06.08.10 Client News

Auraria Science Building blends beauty, technology to achieve LEED-Gold

Science and beauty don’t often intersect, but when they do, the results can be stunning, or joyous, or artful: all of which have been used to describe the recently opened Auraria Science Building. Contributing to the structure’s praise-worthy façade design, glazing contractor J.R. Butler and Wausau Window and Wall Systems supported the building’s energy-efficient performance and Gold-level requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Rating System™.

J.R. Butler - Alpine Light Pictures Inc.

The newest addition to Denver’s Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), the $120 million Auraria Science Building opened in September 2009 as a premiere teaching facility for students from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. The existing Science Building was built in the early 1970s and is being renovated for an anticipated re-opening this autumn. Since the ’70s when the original science building opened, the Auraria Campus has grown 250%. The renovated structure will be united with the newly-constructed building to accommodate students in all three institutions and multiple programs.

Positioned at the campus’ main entrance, the east side of the new, four-story, 197,000-square-foot Science Building faces one of the busiest roads leading in and out of downtown Denver. Rather than shut the public out, the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows invite passers-by to peek inside. The views provided by the glass façade are intentional. In addition to serving as a highly rated educational facility, campus administrators also wanted the building to serve as a gateway, physically and visually connecting the Auraria campus to the greater Denver community.

In an interview with the Denver Post, the Science Building’s principal architect, David Pfeifer of AndersonMasonDale, said transparency was an important to the building’s design and function: “It is unmistakable that high-tech science education and research is occurring in the heart of the city.”

Views and light play an important part in setting the building’s transparent look and feel. From the east, those walking and driving by see into the building’s interior with walls painted in vivid shades of oranges, greens and blues. The building’s exposed vents, pipes and ductwork enhance its modern feel. Those inside the building enjoy abundant natural light, maximized by soffits that pull the interior walls away from the window system.

On the other sides of the building’s unique “7”-shaped design, the generous use of glass offer students and staff an unobstructed view of green spaces and other campus buildings. A shared lobby, hallways and other public access points connect the new building to the campus’ older, three-story science building.

Auraria - Sincere/Duncan Studios

Working with general contractor Haselden | Barton Malow, glazing contractor J.R. Butler selected Wausau as its supplier for the high-performance curtainwall and window systems. “Wausau was able to provide a complete package with its SuperWall for the new building and storefront and ribbon wall for the renovation project. The new construction portion used approximately 45,000 square feet of Wausau’s systems and Viracon’s glass,” says Marc Butler, president of J.R. Butler.  “We also used Lean manufacturing and scheduling, which turned out to be an important aspect in meeting the general contractor’s schedule.”

He explains, “Material management and installation requires careful coordination, especially when working in the field during the dead of winter. We rely on a just-in-time delivery to keep pace with the quick construction schedules. When schedules change, it can be difficult to make adjustments.”

J.R. Butler - Alpine Light Pictures Inc.

Working with the Lean principals and tools, with which both Wausau and Viracon are familiar, J.R. Butler was able to shift its attention from the building’s south elevation to the north elevation. “This meant that we could close-in the building’s northwest exposure, protecting it from the majority of winter storms. The general contractor was thrilled that we could accommodate their request and stick to the same, overall timeframe.”

Kevin Robbins, Wausau’s regional sales manager, was confident that Wausau’s products could exceed the project’s rigorous specifications, as well as meet J.R. Butler’s fast-paced schedule. “Thanks to the efficiencies of our Advantage by Wausau offering, we were able to provide the SuperWall system in just three weeks,” says Robbins. “In the past, a system like this could easily take eight to 10 weeks. Cutting the lead-time that dramatically opens up all kinds of opportunities. For Butler, this allowed their glazing team to unitize the system in their shop and quickly install the pre-assembled units on site.”

In addition to meeting the project’s construction timeline and aesthetic needs, Wausau’s SuperWall system’s high-performance glazing and thermal barrier framing systems contribute toward energy efficiency. Wausau’s 7250 Series system was specified with Viracon‘s VNE 1-63, neutral low-e glass “Given the project’s green goals, this was an important factor in the Science Building’s material selection,” notes Robbins.

The insulating, thermal barrier system was applied by Linetec, as was the aluminum framing’s finish. “The architect choose a custom, Extra Dark Bronze anodize, which is a hard finish to match,” says Butler. “Because Linetec finished all of the SuperWall, storefront and ribbon wall systems, we knew that we’d have a consistent look from one framing member to the next, and across both the new and renovated buildings.”

