If you've ever seen a set of specifications organized by the CSI MasterFormat system, you've encountered Division 08. It's the section that governs every opening in a building — doors, frames, windows, glazing systems, hardware, and more. For GCs managing complex scopes, understanding what Division 08 covers (and what it doesn't) is essential to writing airtight subcontractor agreements and avoiding scope gaps.
What Is CSI MasterFormat?
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat is the standard organizational framework used by architects, engineers, and specification writers to organize project specifications. It uses a numbered division system to categorize all elements of construction work. Most commercial projects in the United States are specified using MasterFormat, which means the same numbering system applies whether you're building a hospital in Miami or a mixed-use development in Nashville.
MasterFormat divides construction work into Procurement and Contracting Requirements (Divisions 00–01) and Specifications (Divisions 02–49). Division 08 falls within the "Facility Construction" group and covers one of the most complex and scope-intensive categories on any commercial project: Openings.
Division 08 Defined: Openings
Division 08 is titled "Openings" in MasterFormat, and it covers essentially everything that creates or controls an opening in the building envelope — doors, frames, windows, glazing systems, hardware, and related specialties.
That's a broader scope than most people realize. Division 08 is not just "the glass work." It includes metal doors and frames, wood doors, specialty doors, windows, storefronts, curtainwall, entrances, glazing, hardware, and fire-rated assemblies that protect openings. When a GC says they're "bidding Division 08," they mean the entire openings scope — which is often split between multiple subcontractors on large projects.
Key Sections Within Division 08
Understanding the section breakdown within Division 08 helps GCs scope work correctly and assign it to the right subcontractors. Here are the most commonly encountered sections on commercial projects in Florida:
Section 08 11 00 — Metal Doors and Frames
This section covers hollow metal doors and frames — the standard steel door-in-frame assemblies used in stairwells, mechanical rooms, corridor doors, and building entries. This work is typically bid separately from the glazing scope and is often performed by a different subcontractor than the glazing contractor. However, when hollow metal frames hold glass — like a sidelight next to a hollow metal door — the glazing contractor may furnish the glass even if the hollow metal contractor furnishes the frame. Clarifying this interface in bid documents prevents gaps and overlaps.
Section 08 41 00 — Entrances and Storefronts
This is the core glazing scope on most low-rise and mid-rise commercial projects. Section 08 41 00 covers aluminum-framed glass entry systems and storefront systems — the stick-built aluminum framing with tempered or impact-rated glass you see on retail stores, medical offices, restaurants, and commercial building lobbies. It typically includes the aluminum framing, glass, hardware (pulls, closers, locking), and threshold. This is ACG's bread-and-butter scope. See our commercial storefront systems page for details on what we install.
Section 08 44 00 — Curtain Wall Assemblies
Section 08 44 00 covers curtainwall — the non-load-bearing exterior wall system spanning floor-to-floor on mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Curtainwall is one of the most technically complex scopes in Division 08. It requires engineered shop drawings, factory-fabricated aluminum framing systems, precision-fabricated glass units, and experienced field crews for installation. On large projects, the curtainwall specification alone can run dozens of pages. ACG handles curtainwall scopes across Florida — review our completed projects on the portfolio page.
Section 08 45 00 — Translucent Wall and Roof Assemblies
This section covers specialty translucent systems — fiberglass panels, translucent insulating panel systems, and skylight assemblies. These systems allow diffused natural light through the building envelope without the clarity of glass. They're common in athletic facilities, warehouses, and canopy applications where daylighting is desired but direct views are not required.
Section 08 51 00 — Metal Windows
Section 08 51 00 covers fixed and operable metal-framed windows — distinct from storefront systems. Punched-opening aluminum windows on multifamily residential and mixed-use projects fall here. Impact-rated aluminum windows required by Florida Building Code in wind-borne debris regions are specified under this section. The performance requirements — design pressure ratings, water infiltration resistance, impact ratings — must match what the structural engineer of record has designed the building for.
