Window Replacement Solutions for Commercial and Institutional Buildings
Modernizing existing buildings with new manufactured windows to improve energy efficiency, lower maintenance, and enhance design.
Continuing Education
Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s Continuing Education article.
Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:
- Define the historic significance of existing windows in buildings.
- Differentiate between different historic standards & guidelines for window rehabilitation.
- Design a window rehabilitation plan for buildings.
- Evaluate window replacement options for existing commercial and institutional buildings.
Overview
We often think of building projects as new construction. However, the reality is that in any given year, there are typically more building renovation and rehabilitation projects undertaken by owners than there are new construction projects. Only a relatively small percentage of these existing building projects fall in the category of "historic" with the associated public programs and design restrictions that go along with that designation. The majority are motivated by changing owner needs, energy concerns, maintenance considerations, and general modernization or upgrade requirements. In all of these cases, windows are often a topic of interest and concern. Should they be replaced or can they be repaired? If they are replaced, what are the options? Which option is best for a particular situation? Understanding how to answer these questions gives architects the ability to work with their clients to make informed decisions and improve the overall outcome of projects.
What Determines the Historic Significance of Buildings?
The usual first question to ask regarding an existing building of some age and character is whether or not it has been listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Individual buildings can be listed as a certified Historic Structure on the National Register of Historic Places and be subject to rehabilitation standards and guidelines issued by the US Secretary of the Interior and administered by the US National Park Service (NPS). However, even if a building isn't yet listed, the fact that it is eligible may suggest compliance with the standards if the owner would like to eventually see it listed. Further, a building located in aregistered historic district & certified by the NPS as contributing to the historic significance of that district will also be subject to applicable provisions of the standards. The incentive for the owner to comply with these standards comes most often in the form of Federal income tax credits of 10 - 20% on rehabilitation work done to the buildings. Eligibility of these tax credits will be subject to a NPS or SHPO review and certification process to demonstrate compliance with the standards.
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Riverfront Lofts, Pawtucket, RI Photo courtesy of EFCO, a Pella Company |
Beyond the previously mentioned scenarios, buildings can be determined to be "non historic" and, if they were built before 1936, may still be eligible for a 10% tax credit provided they meet the following criteria:
- Building cannot be listed in:
- National Register of Historic Places
- National Register listed historic district
- Certified State or local historic district
- Must be rehabilitated for non-residential use
Under this scenario, there is no formal review process by National Park Service.
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Wirtz Building, Chicago, IL - Window replacement Photo courtesy of Pella Corporation |
For all other buildings, and the most common scenario involving window replacement, renovations or rehabilitation work is simply undertaken as a building project with the following characteristics:
- No tax credits are being pursued or they are not applicable
- The building is not subject to review by NPS or SHPO
- The architect and owner review and select the best option available for window related work.
Window Rehabilitation Guidelines and Planning
Looking more specifically at windows as historic features, they are usually considered significant when they are original to the building.
However, they can also be important if they were changed within a time period of significance, if they demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship or design, or if they contribute notably to the historic character of the property. Hence, windows will need to be looked at under these criteria to determine whether repair or replacement is the preferred option. In making that assessment, the basic options include the following:
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Identify / Retain / Preserve - following a field survey and identification of the existing windows, the first option to consider is whether or not some or all of the windows will be retained and preserved with little or no additional work.
Winchester Town Hall, Boston, MA - Interior of replacement windows
Photo courtesy of Pella Corporation
- Protect and Maintain - some windows may require some basic attention at the maintenance level in order to protect them from deterioration and remain fully functional.
- Repair - other windows may have broken pieces or elements that require functional repair of that damage. Repairs should always be carried out with the intention of matching the existing elements as closely as possible or practical for general aesthetic and operational needs in addition to any historic concerns.
- Replace - when none of the above are truly feasible, then the windows need to be considered for replacement. In doing so, using the following criteria can be useful since any one of them may be appropriate justification to replace rather than repair a window:
- Deterioration is too severe to effectively repair - i.e. the existing elements of the windows are not in tact enough to assure that the repairs will be long lasting.
- The historic character of the buildings is not based on the windows hence, their replacement will not detract from that character.
- Cost of repair vs. replacement - labor intensive repairs may cost considerably more than a purchased replacement window while the replacement may perform much better over the life of the building.
