The glazing specification is one of the most technically dense
sections of any building project tender. Get it right, and you receive
competitive, comparable bids from capable fabricators. Get it wrong — or
leave critical items ambiguous — and you spend months after contract
award resolving specification gaps, processing variations, and managing
claims.
This checklist covers the 40 items we recommend architects,
consultants, and contractors confirm before issuing a glazing tender on
UAE projects. It is structured by category and can be used as a review
tool against your existing specification, or as a starting framework if
you are writing one from scratch.
System Specification
1. System manufacturer and range. Is the
specification open (any system meeting performance requirements) or
proprietary (named system from a specific manufacturer)? If proprietary,
state the exact system designation. If open, define the minimum
performance criteria clearly enough that alternatives can be evaluated
on a like-for-like basis.
2. Profile material. Aluminium alloy grade
(typically 6060-T66 or 6063-T6 for extruded profiles). Specify if steel
reinforcement is required for any elements.
3. Thermal break requirement. Specify: thermal break
material (PA66 GF25 minimum), minimum break width (24mm standard, wider
for high-performance targets), and crimping standard. If
non-thermally-broken systems are acceptable for any elements, state this
explicitly.
4. Profile finish. Powder coat (Qualicoat Class 1 or
2, or GSB approved), anodise (Qualanod, minimum coating thickness), or
combination. Specify RAL colour number and gloss level. State whether
colour consistency between factory-coated profiles and site touch-up
paint is required.
5. Sightline requirements. Maximum visible face
width for frame, interlock, and mullion/transom sections. If the
architect has specific sightline targets for different locations,
include a sightline schedule.
6. Frame depth. Maximum or target frame depth where
this affects wall build-up or reveals.
7. Hardware specification. Named hardware
manufacturer or performance-equivalent. Specify operating type
(tilt-and-turn, side-hung, top-hung, parallel opening, sliding), locking
points, handle type and finish, and restrictor requirements. For sliding
systems, specify roller type, guide system, and lock configuration.
8. Accessibility. Barrier-free threshold
requirements (maximum threshold height, typically 20mm or 15mm for
accessible doors). Specify which openings require accessible
thresholds.
Glass Specification
9. Glass build-up by zone. Provide a glass schedule
showing outer pane, cavity, and inner pane specifications for each
facade zone. Include treatment type (annealed, heat-strengthened,
toughened), interlayer specification where laminated, and cavity fill
(air, argon, krypton).
10. Solar control performance. Target SHGC, VLT, and
external reflectance by orientation or zone. State the applicable
standard for measurement (EN 410 or ISO 9050).
11. Thermal performance. Target Ug (centre-of-pane
U-value) and specify the calculation standard (EN 673). Note that Uw
(whole window) is the compliance metric — state target Uw where
applicable.
12. Acoustic performance. Target Rw (weighted sound
reduction index) by zone. Specify whether the requirement applies to the
glass alone or the complete window assembly.
13. Safety glazing. Identify zones requiring safety
glass (BS EN 12600 or equivalent). Specify impact class (1B1, 2B2, etc.)
and whether laminated, toughened, or laminated-toughened is
required.
14. Spacer bar type. Warm-edge (specify material —
stainless steel, composite, thermoplastic) or aluminium. Specify colour
if visible on the finished installation.
15. IGU edge seal. Dual-seal system (polysulphide,
polyurethane, or silicone secondary seal over PIB primary seal). State
expected service life if the project requires it.
16. Glass marking and traceability. Specify whether
permanent marking (etchmark or inkjet) is required on safety glass,
showing manufacturer, standard, and treatment type.
Performance Requirements
17. Air permeability. Classification to EN 12207.
Specify minimum class (typically Class 3 or Class 4 for UAE
projects).
18. Watertightness. Classification to EN 12208.
Specify minimum class. For exposed coastal locations (Palm Jumeirah, La
Mer), consider specifying Class 9A or E-series testing.
19. Wind resistance. Classification to EN 12210.
Specify minimum class based on the project’s wind engineering study.
