AGI Member Glaziers – Architectural Partners for Commercial Interior Glass

The growing popularity of interior glass – and tax implications of demountable partitions – have dramatically increased the use of glazing in commercial interiors.

Glass Resources & Requirements
The Architectural Glass Institute (AGI) provides a forum for sharing the expertise of 36 member glaziers serving Greater Philadelphia. AGI glaziers offer consultative insight, creative design, expert fabrication, and flawless installation.

Glass work has long been trusted to professional glaziers due to its inherent construction challenges and fragility. Glass requires specialized equipment, safety protocol, and understanding of the metal systems that anchor it in place and sealants necessary to ensure its appearance and performance. AGI glaziers undergo rigorous training to learn glass best practices and jobsite safety.

Demountable Glass Partitions
Office furniture manufacturers have embraced the look of glazing and begun offering demountable glass partitions as part of systems furniture collections. A professional glazier does not install glass provided by a furniture dealer. Instead, the glass is part of the furniture package. Furniture installers are not specifically trained or equipped to handle or install commercial glass.

Systems furniture manufacturers cannot provide fully custom glass. When architects specify glazing as part of a furniture package, they miss out on the creativity and customization offered by professional glaziers.

Traditional glazing systems are included in CSI Division 8: Doors and Windows. However, most interior demountable glass partitions are found in CSI Division 10: Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment. AGI member glaziers can perform work in either division.

Tax and Cost Implications
Demountable interior glass partitions are appealing because of accelerated seven-year tax depreciation. Demountable systems are not load bearing, not intended to remain permanently in place, and capable of being moved easily. Systems do not have to be purchased from a furniture dealer. Systems installed by glaziers qualify for accelerated depreciation.

Often, the cost of systems furniture glazing is lumped into a larger furniture budget and not evaluated as a standalone item. Many times, there are significant cost savings when interior demountable glass partitions are compared side-by-side between an AGI glazier and a furniture dealer.

Partnership
AGI glaziers welcome the opportunity to partner with architects early in the design process when recommendations can maximize value and price. AGI glaziers collaborate with designers to develop, document, and fabricate custom solutions that meet aesthetic and functional goals without compromising budget.

Alone or in partnership with products manufacturers, AGI glaziers provide meaningful information for glazing decisions from cut sheets to cost analysis.

• Shop drawings
• CSI specifications
• CAD documentation and/or BIM integration
• Sound Transmission Class (STC) acoustical test results and other current statistics

AGI glaziers offer professional guidance and technical support. From rigorous training to a focus on quality, AGI members provide one source for all facets of a glass project. AGI contractors are full-service, offering field measurements and design through fabrication, installation, and maintenance.

AGI produces project case studies, glazier spotlights, and Devil’s Details – technical papers that describe glazing systems. View the documents, read member profiles, and learn how AGI glaziers can contribute to your next project at http://www.theagi.org.

Source: AIA