Commercial Window Installation Process — Glazing Lead Times and Tenant Coordination
Commercial window projects require a front-loaded planning process — the longest lead time is material procurement, not installation. Here is how we manage a project from takeoff to glazing protection.
Step 1 — Glass Takeoff and Rough Opening Survey
Commercial window projects begin with a unit-by-unit takeoff: every opening is field-measured for rough opening width and height (not just nominal window size), the sill condition is noted (adequate slope, rotted, or level requiring pad shim), and any non-standard openings (arched heads, raked sills, ganged units) are documented separately. On multi-family replacement programs with 40 to 150 units, the takeoff typically takes 2 to 3 days and produces a dimensioned schedule that the window manufacturer uses for production. Factory-built commercial windows cannot be field-cut to size — the takeoff must be accurate within 1/4" to avoid returns and remakes.
Step 2 — Manufacturer Lead Time Management
Commercial storefront systems (Kawneer, YKK AP, EFCO, TRACO) typically run 8 to 14 weeks from approved shop drawings to delivery. Aluminum extrusion production is the bottleneck, not glass fabrication. We submit shop drawings to the window manufacturer within 2 weeks of contract signing and flag any variance conditions requiring engineering review. Multi-family replacement windows from commercial-residential manufacturers (Simonton Commercial, Milgard Commercial Series, PlyGem Commercial) typically ship in 3 to 5 weeks for standard sizes. We track the production schedule weekly and alert you of any schedule changes before they affect your project timeline.
Step 3 — Tenant Coordination and Phasing Plan
Before any window is ordered, we agree with the property manager on the phasing plan: which buildings or floors first, which notice period per unit, and the maximum number of units in mid-installation at any given time (our standard is 10% of total units). For multi-family replacement on occupied buildings, we schedule units in blocks by building wing or floor rather than randomly throughout the complex — this minimizes crew travel between units and allows quality inspection at completion of each block before moving to the next.
Step 4 — Glazing Protection During Installation
Window installation generates concrete dust, caulk overspray, and metal filings from frame trimming. Glass protection film on the exterior face of each new unit is standard for the duration of work in any adjacent unit. For storefront projects, we protect the interior glazing face from construction traffic with temporary polycarbonate panels or plywood guards at all ADA-path-of-travel locations. All protection is removed and discarded (not re-used) before the tenant or owner accepts the unit.
Step 5 — Final Inspection and NFRC Documentation
Commercial window replacement projects close out with a unit-by-unit inspection: hardware function, sash operation, weatherstrip seal, flashing condition, and absence of glass defects (chips, scratches, gasket extrusion). For building permit jobs, the local building department inspection is scheduled after all units are installed and operation-tested. We provide the NFRC-certified product data and installation documentation at closeout for the building's permit records.
Common Questions
- Can storefront installation proceed in winter in Salt Lake City?
- Yes, with precautions. Sealant cure times slow below 40°F; we use cold-weather-rated structural silicone (Dow 795 or equivalent, rated to 35°F application temperature) and provide temporary heating at the sill area during cure if temperatures are forecast below 35°F overnight. Glass installation itself is not temperature-sensitive in the 15°F to 40°F range common on Utah winter job sites — the risk is thermal shock on glass that has been stored outdoors in cold temperatures and is then installed into a heated building rapidly. We condition glass in the building for 4 to 6 hours before glazing in cold-weather conditions.
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