What does this glazing final checklist cover?

14 items across 4 sections, covering glazing and sealant, operation and hardware, water testing, finish and turnover. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The GC's superintendent with the glazing foreman, walking finished elevations before the owner's punch walk.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After glazing is complete and sealant has cured, before exterior lifts come down and before turnover walks begin.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

11 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a glazing final inspection?

Water test run on the easiest ground-floor window while the upper floors are never tested. Sealant tooling checked from the lift on one elevation, skipped where access was awkward. Operable sash tested once at handover rehearsal and never again after hardware adjustments.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Glazing

Glazing final inspection checklist

Glazing final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against the applicable building code, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Glazing and sealant

Glass free of damage, labels and spacers removed
No chips, scratches or edge damage; temporary labels off; glass bite and edge clearance per the system.
Perimeter sealant continuous and tooled
Full contact both sides, no voids or skips, backer rod at the correct depth behind the sealant.
Glass make-up matches the schedule per opening
Tint, coating orientation and laminated or insulated build verified against the glass schedule, labels photographed before removal where required.
Glass seals seated along every lite, corners closed
Gaskets, glazing tape or wet seal fully engaged along each lite, no shrinkback gaps or walked-out lengths at corners.
Exterior glazing stops, caps and trim engaged
Whatever the system uses to hold and finish the glass outside (stops, caps, snap covers or trim) fully seated, joints between lengths aligned, nothing loose or missing.
Insulated units clear, with no fogging between panes
No condensation, haze or displaced spacer inside any insulated unit, and no visible distortion that points to a failed edge seal.
No photo
Sealant color and joint profile match the approved sample
Joint width, tooled profile and sealant color compared with the approved sample or mockup and consistent from elevation to elevation.

Operation and hardware

Operable units open, close, latch and lock
Full cycle test on every operable sash, hardware adjusted, locks engaging without forcing.
Screens, restrictors and safety glazing marks in place
Required safety glazing marks present at hazardous locations, screens fitted and undamaged.

Water testing

Field water test performed on a sample of openings
Test run per the specified method on the agreed sample, interior side photographed during and after.
Tested openings, method and witness logged on the elevations
Each tested opening marked on the elevation drawing with the method, nozzle or chamber setup, date and who witnessed, including upper-floor openings.
No photo
Any leaks traced, repaired and re-tested
Leak path identified, repair photographed, re-test documented on the same opening.

Finish and turnover

Frame finish free of scratches, dents and sealant smears
Anodized or painted faces checked on every elevation for handling damage and mortar or sealant residue, touch-up only where the manufacturer allows it.
Glazing warranties and test reports gathered for turnover
Glass, frame and sealant warranties, water test reports and the cleaning and hardware care instructions collected for the turnover package.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Water test run on the easiest ground-floor window while the upper floors are never tested.
Sealant tooling checked from the lift on one elevation, skipped where access was awkward.
Operable sash tested once at handover rehearsal and never again after hardware adjustments.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this glazing final checklist cover?: 14 items across 4 sections, covering glazing and sealant, operation and hardware, water testing, finish and turnover. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The GC's superintendent with the glazing foreman, walking finished elevations before the owner's punch walk.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After glazing is complete and sealant has cured, before exterior lifts come down and before turnover walks begin.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 11 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 16 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a glazing final inspection?: Water test run on the easiest ground-floor window while the upper floors are never tested. Sealant tooling checked from the lift on one elevation, skipped where access was awkward. Operable sash tested once at handover rehearsal and never again after hardware adjustments.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Glazing Rough-inGlazing rough-in inspection checklistOpenings, anchorage and perimeter flashing verified before glass is set14 items13 photos Glazing PunchGlazing punch checklistCloseout walk for scratched glass, failed seals and hardware adjustments9 items8 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 16 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.