Stop Worrying about the Glass!
Formed in 1983, We are a Family-Owned and Managed Commercial Glazing Contractor that is Uniquely Positioned to Quickly and Reliably Assist With a Wide Variety of Glazing Needs. From Curtain Walls to Structural Glass Walls, Perforated Panels to Flood Barriers, Exteriors or Interiors… As a Committed Member of Your Team, We Can Help.
How Can We Help?
At any time before, during, or after a project, Duke Glass can be available to offer assistance.
- Preconstruction Design Assist
- Confidence in Installation
- Post-Installation Support
- "By Others" Services
We strive to provide best in class technical assistance prior to installation, particularly in the form of coordination with the design team and building envelope consultants. Our belief is that the better aligned each of the team members is towards achieving a common, explicit project goal, the more likely we will be to succeed.
Waterproofing Details
As architects can’t always accurately and precisely detail the integration of each specific glazing system with the surrounding wall details, we will ensure that all critical components are clearly detailed in our shop drawings to meet system requirements for full functionality. In the event that the building design requires a departure from standard tested details, we will work with vendors and consultants to either identify and confirm a warrantable project-specific solution, or perhaps more importantly, firmly insist on design modifications when a warrantable solution cannot be confidently implemented.
Project Test Plan Coordination
Often, language in specifications may leave room for interpretation regarding test volume, pass/fail criteria, or deviation from industry standard practices and definitions. In these cases, by identifying and assisting in negotiation of the appropriate clarification, we can help ensure that criteria by which the performance of the construction team will be measured is appropriate and achievable, while also still achieving the objective of confirming a quality leak-free installation to the owner.
Hurricane Impact Compliance
The Houston area has seen incremental changes to the requirements in regards to Hurricane Impact standards over the previous decades, with which we’ve become very familiar. We can help to ascertain which requirements are applicable to your building. A difference of 1 mph in windspeed might be the difference between a Large Missile Hurricane Impact requirement and no impact requirement at all! Our attention to this can help ensure that the project is not overbuilt (unneccesary cost) or underbuilt and not in compliance.
Custom System Design
Sometimes a project may have a feature for which an “off the shelf” product does not exist. With over 80 years of current cumulative glazing experience in the family, and with our support team, we relish the opportunity to put our heads together and offer unique solutions which can quickly be implemented without need for upper corporate approval. If we, the Duke family, are confident that we can, with our network of engineers, vendors, and installers, deliver this custom product, we will.
We have a track record of successfully completed high quality projects. Pride in our work is dependent on delivering the product that our customer demands in terms of aesthetics, schedule adherence, and performance. While problems cannot be completely eliminated from the construction process, we are committed to working through these to ultimately achieve delivery of the product expected by the contractor, architect, and owner. We have never walked away from a problem.
Our Facility and Production Dept
Our production facility in NW Houston has 40,000 square feet of shop space under cover, with 2 full size Cutting Lines, 2 fabrication CNC Machines, a 2-part Silicone Pump, a per-spec Test Chamber, and several overhead and jib cranes to ensure a high degree of precision in the product before it leaves our facility for the field. Aaron Duke directly presides over all fabrication with a mission and excellent track record of hitting dates with correctly fabricated product. Alongside Aaron, our Production Department consists of his Production Manager, Fabrication Manager, Shipping/Receiving Manager, and a team of approximately 15 fabricators, machinists, and drivers.
Our PM Team
Duke Glass’ PM Team, managed by Charlie Duke, consists of 4 Project Managers, 1 Assistant Project Manager, 2 Project Coordinators, and 1 Draftsman (sometimes PM). Work loads are managed such that no project will ever be at risk of not receiving the PM attention necessary. It is a point of emphasis within the company that our customer always feels that they have the office support to complete each project. Following any pre-construction assistance, each PM meets with Charlie to identify critical details that need special attention and to prepare an internal schedule to meet all contract deadlines.
