Commercial Window Replacement Timeline: How Long Does the Process Take?
Commercial Window Replacement Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
The amount of time needed for the commercial window replacement process differs greatly and depends largely on the project size and complexity. The replacement of several regular windows in an easy to reach and vacant commercial building is a totally different case from the replacement of a few hundred or thousand windows in a high-rise and occupied commercial structure.
The commercial window replacement project usually consists of several phases, including project evaluation, measuring, design and engineering, product selection, obtaining permits or approvals, fabrication or procurement, preparation of the site, window removal, installation, and final inspection. How much time each of these phases may take and how they interact with each other depends on the specific building and project.
This article explores all phases of the commercial window replacement process, what determines its acceleration or deceleration, and the impact of various factors, such as building type, occupancy, height, and historic status on the schedule.
How Long Does Commercial Window Replacement Take?
As mentioned above, there are a lot of factors that determine the amount of time a commercial window replacement project can take. Some of them are project size, quantity and type of windows, degree of customization, building conditions, site access, engineering considerations, and installation.
It is impossible to name a specific period of time needed for any window replacement project, as it varies greatly from one to another.
Commercial Window Replacement Time Frame Overview
Project Phase
What Happens
What Can Influence the Schedule
1. Initial consultation and assessment
Project evaluation
Building and project complexity, decision making pace
2. Site inspection and measurements
Measurements in the field
Number of openings, access conditions
3. Design and engineering
Development of specifications
Building height, wind loads, historic building requirements
4. Product selection/specification
Selection of frame material, glazing, hardware and finishes
Product availability, degree of customization
5. Permits and approvals
Getting all needed local approvals
Jurisdiction, historic building review
6. Ordering/procurement
Ordering products from manufacturers
Manufacturing time, order size
7. Custom fabrication, if required
Custom fabrication of windows
Degree of complexity, shape
8. Site preparation
Site preparation and staging of materials and equipment
Building height, occupancy, access equipment
9. Window removal
Removal of the existing window
Quantity of windows, their condition, access
10. Window installation
Installation of windows
Crew size, weather conditions, building height
11. Glazing/sealing/finishing
Glazing and finishing
Weather conditions, existing structure
12. Inspection and punch list
Inspection of the results
Number of windows, complexity
13. Final cleanup
Cleanup of the site
Project size
Exact durations for each of these phases are not listed in this table, as they differ greatly between various projects, making it useless to quote an exact number of weeks for all window replacement projects. The value of this table is in the description of each phase of the commercial window replacement process and factors influencing each of them.
Step by Step Process of the Commercial Window Replacement
1. Initial consultation and project assessment
The process typically starts with the project evaluation, when the goals of the replacement are established, such as the number of windows to be replaced, performance characteristics, budget, and if the building is occupied or historically significant. This phase is important because decisions made at this stage influence the amount of design and engineering needed for the project.
2. Site inspection and measurements
This phase consists of measuring rough dimensions of openings, existing frame and sill conditions, masonry and structural conditions of the building, current window configuration, and water infiltration or deterioration, if any. The older and larger the building is, the more likely it is that there may be some differences between various openings and, consequently, the measurement process will take more time. If there appear some structural issues or deterioration of the windows or the building structure in general during this phase, it may affect the schedule of the whole process.
3. Design and engineering
On the basis of data obtained on the previous stage, design and engineering is performed for window replacement. It involves such considerations as product selection, configuration of the windows, structural requirements, wind load and thermal performance characteristics, selection of glazing and hardware, installation, and compliance with the building code. This phase also includes evaluation of the design by the historic preservation commission if the building in question is historical.
4. Product selection and specification
This phase includes selection of the material, such as aluminum or vinyl, glazing package, and specifications of hardware and finishes. The availability of the product may affect the duration of this phase, as some configurations and finishes are more available than the others, and neither aluminum nor vinyl windows are faster in general, it depends on the specific product line and degree of customization.
5. Permits and approvals
Depending on the building type and jurisdiction, some commercial window replacement projects may require permits, architectural approval or approval from historic preservation commission. These requirements greatly vary by jurisdiction, and it is better to clarify them with the local building department in advance.
6. Ordering and procurement
Once the specifications are ready, the order is placed with the manufacturers. The duration of this phase is independent from the installation time, and it depends on the manufacturing time, product availability, degree of customization, shipping logistics and order quantity. It is better to expect this phase to take time in advance.
