26 definitions of the standards, codes, manufacturers, and systems that govern Florida commercial glazing. Authored by Connor Walsh, President of ACG (FL CGC #1531993). Last updated 2026-05-09.
Industry training and certification program for commercial fenestration installers, administered by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (formerly American Architectural Manufacturers Association). Required for many manufacturer authorized-installer programs and most impact-rated work.
American Society of Civil Engineers Standard 7, 2022 edition — the design wind-load standard referenced by the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2026). Wind loads in some Florida counties increased 10-15% versus the prior edition.
Field water-test standard for installed fenestration. Required by many Florida AHJs as part of the curtainwall and storefront punch-out process.
Test standards for impact-resistant fenestration. E1886 is the 9-pound 2x4 large-missile impact test (50 ft/s); E1996 is the cyclic pressure test (9,000+ cycles). Both are required for impact-rated commercial glazing in Florida HVHZ counties.
Multi-story aluminum facade system that carries its own dead load and transfers wind load to the building structure. Curtainwall is engineered for high-performance commercial buildings exceeding two stories. Differs from storefront, which is non-load-bearing.
The wind pressure (positive and negative) an opening must resist, calculated per ASCE 7-22 wind speeds and the building's exposure category. Each Florida Product Approval and Miami-Dade NOA lists the design pressure ratings the assembly is approved for.
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat division covering openings — doors, windows, glazing, hardware, glazed entrances, louvers, and storefront/curtainwall systems. ACG operates as a Division 08 specialty subcontractor.
Colombian-engineered manufacturer of impact-rated commercial storefront and curtainwall systems including ES-50 (storefront), ES-7000, and ES-8000 (high-performance curtainwall). Authorized installer status is required for warranty validity.
Florida-headquartered manufacturer of multi-slide, bi-fold (Vistafold), pivot, and DirectSet door systems with Florida Product Approvals and HVHZ NOAs. Common on hospitality, restaurant, and commercial projects.
Statewide product approval administered through the Florida Building Code program (FloridaBuilding.org). Each glazing assembly (system + glass + framing combination) carries a unique FPA number listing approved use cases, design pressures, and installation conditions. Deviation voids the approval.
High-Velocity Hurricane Zone — Miami-Dade and Broward counties, designated by the Florida Building Code as having the highest wind-load and impact-resistance requirements. Glazing assemblies in HVHZ counties require Miami-Dade NOA listings, not just statewide FPAs.
Commercial glazing that passes ASTM E1886 / E1996 large-missile and cyclic pressure tests. Eliminates the need for hurricane shutters in HVHZ. Required by code on Florida coastal commercial projects.
Sealed double- or triple-pane glass assembly with a gas-filled (typically argon) cavity between panes for thermal performance. Required for Florida Energy Code compliance on most commercial projects.
Glass with a polymer interlayer (PVB or SGP) bonded between panes. Holds together when broken. Required for impact-rated assemblies, overhead glazing, and many safety-glazing locations.
Microscopically thin metallic oxide coating applied to glass that reflects infrared heat while letting visible light through. Reduces solar heat gain (SHGC) and improves U-value. Standard on virtually all Florida commercial IGU assemblies.
Notice of Acceptance — the Miami-Dade County product-approval document issued for HVHZ glazing assemblies. Stricter than statewide FPA. Lists the specific manufacturer, system, glass make-up, framing, and installation conditions the assembly is approved for.
Florida-manufactured (Venice, FL) impact-resistant fenestration brand specializing in residential-grade and light commercial glazing. ACG installs PGT on residential infill and light commercial projects where the system is appropriately specified.
Curtainwall design that equalizes pressure between the exterior and a sealed cavity behind the glass, eliminating the pressure differential that drives water intrusion. Required for most modern commercial curtainwall systems.
Sentry-Glas-Plus, a stiffer ionoplast laminated glass interlayer that holds together longer than standard PVB after breakage. Used in high-security and high-impact applications.
Opaque glass typically used to conceal floor slabs, structural members, and mechanical spaces in curtainwall facades. Achieved with ceramic frit, back-painting, or insulated panel back-up.
Non-load-bearing aluminum framing system for ground-floor commercial entrances up to ~10 feet tall, with separate horizontal and vertical members. Common applications: retail, restaurant, office lobby, medical, bank. Differs from curtainwall, which is multi-story and load-bearing.
Curtainwall glazing technique where structural silicone bonds the glass directly to the framing, replacing or supplementing pressure-bar attachment. Requires lab-trained applicators and 5-year inspection cycles.
Heat-treated glass that is approximately 4x stronger than annealed glass and breaks into small, relatively safe cubes (ANSI Z97.1 safety glazing). Required at doors, sidelights within 24 inches of doors, and several other code-mandated locations.
Thermal transmittance of a glazing assembly — how much heat passes through per unit area per degree of temperature difference. Lower U-value = better insulation. Florida Energy Code sets maximum U-values by climate zone.
Euro-Wall's bi-fold glass wall system. Available in 2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-panel configurations up to 40 feet wide with Florida Product Approvals and HVHZ availability. Common on restaurants and indoor-outdoor hospitality applications.
Florida Building Code designation for areas where impact-rated glazing or hurricane shutters are required. Most coastal Florida commercial work falls within WBDR. HVHZ is a stricter subset of WBDR.