Linetec’s eco-friendly anodize also contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using low-VOC paints and materials, assisted in achieving the LEED criteria. Some of Auraria Science Building’s other LEED credit-worthy, features include:
* Manufacturing materials regionally, 20% of which were produced within 500 miles
* Diverting 75% of construction waste from landfills
* Maintaining good air-quality measures during construction
* Installing energy-saving, occupancy sensors for interior lighting

Technology is found throughout the building, which houses everything from a cadaver lab and research spaces to a student lounge and coffee bar. The Science Building’s lab rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art classroom technology including laptop projectors and lectern cabinets with cameras, built-in laptop connections, Internet ports and other features.

Download a PDF of the full success story by clicking here.

Wausau will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2553.

06.01.10 Client News

Wausau will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2553

Wausau presents new AIA/CES program:
“Window Selection for Sustainability and Long-Term Performance”

“Window Selection for Sustainability and Long-Term Performance” is a new, educational presentation available through Wausau Window and Wall Systems. As a registered American Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) provider, Wausau’s AIA-approved program addresses fenestration in commercial and institutional building designs, such as government offices, health care facilities, schools and universities.

Those who attend and successfully complete the one-hour course will learn how to:
* Distinguish between fenestration types
* Establish appropriate window selection criteria
* Use industry standards to define windows’ performance levels, such as energy efficiency
* Compare fenestration products
* Understand the impact of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Building Rating System™ on window selection

To record their new knowledge, participants will receive a Learning Unit credit for Health/Safety/Welfare and Sustainable Design, 1.0 LU/HSW/SD. AIA-registered architects are required to earn a total of 18 LUs in a calendar year. Of these, eight must be in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects. Sustainable Design (SD) is a subset of HSW. Four of the eight HSW LUs must meet the established SD guidelines for mandatory continuing education. For additional information, please visit http://www.aia.org/education/index.htm.

“Beyond these educational presentations, Wausau’s long-standing commitment to architects, and to the whole building team, includes providing consultations, pre-bid design engineering assistance, and 24/7 access to product details, technical specifications and sustainable design information,” says Steve Gille, Wausau’s education market manager.

Other AIA/CES programs offered by Wausau include:
* Curtainwalls: Products, Performance and Practicalities (1.0 LU/HSW)
* Daylighting and Integrated Façade Design (1.0 LU/HSW/SD)
* Understanding U-Factors (1.0 LU/HSW/SD)
* Designing Fenestration for Blast Hazard Mitigation (1.0 LU/HSW)
* Glass: The Right Choice (1.0 LU/HSW)

For architectural firms seeking customized educational content, Wausau technical sales presenters have covered such topics as:
* Codes and Standards
* The USGBC LEED® Rating System™
* Unitized Curtainwall Design
* Patient Safety in Health Care Construction
* Façade-Integrated Photovoltaics

To request a presentation or other educational information from Wausau Window and Wall Systems, please e-mail info@wausauwindow.com.

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05.20.10 Client News

Max/Block sunshades by Tubelite support green goals
for daylighting, energy-efficiency and recycled material content

Supporting green design and construction objectives, Max/Block™ sunshades by Tubelite® are now manufactured using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition featuring environmentally-friendly finishes. Along with responsible resource management, Max/Block sunshades maximize daylighting and minimize solar heat gain. These benefits also are key criteria for projects pursuing certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System™.

“Sunshades help significantly lower buildings’ cooling costs and energy use, while still letting natural light fill the workspace,” says Mary Olivier, Tubelite’s marketing manager. “Max/Block sunshades are easy-to-install, aesthetically-and structurally-compatible with Tubelite’s curtainwall and storefront systems — all of which come standard with EcoLuminum finished aluminum materials. They work especially well with Tubelite’s systems on low- to mid-rise buildings such schools, medical clinics and neighborhood offices.”

Complimenting buildings’ designs, Max/Block sunshades are available in airfoil, Z-blade and tubular architectural profiles. Each outrigger type can be extended from the building in various projection lengths to provide the desired performance. Blades are attached to the outriggers using simple screw spline connections. The easy-to-install, patent-pending, detachable, mounting bracket fastens at the pressure plate area and allows for the removal of the sunshades’ individual sections for re-glazing applications.

