Padel Court Glass: Thickness, Safety and Standards
The glass is the part of a padel court people look at most, and the part owners worry about most. It takes ball impacts all day, it catches wind, and a broken panel closes the court. Here is what to know before you buy.
How thick is padel court glass?
Two thicknesses are common. A 0.39 in (10 mm) panel is the usual choice for a standard court. A 0.47 in (12 mm) panel is used on panoramic courts, where the back wall is four glass panels with no posts between them, so each panel carries more of the load and the look matters more.
On our courts, the Standard model uses 10 mm glass, and 12 mm is available on request. The Panoramic and Full Panoramic models use 12 mm. A full court has 18 glass panels, each about 9.8 x 6.6 ft (3 x 2 m). See the side-by-side table on our specifications page.
What "tempered" means
Tempered glass is heat-treated to be much stronger than ordinary glass. If it does break, it crumbles into small pieces instead of sharp shards. The treatment also means a panel cannot be cut, drilled or repaired afterward. A chipped or cracked panel is replaced, not patched.
Standards to ask about
- EN 12150: the European standard for thermally toughened safety glass. Our glass is certified to it.
- ANSI Z97.1 and ASTM C1048: the U.S. standards for safety glazing and heat-treated flat glass. For U.S. projects we confirm compliance in writing before ordering.
Do not accept "it's tempered" as an answer. Ask for the certificate, and check that the panels carry the manufacturer's markings.
What to check when panels arrive
- Corners and edges: no chips, cracks or rough edges.
- Markings and paperwork that match the certificate.
- The right number of panels, and the right sizes for each position.
- The fixing hardware, clips and gaskets, which should arrive with the glass.
Photograph damage before anyone signs for the delivery, and tell your supplier the same day.
Glass, wind and storms
A wall of glass and mesh catches wind. Anchoring and structure are designed for your site, and your local rules decide what products are allowed. In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, for example, the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone has stricter product approval requirements. Ask your engineer and your building department early. Our Florida page explains what changes there.
Cleaning and care
- Use a non-abrasive glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Do not scrape.
- Check clips, gaskets and fixings on a regular schedule and tighten loose hardware.
- Report any chip right away, since a damaged edge is where tempered glass tends to fail.
- Ask your supplier how long a replacement panel takes. Panels are made to size.
More on keeping a court in shape: padel court maintenance. For lighting and glare on glass walls, read our guide to padel court lighting.
Frequently asked questions
How thick is padel court glass?
Most padel court glass is 0.39 in (10 mm) or 0.47 in (12 mm) thick tempered safety glass. Panoramic courts usually use 12 mm.
Is padel court glass tempered?
Yes. It is tempered safety glass, which is heat-treated for strength and breaks into small pieces instead of sharp shards.
Can a cracked glass panel be repaired?
No. Tempered glass cannot be cut, drilled or repaired. A damaged panel has to be replaced.
Which glass standards apply in the U.S.?
EN 12150 is the European standard our glass is certified to. For U.S. projects we confirm ANSI Z97.1 or ASTM C1048 compliance in writing before ordering.
Keep reading
- Compare our padel courts
- Our padel courts
- Padel court dimensions and U.S. regulations
- Padel court maintenance checklist
Questions about glass?
Tell us your location and court type. We reply by email.