document. Owner who has this file enforces warranty 3x faster than owner who has to reconstruct it.

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