Because each profile extruded for Max/Block sunshades is manufactured using Tubelite’s EcoLuminum it contains a minimum of 80 percent reclaimed aluminum. This incorporates a post-consumer content average of 34 percent. Special requests for even higher recycled content can be provided, up to and including meeting specifications requiring 100 percent reclaimed aluminum.

Protecting and accentuating Tubelite’s aluminum products, painted finishes are applied and controlled in an environmentally effective manner. Enhancing the natural, metallic appearance, eco-friendly anodize finishes send 90 percent less waste to landfills than traditional anodizing processes and ensure low-maintenance durability.

Tubelite will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2541.

05.16.10 Client News

“Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings” AIA/CES presented by Kolbe

Kolbe helps architects gain sustainable design knowledge and learning units (LUs) through American Institute of Architects’ continuing education seminars (AIA/CES). Its new presentation, “Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings,” is a one-hour, in-person course.

“Sustainable and Energy Efficient Windows & Doors: Contribution to Green Buildings” explains:
* How quality windows and doors can contribute to sustainable green design due to their durability and energy-efficient technology.
* What the different “Green Building” voluntary ratings systems are and how they affect the selection of windows and doors.
* How selecting the right windows and doors contributes to environmental stewardship.
* What the advantages and benefits of “Green Building” are to the environment, economy, health, and community.

Architects who successfully complete this course receive one AIA/CES Learning Unit (1.0 LU). In addition, this course qualifies for one health, safety and welfare (1 HSW) credit and one sustainable design (1 SD) credit, which will be recorded with the AIA. To request a presentation, please visit Kolbe’s website, http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com.

Kolbe’s site links to a free, AIA/CES program download for “Finishing Touches – Enhancements, Options & Trends for Windows and Doors” (1.0 LU, 1 HSW). Also known as “Current Trends in Windows and Doors,” it is available through ArchitectMagazine.com and residentialarchitect.com.

Kolbe also offers many other, face-to-face AIA/CES programs and tours, such as:
1. Advances in Glass without Tour (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
2. Energy Efficiency in Windows (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
3. Determining Design Pressures (1.5 LUs, 1 HSW)
4. Finishing Touches – Enhancements, Options & Trend for Windows and Doors (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
5. Historical Applications (1.0 LU, 1 HSW)
6. “Architectural Influences: Exploring Elements of Sustainable Design” (8.5 LUs, 2 HSW credits, and 1 SD). Tours in this 1.5-day event are limited to groups of 10 or less, by appointment.

Kolbe’s “Architectural Influences: Exploring Elements of Sustainable Design” in Wisconsin includes:
* Tour of Taliesin® in Spring Green, Wis. – visit the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, private studio, and the campus of The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
* Tour of Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, Wis. – explore one of the two, highest-ranking LEED® buildings in North America
* Tour of Cardinal Float Glass Plant in Portage, Wis. – watch the process of sand, limestone and other materials as they become glass for windows and doors
* Tour of Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork in Wausau, Wis. – follow the process of custom window and door manufacturing
* Presentation of “Finishing Touches: Enhancements, Options & Trends for Windows and Doors”
* Review of Kolbe’s product series and how they can meet the needs of nearly any project

A Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Kolbe will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #1803

05.11.10 Client News

Kolbe adds Majesta windows to BIM libraries, offers a collection of 1,000+ 3-D models and free webinars

As one of the highest-rated providers of 3-D window models, Kolbe added its new Majesta oversized, double hung, wood windows to its growing collection of more than 1,000 two- and three-dimensional window and door models. Along with these models and its Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools, Kolbe provides design professionals with free webinars on effectively using its Revit® and Google™ SketchUp models to expedite architectural project details.

Kolbe’s easy-to-use models can be managed and manipulated to link with external data sources allowing users to instantly compile quantity takeoffs. The company continues to earn positive responses for helping address BIM needs.

“I use Kolbe’s models as an office standard, anywhere it’s applicable,” says E. Jedd Crowder, project manager and Revit specialist at River Street Architecture in Chattanooga, Tenn. “I’ve fought with trying to create custom window and door models, so I appreciate the things that no one sees. I like how Kolbe approached its family creation from the BIM perspective, how it uses parameter tabling, and the way it covers exterior trim and other options with minor modifications.”

The new models for Majesta double hung, wood windows are located in:
Kolbe’s Web site
Google™ 3D Warehouse
RevitCity

Majesta’s made-to-order units are available in sizes as large as 6×12-feet with high-performance glass, as well as a selection of hardware, colors and finishes. Whether used in new construction or renovation, Majesta windows suit hotels, historic properties, converted warehouses and other commercial and mixed-use spaces.

