Which glass is best for noise?

Acoustic laminated glass, in an asymmetric build — different thicknesses on each lite with an acoustic-grade PVB interlayer. Not triple glazing, which is excellent for heat and frequently no better than good double glazing for noise. And not SGP, which is stiffer than PVB and therefore a poorer damper. If a quotation offers SGP as an acoustic upgrade, ask why.

Is triple glazing worth it?

For heat, usually yes. For noise, often not — a well-specified asymmetric laminated double unit will frequently outperform a standard triple against traffic noise, at lower cost and lower weight. Triple units are also around half again as heavy, which affects hardware, balances and frame depth. We will tell you which problem you are actually solving before recommending one.

What is low-iron or Starphire glass, and do I need it?

Low-iron glass has most of the iron oxide removed from the batch, so it loses the green cast that ordinary clear glass has. The edge goes azure blue instead of bottle green. It is worth paying for on thick glass with exposed edges — shower enclosures, partitions, shelving, display cases — and not worth paying for on ordinary vision glazing in a frame where nobody will see the edge.

What is heat soaked glass?

It is tempered glass that has been through a destructive screening test to EN 14179-1, which makes panes carrying nickel sulphide inclusions break in the oven rather than years later on the building. It does not make the glass stronger. We specify it for balustrades, overhead glazing, canopies and anywhere replacement would need access equipment.

Do you do custom shapes and sizes?

Yes. Custom fabrication is one of our core services — arched heads, circles, trapezoids, notched and drilled panels, and glass cut to your dimensions. Typical turnaround is one to two weeks depending on the processing required.

What glass options are available?

Tempered, laminated, insulating double and triple units, low-e and solar control coatings, acoustic laminates, tinted and low-iron substrates, fire-rated, frosted and acid-etched, mirrored, printed and fritted. Tell us what the glass has to do and we will specify it.

Do you handle work in landmark and historic districts?

Yes, and it is worth being precise about the roles. The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves windows and installations, not vendors — there is no such thing as a landmark-approved contractor. We are the supplier and installer, working to the approvals your architect or general contractor secures. We survey the existing sash, match bar widths and profiles, and build to what the approval requires.

Do you handle permits?

We can manage the permit and approval process for glazing work, including coordination with Landmarks where the building sits in a designated district. Note that Landmarks approval comes before DOB filing — the Department of Buildings will not accept a filing for work in a historic district without the landmarks permit in hand.

Do you provide architectural or engineering drawings?

No. Architecture and engineering require licensure in New York and we do not hold it. What we provide is a glazing-scope survey, shop drawings for what we are fabricating, and a buildability review of someone else's design. Where a job needs stamped drawings you will need a registered architect or professional engineer, and we will say so.

What are the window guard rules in New York City?

Under NYC Administrative Code §27-2043.1, owners of multiple dwellings must install approved window guards in any unit where a child ten years of age or under resides, and on written request from any tenant. Approved guards have bars no more than 4.5 inches apart and must withstand 150 pounds. Windows giving access to a fire escape are excepted.

Will a new window still meet the ventilation requirements?

It depends on the window type, and this catches people out. NYC calculates ventilation on the area that actually opens, not the size of the window. A sliding window opens to about half its width, which can put a room below the threshold even though the opening looks the same size. We check openable area against room floor area at survey rather than after the units arrive.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. We carry insurance appropriate to the work and can provide certificates for building management, co-op boards and general contractors before we start on site. Ask and we will send them.

Do you provide waterproofing?

Yes — it is one of our core services and we describe ourselves as full opening specialists, meaning we take responsibility for the whole opening rather than just the unit in it. We work with Henry, Soprema, Dow Corning and Seimeda materials, selected according to the exposure rather than defaulting to one system.

Why do sealed joints keep failing on my building?

Usually because the joint was never sized for the movement it has to absorb. Dark aluminium in summer sun runs well above air temperature and drops below it on a clear winter night, so the material moves across a far wider range than the thermometer suggests. A joint too narrow for that movement will fail regardless of how good the sealant is. Coastal salt and freeze-thaw cycling accelerate it.

Can you repair rather than replace?

Often, yes, and we would rather tell you that than take the larger order. A building may need a hundred new locks and only forty windows genuinely rebuilt. Working out which is which is what the survey is for, and it usually saves considerably more than the survey costs.

What about commercial and whole-building projects?

We handle curtain wall, storefront, entrance systems, railings and partitions, and whole-building replacement programmes. On larger jobs the survey identifies window patterns rather than just counting openings, because older buildings rarely have one window type throughout and a single hardware pattern will not fit all of them.

Windows, Doors, Storefront & Glass — NYC, NJ & PA

Premium Supply & Installation

Windows & Doors · Storefronts & Railings · Showers & Mirrors · Waterproofing

20+

Years Experience

500+

Contractors & Partners

$2M+

Projects Completed

NYC

All 5 Boroughs

Our Products

We supply and install, so one company owns the whole opening — specifying the product, fabricating it, fitting it, and waterproofing the perimeter it sits in. Over 20 brand lines across the full range, from high-end European systems to cost-effective American and locally made products, so the specification gets built around your budget rather than the other way round.

