Quick answer: Commercial glass warranties typically include three layers: glass manufacturer warranty (insulated glass seal failure 10 years, coatings 5-10 years), framing manufacturer warranty (aluminum extrusion finish 10-20 years), and installer workmanship warranty (1-5 years on installation defects). None of them cover weather events, vandalism, building movement, or cleaning damage. The fine print matters.
Fabricated insulated glass units typically carry a 10-year warranty against seal failure (when the seal between the two glass lites fails and moisture or fog appears inside the cavity). Low-E coatings typically carry a 5-10 year warranty against coating delamination, oxidation, or peeling. Surface scratches, breakage, and impact damage are NOT covered.
Aluminum extrusion finish warranties: 10 years for class I anodize, 10-20 years for PVDF (Kynar 70%/30%) paint, 5-10 years for powder coat. Standard mill-finish aluminum carries no finish warranty. Framing structural integrity is typically covered for 1 year — manufacturers won't warrant aluminum framing against building settlement or excessive structural loads.
ACG provides a 1-year workmanship warranty as standard, with options to extend to 5 years for owner-financed work. The workmanship warranty covers leaks at sealants, anchorage failure due to installation error, and hardware adjustment. It does NOT cover the glass itself (that's the manufacturer's responsibility) or building movement that disturbs the glass installation.
Hurricane/wind damage above design loads. Vandalism. Acid-rain pitting. Improper cleaning (using razor blades, abrasive cleaners, or ammonia on tinted glass). Concrete or stucco overspray during construction. Building movement exceeding design tolerances. Settlement cracks. Welding spatter from adjacent work.
Document the failure with photos and date-stamped notes. Email the GC, owner, and the responsible warranty party (glass mfr, frame mfr, or installer) within 30 days. Allow access for inspection. Do not attempt repair before inspection — that voids the warranty. ACG handles all warranty coordination for jobs we install.
Commercial glass warranties cover insulated glass seal failure (10 years), low-E coating defects (5-10 years), aluminum frame finish (10-20 years for PVDF), and installer workmanship (1-5 years). They exclude weather damage, vandalism, and improper cleaning.
A properly fabricated insulated glass unit should last 20-30 years before the seal degrades. Manufacturer warranties typically cover the first 10 years against seal failure.
Hurricane damage is not covered by glass warranties — it is an insurance claim. Glass warranties cover material defects and installation errors, not weather events.
Improper cleaning (razor blades, abrasive cleaners), structural building movement exceeding design tolerances, vandalism, third-party modifications, and unauthorized repair attempts can all void glass warranties.
Typically the owner contacts the glazier who installed the glass. The glazier coordinates with the responsible manufacturer (glass or frame) and handles the claim. ACG provides this coordination at no charge for the warranty period.
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