The Challenge Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 205,000-square-foot Vandalia Tower in St. Paul, Minnesota, recently completed a significant renovation to meet the modern needs of its commercial, nonprofit, and artistic tenants and the approval of the State Historic … [Read more...]
How Acoustic Windows Reduce Impact of Noise Pollution
As people seek to be closer to loud but job-rich city centers or noisy transportation hubs such as freeways and train stations to ease commute times and lower fuel costs, reducing noise pollution has become increasingly important. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports, noise … [Read more...]
Advantages of Triple Pane Glass for Commercial Windows
Whether beginning a new commercial construction project or replacing windows in an existing building, choosing the right type of glass is a critical part of the planning process. There is a great number of different types of glass available, with dual pane being the most common. However, triple-pane … [Read more...]
Why Are Accurate Acoustic Performance Standards Important
Whether you are in the inner city or small town community, noise pollution is almost impossible to avoid. Excessive noise becomes a potentially harmful byproduct and sound attenuation becomes increasingly important. Why is Sound Dampening Important? According to research at the University of … [Read more...]
Why Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings is More Sustainable and Benefits Immeasurable
As so many cities have expanded, old buildings are left behind. Instead of demolishing these structures, many builders are choosing to reuse these historical buildings. Authentic From & Function explores this issue in-depth, and why adaptive reuse is so important: Historic Preservation … [Read more...]
Glass and Glazing Efficiency: What You Need to Know
How do you achieve optimal efficiency in windows? This seemingly simple question has a much more complicated answer. Glass Magazine's April 2020 Issue (page 48) discusses this topic at length. Below are some key takeaways. How to Determine Performance Know the Numbers When choosing windows, … [Read more...]
Why Choose Curtain Wall for Educational Facilities
Educational facilities recognize high-performance windows are key to achieving healthy, high-performance learning environments. They must meet both generalized and purpose-specific needs such as athletic facilities or libraries, but remain attractive to students, faculty, and donors. And … [Read more...]
Laminated Glass: Separating Fact from Fiction
Laminated glass improves safety and sound attenuation, while strengthening windows and allowing for creative designs. However, despite the popularity of laminated glass, there are a few misconceptions that remain. USGlass magazine recently addressed some of these common mistaken … [Read more...]
How to Evaluate Windows for Hurricane Resistance
Preparing for hurricanes is always top of mind during late summer, but 2020 is predicted to be a particularly severe year. There are as many as 25 named storms expected in 2020 – twice the average number according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). How to Evaluate … [Read more...]
Acoustic Windows “Quiet” Airport Noise at Four Atlanta Airport Hotels
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, with nearly 100 billion passengers a year. This volume of traffic also means a greater volume of noise. For nearby business and hotels, mitigating this noise to ensure acoustic comfort is critical – and … [Read more...]
Why Builders Should Choose High-Performing Windows
While there are a wide array of glazing and glass solutions available, high-performing solutions are often overlooked by builders. Why is this? Glass Magazine's April 2020 article Performance and Payback (page 46) broke down why glass and glazing solutions aren’t always utilized to their … [Read more...]
How Technology is Helping Restructure Construction Businesses
As 2020 progresses, the construction sector has been adapting in several ways. Construction sites have increased hygiene measures, staggered work schedules, delt with absenteeism, and juggled supply chain disruption. Construction Connect highlights some of the ways in which technology is helping … [Read more...]
What’s the Difference Between Hurricane and Tornado Window Glazing?
While both natural disasters wreak havoc on buildings, window selection requires different strategies. What’s the difference between hurricane and tornado window glazing? Hurricane glazing is there to protect the building envelop because we assume that people have left the building, while tornado … [Read more...]
Tips for Glass Handling Safety
As you might expect, at St. Cloud Window we frequently handle glass. Glass handling safety is one of our key concerns. For anyone working with glass, there are a few tips to follow to ensure the safety of your crew. Glass Magazine offers these 16 tips for glass handling safety: CARRY GLASS to … [Read more...]
Why Aluminum is a Popular Choice in Construction
There isn’t truly any magical material…but if there were one, it would be aluminum. It's unique in its durability and flexibility, making it easy to mold into unique shapes but also hard to break down. It’s unsurprising that aluminum is a popular choice in construction. According to Design Build … [Read more...]
Old Meets New in Historic Window Replacement
In downtown Albert Lea, it’s impossible to miss the historic Freeborn Bank Building. Listed on National Register of Historic Places as part of Albert Lea Commercial Historic District, the building and its many glass windows are an iconic piece of Albert Lea architecture. GLT Architects approached … [Read more...]
Acoustic Window Installation in the Kennedy Center
While historic theaters are gorgeous, they rarely retain acoustic standards as they age. When it comes time to renovate, it’s important to preserve the historical flavor of a building while ensuring the acoustics are optimal for live concerts. This was the challenge faced when the Kennedy Center … [Read more...]
What’s the Most Valued Office Perk? Not What You Expect.
Forget nap pods and trendy coffee machines – there’s really only one perk that employees want. According to a study by commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE, the best perk comes from nature: natural lighting. Views of the outdoors and natural light were the most valued perks at an office, … [Read more...]
Why Architects Need to Consider Acoustic Comfort in Design
As our cities grow, an unseen menace grows as well: noise pollution and exposure. Prolonged exposure to elevated noise levels has been linked to other health problems such as heart disease and mental illness. Acoustics can no longer be second-best: they need to be a priority when designing … [Read more...]
Sound Control: Acoustic Comfort Trends
Sound control and acoustic comfort are key factors when choosing windows, but are often overlooked. Why is Sound Control Important? Noise exposure is incredibly damaging to the human body. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, noise below an average of 70 decibels over 24 hours is … [Read more...]
Why Universities Need to Embrace Sustainability to Survive
As Generation Z enters college age, the issue of environmental impact and sustainability is more top-of-mind than ever. Many historic colleges and universities are investing in costly new renovation and restoration projects to meet the demands of green construction and sustainability. But … [Read more...]
Historic Window Replication in Ramble Hotel
How do you approach a new construction that seeks to mimic historic design? That was the question we had to answer when designing windows for The Ramble Hotel. St. Cloud Window was honored to work alongside other talented builders to bring this project to life, which was recently featured in … [Read more...]
Common Glazing and Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
We eat, shop, study, work, play, and gather in commercial spaces. Proper lighting is key when designing the building or creating the floorplan layout. FacilitiesNet highlights some of the most common glazing mistakes to be aware of and below is our breakdown of how to avoid those mistakes. Too … [Read more...]
Historic Window Replacement in John Michael Kohler House
The best renovation projects preserve a building’s original history while improving it for modern use, which is why the John Michael Kohler Art Center approached St. Cloud Window to replace the windows in the historic John Michael Kohler House. About John Michael Kohler House The John Michael … [Read more...]
Key Curtain Wall Design Loads to Consider
Curtain wall systems, no matter the scale, are complex projects that require careful planning. Five key curtain wall design loads considerations are structural integrity, weather-tightness, sound control, energy efficiency and provision for movement. Steven Saffell of Glass Magazine gives an … [Read more...]