Doors & Windows

Residential and commercial window and door systems, supplied and installed.

Casement, double-hung and tilt-and-turn
Sliding, patio and balcony doors
Commercial and building entrances
Bifold and frameless entrance systems
Skylights — Velux-type and custom, supplied and installed
Custom sizes and shapes

Browse doors & windows →

Storefront & Partition

Commercial frontages, entrances and interior glass.

Aluminum storefront systems
Commercial and building entrance doors
Glass panels and office partitions
Frameless glass systems
YKK and Kawneer framing

Browse storefront & partition →

Railings

Glass guards for balconies, terraces, roof decks and stairs.

Tempered glass in aluminum base shoe with top rail
Frameless laminated glass balustrades
Post-and-glass and framed systems
Integrated LED edge lighting
Built to the NYC 42-inch guard requirement

Browse railings →

Facade & Envelope Solutions

The outer skin of the building from one contractor: glazing, panels, and the joints between them kept dry.

Curtain wall for full-height and multi-storey elevations
Rain screen cladding systems
Aluminum composite panels (ACM) in aluminum and stone-look finishes
Aluminum capping, copings and reveals
Perimeter waterproofing where the envelope meets the openings

Browse facade & envelope →

Shower & Mirror

Enclosures, panels and mirror work for wet areas and interiors.

Framed and frameless shower doors
Sliding and bypass enclosures
Shower panels and screens
Steam room doors and ventilation
Mirrors and reflective glass

Browse shower & mirror →

Glass Products

Insulated units, safety glass, coatings and decorative finishes.

IGU — double and triple
Tempered and laminated safety glass
Low-E and acoustic glass
Frosted, tinted and painted
Hydrophobic water-beading coating

Browse glass products →

Our Services

Professional Installation

Expert installation by licensed contractors with 20+ years of experience. We ensure proper fitting, weatherproofing, and building code compliance.

Waterproofing & Roofing

Complete waterproofing using Henry Blue Skin and Soprema membranes: flashing, sealing and drainage at every opening. The same crew handles the roof — skylight openings cut, curbed and flashed as one job, and flat roof repair and replacement around them. The leak is almost never the skylight; it is the flashing, so we own both.

Custom Fabrication

Custom fabrication services with 1-2 week turnaround. Tailored solutions for unique project requirements.

Commercial Solutions

On a commercial project the glazing is never one trade's problem — it touches the architect's drawings, the engineer's loads, the GC's schedule and half a dozen vendors. We manage that whole process, not just our own scope: coordinating design, fabrication, delivery and installation across everyone involved, and stepping in with consulting and value engineering when the detail is complicated or the budget needs a different answer.

Single point of coordination between architect, engineer, GC and vendors
Design development and shop-drawing coordination with the design team
Consulting on complex openings, facades and difficult details
Value engineering: alternative systems, glass and details that meet the intent at lower cost
Schedule, procurement and site coordination from survey to sign-off

Supplier Services

Trade supply for contractors, builders and fabricators. We source and supply windows, doors, glass and hardware from our European, American and commercial brand lines.

Material sourcing and procurement
Contractor and trade pricing
Access to European and American brand lines
Order coordination and delivery scheduling
Specification and takeoff support

Property Service Solutions

Ongoing service for property managers, building owners and management companies. Maintenance, repair and replacement across your portfolio.

Scheduled maintenance programs
Glass repair and replacement
Hardware service and adjustment
Leak investigation and waterproofing repair
Multi-building and portfolio coverage

What Our Clients Say

"Exceptional quality and professionalism. Alex GC transformed our home with beautiful new windows."

- Maria Santos, Staten Island

"The installation was seamless. Great communication and attention to detail throughout the project."

- John Mueller, Brooklyn

"Professional team, competitive pricing, and outstanding results. Highly recommended!"

- Lisa Chen, Jersey City

"20+ years of experience really shows. They know exactly what they're doing."

- Robert Garcia, Queens

"Custom glass solution worked perfectly. Great craftsmanship and warranty support."

- Jennifer Wong, Manhattan

"Waterproofing is flawless. No leaks or issues even after heavy rain. Very impressed."

- Michael Thompson, Pennsylvania

News & Latest Updates

Three streams: articles and guides, what our crews are doing this week, and what the office is working on.

News & Blog

Articles & Guides

Latest: NYC Building Energy Laws: What Owners Actually Face — what Local Law 97 and the energy grade mean for a building's windows, and where glazing does and does not move the number.

All articles →

Field News

25 Franklin Boulevard, Long Beach, Long Island

Every window replaced on a seven-storey building on the Long Beach boardwalk: custom aluminum double-hungs on the ocean front, Crystal windows elsewhere, Alutech tilt-and-turn where the wind hits, and Solarban 60 glass throughout.

