Terrace/Deck Door
Jim, Our project was also very complex, and our architect said the same thing–he had used them many times before, happily, and he was baffled at the outcome this time. In any case, I had to call Alex yesterday to see about repairing damage done to the glass by someone working nearby, and he was professional and responsive in that call. It’s good to know that it’s possible for the doors to be air- and rain-tight: as it stands for us now, a candle flame nearby flickers readily, although rain no longer comes in now that they installed a lip. I’m hoping that if I can get Alex on-site again for the glass damage he will take another look at the doors/windows and tell me there’s something else that can be done to make them seal better. I will update this thread if our experience with the doors improves. They do look great.
nf85
in About Brooklyn 10 years and 10 months ago
5
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basementbound | 10 years and 10 months ago
Need to take a window out and replace with a door that will lead to a deck in the backyard. Thinking about steel casement doors- Can anyone recommend a maker/supplier? Thanks you
dazednconfused2 | 10 years and 10 months ago
A S Windows: http://aswindowassociates.com/. We do a lot of work with them and have always been thrilled with their product. Talk to Alan. Tell him I sent you. Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP Urban Pioneering Architecture
no-permits | 10 years and 10 months ago
pella can make a custom door. I had one made to replace a window for deck access. since it is a tall opening, there is a transom. check out the architect line. it was around 2,000 with hardware. it’s aluminum clad on the outside, wood on the inside. very secure and sturdy.
nf85 | 10 years and 10 months ago
We just finished doing exactly this. We used A&S, mentioned above, as our architect had used them previously and they are well known. The doors and windows we had made look beautiful, but they conduct cold and seal very poorly compared to our previous 100-year-old windows. In that big July rainstorm we had gallons of water pour in to our newly renovated extension and it took a number of calls from our contractor and architect to get A&S and their installers to respond. They ultimately did some things and our contractor did the rest, and while I can still feel air movement near the doors and see small amounts of water at their base, I’ve given up on Alan fixing it. They look as fantastic as they are non-functional, though–happy to share a picture if you like.
dazednconfused2 | 10 years and 10 months ago
nf85, I don’t want to sound like a shill or anything, but we’ve done a number of jobs with A&S, and have been very happy with the results. We recently did a huge (almost 12′ x 5′) assembly of operable casement, awning, and fixed sections (http://bit.ly/1xmvmAX). I called up the client after this past winter to see how they did, and he told me that the room stayed toasty and dry all winter. And just this September, he sent me a random text just to tell me how much he was enjoying his morning coffee in front of that big window, so I assume the windows did fine in July. That said, they ARE steel windows without a thermal break, so the steel will conduct heat (or cold) from the outside more than a wood or vinyl window. However, the glass is double-glazed and the steel is weather stripped and caulked very well, so there’s not a lot air infiltration. We had a great time working with A&S on that job and another since. Our experience with Alan was very different. He’s been very helpful and easy to work with. I’m sorry to hear that it didn’t work out the same for you.