Section 08 71 00 — Door Hardware
Hardware — locksets, closers, hinges, exit devices, access control hardware — is specified in Section 08 71 00. On many projects, a hardware consultant or hardware supplier provides a hardware schedule that coordinates with every door in the project. The glazing contractor typically installs the hardware specified for aluminum storefront and curtainwall doors; a separate hardware contractor may install hardware on hollow metal and wood doors. Scope clarity on hardware is critical — it's one of the most common sources of cost gaps on commercial projects.
Section 08 80 00 — Glazing
Section 08 80 00 is the catch-all glazing section — covering glass that isn't already specified as part of a window, storefront, or curtainwall assembly. This includes glass in hollow metal frames, interior glazed partitions not covered by a specialty system, mirrors, and specialty glass types. It also establishes the project's glass performance requirements — visible light transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient, U-factor — which must be met across all glazing systems on the project regardless of which section specifies the framing.
Section 08 88 00 — Special Function Glazing
This section covers glass with special performance requirements: fire-rated glazing, ballistic-resistant glazing, blast-resistant glazing, and other specialty applications. Fire-rated glazing is increasingly common on commercial projects in Florida due to IBC requirements for egress corridors, stairwells, and fire-rated separation assemblies. ACG installs fire-rated glazing systems — see our fire-rated glass systems page for more information.
How GCs Should Scope Division 08 Work
The most common Division 08 scoping mistakes GCs make:
Lumping all Division 08 into one sub. On complex projects, it may not be practical for one subcontractor to cover hollow metal doors, wood doors, aluminum storefront, curtainwall, hardware, and specialty glazing. Many GCs use separate subs for hollow metal/hardware and glazing systems. Know which sub is responsible for what — and document it in your subcontract scope letters.
Missing the hardware interface. Who supplies and installs hardware on aluminum doors? Who installs panic hardware on exit-only storefronts? These questions need answers in the bid documents, not after award. A glazing contractor's standard scope includes hardware on aluminum systems but may not include electrified hardware or access control devices that require coordination with the electrical sub.
Ignoring fire-rated assemblies. Fire-rated door frames, fire-rated glazing, and fire-rated assembly requirements are often scattered across the specification. Make sure the entity responsible for each fire-rated opening is clearly identified and that the assembly they're installing is listed and labeled correctly for the required rating.
ACG serves GCs who need a reliable Division 08 glazing partner in Florida. We cover storefront, curtainwall, window wall, impact windows, fire-rated glazing, and interior glass. Visit our GC resource center or our services page to understand exactly what we scope and how we work.
Division 08 on Florida Projects: Special Considerations
Florida's building code adds layers to Division 08 that GCs in other states may not be accustomed to. Every glazing product installed in Florida must carry a Florida Product Approval (FL PA) or, for HVHZ projects, a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). These product approvals confirm that the glazing system has been tested to meet Florida's wind and impact requirements for the project's location and design wind speed.
On Florida projects, the glazing contractor is responsible for providing FL PA documentation for every system they install — and for designing and engineering the anchor pattern to match. A glazing sub who is not current on Florida product approval requirements will create inspection problems and delay your certificate of occupancy.
ACG has completed 350+ projects across Florida and installed over 1 million square feet of commercial glass. We manage the full Florida product approval process on every project we build. Use our Scope Engine to start scoping your Division 08 glazing work, or contact us directly to send plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Division 08 include automatic doors?
Yes. Automatic entrances — sliding, swinging, and folding automatic door systems — are specified in Section 08 42 00 (Automatic Entrances). These systems require coordination between the glazing contractor and the electrical sub for power supply. ACG installs automatic entrance systems — see our automatic entrance systems page for details.
Who is typically responsible for Section 08 80 00 glazing in hollow metal frames?
It varies by project and by how the GC divides the scopes. On many projects, the glazing contractor furnishes and installs glass in hollow metal frames even though the hollow metal contractor furnishes the frames. This interface must be clearly defined in bid documents. If it's not specified, assume a scope gap exists and resolve it before award.
Is interior glass — like office partitions — part of Division 08?
Interior glazed partitions can fall under Division 08 (Section 08 80 00 Glazing or Section 08 38 00 Specialty Doors) or under Division 10 (specialties) depending on how the architect has specified them. Demountable partition systems with integrated glass are sometimes specified under Division 10 12 00. Check the spec carefully and confirm with the architect if there's ambiguity.