Aluminum Windows

Cathedral School in Northwest Portland. Existing commercial-grade aluminum window assembly currently sports an awning-function window.

For reasons left unexplained, we were asked whether or not they could somehow acquire an in-swinging window that hinges at the bottom…what is known as a “hopper-window.” After considering replacement options, we suggested a modification option.

This was due to the costs that would be associated with replacing the arched-top window assembly that currently matches others along the same exterior wall. After securing the opening, the aluminum-sash is taken back to our shop whereupon David Castro cuts the aluminum frame components in preparation for creating a smaller sash.

This is necessary to facilitate the smaller opening on the interior side of the frame, AKA a jamb. The window-sash is stepped, as is the jamb-assembly into which it operates. So originally, the interior side of the jamb was smaller than the exterior. When we are finished, this will be reversed.

After we receive the new, smaller insulated glass unit that we installed and glazed into the modified sash, the sash is taken back out to the job-site, whereupon further modifications are made by Sean Miller to fine-tune its fit.

The aluminum jamb assembly is also fine-tuned with a belt-sander on the interior portion. Plus, new flat-bar aluminum is added on the exterior to further accommodate the “stepped-nature” of both the sash and the jamb.

Weep-holes are created into this new aluminum material that correlates with the original weep-hole system.

Pull-handles are added, because the original latch-handle is taken off of the sash and installed onto the jamb

This is due to the different sash function. This photo, and the previous one show most clearly, the STEPPED nature of the sash we’ve spoken of.

We also added a screen to keep out the unwanted insects.