Universal Window and Door Receives Accolades for Series 700 Historic Replica Windows

Nov. 20, 2009

Cambridge, Ohio – November 10, 2009 – Universal Window and Door of Marlborough, Mass., recently won Glass Magazine’s “Most Innovative Commercial Window” Crystal Achievement Award for its 700 Series Historic Steel Replica windows. Universal created a unique product with its simulated divided lite design that meets the aesthetic requirements for historic buildings, while providing modern conveniences and efficiencies. Lauren International companies, Edgetech I.G. and Lauren Manufacturing, contributed their technologies to Universal’s award-winning Series 700 windows.

“Lauren Manufacturing provided us with a custom seal that prevents water from entering the muntin grooves in the Series 700, helping us make the unique design a reality,” said Charlotte Broussard, president and owner of Universal Window and Door. “And, Edgetech’s Super Spacer® is an integral part of all of our window systems because of its thermal performance and long-term durability in the field. Both companies provided exceptional service, including consultation, to help us achieve all of our objectives with Series 700.”

Universal Window and Door has been in business since 1965, and an Edgetech customer since the mid-1990s, first using Super Spacer for complex shapes. Since 2006, the company has used Super Spacer exclusively in its IG. According to Paul Weisblatt, technical director for Universal Window, he wishes the company had made the switch to 100 percent Super Spacer much sooner.

“When working with grids and complex window systems, such as the Series 700, it is imperative to use Super Spacer to avoid stress cracks,” Weisblatt said. “Its flexibility helps us eliminate stress cracks during production and in the field – and its no-metal formula provides us with the best thermal performance and durability available. Production efficiency is also improved because we don’t have to cut and track down different sizes of metal – Super Spacer is cut directly off the spool during production, vastly reducing our scrap rates.”

Universal Window and Door operates from a 75,000 square-foot facility, employing up to 65 people. While the company offers some basic IG systems, Universal specializes in custom windows of all shapes and sizes, including niche historic replicas, such as the Series 700, that have been used in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and beyond.

Langston Terrace Dwellings Refurbishment Includes Series 700 Units

Most recently, the company completed a revitalization of the Langston Terrace Dwellings in Washington, DC, with the Series 700 windows. Langston Terrace first opened in 1938 as part of the New Deal relief work initiated by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was the first U.S. government-funded public housing project in Washington and the second in the nation. The finished building included 274 units for working-class families, and 34 more units were added in 1965.

Langston Terrace was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the DC Inventory of Historic sites in 1987. When the decision was made to replace the old steel windows, Universal was enlisted to complete the project because it could offer steel replicas that met the historic needs of the project, as well as the energy efficiency, durability and ease of use of modern window systems. Universal provided more than 600 units for the Langston Terrace project.

“Our challenge was to provide windows that would maintain the look of the historic building, while providing energy efficiency,” said Weisblatt. “Architects were also looking for systems where the glass could be removed by maintenance personnel to install and uninstall air condition units without interfering with the integrity of the grids and the window in general. The Series 700 was the perfect solution because of our built-in technologies that enable the safe removal and replacement of glass, while also meeting their needs for efficiency and long-term durability. With our unique design, Lauren’s seals and Edgetech’s Super Spacer, we were able to provide the best possible option for the project.”

Universal’s windows have been used in a number of historic projects and the company anticipates continued growth as architects and builders focus on designing for efficiency and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. For more information on Universal Window and Door or the Series 700 Historic Replica Windows, visit www.universalwindow.com. For more on Lauren Manufacturing, visit www.lauren.com and for more on Edgetech I.G., visit www.edgetech360.com.

About Lauren Manufacturing

Lauren Manufacturing is a full-service supplier of standard and custom extruded and molded sealing solutions. Lauren strives to deliver value to its customers through superior products by combining operational excellence and exceptional customer service with unmatched speed-to-market. Contact us at: Ph: 800-683-0676, Fax 330-339-1515 or visit www.lauren.com. Lauren Manufacturing is located at 2228 Reiser Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

About Edgetech I.G. Inc. - Celebrating more than 20 years of success!

Edgetech I.G. Inc., a Lauren International Company, is a global leader in the fenestration industry producing Super Spacer® – the world’s only TrueWARM®, all-foam edge seal product line that provides maximum condensation resistance, durability and energy performance. Through Edgetech’s value promise – We’re there for you at every turn! 360® – the company goes beyond the manufacture of Super Spacer to offer a comprehensive portfolio of value-added products and services for the window, door and glass industries. Edgetech also assures product quality to the highest standards as an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. With manufacturing facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom plus a distribution division in Germany, Edgetech’s proven technology is improving the performance and energy efficiency of insulating glass systems worldwide. In business since 1989, Edgetech is a fully-owned subsidiary of Lauren International, Inc., a global multi-divisional company serving a variety of industries. Visit www.superspacer.com or www.laureninternational.com to learn more about the company’s products, services and global initiatives.

In the US, contact Edgetech at 800-233-4383, fax 740-439-0121; in the UK at + 44 (0) 8700 566844, fax +44 (0) 2476 639727, URL: www.superspacer.co.uk; and in Continental Europe at +49 2131 17.63.60, fax +49 2131 17.63.629.