- Ease of operation for operable windows or adding operability to non-opening windows is important to indoor air quality in buildings and user satisfaction.
- Hazard abatement including lead based paint or asbestos based material is more appropriately performed by removing and replacing the entire window rather than just the subject materials.
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Window deterioration Photo courtesy of Pella Corporation |
Replacing windows or adding new windows to an existing building may also be appropriate for the following reasons:
- Design for Missing Historic Features: windows that have been previously removed, filled in, or deteriorated inconsistently in a building need to be addressed. The best approach is usually to provide new replacement windows that match as closely as possible the existing windows in the rest of the building.
- Alterations/Additions to Historic Buildings: a legitimate alteration or addition to an older or historic building is allowable under the Rehabilitation Guidelines but the style may or may not be an issue. In most cases it is preferred that any building additions or substantive alterations are compatible in style with the existing but can clearly be discerned as constructed at a different time. Hence the preference in this case will be to have new windows that do NOT match exactly, but are aesthetically compatible instead.
- Energy Retrofitting: meeting contemporary energy needs is an increasingly common reason to replace windows. This applies to the glass and window unit as much as to the cavities around the windows to increase overall R-values and decrease air infiltration. Some of the energy improvements may be visible, while many, such as insulating around window frames and adjacent wall cavities, may not be.
- Health and Safety Code Requirements: Changes in codes may dictate changes in the windows to comply with provisions not in effect when the existing windows were installed. Further, once a building is substantially renovated beyond a certain level or if the occupancy changes, the entire building may no longer be "grandfathered" and will need to be made fully compliant with all current code provisions, including window requirements.
Window Replacement Design Issues
Once the decision is made to replace rather than pursue repair of the windows, then some fundamental design decisions need to be considered.
- Pattern and Size: The pattern and size of openings are the most visible aspect of the windows. Generally, keeping the same pattern of openings is seen as desirable, but there may be reasons to change the sizes to be either larger or smaller. Conversely, there may be reasons to consider keeping the size identical in all respects to the existing.
- Type: Window type is a fundamental choice. The decision to keep the same style as existing or change to another such as double hung, single hung, casement, awning, fixed or other types best suited to the rehabilitated building need to be determined.
- Materials: Window unit materials for commercial and institutional buildings include not only aluminum and other metals, but increasingly wood, aluminum clad wood, fiberglass, or all vinyl windows are being used based on the preferred characteristics of those materials.
- Proportions: Window proportions of the overall window unit and the individual components such as frame & sash determine a great deal of the look and aesthetic of the windows in the building, both inside and out.
- Muntins: Muntin patterns & profiles vary notably as does the rationale to include them or not as part of the design. Historical considerations or general design appearance may require them, but energy concerns may seek to minimize them. Many window manufacturers offer choices that include muntins placed over both sides of double glazing with spacers between the glass to simulate historic profiles yet minimize the interruptions in the glass and potential air and water leakage points.
- Structure: Structural performance of the window units, including wind and storm resistance, may influence the selection of window type, materials, and size of units.
- Trim: Exterior & interior trim can, in many cases, be saved and re-used, even if the rest of the window unit is being replaced. When the exterior trim is beyond repair, a wide variety of new trim solutions are available.
- Glazing: Glass type needs to be considered not just related to the layers of glazing, but to the color, tint, reflectance and other properties. Similarly the strength and code requirements may dictate the use of glass that is tempered, laminated, or with other properties.
- Operation: Ease of operation of the window unit by building occupants can be a determining factor in replacement window selection, particularly in larger window units.
- Noise: Acoustic control in urban or airport locations will often be a factor suggesting that tight sealing and perhaps inoperable windows may be preferred in certain cases.
- Energy: Energy efficiency applies to the entire window unit, not just the R-value of the glass. In reviewing manufacturers' technical information on windows, look for the overall tested energy ratings and compare the results among manufactured units to be sure the specified units will meet the intended performance criteria.
- Budget: The overall budget needs to take into account the labor costs to install the replacement window, not just the cost of the materials. Just as some manufactured window units can be more expensive than others, some installation methods can also vary the cost. Replacement window systems that allow for installation from inside the building eliminate the need for lifts and equipment on the exterior, thus saving money on the installation.
Using the above as a basis, then the first fundamental decision to reach is whether to undertake complete tear outs of the existing window sash and frames or retain the frames and trim and replace only the sash inside the existing opening.