7. Custom Window Fabrication
If a building has nonstandard openings, custom window fabrication is added to the process. Custom window fabrication implies a longer process than standard product procurement because of the necessity to design, engineer, manufacture and quality control the product. The time of fabrication depends on the manufacturer and project, and it is better to clarify this time with the manufacturer for a specific project.
8. Site preparation
Before removal of windows begins, the site is prepared. It usually includes protection of the occupied spaces, staging of materials, preparation of the access equipment, such as scaffolding or lifts, safety protocol development and coordination with the building occupants. It usually takes more time for occupied buildings and high-rise structures.
9. Window removal and installation
The speed of this phase depends on the quantity of windows, window configuration, crew size, site access, building height, existing conditions, weather, and occupancy. For large commercial and multifamily projects, installation is usually done in phases, such as floor by floor or building by building.
10. Inspection and punch list
This phase includes verification that each window is operational, seals and flashing are properly installed, glass and hardware are intact, finishes and weatherproofing are performed in accordance with the specification. Corrections identified on this phase are made before the project completion.
What Factors Can Make Commercial Window Replacement Take Longer?
The factors that may make the window replacement process take longer are listed below.
- Large number of windows — More windows typically mean longer measurement and procurement process.
- Custom window sizes — Custom windows usually need additional design and fabrication.
- Historical building — Preservation review and replication requirements extend the design and approval phases.
- Irregular openings — Measurement and custom fabrication of irregular or out-of-square openings take additional time.
- Structural repairs — If deteriorated framing or masonry is found during the inspection, it needs to be repaired before the installation.
- Hidden deterioration — Conditions of the building revealed only during the process need to be accounted for.
- Limited site access — Tight site access or difficult building access increase the time of material staging and installation.
- High-rise building — Height requires additional engineering considerations and access equipment.
- Occupied building — Coordinated installation on occupied building takes more time than unoccupied building.
- Tenant/resident coordination — Unit by unit installation on occupied buildings requires additional coordination.
- Permit delays — Approval schedules vary by jurisdiction and can delay the start of work.
- Product availability — Certain materials, finishes or glazing packages have longer lead time than others.
- Custom fabrication — As was mentioned above, custom-built windows take more time than standard windows.
- Weather — Exterior work can be delayed by bad weather.
- Material delivery — Shipping delays affect the installation date regardless of how quickly other phases were performed.
- Specialized glazing — Some performance or safety glazing can have longer procurement time.
- Engineering changes — Changes in the engineering after the initial engineering increases the specification time.
- Unexpected existing conditions — Unpredicted site conditions require planning changes.
- Safety requirements — Safety requirements associated with height, occupancy or specific site make the scheduling more difficult.
- Complex installation details — Additional flashing, waterproofing or structural connection details take time to install.
Commercial Window Replacement in an Occupied Building
Occupied building brings some additional requirements to a commercial window replacement process. They are described below.
- Safety during removal and installation and creation of temporary openings in the building envelope
- Noise and dust, which should be controlled and communicated with the building occupants
- Access, since workspaces should be coordinated with the occupied spaces
- Work hours, which may be limited by building regulations or local ordinances
- Temporary protection of interior spaces during removal and installation of the windows
- Interior disturbance, especially for units or offices, where the work is done
- Communication, so the building occupants know what to expect and when
- Phased installation, moving the process through the building gradually
- Unit by unit scheduling, especially for multifamily buildings
- Property management coordination, since building management handles the communication and access
Occupied commercial and multifamily window replacement projects usually require phased installation schedule, which ensures efficient execution of the project and minimizes disruptions to the building occupants.
How Long Does Multifamily Window Replacement Take?
Multifamily window replacement projects usually involve more coordination than the replacement of windows in a single building because of the following factors:
- Number of units and windows in a project
- Standard configurations of the same windows in multiple similar units, which can speed up the fabrication
- Occupied units, which require individual scheduling and communication
- Communication with all residents
- Material logistics in the case of large quantity order
- Phased installation by buildings or floors
- Building access and staging
- Specific safety protocols for occupied residential buildings
- Quality control of many installed units
Thus, it is not appropriate to state a specific time period, which could be applied to all multifamily projects. A property with fewer units and easy access will be replaced faster than the large, multi building project with occupied units – project size and phasing strategy make a huge difference.