Kolbe’s Majesta windows can be specified as all-wood or as low-maintenance aluminum-clad windows. Optional wood species include those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which can be coupled with energy-efficient glass choices to support ENERGY STAR®, Green Globes™, and LEED® Rating System™.

“The performance, detail and options that Kolbe has to offer architects and their customers is best represented visually,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s director of marketing. “Our most recent webinar participants have shared this perspective and told us that BIM and 3-D models help them more easily communicate the features and benefits to both contractors and homeowners.”

To learn about upcoming webinars or to request personalized assistance with Kolbe’s BIM tools and 3-D models, please e-mail Laura Smith, Kolbe’s architectural CAD coordinator at architects@kolbe-kolbe.com.

High-resolution photos and a Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Kolbe will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #1803

05.06.10 Client News

LITE’s glass globe greets Pixel Magic, features finish by Linetec

Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise (LITE) is a $27 million, 70,000-square-foot facility located at the Research Park of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. LITE , was conceived as an economic development initiative to enhance the development of visualization technologies and high-performance, 3-D computer modeling.

photo by William Lemke

Designed by Architects Beazley Moliere, the facility houses one of only six, immersive visualization cubes in the world. It is the central focus of LITE’s design, expressed by the nearly six-story, lighted “globe” on CajunDome Boulevard.

The glass and aluminum globe was manufactured by Super Sky Products, Inc. of Mequon, Wis. Created as a custom skylight and installed by J.B. Mouton Builders, the structure rises 59-feet and reaches 47-feet at its widest diameter.

Linetec finished the skylight’s aluminum framing in clear anodize. “This provides a durable, protective exterior, giving it excellent wear and abrasion resistance. The resulting finish is the second hardest substance on Earth, second only to the diamond,” says Tammy Schroeder, Linetec’s marketing specialist. She adds, “The clear anodize also highlights the high-tech aesthetic of metal, which makes it a great match for this project.”

The glass area spans 7,815-square-feet and is comprised of clear, laminated, heat-strengthened lites featuring two, “cool white,” PVB interlayers. Fabricated by Prelco Inc., the laminated glass provides hurricane impact-resistance for the coastal zone and presents a cloudy, translucent appearance that is illuminated to enhance the visual effect.

Since its unveiling, this finished globe has become the icon for LITE in both physical and graphical forms. It beckons a diversified client base including private sector and federal- and state-funded research projects. In November 2009, Pixel Magic , announced it will open a Louisiana studio at LITE. The company plans to create 12 jobs within a year, ramping up to a total of 40 jobs in three years.

Pixel Magic provides digital visual effects for motion pictures and television. Its capabilities encompass a full range of visual effects services in 2-D and 3-D. It has worked for Miramax, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks on major films, such as Marley & Me, Get Smart, 300, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Last Samurai.

Pixel Magic will receive one, free year of office space and will be one of the first tenants of the business accelerator at LITE. The accelerator is designed to encourage the creation of new and innovative technology businesses in the area through start-ups, joint ventures of existing businesses and the recruitment of out-of-state technology companies.

Along with LITE‘s immersive visualization cube, the 175-seat 3D auditorium is the world’s largest immersive auditorium. Two smaller, interactive, conference and collaboration spaces offer 3D meeting and presentation spaces for up to 30 people.

photo by William Lemke

In addition to Pixel Magic’s plans, LITE’s spaces and tools are helping to simulate burns to better understand how fires spread and how to fight them; study radio frequency transmissions through dense objects; visualize coastal restoration initiatives, and develop training projects for both the U.S. Army and the State of Louisiana.

LITE, a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana and the only facility of its kind in North America open to both industry and academia, was created as a partnership between the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Open houses and free tours are offered every quarter in 2010 from 3-6 p.m. on July 7 and Oct. 6; no reservations are needed.

Download a PDF of the full success  story by clicking here.

Linetec will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth  #2359.

04.23.10 Client News

Fairfax County Courthouse uses Wausau’s blast-mitigating SuperWall system for historic expansion

Wausau Window and Wall Systems engineered a high-performance, blast-resistant curtainwall system for the $105.7-million, expansion and renovation to Fairfax County’s Jennings Judicial Center in Virginia. One of the largest projects in the county’s history, the 316,000-square-foot addition doubled the size of the existing building. The new facility consolidates the county’s justice system under one roof and combines operations from the neighboring, historic Fairfax County Courthouse.

photo by Trevor Olson

The design-build team of HDR Architecture, Inc., with the Pittsburgh-based general contractor team from dck north america LLC, and Trainor Glass of South Kearny, N.J., began construction on Jennings Judicial Center in July 2004. Wausau provided a blast-mitigating curtainwall system that adheres to heightened security mandates and preserves this aesthetic integrity of the historical district.

