Doors & Windows

Choosing the Right Door Hardware with ANSI/BHMA Standards: A Guide for Building Professionals

Specifying door hardware for commercial buildings is one of the most detail-intensive tasks in construction documentation. Every lever, hinge, lockset, and closer must meet performance requirements that balance security, accessibility, durability, and cost. The ANSI/BHMA (American National Standards Institute / Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) grading system provides the framework that makes these decisions consistent and […]

Modern Access Control for Critical Infrastructure Sites

Securing critical infrastructure has become one of the most pressing challenges for facility owners, engineers, and security professionals. With hundreds of thousands of unstaffed sites across the country including cell towers, electric substations, water treatment plants, and data centers the need for robust physical access control has never been greater. Traditional padlocks and mechanical keys

Unitized Curtain Wall Systems for High-Rise Buildings: Lessons from the Raffles Boston Project

Unitized curtain wall systems have become the preferred facade solution for high-rise construction across North America, offering distinct advantages in manufacturing precision, quality control, installation speed, and long-term weather resistance. When the iconic Raffles brand chose Boston’s Back Bay for its first North American mixed-use property, the project team turned to a unitized curtain wall

Specifying Ballistic-Resistant Fenestration for School Security and Active Shooter Mitigation

School districts across the United States are rethinking building design to address an urgent priority: protecting students and staff from active threats. While daylight, energy efficiency, and aesthetics remain important, educational facilities increasingly require building assemblies that can slow down an attacker and give occupants critical extra seconds to react. The fenestration systems that bring

Bird-Safe Glass Standards and Energy-Efficient Glazing for Building Envelopes

Bird-safe glass has emerged as a critical specification consideration for building envelopes located near green spaces, waterways, and urban parks. The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recently completed its Garden Room, a glass-enclosed venue featuring energy-efficient, bird-safe glazing that demonstrates how architects can reconcile transparency, occupant comfort, and ecological responsibility. This project, which installed approximately

New Closure Solutions Influencing Commercial Design Industry Standards

Closure solutions have become a defining element of commercial architecture, influencing everything from building security to aesthetic expression. Architects and specifiers increasingly turn to advanced rolling doors, grilles, and specialty closure products that balance performance requirements with design intent. The evolution of these systems reflects broader shifts in commercial construction toward greater durability, energy efficiency,

Panic Devices for Glass Entrances: Specification, Code Compliance, and Design Best Practices

Glass entrance systems have become a defining feature of modern commercial architecture, prized for their ability to flood interior spaces with natural light and create seamless visual connections between indoors and outdoors. However, integrating life safety hardware that meets stringent code requirements while preserving a minimalist visual character presents a critical challenge. Panic devices for

Door Interlock Systems in Commercial Construction: Selection, Installation, and Best Practices for Specifiers

Door interlock systems have become an essential component of modern commercial security infrastructure. These sophisticated access control configurations, often referred to as mantraps, provide a level of protection that standard electronic access systems cannot match. For architects, specifiers, and security consultants, understanding the nuances of door interlock technology is critical when designing secure facilities. This

Door Hardware Specification in Commercial Construction: Standards, Accessibility, and Material Selection

Door Hardware Specification in Commercial Construction: Standards, Accessibility, and Material Selection Door hardware is often treated as a late-stage procurement item in commercial construction, yet its performance directly affects building security, fire safety, accessibility, and daily occupant experience. From panic hardware in egress corridors to electronic access control in restricted zones, the specification of door