Replacement Through Complete Tear-Out and Replacement
of Existing Sash and Frames
This approach to window replacement is usually selected only when it is deemed necessary to meet historic, aesthetic or functional considerations since it can involve considerably more labor and time to achieve. Nonetheless, if the existing frame and trim impedes the achievement of other criteria, such as energy efficiency or maintenance, or if the only way to restore the historic appearance is to replace the window frame and/or trim, then it is a logical choice.
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"Tear out" replacement window detail drawing |
The process for implementing this approach will begin with the complete removal of the existing sash & frame exposing the exterior wall system. The rough opening will need to have any incidental items such as abandoned fasteners or flashing removed and where appropriate, new insulation installed in exposed cavities. From there, new treated blocking at the head and jambs can be installed and the sill needs to be shimmed to be made level. The new window unit is now ready to be installed and fastened in place, usually through the use of retrofit metal clips. The final steps include shimming the jambs to assure plumbness, sealing the exterior joints between the window and wall, and installing new interior and exterior trim.
Depending on the amount of work required to tear out the existing frame and sash, it is entirely possible that the adjacent wall, floor, and ceiling surfaces may be impacted. As such, additional work will be needed to restore the finishes surrounding the windows including any trim intended for re-use or damaged in the process, wallcoverings, plaster, paint, or other interior or exterior finishes.
Replacement by Retaining Window Frames and Replacing Sash
This is a more commonly used approach to window replacement recognizing that the frame and trim that is already installed in the exterior wall may be fully serviceable still, but the operable or fixed sash may need replacing. It saves on the labor costs associated with the complete tear out approach, but also assumes that other considerations can be met through the re-use of the existing frame and trim. Indeed, that reuse may enhance historic or maintenance considerations depending on the project.
Recognizing the need for affordable custom sized replacement windows, many window manufacturers offer not only the window sash units, but complete window replacement systems designed to accommodate a variety of applications. Five commonly available types of such systems are described below:
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Pocket Installation. This is an excellent and very economical choice for applications where the existing frames are in good condition and only the sash needs to be replaced. The new window sash is factory-assembled into a thin wooden frame that essentially creates a full window unit that is custom made to slide easily into the existing frame or "pocket". Because it is a full unit, it can be tested for compliance with applicable ASTM and other standards. The result is a high quality window with a faster installation that eliminates the cost and complexity of a complete tear-out.
Pocket installation replacement window
Photo courtesy of Pella Corporation
This pre-assembled system is a notable improvement over older pocket systems, still offered by some window manufacturers, that rely on a "sash kit" of parts and pieces to be field installed. The sash kit is understandably a more time consuming and labor intensive installation that foregoes the possibility of factory controlled conditions and testing to achieve a predictable end result. In situations where performance is important related to energy efficiency, wind and weather penetration, or overall structural integrity is key, the fully assembled pocket installation is usually preferred.
In either type of pocket installation, though, adjacent wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces are not usually impacted, meaning that existing trim, wallcoverings, paint and plaster are not disturbed.
- Frame Expanders.In applications where the existing wood or metal windows are accessible from the exterior, the use of a frame expander approach can be quite appropriate. It is essentially the same as a Pocket Installation but adds an additional exterior
aluminum piece to the new aluminum-clad wood frame that can update the appearance of the exterior trim or cover existing trim that is in poor condition. This is still an economical method of window replacement since it retains all of the features of a pocket installation - the existing window frames do not need to be removed and the sash and adjacent finished surfaces aren't affected. Further, any deteriorated exterior conditions that might otherwise need to be removed or replaced can be covered over. The pre-finished, low maintenance aluminum trim of the frame expander can be designed and specified to cover the existing exterior trim in a style to either match or complement the existing. The new trim profile can usually replicate flat casing, brickmould,
or even custom and historical shapes. The end result is an improved exterior appearance in addition to the window sash replacement.