Our Installation
Utilizing our experienced installation crews and only supervised and trusted outside installers, we are committed to adequately staffing each project such that the end result is a high quality, leak-free installation. In the event that the installation process for a project is slowed on Duke’s part, typically due to custom detailing or access restrictions, Duke Glass will provide the resources to maintain project schedule as much as possible. Very few of our installations have experienced leak issues, but any that have been identified were promptly investigated, diagnosed, and resolved. We are extremely proud of our track record on quality of installation.
Family Commitment & Solvency
We are all aware that the construction process is subject to unforeseen complications, to which we believe the response is what will determine the success of the outcome. We insist that you “stop worrying about the glass” because we, the Duke family, believe we are your best option to quickly respond to complications and minimize glass-related project risk. Additionally, solvency is not a concern, as we carry no long term debt and are thus set up with confidence in future stability and success. Family members are embedded throughout the company in critical positions and each of us understands that this isn’t just a job to us, but our family legacy. We’ve been delivering for our customers for over 40 years and will continue to do so.
The completion of a project marks the beginning of the warranty period. Duke Glass may be the most reliable option you will have, being closely managed by experienced family members and exhibiting excellent financial health and stability.
Warranty
Our standard warranty for air & water infiltration has been increased to 2 years in length, as opposed to the industry standard of 1 year. We do this because we are confident in our installations and value our customers. Although most reported leaks on our projects ultimately prove to be not related to the glazing systems, we respond to reports and typically help in the initial diagnosis.
Replacement Coordination
Although glass replacements due to breakage unrelated to installation are not a core service we seek to provide, we do assist in providing your preferred service company with information related to the glass type and aluminum framing system details. We can provide the replacement service if necessary.
We understand that we can’t be awarded every contract. However, we want our customers to know that we are still available to help in other ways. Even when not contracted on a specific project, our customers’ success is important to us, as we realize that our future success can be together when we invest in the relationship.
Leak Investigation and Remediation
We have been called to help resolve issues on many projects completed by other glazing contractors, by both contractors and building envelope consultants. We help to make assessments with the goal being to remedy the issues at hand in the most cost-effective method possible. Often, a solution can be presented that minimizes disruption to an occupied building, but in then event that a more comprehensive remediation is required, we can draw on our full team resources to propose a thorough recommendation.
Design Confirmation
If you need a “second opinion”, we can help with this. It isn’t uncommon for there to be some uncertainty as to whether a submitted or already installed product will fully satisfy the specifications or code requirements. We can review and advise. It is also possible for a product to NOT comply with the project requirements, but in our professional opinion, provide adequate function for what the customer needs. While this is just an opinion, it may be of help if the contracted parties are trying to come to a settlement to accept the installed product.
Damage Assessment
With severe storms being a reality for the Houston market, we are familiar with the damage that can result. While building envelope consultants typically are engaged for large or higher profile projects, we can also be of help in assessing the glazing systems. You may need a quick and informal opinion before more parties need to be involved. We can help with this.
Preconstruction Design Assist
We strive to provide best in class technical assistance prior to installation, particularly in the form of coordination with the design team and building envelope consultants. Our belief is that the better aligned each of the team members is towards achieving a common, explicit project goal, the more likely we will be to succeeding.
Confidence in Installation
We have a track record of successfully completed high quality projects. Pride in our work is dependent on delivering the product that our customer demands in terms of aesthetics, schedule adherence, and performance. While problems cannot be completely eliminated from the construction process, we are committed to working through these to ultimately achieve delivery of the product expected by the contractor, architect, and owner. We have never walked away from a problem.
Post-Installation Support
The completion of a project marks the beginning of the warranty period. Duke Glass may be the most reliable option you will have, being closely managed by experienced family members and exhibiting excellent financial health and stability.
"By Others" Services
We understand that we can’t be awarded every contract. However, we want our customers to know that we are still available to help in other ways. Even when not contracted on a specific project, our customers’ success is important to us, as we realize that our future success can be together when we invest in the relationship.
Contact Us
Phone: 713-856-0600
Email: cduke@dukeglass.com
Address: 5610 Baird Ct, Houston, TX 77041
Duke Glass
Houston, TX
77041