Crystal Windows Manage Energy and Noise at New High-Rise Development in Queens, NY
-Windows Offer Residents Quiet, Comfort, Thermal Efficiency, and Great Views- QUEENS, NY, October 11, 2019 –National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently provided nearly 2,000 high-end energy efficient aluminum windows and doors for the newly constructed, award-winning Alvista Towers at 147-20 94th Avenue in Queens. The new 25-story residential property was named a recipient of a Queens Chamber of Commerce 2019 Building Award and joins the ever-growing skyline in Jamaica, rejuvenating the neighborhood around the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Jamaica Station rail transit hub. Crystal has supplied several major building projects in the area, including the renovation of the LIRR historic main headquarters and terminal building. Having completed several highly successful prior projects with the developer, Crystal’s wide array of value engineering and design customization services, as well as its broad product line made the fenestration manufacturer a natural choice for Alvista Towers. Working with the architect and developer team, Crystal offered window and glass specification options to efficiently meet the complex design criteria. “Because of the location so close to the LIRR train station and train lines operating 24 hours a day, the Crystal window products had to meet noise reduction as well as energy efficiency requirements,” said Crystal project manager and sales executive James Yang. “While Crystal supplied its own IGUs for the upper part of the building, for the lower floors closest to the trains, we worked with a special glass supplier to provide custom laminated, dual-pane, insulated glass units (IGUs)that achieved the sound abatement design specs required. The laminated IGUs were incorporated in our heavy commercial window frames, providing strength, durability, and noise reduction all with a modern, contemporary architectural style.” Crystal supplied 1,940 of its aluminum Series 5600 Sliding Window and Series 5100 Fixed Picture Window along with louvers for space conditioning PTAC units in a variety of configurations for expansive views. In most instances, a large sliding window was vertically mulled with a combination fixed window and PTAC unit below. In some cases, a large 3-lite slider was stacked atop a master frame combining a PTAC louver, flanked by two fixed windows. The window combinations filled huge openings, some as large as 7 feet wide by 9 feet tall. The Series 5600 Sliding Window used on the project in both 2-lite and 3-lite styles and the complementary Series 5100 Fixed Picture Window feature heavy-duty construction, 3-¼” frame depth, and a 1” IGU pocket. For ease of operation, the Series 5600 Sliding Window has continuous full height sash clip lock pull rails, dual stainless-steel sash rollers, and a stainless-steel reinforced frame roller track. It is AAMA rated HS-AW 40/HS-AW 50. The Series 5100 Fixed Picture Window has an outstanding AW-PG100 AAMA rating. The Series 5100 was used in the Alvista project as both a standalone unit and with a continuous head and sill master frame option to combine it with PTAC louvers. Crystal Windows supplied nearly 2,000 new energy-efficient aluminum windows for expansive openings at the new Alvista Towers project in Queens, NY. For the project, which is adjacent to a major railway transportation hub, Crystal customized insulated glass units for its Series 5600/5100 windows to minimize noise for residents while achieving great energy performance. Longtime supplier to Crystal, Reliable of Geneva, AL provided its AEL-42 Type 7116 louver for the project. Crystal factory-installed the louver units into the Series 5100 master frames. Part of Crystal’s broad network of suppliers, Solar Seal of South Easton, MA, worked with Crystal to provide the custom-ordered laminated pane insulated glass units (IGUs) for Alvista Towers. To provide sound abatement for floors 2 through 11, the Solar Seal-supplied IGUs were fabricated with a laminated interior light as well as a dissimilar thickness tempered exterior pane. The custom IGUs attained the specified OITC 28 sound reduction performance. For the upper floors where sound reduction was less critical, Crystal fabricated its own IGUsusing dissimilar thickness interior and exterior panes. For enhanced thermal performance, all IGUs utilized Vitro Solarban 60 Low-E coated glass and Argon gas filling. In compliance with New York City Department of Health regulations, Crystal supplied each operable window with approved sash stops, limiting openings to 4” for safety. Crystal also provided a wide range of installation and finishing accessories, such as stack mullions and covers, anchor clips and angles, and snap trim. On select floors, the design called for terrace doors to access outside areas. Crystal supplied 16 of its aluminum Series 1450 Outswing Terrace Door, which feature 3-¼” frame depth, a 1-¼” glazing pocket, dual pane IGUs, insulated strut thermal break, and multi-point locking system. The Series 1450 Outswing Terrace Door is AAMA rated AW-PG75. All the Crystal windows, terrace doors, louvers, and visible installation accessories were finished in a durable environmentally sustainable AAMA 2604 powder coat bronze paint finish. The design and construction team for Alvista Towers owner 94th Avenue Jamaica LLC included architect G55 Partners of New York, NY, and developer/general contractor Artimus Construction, also of New York, NY. Vista Skywall Systems of Flushing, NY performed all the fenestration installation work. Artimus with G55 Partners’ assistance coordinated with a number of New York City and New York State agencies to acquire the site, secure financing, and clear the site of pre-existing dilapidated buildings before construction of the new Alvista Towers development. Alvista Towers features 380 affordable mixed-income rental apartments in studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom sizes, with many resident amenities such as a lounge, business center, children’s playroom, fitness center, laundry facilities, and a rooftop deck. Alvista Towers is enrolled in the NYC Housing Preservation & Development Green Communities program recognizing energy-efficient building design and operation.
