When the end-of-the-year school bell sounded in late June 2013 at St. Augustine Academy, almost 1,000 students heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, the team at White Home Products Inc. immediately felt the pressure. Before the new school year started in just 10 short weeks, more than 220 custom-sized windows needed to be replaced.
St. Augustine Academy is one of four campuses making up The Catholic Academy of Bridgeport in Connecticut. The classrooms are geared to educating elementary and middle school students in grades 4-8.
"Harvey [Commercial Solutions'] ability to custom-design the windows needed was an extremely important element of this project." John J. White, Sr., President White Home Products Inc., Stratford, CT
The structure of the academy's brick building has served the educational community for many years. When leaders at the academy decided to invest in more energy-efficient windows, they first had to hire an abatement company to remove the old windows, which had asbestos issues. Then they had to find a company to supply, order and install new windows, which turned out to be White Home Products Inc. of Stratford, Conn.
Dependability matters
"The clock was ticking on this project," says John J. White, Sr., president of White Home Products Inc. "The production schedule was extremely tight. Every time an old window was removed by the abatement company, we had to have the new window on site and ready to be installed the same day."
To handle the multiple window sizes needed plus to stay on schedule, White turned to Harvey Commercial Solutions.
"We recommended Harvey windows to the Diocese for several reasons," says White. "Harvey's ability to custom design the windows needed was an extremely important element of this project. The Diocese wanted to make certain the new windows aesthetically mimicked the old windows. Consistency was critical, as was the need to create custom sizes."
White continues, "The demands didn't end there. We needed windows that would be highly-efficient, easy to maintain and be ready exactly when we required them to stay on schedule. With the amazing cooperation of the inside sales staff at Harvey Commercial Solutions we were able to stay on schedule and meet our deadline."
Mission accomplished
When classes started in September for the 2013/2014 school year, the entire academy building had new windows. This included the classrooms, offices, gymnasium music room, bathrooms, cafeteria and balconies.
"We started installing Harvey windows back in 1996," says White. "Our confidence in their capabilities has been reinforced time and time again. They meet every challenge. From 121 eight-foot patio doors in an apartment building to double-hung windows for dormitory buildings at Sacred Heart University, this company always gets it right.
"Most importantly, the overall service level of the entire Harvey staff is always incredible. From the start of a project to completion, we have a true partnership on our commercial projects."
Choreographed installation
For the Academy project, custom Harvey Tribute Commercial units were created with wide simulated divided lites and oriel sash split to duplicate the sightlines from replaced windows. Many of the units were structurally mulled at Harvey, where the company created a receptor system so the windows could fit comfortably into masonry openings.
Used in hotels, apartment and condominium projects, mixed-use and other commercial settings, Tribute Commercial premium vinyl windows are designed for a lifetime of worry-free performance.
Created with Low E and Argon filling for energy efficiency, the double-glazed windows were ordered with tempered glass and qualify for Energy Star ratings. Some 152 custom-made double-hung windows of various sizes were topped with picture windows for the project. In addition, several dozen double-hung windows were created.
"Imagine our challenge of installing almost 40 different sized replacement windows in conjunction with the abatement company removing the original windows," says White. "This was a choreographed operation. That's an average of more than 25 windows a week that had to accurately arrive on the job site and be installed in just a short timeframe."
White concludes, "Quite simply it comes down to a trust issue.... This project, like others we've worked on with Harvey, continued to build that trust and reinforce our relationship."
