The glass panels below the divided rails in this porch are 1/4" thick tempered glass, sized 1/4" smaller than the "rough opening" in both height and width. We do this to insure that the glass is unaffected if there is any movement of the wood or small dimensional changes due to temperature changes.. Since we have a division that is an OEM manufacturer of porch components we purchase directly from a glass company that does tempering. At the consumer level you can order tempered glass from any glass shop, which will then order the tempered glass from a manufacturer.

thanks for the info. we're doing a screened porch where we have occasional high winds. I'm doing sliders on the deck end, but want glass on the bottom of the screened side to keep the view, stay within code, and help furniture from flying.

Do you have any recommendations for working with a local code office to explain that glass bottoms are just as safe as balusters? I have screened windows in my actual house that would probably be considered against code if they were a deck, so I don't understand how glass is a problem. Do you have documentation to help a code office "get it?" Thanks!