Fenestration Advisory Services for Commercial & Multifamily Buildings in NJ

Specifying the wrong window system in a commercial building will cost a lot of money. Ineffective specifications could mean wasting money in the form of heat loss or in dealing with excessive noise complaints or code violation notices. Choosing the wrong manufacturer could mean getting delays in supplies which could delay your whole construction schedule.

This is exactly why you should use our fenestration advisory services.
Before you even think of ordering windows and signing up any contractor, our experts will assess the whole situation — your building, your project plans, budget and required codes — and recommend you the exact system you need. Not what’s easiest to sell to you. But what really suits your needs.

We’ve been working in New Jersey for over 25 years. From small 50-unit garden apartments to large 22-story buildings, from historic brownstones of Hoboken to large 500,000 square feet adaptive re-use projects — we’ve done it all. When we offer recommendations, they come from experience.

What Is Fenestration Advisory?

The short answer is a fenestration advisory, which is a consulting service where a specialist assesses the door and window requirements of your building prior to the purchase and installation of any products. When considering your building’s type, budget, occupancy situation, and local code requirements, it is important to match the glazing system, performance specification, and manufacturer with the correct fit.The precise word for the openings in a building’s outside envelope that allow light and air to enter and exit is “fenestration.” This includes skylights, windows, doors, and any other similar features. Deciding on the optimal fenestration system for a business or apartment complex involves more than just looking at products.
Acoustic performance ratings (STC values), energy codes (such as ASHRAE 90.1), structural load requirements, historic preservation regulations, and the project’s practical aspects (such as whether tenants will be present during installation) must all be considered.
A lot needs to be right there. To avoid making a mistake before spending money, use AAWD’s consulting service.

Who Needs a Fenestration Advisor?

Seek the advice of a fenestration expert if:

• As a property manager, you’re unsure about the glazing specification to include in your request for proposals (RFP) when planning the replacement of windows on a mid-rise or high-rise structure.
• Windows that adhere to residential egress and energy standards are essential whether you are a developer or architect involved in an adaptive reuse project or converting an office into a residential building. Owning or managing a historic property can be challenging when it comes to landmark commission standards. It’s important to avoid the temptation to completely replace the building when restoration could be a more compatible solution.
• As a condo or HOA board, you’re attempting to reach a consensus on window specs that will meet the performance requirements of the building while staying under budget. To avoid blindly following a contractor’s advice, you, as a facility manager taking over a capital project from an earlier team, would like an impartial technical assessment.
• You require a contractor that is knowledgeable about the regulations governing publicly financed housing if you manage properties that are subsidized by HUD or HMFA.
• Advisory is the place to go for pre-problem management of project complexity, whether it be occupancy, historic designation, adaptive reuse, atypical sizing, or multi-phase scheduling.

Our Fenestration Advisory Process

While the intricacy of each step varies according to the complexity of the project, the fundamental framework remains consistent across all advisory engagements:

1. First, schedule an initial consultation, which can be done over the phone or in person, to go over the project’s goals, schedule, budget, and any limitations (such as regulations, historic designation, or occupancy).
2. We visit the building to examine the current window and door systems, opening conditions, frame, and any other problems that require addressing before the replacement. This is known as the site survey and existing conditions assessment.
3. Suggestions for the system and glazing—a detailed description of the suggested window system, specifications for the glazing, and performance goals, together with an explanation of the thinking behind each suggestion.
4. Guideline for manufacturers and products — Details on which products and manufacturer options are suitable for the specification, together with information on availability and lead times.
5. Help with submission packages – Guidance on how to properly submit a commercial fenestration project for code and permit approval.
6. We coordinate our ideas with the designs and specifications of your record architect or engineer, if you have one.
7. Questions arise during installation, thus there is ongoing advisory support throughout the process. Advice is always welcome, not only at the spec phase, all the way through the project’s completion.