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Glass in a home can easily be broken, and the result is a mess of sharp glass shards that are a large safety hazard. Frequently children or adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities, behavioral disorders, and/or mental health disorders (such as Autism or dementia) may have behaviors that can cause glass to break, such as throwing items or purposefully running into glass to break it. "Shatterproof" glass is often recommended, and there are many ways to achieve this (none of which are truly "shatterproof," but all increase safety).
The simplest solution is to add a film to the window glass. This film will not significantly decrease the risk of the glass breaking, but will contain the glass if it breaks, making injury from glass shards less likely. It can be added to any window at home as a DIY project (or can be done by a contractor). Films can be purchased at your local home improvement store or online. Most films are clear and can’t be seen. Some films can also help to block out light and heat, reducing or eliminating the need for window shades or curtains (which can be a safety hazard for many people).
This information applies not only to windows, but also to other places in a home that have glass or similar materials:
Some doorsPhotos frames TV screens Mirrors
Pros- least expensive option, can be installed on any existing window or door with glass, DIY, no disruptive installation process Cons- not likely to significantly decrease the risk of the window breaking, higher quality products may require professional installation, doesn’t address if current window frame is weak due to age or damage
"Shatterproof" Windows
b e y o n d a c c e s s i b i l i t y . c o m
WHAT DOES BUILDING CODE SAY?
SOLUTION#3: NEW WINDOWS
Improve how you live with customized solutions to everyday problems at home.
Replacing current windows with new ones that have shatterproof glass (also may called “unbreakable,” “impact-resistant,” “safety,” “tempered,” or “hurricane” windows). Standard glass (called plate glass) can be upgraded in many forms.
Plastic alternatives called polycarbonates or plexiglass can be used and offer higher strength than standard glass (many people have eyeglasses made from this material). This is also a great option to replace glass in photo frames and make a protective covering to cover TV screens. Laminated glasses have layers of glass alternated with plastic with adhesives to increase strength and contain the materials when broken. Tempered glass has been heated and cooled, making it 4-5x stronger. When it breaks it crumbles into small pieces instead of sharp shards (this is the type of glass used in car windows).
Pros- replacing the window panes and frame will result in the strongest combination to prevent breakage while also protecting against injury if an unlikely breakage should occur. May be required by code in some situations Cons- Expensive, requires a contractor to install and there could be an extended period of disruption during the installation process
Please note that every region has its own local building codes, and it is important to follow the regulations of your own area. International Residential Code requires safety glazing of glass in areas of safety concerns (please refer to code for all the specific details) , such as…
Doors containing glass - swinging doors, sliding doors, and storm doors. Areas around water- hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, and showers Sometimes near a walking surface, such as low positioned windows or windows near doors On or near stairs/ramps Older homes are less likely to be in compliance with current code, so please consider the age of your home when evaluating your current windows and doors. Homes built before the 1980s for example most often have sliding glass doors that are standard glass, instead of the tempered glass used in currently manufactured sliding glass doors.
Make sure you put the window film on the inside of the window to prevent breakage from objects thrown inside the home (in contrast to worrying about items from the outside hitting the windows such as from burglary or severe weather). If you are purchasing windows that have glass or plastic that is “shatter-resistance” please make sure your contractor is aware that the concern is for items thrown from the inside rather than exterior forces to make sure you install appropriate materials in your home. Please consider with sliding glass doors adding a visual cue to the large glass panel to prevent people from walking into the clear glass. If you are installing new windows, consider how the material may help to block out sound, heat/cold, and light to help with sensory sensitivities. They also sell windows with blinds inside of them which can help eliminate the safety hazard of traditional curtains, shades, and blinds.
Replace panes of glass with less breakable alternatives (see replacement option details in next section.) This will depend on how easy it is to remove the current windows from the exterior frame attached to the house. Some may come out easily, which gives you the option to bring it to a local hardware store or repair shop to get the glass replaced. Others may not come out easily, so you may need to hire someone to come to your home to do the repair work.
Pros- moderate cost, can usually be done in one day to minimize disruption, depending onmaterials used can offer greater strength to prevent breakage as well as decrease the likelihood of injury if the window were to break Cons- doesn’t address if current window frame is weak due to age or damage, some windows may be very difficult to remove, may require hiring of contractors or handyman with at least some disruption in the home during the installation process