Include both pressure and deflection criteria.
20. Thermal transmittance. Target Uw value to EN ISO
12567-1 or by calculation to EN ISO 10077-1/2. State clearly whether the
requirement is for calculation or tested values.
21. Acoustic performance. Target Rw value to EN ISO
717-1, based on testing to EN ISO 10140. Include Ctr correction where
traffic noise is relevant.
22. Burglar resistance. Classification to EN 1627 if
required. State the required class (RC1 to RC6). This is primarily
relevant for ground floor accessible openings.
23. Durability and mechanical cycling. Specify
minimum cycle count for operable elements (typically 20,000 to 50,000
cycles for windows, higher for frequently operated doors).
Installation and Interface
24. Structural opening tolerances. Define the
acceptable deviation in opening dimensions and alignment that the
glazing contractor must accommodate. For large-format elements, specify
levelness tolerances for tracks and sills.
25. Frame-to-structure fixing method. Specify
bracket type, fixing centres, and minimum edge distances. State whether
chemical anchors, mechanical anchors, or welded brackets are
required.
26. Perimeter sealing. Specify internal and external
seal treatment. Internal: typically expanding foam plus vapour barrier
tape or internal sealant. External: weather sealant (silicone,
polyurethane, or hybrid). State colour and tooling requirements.
27. Fire stopping. Specify fire cavity barrier
requirements at floor slab junctions, compartment wall junctions, and
any fire-rated zone interfaces. Name acceptable products and
installation standards.
28. Interface with adjacent trades. Identify
critical interfaces: waterproofing (especially at thresholds), external
cladding or render, internal plastering or dry lining, structural
steelwork. State which party is responsible for each interface
detail.
29. Temporary weather protection. Specify whether
the glazing contractor must provide temporary weather protection during
installation or whether this is the main contractor’s
responsibility.
30. Protection of installed work. Specify
requirements for protecting installed glazing from damage by subsequent
trades. Include requirements for protective film removal timing.
Compliance and Certification
31. System test certificates. List the required test
certificates: air, water, wind, thermal, acoustic, and any specialist
tests (impact, bullet resistance, blast). Specify acceptable test
laboratories.
32. Al Sa’fat compliance. State the target tier
(Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) and confirm which glazing performance
parameters contribute to the rating.
33. CE marking / Declaration of Performance. State
whether CE marking and a DoP are required. For locally manufactured
systems, specify the equivalent certification route.
34. Quality management. Specify ISO 9001 requirement
for the system house and the fabricator. Include any additional quality
certifications required (ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001).
35. Powder coating certification. Qualicoat, GSB, or
equivalent. Specify class and any additional requirements (e.g., marine
grade for coastal locations).
Deliverables and
Documentation
36. Shop drawings. Specify the level of detail
required, approval process, and turnaround time. Include requirements
for setting-out drawings, elevation drawings, section details, and
fixing details.
37. Samples. Specify sample requirements: profile
corner sample, glass sample panel, colour sample, hardware samples.
State approval process.
38. Warranties. Specify minimum warranty periods:
frame finish (typically 10-25 years), hardware (5-10 years), glazing
seals (10 years), watertightness (10 years), installation workmanship
(2-5 years).
39. Operation and maintenance manual. Specify
requirements for O&M documentation including cleaning procedures,
hardware adjustment instructions, seal replacement guidance, and
recommended maintenance schedules.
40. As-built documentation. Specify requirements for
as-built drawings, test certificates, warranties, and any other
documentation to be included in the building O&M file at
handover.
Using This Checklist
Not every item applies to every project. A villa renovation has
different requirements from a 40-storey commercial tower. But every item
on this list represents a specification decision that, if left
unresolved at tender stage, will need to be resolved later — usually at
greater cost and with less favourable negotiating leverage.
The most effective glazing specifications are not the longest. They
are the ones that address every critical item clearly and leave no
ambiguity about what is required, what is preferred, and what is
unacceptable.