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Detail drawing of expanded frame trim options Drawings courtesy of Pella Corporation |
- Standard Subframe. When a project calls for replacement of existing wood windows but with access from the interior of the building, then a standard subframe approach will make sense. The labor costs with this approach are controlled since it allows
for interior installation and eliminates the need for exterior scaffolding or lifts. In this case the subframe is added to the wooden frame of a pocket installation but passed through the opening from the inside of the building and installed to the opening perimeter. It is similar to a frame expander in that it is typically made of low maintenance, pre-finished aluminum but acts as an installation "receptor" for the new window in addition to a trim feature. After removing the existing sash, but before installing the new, the standard subframe is pre-assembled and installed into the existing opening, thus concealing the existing wood window frame and any deficiencies it may contain. The subframe receives the new window sash pocket unit and secures it in place. Aesthetically,
the subframe by itself provides the look of finished flat casing and sets the window back inside the opening producing desirable shadow lines at the window. Most manufacturers will also provide matching aluminum accessories where desired such as subframe expanders, mullion trim, and brickmould profiles.
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Installation details drawing for standard subframe Drawings courtesy of Pella Corporation |
- T-Subframe. The T-subframe is a variation of the standard subframe and is most suitable for applications where metal windows are being replaced. The aluminum T-shaped subframe is used to conceal the existing metal window frames, allowing them to be left in place. It also acts as a receptor for the new pocket style window unit and secures the unit in place. Unlike the standard subframe, however, the new window is installed flush with the face of the T-subframe creating a different profile and shadow line on the building. Similar to the standard subframe, it allows for interior installation that reduces labor costs and eliminates
the need for exterior scaffolding or lifts.
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Installation details drawing for aluminum panning system Drawings courtesy of EFCO, a Pella Company |
- Receptor and Subsill. In situations where the existing frame is removed, then the use of a simple window unit receptor and subsill may be appropriate. Typically, receptors are used in multistory buildings requiring installation from the interior or when a more robust installation method is desired. First, the subsill is anchored to the sill of the existing window opening. Then the metal receptors are anchored to the opening at the head and jambs. Finally, the new window is installed on the top of the subsill and within the receptor system from the interior. Together, they act to assure that the integrity of the window unit and its installation is maintained.
Paying attention to the details of a particular application, evaluating the conditions and following through on the type of window system selected will help to assure that the building and its windows will perform for many more years to come.
Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
The Standards were developed by the Secretary of the Interior to guide work undertaken on historic buildings. They are used by the National Park Service to determine if a historic building rehabilitation qualifies for federal tax credits. They are also used to guide the preservation of historic federal & private properties not seeking tax credits.
The correlating Guidelines were developed in 1977 to help property owners, developers, & Federal managers apply the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation." They include guidelines for windows, entrances, and storefronts using an approach of listing Recommended vs. Not Recommended practices.
For purposes of such compliance, rehabilitation is defined as "the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values." Recognizing that portions of the building or some of its significant features, including windows, may be deteriorated, the stated preferred choice is to repair and preserve those existing features rather than replace them outright. The architect and owner together need to assess the building and its features to determine if repair is indeed possible and the feasibility of going about it. Nonetheless, the standards do go on to allow for replacement where the severity of deterioration prevents such repair or restoration. The requirement in this case is that the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.
Portions applicable to windows are summarized below:
Rehabilitation Strategy: Identify, Retain and Preserve
Recommended
- Identifying, retaining, and preserving windows--and their functional & decorative features - that are important in defining the overall historic character of the building
- Frames, sash, muntins, glazing, sills, heads, hoodmolds, moldings
- In depth survey of existing conditions
Not Recommended
- Removing or radically changing windows
- Changing the number, location, size or glazing pattern of windows
- Changing the historic appearance of windows
- Obscuring historic window trim
- Stripping windows of historic material
- Replacing windows solely because of peeling paint, broken glass, stuck sash, and high air infiltration.
Rehabilitation Strategy: Protect and Maintain
Recommended
- Protecting and maintaining the materials which comprise the window frame, sash, muntins, and surrounds through appropriate surface treatments
- Cleaning, rust removal, limited paint removal, and re-application of protective coating systems
- Making windows weathertight by re-caulking and replacing weatherstripping
- Evaluating the overall condition of materials
Not Recommended
- Failing to provide adequate protection of materials on a cyclical basis
- Retrofitting or replacing windows rather than maintaining them
- Failing to undertake adequate measures to assure the protection of historic windows
Rehabilitation Strategy: Repair
Recommended
- Repairing window frames & sash by patching, splicing, consolidating or otherwise reinforcing
- May include replacement in kind of those parts that are either deteriorated or missing
Not Recommended
- Replacing an entire window when repair of materials and limited replacement of deteriorated or missing parts are appropriate.