“Coordination between manufacturer, glazing contractors and consultants and designers was crucial to ensure proper anchorage and installation,” Wausau’s regional sales manager, Kevin Robbins, explains. “We rely on a collaborative approach — especially with projects like these — to make it possible to complete construction, while maintaining the day-to-day operations of the facility.”

In its quality-controlled, Wisconsin-based manufacturing facility, Wausau fabricated a SuperWall system that includes framing depths exceeding 10-inches. “Fairfax County Courthouse’s system was comprised mostly of punched windows, surrounded by the building’s façade on all four sides,” says Robbins. With sensitivity to the blast-mitigation features, Wausau used computer modeling to cost-effectively verify performance of the windows, while minimizing the opportunity for delay or mishap during fabrication and installation.

The new façade preserves the historical feel of the 204-year old Fairfax County Courthouse by matching the brick façade of the 25-year-old Jennings Building. Linetec finished Wausau’s aluminum framing system in a custom color, two-coat, 70% Kynar 500® resin based coating. This finish meets the industry’s highest performance criteria for weather-resistance and durability.

Beyond selecting the appropriate finish color and curtainwall configuration, the courthouse’s design is respectfully scaled to its surroundings. The building’s elevation along the street includes a three-story addition proportioned to with the neighboring, low-lying buildings, and an additional two levels set back on the site to meet with the five-story Jennings building. A serpentine wall prevents open access to the front lawn, while an exterior courtyard between the existing building and the addition allows the public to have outdoor access.

image by Trevor Olson

Open and occupied in summer 2009, the Fairfax County Courthouse encompasses 546,000-square-feet housing 14 new courtrooms, bringing the total number of courtrooms to 37, plus potential to expand to 42. It will house the Circuit, General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, allowing judges to share resources and discussions. Additionally, it includes a parking garage for 1,900 vehicles constructed away from the facility for added security.

Download a PDF of the full success story by clicking here.

Wausau will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2553.

04.02.10 Client News

LEED-certified Research Triangle Park Headquarters’ triangular skylight finished by Linetec

Research Triangle Park (RTP) Headquarters is nestled amongst mature willow oaks on an 18-acre site in North Carolina. The Headquarters building sits at the heart of the largest and longest continually operating research park in the United States, encompassing 7,000 acres. Constructed in advance of the Park’s 50th anniversary celebrated in 2009, the RTP Headquarters is one of 78 LEED-certified or -registered building projects in the Research Triangle region.

Designed by O’Brien/Atkins Associates, PA, the RTP Headquarters earned the Silver level certification of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System (NC 2.2). The majority of LEED points for the 17,000-square-foot building were awarded in the Indoor Environmental Quality category. These design and construction considerations included the use of natural ventilation and low-emitting materials, control for light and thermal comfort, and the incorporation of daylight and views in at least 90 percent of the building’s occupied space.

Super Sky Products, Inc.‘s custom, triangular-shaped skylight played a significant role in these daylighting and performance achievements, as well as in communicating RTP Headquarters’ intended, architectural presence. The skylight caps the 6,800-square-foot Archie K. Davis Conference Center. Prominently positioned within the Park, it serves as the RTP Headquarters’ public meeting area and as the main connection to the administrative offices of the Research Triangle Foundation. Further attracting attention, the Conference Center is clad in pre-patina, recycled copper panels and its skylight is illuminated with energy-efficient LEDs.

Providing a clean, crisp look for the skylight’s gridwork, Linetec painted the aluminum framing in “Bone White” using a two-coat, 70 percent Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) coating. “PVDF coatings are the most weather-resistant of all finishes,” says Tammy Schroeder, Linetec’s marketing specialist. “The finish is applied in Linetec’s factory using specialized equipment to safely capture 100 percent of the VOCs released in the painting process, and to destroy these captured VOCs with 99 percent efficiency and environmental sensitivity.”

Barnhill Contracting Company installed the 27×74-foot skylight as a total flush glazed, single slope unit. The glass area spans 2,005-square-feet and is comprised of clear, laminated, heat-strengthened lites. Fabricated by Viracon, Inc., the glass surface was silk-screened with a white, 50 percent, standard line pattern to assist in managing unwanted solar heat gain and thermal comfort.

