🛠️ Expertise & Experience: Our D.C. Commercial Glazing Credentials

Our commitment to serving Washington D.C. is backed by deep institutional knowledge of the District’s unique building codes, architectural history, and intense urban security requirements.

Establishing Expertise 

• Certification: Our Master Glaziers are certified by the National Glass Association (NGA) and trained to the standards of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), ensuring every repair meets or exceeds strict industry guidelines.
• Compliance: We are fully versed in D.C.’s stringent building codes, including those related to safety glazing and seismic requirements for high-rise buildings, guaranteeing compliance for every replacement unit.
• Safety Record: All field technicians hold OSHA-30 certifications, reflecting our absolute commitment to site safety, especially in high-traffic commercial zones like Downtown D.C. and Penn Quarter.

Local D.C. Experience 

We don’t just repair glass; we service specific D.C. architectural systems.

• Case Study: Fogged IGU Repair near Capitol Hill: We recently executed a full-seal replacement on 40 failed Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) in a large Federal building complex. The failure was accelerated by D.C.’s high humidity and drastic temperature swings. Our solution involved using high-performance, warm-edge spacer technology with Argon gas infill to prevent future thermal stress failures, specifically improving the glass’s U-Factor for better energy conservation.
• Firsthand Insight: Storefront Security in Chinatown: We consistently recommend and install Laminated Security Glass for ground-floor retail in high-traffic areas like Chinatown and Adams Morgan, where forced entry attempts are a higher risk. Our experience confirms that the PVB interlayer in laminated glass provides the necessary delay time to deter smash-and-grab attempts, a critical security function in the District.

🚪 Commercial Glass Doors: The Entry System Ecosystem

The glass door is a high-cycle component that takes the most abuse in any commercial structure. Our repair services extend beyond the glass to the entire operating system, ensuring security, accessibility, and smooth function—all non-negotiable elements in D.C.

1. Standard Aluminum Storefront Entry Doors

These are the most common doors found in retail centers, bank branches, and office buildings across the District.

• Glass Panel Repair: We repair or replace all glass panels, from simple annealed float glass (rarely used, but sometimes found in older installations) to modern Tempered Safety Glass and Laminated Glass—which is required by code in many door panel applications.
• Hardware & Operating System Repair:
  • Door Closers: The most frequently repaired item. We replace and adjust hydraulic or pneumatic surface-mounted and concealed overhead closers to ensure proper closing speed and latching action—essential for D.C.’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
  • Pivots and Hinges: Repairing continuous gear hinges or replacing worn bottom and top pivots is crucial to prevent the door from dragging on the sill or misaligning the lock.
  • Panic Devices (Exit Devices): Repairing or installing new crash bars and exit hardware is critical for fire code compliance in all D.C. public access buildings.
  • Lock Mechanisms: Repairing or replacing specialized mortise locks, deadbolts, and electric strikes used in high-security D.C. commercial settings.

2. Automatic Sliding and Revolving Doors

Commonly found in hotels, hospitals, and large corporate lobbies in areas like the NOMA and FOGGY BOTTOM neighborhoods.

• Sliding Door Glass: We replace the specialized, often frameless, tempered glass panels used in automatic sliders.
• Mechanical Components: While we focus on glass, our services often involve coordinating with automatic door technicians to ensure the newly installed glass integrates seamlessly with the track and activation sensors.
• Revolving Door Sections: Repairing or replacing the heavy, curved glass panels used in revolving doors, ensuring proper clearance and rotation mechanisms.

3. Heavy Glass (Frameless) Doors

These modern, minimalist doors are popular in high-end retail and showroom spaces along CITYCENTERDC.

• Glass Replacement: Replacement requires extreme precision. We use high-quality 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch tempered glass with polished edges.
• Patch Fittings and Rails: We repair or replace the metal clamps (patch fittings) and the top/bottom rails that secure the glass, often sourcing specific architectural hardware finishes (e.g., brushed stainless steel, anodized aluminum) to match the high-design aesthetic.

🪟 Commercial Windows & Storefront Systems

The term “commercial window” encompasses a range of architectural facade elements, from ground-level retail glass to complex high-rise curtain walls.

1. Storefront Glass Walls

The large, non-opening panels that define the facade of a typical retail space or ground-floor office.

• Glass Replacement: Replacement often involves the installation of large, heavy units. We utilize specialized vacuum lifting equipment to safely replace glass in tight urban settings like Logan Circle and Shaw, where street access is limited.
• Frame Repairs (Topical Entity: Aluminum Storefront Systems): We repair or replace damaged aluminum mullions (vertical supports) and transoms (horizontal supports) that hold the glass. Crucially, we ensure the new aluminum components include a thermal break to prevent heat transfer and maintain energy efficiency, a mandatory feature in modern D.C. construction.
• Gasket and Seal Replacement: Replacing worn or shrunken glazing gaskets and wet seals (sealants) is vital to prevent water infiltration and air leaks, a common issue in older D.C. buildings.

2. Curtain Wall and Window Wall Systems

These engineered facades are characteristic of the modern skyline in areas like Tysons Corner (Northern Virginia) and the commercial districts bordering the Potomac.

• Curtain Wall Repairs: We repair and replace the individual Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) that clip into the system’s grid. This often involves outboard glazing where the replacement must be done from the exterior of the building, requiring specialized rigging and safety procedures unique to high-rise work in the District.
• Pressure Plates and Caps: We replace damaged exterior pressure plates and caps that secure the glass against wind load, ensuring the system can withstand D.C.’s occasional high winds and storm conditions.

3. Commercial Operable Windows

Windows that open (e.g., awning, casement, sliding) require specific hardware and seal repairs.

• Balancing and Alignment: Repairing or replacing sash balances and operators (crank mechanisms) to ensure the window opens and closes smoothly, maintaining the integrity of the weather seal.
• Retrofit IGUs: For older, single-pane windows, we often install custom-sized retrofit IGUs directly into the existing frames, providing a substantial upgrade in energy performance without the major cost of a full window replacement.

🔬 Speciality and High-Performance Glass Replacements

In a city with the security demands of Washington D.C., standard glass often doesn’t cut it. Our expertise extends into the repair and installation of advanced glazing systems.