Commercial Window Replacement for a Historic Building
Historic building window replacement project usually requires additional planning steps in the design and approval phases:
- Existing window documentation, required to develop a replication based design
- Historic district review, when a historic landmark commission reviews the proposed modifications
- SHPO requirements, when State Historic Preservation Office involvement is required, depending on the building designation
- Matching profiles and sightlines, requiring detailed design to replicate the original appearance
- Custom sizing, since historic openings never have modern standard dimensions
- Custom Window Fabrication, as it is required for replication and dimension matching
- Historic materials, sometimes required to match the original construction
- Architectural details, such as trim, muntins, and hardware, matching the building’s character
- Existing masonry, limiting the ability to modify the opening
- Approval process specifics, varying by the jurisdiction and historic designation
Since the requirements for preservation of historic buildings vary greatly by location and by specific designation, it is better to find out the requirements in advance from the local historic preservation commission.
Does Custom Window Fabrication Increase the Replacement Timeline?
Yes, Custom Window Fabrication usually extends the replacement time compared with procurement of the standard product, because of additional design, engineering, manufacturing and quality control specific to the opening.
Sometimes a special custom window will need to be fabricated due to the fact that:
- The building has unusual or non-standard dimensions
- The building has irregular or out-of-square openings
- Historical replication of the existing windows is required
- The window needs to be in a unique shape, such as arched or angled openings
- A special finish that is not offered in stock products is required
- There are special architectural requirements related to the building itself
Even though custom fabrication of the windows does take longer than stock products, the exact amount of additional time it would take would vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, complexity of the units, and their current production capacity. This information is impossible to provide as a general rule and needs to be verified separately with the fabricator on each case-by-case basis.
How Does AAWD Approach Commercial Window Replacement Projects
American Architectural Window & Door Inc. (AAWD) completes commercial, multifamily, renovation, adaptive reuse, and occupied building window replacement projects in the Tri-State area with capabilities in the following areas: design and engineering, product selection, installation, project management, and custom fabrication. These capabilities mean that AAWD participates in several different phases of the project and is not just involved in providing materials or installation alone.
Since each building and project scope is unique, AAWD cannot provide a fixed completion timeline for commercial window replacement projects – the project duration depends on the same factors that are described throughout this article: building size, occupancy, existing conditions and custom fabrication requirement.
AAWD Commercial Window Replacement Project Examples
Some of the AAWD’s documented window replacement projects show a variety of different conditions that are usually present in commercial and multifamily window replacement projects:
- Hillside Gardens – AAWD installed more than 2,200 heavy commercial aluminum energy efficient double hung windows with low E glazing and argon gas fill, in an occupied multifamily building.
- Wellington Woods – AAWD replaced the existing vinyl windows with new white vinyl double hung windows as part of a multifamily replacement program.
- Martin Gerber Apartments – AAWD provided and installed custom-sized bronze aluminum heavy commercial slider windows with an energy efficient glazing package.
- Picatinny Arsenal Building 93 – AAWD replaced the existing aluminum windows with 235 heavy commercial aluminum fixed windows and speciality privacy glazing.
As seen from the above examples, different project scope can mean anything from replacement of the large volume of windows to custom-fabricated slider windows. Documented project scope is included here to show the variety of different project conditions, but not to estimate the time required to complete any of those projects in particular.
How to Plan Your Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project
Before Requesting Quotes
- Set your project goals and priorities
- Inspect the existing windows for their condition
- Estimate the approximate amount of windows
- Check if the building is occupied
- Check if there are any historic or landmark restrictions
- Identify performance criteria (thermal, structural, acoustics)
During the Planning Phase
- Conduct a full site inspection
- Confirm measurements for each of the openings
- Select products and confirm the specifications
- Coordinate structural and code engineering
- Review glazing options according to your performance requirements
- Confirm the installation approach and sequence
- Prepare your site logistics and access approach
- Check if any permits are needed
Before Installation
- Confirm final materials and specifications
- Coordinate delivery schedules with the manufacturer
- Prepare your work sites and staging areas
- Notify your occupants about the schedule and upcoming work
- Coordinate building access with the property management
- Establish safety procedures for your crews and occupants
- Confirm the installation sequence, especially for phased projects
Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project Checklist
☐ Initial assessment ☐ Site inspection ☐ Measurements ☐ Product selection ☐ Engineering ☐ Permits/approvals ☐ Procurement ☐ Custom fabrication if needed ☐ Site preparation ☐ Window removal ☐ Installation ☐ Sealing/flashing ☐ Inspection ☐ Punch list ☐ Final cleanup
Common Mistakes That Will Delay Your Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project
- Starting the project without proper measurements of the windows
- Selecting products too late during the planning phase
- Overlooking engineering requirements until problems arise during site inspection
- Delaying placement of the material order too much
- Not identifying historic or landmark restrictions during early planning
- Underestimating access requirements, especially for tall buildings
- Not properly planning occupied-building work flow
- Neglecting weather exposure in your scheduling considerations
- Not considering hidden deterioration behind existing framing
- Bad communication between architects, contractors, and fabricators
- Not planning material storage and staging properly
- Not allocating enough time for inspection and punch list corrections
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Window Replacement Timeline
How long does commercial window replacement take?
