If you've ever opened a set of construction drawings and found a table with rows of numbers, letters, and codes you didn't understand, you've seen a door and window schedule. This guide explains what it is, what every column means, and why it matters for getting an accurate glazing bid.
What Is a Door and Window Schedule?
A door and window schedule is a table in the construction drawings that lists every opening in the building. Each door, window, storefront panel, and curtainwall unit gets its own row in the schedule.
Think of it like a spreadsheet for all the openings. Instead of having to flip back and forth between floor plans and details to figure out what goes in each opening, you look up the mark number in the schedule and all the information is in one place.
The schedule is typically located on one of the architectural sheets — often labeled A-###, in the door and window schedule section. On large projects, there may be separate schedules for doors, windows, and glazing systems.
The Mark Number
Every opening in the building gets a unique mark number. You'll see these numbers in circles or diamonds on the floor plans and elevations, right next to each opening.
- Door marks often look like: D-01, D-02, or just 101, 102
- Window marks often look like: W-01, W-02, or A, B, C
- Storefront or curtainwall units may use: SF-01, CW-01
When you see a mark number on the floor plan, go to the schedule and find that row. The row tells you everything about that opening.
Reading Each Column
Schedules vary by architect, but most include these key columns. Here's what each one means:
Size (Width × Height)
The rough opening or nominal size of the opening. Usually shown as width × height in feet and inches — for example, 3'-0" × 7'-0" for a standard commercial door. The actual frame size will be slightly smaller than the rough opening to allow for shimming and sealant.
Type
A code that indicates the door or window style. Common door types include:
- SH = Single Hollow Metal
- FG = Full Glass (storefront door)
- HM = Hollow Metal
Window types often reference a detail number rather than a code — "See Detail 8/A-301" tells you the shape and configuration of that window type.
Frame
The frame material and finish. Common entries include:
- Alum/Clear Anodized = aluminum frame, clear anodized finish
- Alum/Dark Bronze = aluminum frame, dark bronze anodized finish
- Alum/Black PA = aluminum frame, black powder coat finish
- HM/Paint = hollow metal frame, painted
Glass
The glass specification for that opening. This is critical for glazing bids. Typical entries include things like:
- 1" IGU, Low-E, Temp = 1-inch insulating glass unit with Low-E coating, tempered
- Lam Impact = laminated impact-rated glass
- Wired = wired glass (found in older fire-rated applications)
- FRG 60 = fire-rated glass, 60-minute rating
Hardware
Hardware is one of the most important columns for cost. This column should list — or reference a hardware set number that specifies — the hardware on each door. Hardware includes:
- Door closers
- Handles or pulls
- Locks and strikes
- Panic hardware (push bars)
- Automatic operators (if applicable)
- Hinges or pivots
When a bid says "hardware by owner" or "hardware by others," that means the glazing sub isn't supplying it. But be careful — if hardware isn't clearly excluded, you may end up with a dispute over who's responsible for supplying a closer or panic bar.
Fire Rating
If an opening requires fire rating, this column shows the required rating. Common ratings include:
- 20 min = 20-minute fire-rated assembly
- 45 min = 45-minute fire-rated assembly
- 60 min = 60-minute fire-rated assembly
- 90 min = 90-minute fire-rated assembly
- 3 hr = 3-hour fire-rated assembly
Fire rating affects which glass and frame products can be used. A 90-minute rating requires a fire-rated glass product — not just any laminated or tempered glass.
Remarks / Notes
The last column often contains special instructions — "coordinate with AHU location," "ADA compliant operator required," "impact rated," or "verify field conditions." Read these carefully. They often flag coordination issues that affect bid pricing.
Why Door Schedules Matter for Glazing Bids
The glazing subcontractor uses the door and window schedule to:
- Count the exact number and type of every opening
- Identify which glass type goes in each location
- Determine hardware requirements and quantities
- Flag any fire-rated openings that require special products
- Calculate material quantities for pricing
A complete, accurate schedule means the glazing sub can give you a tight, accurate bid. An incomplete schedule — or no schedule at all — forces the sub to make assumptions. Assumptions become qualifications. Qualifications become change orders.
For more on what goes into a complete glazing bid package, see our guide on how to get a commercial glazing bid in Florida.
What Happens When the Schedule Is Missing or Incomplete
Missing or incomplete schedules are more common than you'd think. Here's what typically happens:
Glazing Sub Makes Assumptions
Without a schedule, the estimator reads the floor plans, counts openings, and estimates sizes from the scaled drawings. This process takes longer and introduces errors. A door that scales at 3'-0" might actually be 3'-6" when the schedule comes out.
Bids Include Qualifications
Any items not confirmed by a schedule get noted as "based on drawings as received" or "subject to schedule review." When the schedule arrives with different information, those items are repriced. This is how change orders happen before you've even broken ground.
Hardware Gets Excluded or Allowanced
Hardware is expensive and highly variable. Without a hardware schedule or hardware sets, a glazing sub will often exclude hardware entirely ("hardware by others") or include a lump-sum allowance that may be too low. Either creates problems at close-out.
Fire-Rated Openings Get Missed
If the schedule doesn't clearly flag fire-rated openings, the glazing sub may bid them with standard glass and standard hardware. Fire-rated frames, glass, and hardware cost significantly more. Missing them in the bid is a guaranteed change order.
Tips for GCs
If you're a general contractor getting ready to send out a glazing scope, here's how to make sure the schedule works for you:
- Always include the door and window schedule when sending plans to glazing subs. Never send just plans and elevations without it.
- Ask the architect to complete the hardware sets before bid day. Hardware allowances are not your friend.
- Flag fire-rated openings clearly. Make sure the schedule includes a fire rating column, not just a reference to the fire plan.
- Confirm the glass spec is complete. "1/4" tempered" is not a complete glass specification for a Florida project. You need Low-E type, SHGC value, and impact rating (if applicable).
- Send the specification sections too — Division 08 Doors and Frames, Division 08 Glazing, and Division 08 Hardware. The specs tell the sub what products are acceptable and what performance is required.
ACG works with general contractors across Florida on projects ranging from small retail storefronts to large commercial curtainwall scopes. See our GC resources page for how we handle the bid and submittal process, and check our glazing subcontractor page for more on our capabilities. Our commercial glazing services cover the full range of what we supply and install.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a door and window schedule in construction?
A door and window schedule is a table on the construction drawings that lists every door and window opening in the building. Each opening gets a unique mark number, and the schedule lists the size, type, frame material, hardware, fire rating, and glazing requirements for each one. It's the master reference document for anyone supplying or installing doors, frames, hardware, or glass on the project.
Why does a missing door schedule cause problems for glazing bids?
Without a door and window schedule, the glazing sub has to count openings from the floor plans and elevations manually, estimate sizes from what's shown on the drawings, and guess at glass type, frame finish, and hardware requirements. This takes more time and introduces significant risk of error. Bids without a schedule will include a large contingency allowance or carry exclusions for unconfirmed items. Either way, you'll face change orders when the schedule finally arrives.
What columns should every glazing schedule include?
A complete glazing or window schedule should include: mark number, rough opening size, frame type and finish, glass type and thickness, SHGC and U-factor values, fire rating (if applicable), hardware (closer, handle, lock, panic, auto-operator), sill type, and special notes like impact rating or ADA requirements. The more complete the schedule, the more accurate the glazing bid.