- Failing to reuse serviceable window hardware
- Using substitute material for the replacement part that does not convey the visual appearance of the surviving parts of the window
Rehabilitation Strategy: Replace
Recommended
- Replacing in kind an entire window that is too deteriorated to repair using the same sash and pane configuration and other design details
- If using the same kind of material is not technically or economically feasible, then a compatible substitute material may be considered
Not Recommended
- Removing a character-defining window that is unrepairable and blocking it in; or replacing it with a new window that does not convey the same visual appearance
Rehabilitation Strategy: Design for Missing Historic Features
Recommended
- Designing and installing new windows when the historic windows are completely missing
- Replacement windows may be:
- an accurate restoration
- a new design that is compatible with the window openings and the historic character of the building
Not Recommended
- Creating a false historical appearance because the replaced window is based on insufficient historical, pictorial, and physical documentation
- Introducing a new design that is incompatible with the historic character of the building
Rehabilitation Strategy: Building Additions or Alterations
Recommended
- Designing and installing additional windows on rear or other-non character-defining elevations if required by the new use
- New window openings may be cut into exposed party walls
- compatible with the overall design of the building
- don't duplicate the fenestration pattern and detailing of a character-defining elevation
- Providing a setback in the design of dropped ceilings to allow for the full height of the window openings
Not Recommended
- Installing new windows that are incompatible with the building's historic appearance
- Inserting new floors or furred-down ceilings which cut across the glazed areas of windows
Rehabilitation Strategy: Energy Retrofitting
Recommended
- Utilizing inherent energy conserving features
- Improving thermal efficiency
- Installing interior storm windows
- Installing exterior storm windows which do not damage or obscure the windows and frames
- Considering the use of lightly tinted glazing on non-character-defining elevations
Not Recommended
- Removing historic shading devices
- Replacing historic multi-paned sash with new thermal sash utilizing false muntins or no muntins
- Installing interior storm windows that damage the historic window
- Installing inappropriate exterior storm windows
- Replacing operable windows with fixed glass or inoperable sash
- Using tinted or reflective glazing on character-defining or other conspicuous elevations
Summary of Historic Tax Credit Programs
The chart below summarizes the criteria and applicability of either 10% or 20% tax credits available for certified historic building rehabilitation. For future updates to this information, please refer to the latest documents available from the National Park Service.
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Case Studies
| Carver High School – Atlanta, GA | ||
The historical Carver High School in Atlanta Georgia was recently converted to the New Schools at Carver Early College. The Atlanta Public School system had a mission to combine five schools into one campus in order to establish the first “Early College” of its kind. The combination of college level studies provides many opportunities and the required support for high school students to earn college credit hours in this new, diverse high school environment. These studies include: Technology, Performing Arts, Entrepreneurship and Health / Science Research1. Allain and Associates / Sizemore Group of Atlanta Georgia utilized multiple thermally improved aluminum products to support the historic renovation and create an historic feel in the new construction area of the project. Architectural grade projected windows and fixed double-hung replica products were combined with a custom panning system to recreate the historical profiles and improve thermal capabilities, while enabling completion of the project in ten weeks. |
| West Elementary School, Laurel, MT | ||
About 15 miles southwest of Billings, in Laurel, MT, is West Elementary School. It sits beside a playground on 15 grassy acres and accommodates 350 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Built in 1956, with an addition in 1979, West Elementary School's original aluminum windows served as more of a hindrance than a help in the learning process for both teachers and students. The old aluminum windows were long overdue for replacement. Noise from the playground distracted the students. Teachers had no control over temperature; it was always either too hot or too cold. The school has no air conditioning, and attempting to open the nonscreened single-pane windows for improved airflow resulted in bugs flying in - including bees that would sting the children. During winter, when average outside temperatures range from 15 to 43 degrees, the extremely drafty old windows cost the school extra money on heating bills. The administration for West Elementary School was looking for a functional window that was durable, energy-efficient and low-maintenance. New replacement double-hung windows were selected for the school made from an engineered fiberglass composite that's more durable than aluminum, offers the thermal efficiency of wood, yet is priced competitively with vinyl. Plus, they do not need to be painted, so there are minimal maintenance costs. Low-E insulating glass improves insulating value, reduces heat gain and offers protection from UV rays, making the windows extremely