Commercial Replacement Windows and Doors

The grades for commercial windows (and all windows) are set by the North American Fenestration Standard and are as follows:

1. Residential [R]:  For houses/duplexes sheltering one or two families.
2. Light Commercial (LC): Low- and mid-rise apartment complexes and commercial buildings.
3. Commercial Windows (CW): For use in low- and mid-rise structures that necessitate higher load tolerance. They must meet minimum durability standards and not exceed deflection limits.
4. Architectural Windows (AW): For mid- and high-rise structures placed under the most atmospheric and load stresses. They are subject to rigorous standards and testing.

Many security options are available for commercial windows to increase safety and prevent intrusion. Among the most common are:

• Window security film, constructed from layers of polyester laminated together with adhesives, ranging in thickness from 4 mm to 15 mm (or thicker), to increase shatter resistance.
• Shatter-resistant window glass alternatives such as polycarbonate, plastic, or acrylic.
• Window security bars or grilles that provide additional reinforcement in case of a break-in.

Our supplier French Steel offers ballistic, colored, and electronic switch glass options on its commercial windows and doors.

Energy efficiency requirements for commercial windows vary by jurisdiction, although most governing bodies adopt standards set by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro area fall into the IECC's Climate Zone 4. Consult your local building code official for the exact requirements. 

Commercial windows are more expensive to install for several reasons — chief among them are these windows' additional size and heft (many times they're bonded to metal frames) and the labor and equipment involved (especially those located on a second story or higher). Their strength and durability often prove well worth it in the long run.