AS1288 Glass Requirements for Aluminium Windows and Doors: A Practical Guide for Australian Projects

When builders and homeowners talk about windows and doors in Australia, most of the attention usually goes to the frame: aluminium profiles, opening styles, hardware, colours, and weather performance.

But in real projects, the glass is just as important as the frame—sometimes more important.

Glass affects:

• safety
• compliance
• comfort
• acoustic performance
• energy efficiency
• long-term building performance

That is why AS1288 is such an important standard in Australian construction.

If you are selecting aluminium windows and doors for a residential or commercial project, understanding AS1288 glass requirements will help you make better decisions about safety glazing, glass thickness, application suitability, and overall compliance.

What Is AS1288?

AS1288 is the Australian standard for glass in buildings – selection and installation.

In simple terms, it provides guidance on how glass should be chosen and used in buildings. Rather than testing the whole window or door system, AS1288 focuses on the glass itself—its type, placement, thickness, safety requirements, and installation suitability for the intended application.

This matters because the same aluminium frame could be fitted with very different glass make-ups depending on:

• the size of the opening
• the height above ground
• the location of the window or door
• wind exposure
• whether human impact is likely
• whether the glass is near floors, bathrooms, stairs, or doors

In other words, AS1288 helps answer a crucial question:

What glass is appropriate and safe for this specific window or door application?

AS1288 vs AS2047: What’s the Difference?

These two standards are often mentioned together, but they do very different jobs.

AS2047

AS2047 relates to the performance of the whole window or external glazed door system. It looks at issues such as:

• wind pressure resistance
• water penetration
• air infiltration
• structural and operating performance

AS1288

AS1288 focuses on glass selection and installation. It addresses:

• glass type
• safety glazing requirements
• thickness and application suitability
• where toughened or laminated glass may be required
• how the glass should be installed for safe use

So if AS2047 asks, “Does the window or door system perform properly?”, AS1288 asks, “Is the glass selected and installed safely for this location?”

Both are essential.

Why AS1288 Matters So Much in Australian Projects

Glass is not a decorative afterthought. It is a critical building material that can affect both safety and compliance.

Poor glass selection can create serious problems such as:

• breakage risk
• injury risk in human impact zones
• non-compliance at approval or inspection stage
• poor acoustic or thermal performance
• underperforming large glazed doors and windows

AS1288 helps reduce these risks by setting rules for how glass should be chosen in different parts of a building.

Common Situations Where AS1288 Becomes Especially Important

1. Full-height windows and glazed doors

If the glass extends close to floor level or forms part of a door assembly, safety glazing requirements may apply.

2. Bathrooms and wet areas

Glass used in or around bathrooms may need special consideration depending on the location and likelihood of human impact.

3. Stairwells and elevated glazing

Windows or glazed panels near stairs, landings, and elevated internal spaces may require more careful specification.

4. Large sliding doors and bifold doors

Big door panels often need a coordinated approach to glass thickness, safety performance, and handling.

5. Balustrade-adjacent or high-risk areas

Any area where people may fall against or impact the glass needs special attention.

What Types of Glass Are Commonly Used Under AS1288-Driven Specifications?

The exact glass type depends on the project, but common options include:

Toughened glass

Used where impact resistance and safety performance are required.

Laminated glass

Often used where safety, acoustic performance, or retained integrity after breakage is important.

Double glazing / insulated glass units

Used to improve thermal and acoustic performance, often in combination with Low-E glass or safety glass requirements.

Low-E glass

Selected primarily for energy performance, but still needs to be assessed within the broader glazing specification.

The important point is that glass should never be chosen only because it is “double glazed” or “Low-E”. It must also be suitable for the location and installation context.

Why Glass Selection Cannot Be Separated From the Window System

In real projects, the frame and the glass must work together.

A supplier may offer a beautiful aluminium awning window or slim sliding door—but if the glass make-up is not suitable for:

• the opening size
• the wind load
• the safety risk
• the thermal performance target
• the installation context

then the result is incomplete.

That is why serious window and door suppliers do not treat glass as a simple optional extra. They treat glazing as part of the complete system recommendation.

What Builders and Homeowners Should Ask About AS1288

When ordering aluminium windows and doors in Australia, ask the supplier the following:

1. What type of glass do you recommend for each opening?

The answer should vary depending on location, size, and use—not be the same across the entire project.

2. Where is safety glass required?

Doors, low-level glazing, bathrooms, stair zones, and high-risk areas may all need special attention.

3. Can the system accommodate the required glass thickness and build-up?

This is especially important for large doors, double glazing, and performance upgrades.

4. How does the glazing specification interact with thermal goals?

If you want Low-E glass, double glazing, or acoustic upgrades, the supplier should explain how these work alongside safety requirements.

5. Are the glass recommendations aligned with Australian project requirements?

A knowledgeable supplier should be able to discuss AS1288 confidently as part of the overall package.

The Most Common Mistake: Treating Glass as a Price Upgrade Only

Many buyers ask questions like:

• “How much extra is double glazing?”
• “Can I upgrade to Low-E?”
• “Is laminated glass necessary?”

Those are fair questions—but they should not be the first questions.

The first question should be:
What glass is actually appropriate for this opening and this project?

Price matters, but safety and suitability come first.

AS1288 and Energy-Efficient Homes

AS1288 is not an “energy standard”, but it still plays a role in energy-efficient projects because it influences what type of glass can be safely and practically used in the system.

For example, if a project requires:

• large Low-E double glazed sliding doors
• laminated acoustic glazing
• oversized fixed windows
• safety glazing in key living areas

then AS1288 considerations sit directly alongside thermal and performance goals.

Conclusion

AS1288 is one of the most important—but most overlooked—parts of selecting aluminium windows and doors in Australia.

It helps ensure that the glass used in a building is not only attractive or energy-efficient, but also safe, suitable, and appropriate for the location in which it is installed.

For builders, developers, and homeowners, the best approach is to work with a supplier that understands glazing as part of the complete system—not as an afterthought.

FAQs About AS1288

What is AS1288?

AS1288 is the Australian standard for the selection and installation of glass in buildings.

Does AS1288 apply to residential homes?

Yes. It is relevant to residential, multi-residential, and commercial buildings where glass is used in windows, doors, and other building applications.

Is AS1288 the same as AS2047?

No. AS2047 focuses on the performance of windows and external glazed doors as systems, while AS1288 focuses on glass selection and installation.

Does AS1288 tell me whether I need toughened or laminated glass?

It helps determine the suitability of different glass types depending on the location, application, and safety requirements of the glazing.

Why does my window supplier need to understand AS1288?

Because glass is a major part of window and door safety, compliance, and overall project performance in Australia.