Crystal Introduces Sound Reduction Acoustic Casement Window
-Series AC85 Window Provides Solution for High Noise Locations- QUEENS, NY, September 12, 2019 –National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, based in New York City, has added an outstanding sound reduction window– the AC85 Acoustic Casement Window– to its ever-growing product line. The Crystal AC85Acoustic Casement Window delivers superior sound attenuation and is increasingly popular in buildings situated near airports, rail lines, highways, heavy-traffic city streets, or other demanding high-noise locations. The aluminum frame Crystal AC85 Acoustic Window is available in either the combined in-swing/out-swing casement or fixed window styles. The heavy-duty aluminum 7-⅞” depth thermally-broken master frame window features a dual-sash configuration (the interior sash opening in and the exterior sash opening out) capable of delivering impressive acoustical sound reduction ratings of STC 57 and OITC 46 STC (Sound Transmission Class) and OITC (Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class) are standardized measures of the window’s ability to reduce sounds transmitted through it when closed and locked. The STC rating number roughly reflects the decibel reduction in noise that a partition can provide. OITC is a similar but much newer and less established sound reduction evaluation scale which covers different frequency ranges from STC ratings. A higher STC value means greater sound reduction or blocking ability. Since the STC is logarithmic, even a small increase in STC value means a significant increase in noise reduction. Typical STC ratings for a basic single-pane window are about 27 and for a double-glazed window, 26-37. An 8” cinder block wall with insulation and drywall have been STC rated at 54. The Crystal AC85 Acoustic Casement Window comes in with an even higher STC 57 rating. The Crystal AC85 Acoustic Casement Window dual sashes each have a 1-¼” glazing pocket which accepts double or triple pane insulated glass units. With appropriate glass, Low-E coatings, and argon filling options, notable U-values of 0.28 are achieved. Multipoint sash locks actuated by a sleek, modern design brushed chrome finish handle assure a tight and secure closed seal. Sash opening limit devices and screens are available. A variety of standard and custom color durable finishes for the window are available in either the standard AAMA 2604 or the optional AAMA 2605powder coat environmentally sustainable paint finishes. To facilitate installations, an assortment of Crystal’s accessories such as mullions, receptors, and subsill systems are available. The AC85 master frame can also be mated with factory-installed PTAC louvers, perfect for multi-family housing, hotel, or other new construction or renovation projects.
Crystal Window& Door Systems Promotes Sergio Garcia to General Manager at California Facility
– Industry Executive Named to Top Operations Position – RIVERSIDE, CA, August 26, 2019 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is pleased to announce that Mr. Sergio Garcia has been promoted to General Manager at the company’s Crystal California Riverside116,000-ft2 production facility. In this role, Mr. Garcia oversees operations, administration, and strategic sales direction for Crystal’s West Coast production activities and markets Mr. Garcia brings 20 years of operational experience in the window manufacturing field to this position. He joined Crystal in 2015 as Operations Manager responsible for daily production scheduling, materials handling, and shipping to customers. His role expanded with plant and equipment management, and in 2017 he was promoted to Assistant General Manager. As Crystal’s operations in California grew and the company added new energy-efficient product lines, Mr. Garcia was instrumental in new equipment acquisition, staff training on new products, entrance into new markets, and building a skilled and dedicated workforce of nearly 100 employees. Sergio Garcia, General Manager of Crystal California, West Coast operations for national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems Sergio has been a tremendous leader and a natural choice as we expand our operations on the West Coast,” said Steve Chen, President of Crystal Window & Door Systems. “In the coming years, Sergio will be in charge of adding several new commercial fenestration products, expanding our presence in Northern California, Arizona, and Nevada, and automating more of the fabrication process as we continue to improve quality and efficiency.” Before coming to Crystal, Mr. Garcia was Operations Manager at Superior Windows & Doors in Ontario, CA. There he developed an online ordering system, automated many production processes, and helped the company prepare to relocate its operations. Mr. Garcia holds a degree in Business and Computer Programming from Riverside Community College. He lives with his wife and son in the Riverside area.