energy-efficient. The aesthetic goal was to achieve a look that went well with the building construction type. The project didn't start until July, so West Elementary School had only seven weeks to install 165 units before school began. The original windows had supported two-inch-thick glass blocks above. The intent was to cut the window frames, take the windows out for replacement and leave the glass blocks in place. But since they had been mortared to the windows, the glass blocks had to be removed and replaced with steel panels. Since having the new windows installed, the school has noticed a significant decrease in noise from the playground coming into the school, as well as savings in heating costs. Plus, the screens allow more cool air in when needed while keeping bugs out. One administrator commented, "It's hard to learn when the classroom isn't comfortable. We used to get e-mails all the time from teachers saying the rooms were too hot or too cold. Since installing the new windows, we haven't had a single complaint like that." |
| Utilicorp United World Headquarters, Kansas City, MO | ||
When multinational energy company Utilicorp United decided to renovate the former New York Life building in Kansas City, Missouri, for its headquarters, the challenge was to create a workplace that embodies a commitment to energy conservation and to the environment. Wood windows were selected because they enabled the architects to stay true to the Neo-Romanesque design of the building - necessary for its listing on the National Register of Historic Places - while making the proper fenestration contribution to energy efficiency. The solution was Low-E, insulating glass in operable double-hung units that allow natural ventilation, a rare luxury for modern high-rise buildings. The design team made the most of the structure's strengths - like the alignment and shape of the window openings and skylights, which allow abundant daylight to penetrate deep into interior spaces. The building's use of windows makes natural illumination one of its more important energy-saving features. A strong commitment to the environment was also underscored by this solution. Not only do wood windows have excellent insulating properties, wood is also a renewable resource. In sum, the building is the perfect blend of history and technology - re-creating the elegance of the original structure while making use of today's innovations. |
| St. Charles Mercy Hospital, Toledo, OH | ||
Since 1953, St. Charles Mercy Hospital has been providing healthcare to Toledo, OH's eastern communities. St. Charles offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient care in a homelike setting. When the original metal windows were replaced with aluminum-clad wood windows, the building team chose to use a subframe installation method. For this the aluminum subframe components were pre-assembled and installed into the openings, concealing the existing metal frame, to become a "receptor" for the new window. This method allowed the new windows to be installed from inside the building, minimizing disturbance to existing construction and eliminating the need and expense of exterior scaffolding. In addition, the windows included cordless tilt-only blinds located between the panes of glass where they are protected from dust, damage, and allergens. |
| Walsh University, Canton, OH | ||
Walsh University needed windows that would withstand day-to-day use by college students, match the style of other buildings on campus, and save energy. Located on 85 sprawling acres and surrounded by an abundance of trees, Walsh University is a private college in Canton, Ohio. Alexis and Menard halls were built in 1968 and together house 400 students. The goal for this project was to replace the existing aluminum windows in Alexis Hall and build the Betzler Tower addition onto Menard Hall. The challenge was finding replacement and new construction windows that matched. The windows needed to be extremely durable and low-maintenance to handle use and abuse by college students, as well as to complement the architectural style of the halls and other campus buildings. The windows also had to be affordable and energy-efficient - so the students would have a comfortable living environment and the school would save on its energy costs. Walsh University decided to install new fiberglass composite windows for the new addition on Menard Hall and the Alexis Hall replacement project. Low-E insulating glass was chosen to reduce heat gain and offer protection from UV rays, making the windows extremely energy-efficient. Plus, the brown single-hung windows used for the punched openings and vertical stacks matched the buildings' colors and brought Menard Hall and Alexis Hall up to a standard that's acceptable to the university. Installation of Alexis Hall's replacement windows proved to be a challenge. The 40-year-old, clear anodized aluminum windows had been caulked several times and had a brown aluminum panel at each floor line. The existing windows sat flush with precast floors, complicating the installation of new windows. To ensure optimum installation performance, the window manufacturer developed an innovative installation solution at the spandrel locations to cover the precast slab, seal the windows and prevent joints from showing. Menard Hall's addition required cutting through walls in the existing building to create floors in the new structure. It was a complex project all around - except for the windows. The general contractor said, "We installed them in accordance with the installation shop drawings, and they fit exactly as we needed - we had no issues." |
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