See the project → · All projects →

Office News

5101 Beach 51st Street, Sea Gate — a screen that fits the first time

Sizing a custom FlexScreen mosquito screen: the daylight opening says 27⅝″ × 11½″, the order says 29⅛″ × 13″, and the 1½″ between them is the whole job. We supply FlexScreen for any window or door.

Read the log → · All case studies →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a quote? +

Send us the opening sizes and a photograph, or the drawings if you have them, and tell us where the building is. You can use the quote form, call 929-235-1233 or message us on WhatsApp. For anything beyond a straightforward replacement we will want to survey before pricing, because dimensions taken from a drawing and dimensions taken on site are rarely the same.

What is your service area? +

All five boroughs of New York City, Northern New Jersey, the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. If your building is outside that and you are not sure, call and ask — we will tell you plainly rather than waste your time.

Do you supply materials without installation? +

Yes. We supply glass, windows, doors and hardware to contractors, builders and homeowners without installation. Direct delivery to site is available on orders over $2,500 in value, and collection from our Staten Island shop is available at any order value by appointment.

Can I collect from you, and do I need an appointment? +

You can collect from Staten Island, and yes, it is by appointment only. That is deliberate — it means the material is pulled, checked and ready when you arrive, and somebody is free to go through it with you rather than serving a counter.

What are your lead times? +

It depends entirely on what is being ordered. Stock glass can move quickly. Custom fabrication is typically one to two weeks. Custom clad-wood windows for historic district work are built to order and run to several weeks. We give you a build time when we quote, and if a programme is tight we will tell you whether it is achievable rather than agreeing to a date and explaining later.

Do you work with general contractors and architects? +

Regularly. A large share of our work comes through GCs and architects, where we supply and install the glazing scope against drawings someone else has prepared and approvals someone else has secured. Send us the drawings and we will quote against what they actually require.

What types of windows do you install? +

Casement, double-hung, single-hung, tilt-and-turn, sliding, awning, pivot, fixed, arched and custom shapes, in aluminium, clad-wood, vinyl and fibreglass. We carry European systems including Cortizo and Reynaers, American brands including Pella, Marvin, Andersen and Alside, and commercial systems from YKK and Kawneer.

See all questions on our FAQ page →

Areas We Serve

We supply and install across all five New York City boroughs, from single openings to whole-building programmes. Our own base is on Staten Island, and a large share of our work is in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan — brownstones and rowhouses, co-op and condo buildings, storefronts and commercial facades.

Staten Island

North Shore

St. George, Tompkinsville, Stapleton, Clifton, Rosebank, New Brighton, West Brighton, Port Richmond, Mariners Harbor, Livingston, Randall Manor, Silver Lake, Sunnyside, Grymes Hill

Mid-Island

Todt Hill, Emerson Hill, Dongan Hills, Grant City, New Dorp, Oakwood, Castleton Corners, Westerleigh, Meiers Corners, New Springville, Bulls Head, Willowbrook, Grasmere, Concord, Richmondtown

South Shore

Great Kills, Eltingville, Annadale, Huguenot, Prince's Bay, Pleasant Plains, Tottenville, Charleston, Rossville, Woodrow, Arden Heights

East Shore

Arrochar, South Beach, Midland Beach

Brooklyn

Brownstone Brooklyn

Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn

Central Brooklyn

Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Prospect Park South, Midwood, Ocean Parkway

South Brooklyn

Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Sunset Park, Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Coney Island, Bath Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Flatlands

North Brooklyn

Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, East Williamsburg

East Brooklyn

Canarsie, Brownsville, East New York, Cypress Hills

Queens

Western Queens

Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale

Central Queens

Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Briarwood, Kew Gardens Hills, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven

Northeast Queens

Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, College Point, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Beechhurst

Southeast Queens

Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, Hollis, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Bellerose

South Queens & Rockaways

Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Far Rockaway, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor

Bronx

Northwest Bronx

Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Duyvil, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bedford Park, Woodlawn

Central Bronx

Fordham, Belmont, Tremont, Mount Hope, University Heights, Morris Heights, Highbridge, Concourse, Grand Concourse

South Bronx

Mott Haven, Port Morris, Melrose, Hunts Point, Longwood, Morrisania

East Bronx

Throgs Neck, Country Club, Pelham Bay, City Island, Co-op City, Baychester, Eastchester, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, Parkchester, Castle Hill, Soundview

Manhattan

Downtown

Financial District, Battery Park City, Tribeca, SoHo, NoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, Lower East Side, East Village

Village & Chelsea

Greenwich Village, West Village, Meatpacking District, Chelsea, Flatiron, Gramercy, Union Square, NoMad, Hudson Yards

Midtown

Midtown East, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen, Turtle Bay, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, Sutton Place, Times Square

Upper East Side

Upper East Side, Lenox Hill, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill

Upper West Side

Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights

Upper Manhattan

Harlem, Central Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Sugar Hill

Beyond the five boroughs we work across Northern New Jersey — Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, Weehawken, North Bergen, Fort Lee, Englewood, Hackensack, Newark, Elizabeth, Bloomfield and Montclair — the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

Not listed? Call 929-235-1233 — if we cover the area we will tell you, and if we do not we will say so rather than waste your time.