It varies greatly depending on the project. Building size, window quantity, custom fabrication, existing conditions, and installation logistics all play an important role in the duration of the project and there’s no one single answer to this question as it applies to every commercial window replacement project.
What is the commercial window replacement process?
Generally speaking, this process consists of an initial assessment, site measurement, design and engineering, product selection, permits where applicable, procurement or custom fabrication, site preparation, window removal, installation, and final inspection.
What affects the duration of commercial window replacement?
Such factors as window quantity, need for custom fabrication, building height, occupancy, historic requirements, availability of products, permitting, and access conditions affect the duration of the window replacement project.
Does custom window fabrication prolong the duration of the project?
Yes, generally speaking. Custom fabrication requires additional steps of design, engineering, and manufacturing compared with using standard stock products, although the exact amount of additional time would depend on the specifics of your particular project and the manufacturer you are working with.
How long does it take to replace windows in a commercial building?
As far as the timeline goes, building size and complexity matter a great deal. A small commercial building with standard windows goes quicker than a large and complex commercial building that requires custom fabrication.
How long does multifamily window replacement take?
It depends on the number of units, occupancy, and phasing of the installation process. A large and occupied multifamily building usually takes longer than a small and unoccupied one.
Commercial Window Replacement Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
The amount of time needed for the commercial window replacement process differs greatly and depends largely on the project size and complexity. The replacement of several regular windows in an easy to reach and vacant commercial building is a totally different case from the replacement of a few hundred or thousand windows in a high-rise and occupied commercial structure.
The commercial window replacement project usually consists of several phases, including project evaluation, measuring, design and engineering, product selection, obtaining permits or approvals, fabrication or procurement, preparation of the site, window removal, installation, and final inspection. How much time each of these phases may take and how they interact with each other depends on the specific building and project.
This article explores all phases of the commercial window replacement process, what determines its acceleration or deceleration, and the impact of various factors, such as building type, occupancy, height, and historic status on the schedule.
How Long Does Commercial Window Replacement Take?
As mentioned above, there are a lot of factors that determine the amount of time a commercial window replacement project can take. Some of them are project size, quantity and type of windows, degree of customization, building conditions, site access, engineering considerations, and installation.
It is impossible to name a specific period of time needed for any window replacement project, as it varies greatly from one to another.
Commercial Window Replacement Time Frame Overview
| Project Phase | What Happens | What Can Influence the Schedule |
| 1. Initial consultation and assessment | Project evaluation | Building and project complexity, decision making pace |
| 2. Site inspection and measurements | Measurements in the field | Number of openings, access conditions |
| 3. Design and engineering | Development of specifications | Building height, wind loads, historic building requirements |
| 4. Product selection/specification | Selection of frame material, glazing, hardware and finishes | Product availability, degree of customization |
| 5. Permits and approvals | Getting all needed local approvals | Jurisdiction, historic building review |
| 6. Ordering/procurement | Ordering products from manufacturers | Manufacturing time, order size |
| 7. Custom fabrication, if required | Custom fabrication of windows | Degree of complexity, shape |
| 8. Site preparation | Site preparation and staging of materials and equipment | Building height, occupancy, access equipment |
| 9. Window removal | Removal of the existing window | Quantity of windows, their condition, access |
| 10. Window installation | Installation of windows | Crew size, weather conditions, building height |
| 11. Glazing/sealing/finishing | Glazing and finishing | Weather conditions, existing structure |
| 12. Inspection and punch list | Inspection of the results | Number of windows, complexity |
| 13. Final cleanup | Cleanup of the site | Project size |
Exact durations for each of these phases are not listed in this table, as they differ greatly between various projects, making it useless to quote an exact number of weeks for all window replacement projects. The value of this table is in the description of each phase of the commercial window replacement process and factors influencing each of them.
