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Can my window curtains actually ignite even if my window doesn’t break?

Last Updated: October 18, 2009

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Ignition of window curtains from radiant heat is unlikely as long as annealed (the glass found in most windows in your home) or tempered glass (special heat-treated glass, incorporated into sliding glass doors and glass that may be in your door, etc.) is used. With these types of glass, window breakage is far more likely to occur before the curtains ignite. If you have more expensive types of glass (for example, ceramic, dual-pane, intumescent-filled units), ignition of interior objects would be a possibility. These windows are very expensive and beyond the budget of most homeowners. If you expect these kinds of fire exposures, then creating a more effective defensible space is in order.

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