The RTP Headquarters earned its LEED-Silver rating in September 2008. Other activities and attributes contributing to this certification include:
* Selected and developed the construction site to protect/restore habitat and maximize open space
* Accommodated alternative transportation
* Minimized “heat island” effect with thoughtful, roof and non-roof designs
* Reduced light pollution and water use
* Employed green power sources
* 16 percent of the total construction materials contained recycled content
* 21 percent of construction materials from regional sources
* 62 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills

With more than 170 companies occupying 22.5 million square feet of developed space, RTP boasts one of the largest concentrations of high-technology workers in the country. More than 42,000 full-time equivalent employees, plus an estimated 10,000 contract workers, work in the Park.

Linetec will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2359

03.29.10 Client News

Linetec.com shares architectural finishing expertise, enhances visual navigation and content

Linetec launches a newly designed Web site with easier navigation and expanded content to connect online visitors with its architectural finishing resources. Linetec.com organizes information into categories addressing paint, anodize and powder coat, as well as additional services and company news. Special sections also highlight Linetec’s expertise with green building goals and on-site repair and restoration projects.

“For almost a decade, we continued to add educational materials to help architects, contractors and manufacturers determine the best finish for their projects. We received many compliments about the quality of the information, but also many questions about how to locate and share this content,” says Tammy Schroeder, Linetec’s marketing specialist and project leader for the updated Web site. “With the redesign of Linetec.com, we have made our knowledge more accessible. It’s inviting to first-time visitors and constantly updated for those who bookmark the site as a reference tool.”

Long-time users will find that Linetec’s home page still connects within two clicks to all of the site’s deeper content. Architects can click instantly on “Architect Resources” for immediate access to request paint sample color chips, review the company’s sustainability statement and project profiles, delve into finish selections and specifications, or earn learning units with “Introduction to Coatings,” a Continuing Education Series presentation approved by the American Institute of Architects.

The site also features a special log-in for Linetec’s customers to view real-time information and metrics regarding their orders. Active client accounts can view both current projects and an archive of completed and quoted projects. Under the “Company” section, all users have on-demand access to Linetec’s online quote request submission form and to a directory of Linetec’s most sought-after contacts.

Linetec will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2359

03.26.10 Client News

Wausau offers schools the look of double-hung windows with the convenience, consistency of project-out and fixed units

Mimicking the look of traditional school windows, Wausau Window and Wall Systems introduces “simulated double-hung” windows in project-in hopper vents, project-out awning vents and casements.

Among the new product selection, Wausau’s 3250-LP and 4250-LP Low Profile Series windows are part of the Advantage by Wausau standard product offering. Ideally suited for educational facility renovations, Advantage by Wausau products are competitively priced, available on an accelerated delivery schedule, and backed with an industry-leading warranty of up to 10 years.

Wausau’s 3250-LP and 4250-LP Low Profile Series windows preserve the look of double-hung units’ offset glass planes. They are available with matching sightlines between upper and lower lites as an option. To enhance the historic style, Wausau’s optional accessories include muntin grids and “reverse cove” and “ogee” panning and mullions.

Wausau’s Low Profile Series helps increase daylighting, lower U-Factor, and widen the view. Operable units may assist with egress compliance and present the opportunity for natural ventilation. These features may aid buildings seeking certification under such programs as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Schools.

“Our school window products are engineered for durability. They’re NFRC-labeled and AAMA-rated, and tested to withstand the high-use, low-maintenance demands, as well as the demanding and differing climate conditions across the nation,” says Steve Gille, Wausau’s educational market manager.

“When existing single-glazed double-hung windows are replaced, heavier double- or even triple-insulating glass is specified for energy efficiency,” added Gille. “However, counter-balancing hardware may not be up to the challenge of increased sash weight. The compression seals and ease of operation that characterize projected and casement windows may improve functionality of replacement windows, versus replacing ‘in kind’ with double-hung sash.”

Contributing to environmentally sound design, Wausau’s aluminum systems may be specified with recycled content and can be finished with liquid paints composed of up to 100% post-industrial waste, or powder paint and anodize finishes specified as VOC-free coatings.

Download a PDF of the full success story by clicking here. A high-resolution product photo is available here.

Wausau will be exhibiting at AIA Expo2010 in booth #2553 .