Step by Step Process of the Commercial Window Replacement
1. Initial consultation and project assessment
The process typically starts with the project evaluation, when the goals of the replacement are established, such as the number of windows to be replaced, performance characteristics, budget, and if the building is occupied or historically significant. This phase is important because decisions made at this stage influence the amount of design and engineering needed for the project.
2. Site inspection and measurements
This phase consists of measuring rough dimensions of openings, existing frame and sill conditions, masonry and structural conditions of the building, current window configuration, and water infiltration or deterioration, if any. The older and larger the building is, the more likely it is that there may be some differences between various openings and, consequently, the measurement process will take more time. If there appear some structural issues or deterioration of the windows or the building structure in general during this phase, it may affect the schedule of the whole process.
3. Design and engineering
On the basis of data obtained on the previous stage, design and engineering is performed for window replacement. It involves such considerations as product selection, configuration of the windows, structural requirements, wind load and thermal performance characteristics, selection of glazing and hardware, installation, and compliance with the building code. This phase also includes evaluation of the design by the historic preservation commission if the building in question is historical.
4. Product selection and specification
This phase includes selection of the material, such as aluminum or vinyl, glazing package, and specifications of hardware and finishes. The availability of the product may affect the duration of this phase, as some configurations and finishes are more available than the others, and neither aluminum nor vinyl windows are faster in general, it depends on the specific product line and degree of customization.
5. Permits and approvals
Depending on the building type and jurisdiction, some commercial window replacement projects may require permits, architectural approval or approval from historic preservation commission. These requirements greatly vary by jurisdiction, and it is better to clarify them with the local building department in advance.
6. Ordering and procurement
Once the specifications are ready, the order is placed with the manufacturers. The duration of this phase is independent from the installation time, and it depends on the manufacturing time, product availability, degree of customization, shipping logistics and order quantity. It is better to expect this phase to take time in advance.
7. Custom Window Fabrication
If a building has nonstandard openings, custom window fabrication is added to the process. Custom window fabrication implies a longer process than standard product procurement because of the necessity to design, engineer, manufacture and quality control the product. The time of fabrication depends on the manufacturer and project, and it is better to clarify this time with the manufacturer for a specific project.
8. Site preparation
Before removal of windows begins, the site is prepared. It usually includes protection of the occupied spaces, staging of materials, preparation of the access equipment, such as scaffolding or lifts, safety protocol development and coordination with the building occupants. It usually takes more time for occupied buildings and high-rise structures.
9. Window removal and installation
The speed of this phase depends on the quantity of windows, window configuration, crew size, site access, building height, existing conditions, weather, and occupancy. For large commercial and multifamily projects, installation is usually done in phases, such as floor by floor or building by building.
10. Inspection and punch list
This phase includes verification that each window is operational, seals and flashing are properly installed, glass and hardware are intact, finishes and weatherproofing are performed in accordance with the specification. Corrections identified on this phase are made before the project completion.
What Factors Can Make Commercial Window Replacement Take Longer?
The factors that may make the window replacement process take longer are listed below.
- Large number of windows — More windows typically mean longer measurement and procurement process.
- Custom window sizes — Custom windows usually need additional design and fabrication.
- Historical building — Preservation review and replication requirements extend the design and approval phases.
- Irregular openings — Measurement and custom fabrication of irregular or out-of-square openings take additional time.
- Structural repairs — If deteriorated framing or masonry is found during the inspection, it needs to be repaired before the installation.
- Hidden deterioration — Conditions of the building revealed only during the process need to be accounted for.
- Limited site access — Tight site access or difficult building access increase the time of material staging and installation.
- High-rise building — Height requires additional engineering considerations and access equipment.
- Occupied building — Coordinated installation on occupied building takes more time than unoccupied building.
- Tenant/resident coordination — Unit by unit installation on occupied buildings requires additional coordination.
- Permit delays — Approval schedules vary by jurisdiction and can delay the start of work.
- Product availability — Certain materials, finishes or glazing packages have longer lead time than others.
