Building Hardening & Specialty Security Glazing
Forced-Entry Resistant, Ballistic-Resistant & Impact-Resistant Glazing Systems for Institutional, Commercial & High-Security Applications
Precision-specified and professionally installed hardened glazing systems — engineered to meet defined protection levels, code requirements, and the architectural demands of commercial and institutional building environments.
Project: Avalon At Prudential
Location: 790 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
Architect: Desman Associates
General Contractor: Patriot Restoration
FEATURED PROJECT
Featured Project Name
A & A Window Products, Inc. installed over 7,500 punched windows and terrace doors manufactured by Skyline Windows in downtown Boston. The building houses some of the most desirable apartments in Boston, and was fully occupied while the work was being performed. We worked closely with the general contractor and owner to coordinate Our large fabrication and storage facility, located just 11 miles from Boston, minimized the costs related to having a site with no on-site storage available. With our nightly delivery of the window scheduled for replacement and subsequent removal of the old windows, impact on occupants was minimized.minimum impact on the tenants and adhered to a very rigid schedule. A & A also replaced ground floor curtain wall openings, and new entrances at the AVA building. Under a separate project, we replaced all of the window wall systems in the penthouse, which included new terrace and sliding glass doors as well as replacement of several three season glass enclosures on the top story of this high rise.
What Is Building Hardening Glazing
Building hardening glazing refers to specialty glazing systems engineered to resist a specific threat or hazard — whether that’s forced entry, ballistic impact, or wind-borne debris — rather than standard architectural glass built primarily for weather and thermal performance. These systems are evaluated and classified under recognized industry testing protocols specific to each threat type, and are designed to give occupants time to reach safety and first responders time to react.
A & A Window Products specifies and installs building hardening glazing across three core capabilities:
- Forced-entry resistant glazing — engineered to resist physical breach attempts (prying, striking, sustained force), commonly specified for school security vestibules, main office reception points, and access-controlled entries.
- Ballistic-resistant glazing — laminated glazing assemblies rated under UL 752, which classifies ballistic protection across eight levels based on firearm type, caliber, and round count.
- Wind-borne debris protection — impact-resistant glazing engineered to withstand debris impact and pressure cycling during high-wind events, relevant to coastal and wind-exposed building envelopes.
As with all specialty glazing, the framing system, anchoring, and surrounding wall construction must be specified and installed in coordination with the glass itself — the glazing alone does not determine how the assembly performs.
Scope of Capabilities
Our Building Hardening & Specialty Security Glazing Services Include:
- Forced-entry resistant glazing specification and installation for security vestibules and access-controlled entries
- Ballistic-resistant glazing specification and installation across UL 752 protection levels
- Wind-borne debris/impact-resistant glazing for coastal and high-wind-exposed applications
- Storefront and entrance systems with integrated hardened glazing
- Transaction windows and security glazing for reception and service counter applications
- Ballistic-rated and forced-entry-rated door lites and sidelights
- Custom panel sizing and framing coordination for project-specific configurations
- Integration with access control hardware, automatic door systems, and ADA-compliant entrances
- Retrofit hardened glazing installation within existing storefront and window frames
- Coordination with security consultants, architects, and building envelope consultants
- Shop drawings and submittals for hardened glazing systems
Why A&A Window Products
System-Level Expertise
Building hardening glazing performs as a system — not just as a glass product. A & A's experience with commercial entrance systems, storefront framing, and specialty glazing installation means we approach hardened glazing with an understanding of how the complete assembly — glass, frame, anchoring, and adjacent construction — must work together to achieve the specified protection level.
Careful Specification Coordination
Selecting the correct protection type and level for a given application requires an honest evaluation of the facility's security requirements, occupant exposure, coastal/wind exposure, and architectural constraints. A & A works with architects and security consultants to ensure hardened glazing systems are correctly specified before fabrication and installation begin — avoiding costly mismatches between protection requirements and installed systems.
In-House Fabrication & Quality Control
Custom framing components, entrance system integration, and specialty glazing work for hardened applications are managed through our Woburn fabrication facility, giving us control over quality, lead times, and coordination with glazing manufacturers before systems arrive on site.
Discreet, Architecturally Integrated Installation
Building hardening glazing in institutional and commercial settings is most effective when it does not announce itself. A & A's experience with storefront systems, commercial entrances, and architectural glazing means we install hardened glazing systems that meet security and performance requirements while maintaining the visual character and operational functionality the building requires.
Performance & Compliance Considerations
Building hardening glazing systems must meet the specific testing protocol tied to their protection type, including:
- UL 752 ballistic protection levels
- Forced-entry resistance testing appropriate to the application
- Impact and pressure-cycling standards for wind-borne debris protection in coastal/high-wind zones
Hardened glazing does not exist in isolation from a building’s broader energy code obligations. Specialty security and impact-resistant glazing assemblies must still meet applicable building energy code requirements — including IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, and the Massachusetts stretch energy code — for U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and air infiltration performance. Our team accounts for both the hardening requirement and the thermal/energy performance requirement when specifying and fabricating each system, so a hardened opening doesn’t become a thermal liability elsewhere in the envelope.
Typical Applications
- Government and civic buildings — courthouses, municipal offices, and public service facilities
- Healthcare facilities — hospital reception areas, emergency department entrances, and pharmacy counters
- Financial institutions — bank lobbies, teller windows, and transaction counters
- Schools and universities — main office reception, secure vestibules, and access control points
- Corporate headquarters with elevated security requirements
- Transportation hubs and transit facilities
- Correctional and justice facilities
- Religious institutions and houses of worship
- Retail and commercial properties requiring enhanced security glazing
- Coastal and wind-exposed commercial properties requiring impact-resistant glazing
Discuss Your Project
Our team works with architects, security consultants, construction managers, and building owners to specify, coordinate, and install building hardening glazing systems that meet defined protection requirements and integrate cleanly with the building’s architectural, operational, and energy performance goals.