- Custom fabrication — As was mentioned above, custom-built windows take more time than standard windows.
- Weather — Exterior work can be delayed by bad weather.
- Material delivery — Shipping delays affect the installation date regardless of how quickly other phases were performed.
- Specialized glazing — Some performance or safety glazing can have longer procurement time.
- Engineering changes — Changes in the engineering after the initial engineering increases the specification time.
- Unexpected existing conditions — Unpredicted site conditions require planning changes.
- Safety requirements — Safety requirements associated with height, occupancy or specific site make the scheduling more difficult.
- Complex installation details — Additional flashing, waterproofing or structural connection details take time to install.
Commercial Window Replacement in an Occupied Building
Occupied building brings some additional requirements to a commercial window replacement process. They are described below.
- Safety during removal and installation and creation of temporary openings in the building envelope
- Noise and dust, which should be controlled and communicated with the building occupants
- Access, since workspaces should be coordinated with the occupied spaces
- Work hours, which may be limited by building regulations or local ordinances
- Temporary protection of interior spaces during removal and installation of the windows
- Interior disturbance, especially for units or offices, where the work is done
- Communication, so the building occupants know what to expect and when
- Phased installation, moving the process through the building gradually
- Unit by unit scheduling, especially for multifamily buildings
- Property management coordination, since building management handles the communication and access
Occupied commercial and multifamily window replacement projects usually require phased installation schedule, which ensures efficient execution of the project and minimizes disruptions to the building occupants.
How Long Does Multifamily Window Replacement Take?
Multifamily window replacement projects usually involve more coordination than the replacement of windows in a single building because of the following factors:
- Number of units and windows in a project
- Standard configurations of the same windows in multiple similar units, which can speed up the fabrication
- Occupied units, which require individual scheduling and communication
- Communication with all residents
- Material logistics in the case of large quantity order
- Phased installation by buildings or floors
- Building access and staging
- Specific safety protocols for occupied residential buildings
- Quality control of many installed units
Thus, it is not appropriate to state a specific time period, which could be applied to all multifamily projects. A property with fewer units and easy access will be replaced faster than the large, multi building project with occupied units – project size and phasing strategy make a huge difference.
Commercial Window Replacement for a Historic Building
Historic building window replacement project usually requires additional planning steps in the design and approval phases:
- Existing window documentation, required to develop a replication based design
- Historic district review, when a historic landmark commission reviews the proposed modifications
- SHPO requirements, when State Historic Preservation Office involvement is required, depending on the building designation
- Matching profiles and sightlines, requiring detailed design to replicate the original appearance
- Custom sizing, since historic openings never have modern standard dimensions
- Custom Window Fabrication, as it is required for replication and dimension matching
- Historic materials, sometimes required to match the original construction
- Architectural details, such as trim, muntins, and hardware, matching the building’s character
- Existing masonry, limiting the ability to modify the opening
- Approval process specifics, varying by the jurisdiction and historic designation
Since the requirements for preservation of historic buildings vary greatly by location and by specific designation, it is better to find out the requirements in advance from the local historic preservation commission.
Does Custom Window Fabrication Increase the Replacement Timeline?
Yes, Custom Window Fabrication usually extends the replacement time compared with procurement of the standard product, because of additional design, engineering, manufacturing and quality control specific to the opening.
Sometimes a special custom window will need to be fabricated due to the fact that:
- The building has unusual or non-standard dimensions
- The building has irregular or out-of-square openings
- Historical replication of the existing windows is required
- The window needs to be in a unique shape, such as arched or angled openings
- A special finish that is not offered in stock products is required
- There are special architectural requirements related to the building itself
Even though custom fabrication of the windows does take longer than stock products, the exact amount of additional time it would take would vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, complexity of the units, and their current production capacity. This information is impossible to provide as a general rule and needs to be verified separately with the fabricator on each case-by-case basis.
How Does AAWD Approach Commercial Window Replacement Projects
American Architectural Window & Door Inc. (AAWD) completes commercial, multifamily, renovation, adaptive reuse, and occupied building window replacement projects in the Tri-State area with capabilities in the following areas: design and engineering, product selection, installation, project management, and custom fabrication. These capabilities mean that AAWD participates in several different phases of the project and is not just involved in providing materials or installation alone.
Since each building and project scope is unique, AAWD cannot provide a fixed completion timeline for commercial window replacement projects – the project duration depends on the same factors that are described throughout this article: building size, occupancy, existing conditions and custom fabrication requirement.
AAWD Commercial Window Replacement Project Examples
Some of the AAWD’s documented window replacement projects show a variety of different conditions that are usually present in commercial and multifamily window replacement projects:
- Hillside Gardens – AAWD installed more than 2,200 heavy commercial aluminum energy efficient double hung windows with low E glazing and argon gas fill, in an occupied multifamily building.
- Wellington Woods – AAWD replaced the existing vinyl windows with new white vinyl double hung windows as part of a multifamily replacement program.
- Martin Gerber Apartments – AAWD provided and installed custom-sized bronze aluminum heavy commercial slider windows with an energy efficient glazing package.
- Picatinny Arsenal Building 93 – AAWD replaced the existing aluminum windows with 235 heavy commercial aluminum fixed windows and speciality privacy glazing.
As seen from the above examples, different project scope can mean anything from replacement of the large volume of windows to custom-fabricated slider windows. Documented project scope is included here to show the variety of different project conditions, but not to estimate the time required to complete any of those projects in particular.
How to Plan Your Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project
Before Requesting Quotes
- Set your project goals and priorities
- Inspect the existing windows for their condition
- Estimate the approximate amount of windows
- Check if the building is occupied
- Check if there are any historic or landmark restrictions
- Identify performance criteria (thermal, structural, acoustics)
During the Planning Phase
- Conduct a full site inspection
- Confirm measurements for each of the openings
- Select products and confirm the specifications
- Coordinate structural and code engineering
- Review glazing options according to your performance requirements
- Confirm the installation approach and sequence
- Prepare your site logistics and access approach
- Check if any permits are needed
Before Installation
- Confirm final materials and specifications
- Coordinate delivery schedules with the manufacturer
- Prepare your work sites and staging areas
- Notify your occupants about the schedule and upcoming work
- Coordinate building access with the property management
- Establish safety procedures for your crews and occupants
- Confirm the installation sequence, especially for phased projects
Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project Checklist
☐ Initial assessment ☐ Site inspection ☐ Measurements ☐ Product selection ☐ Engineering ☐ Permits/approvals ☐ Procurement ☐ Custom fabrication if needed ☐ Site preparation ☐ Window removal ☐ Installation ☐ Sealing/flashing ☐ Inspection ☐ Punch list ☐ Final cleanup
Common Mistakes That Will Delay Your Commercial Window Replacement Timeline Project
- Starting the project without proper measurements of the windows
- Selecting products too late during the planning phase
- Overlooking engineering requirements until problems arise during site inspection
- Delaying placement of the material order too much
- Not identifying historic or landmark restrictions during early planning
- Underestimating access requirements, especially for tall buildings
- Not properly planning occupied-building work flow
- Neglecting weather exposure in your scheduling considerations
- Not considering hidden deterioration behind existing framing
- Bad communication between architects, contractors, and fabricators
- Not planning material storage and staging properly
- Not allocating enough time for inspection and punch list corrections
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Window Replacement Timeline
How long does commercial window replacement take?
It varies greatly depending on the project. Building size, window quantity, custom fabrication, existing conditions, and installation logistics all play an important role in the duration of the project and there’s no one single answer to this question as it applies to every commercial window replacement project.
What is the commercial window replacement process?
Generally speaking, this process consists of an initial assessment, site measurement, design and engineering, product selection, permits where applicable, procurement or custom fabrication, site preparation, window removal, installation, and final inspection.
What affects the duration of commercial window replacement?
Such factors as window quantity, need for custom fabrication, building height, occupancy, historic requirements, availability of products, permitting, and access conditions affect the duration of the window replacement project.
Does custom window fabrication prolong the duration of the project?
Yes, generally speaking. Custom fabrication requires additional steps of design, engineering, and manufacturing compared with using standard stock products, although the exact amount of additional time would depend on the specifics of your particular project and the manufacturer you are working with.
How long does it take to replace windows in a commercial building?
As far as the timeline goes, building size and complexity matter a great deal. A small commercial building with standard windows goes quicker than a large and complex commercial building that requires custom fabrication.
How long does multifamily window replacement take?
It depends on the number of units, occupancy, and phasing of the installation process. A large and occupied multifamily building usually takes longer than a small and unoccupied one.
