Transitional Mountain-Top Home

Grabill's Direct Set windows provide a contemporary feel to this transitional mountain-top home. Constructed of Sapele Mahogany, the large expanse openings offer maximum glass area with minimal frame size.   Designed with energy efficiency in mind, this project incorporates high performance, low U-Value glass. Each unit is constructed with an engineered Douglas Fir core, that offers stability and strength to withstand harsh Colorado elements.

Bronze kalamein double door

Grabill was pleased to be part of the renovation of the historic St. Regis Hotel.  The elegant entrance that was specified for this historic manor included multiple sets of bronze wrapped Kalamein doors.  These doors were constructed of FSC certified mahogany substrate and simulated divided lite glass.  A medium bronze patina finish compliments the architecture of the era and completes the grand solarium entry. For more information  on Grabill products, please visit our website.

Grabill Gives Back to the Local Community

Grabill has once again decided to adopt a local family in need this holiday season. Each year Grabill contacts the Lapeer County based Linked Hearts Food Bank, to find out how they can help. Both the staff and the officers have donated funds to purchase everything from linens and toiletries, to clothing and food.   Grabill also recently donated to the Almont Lions Club, Goodfellow Newspaper.  The funds from the sale of this paper help local families both during the holidays and throughout the year. 

Contemporary corner operable window

Grabill worked closely with Anthony Moss Design on this project to develop this corner unit.  Dual operating sash with a clear opening was the design intent.  Grabill engineered this unit to include a flush bolt and latch for optimal security and energy efficiency.  Six windows like this will be manufactured for this project, all made of Sapele with aluminum clad exterior.  Unique to this project is the use of black painted Coraflon as the exterior finish.  Often when Grabill uses aluminum, the cladding is anodized.  This is just one of the many options available on these custom products. 

In total, Grabill will be manufacturing 35 custom windows and doors for this Lake Michigan home.  Also included in the project is a trackless countertop sliding window that allows a pass through from the kitchen to the outdoor space.  Grabill design possibilities are endless and we enjoy creating these exclusive units that make each project distinct.  As this project nears completion, more information will be posted.  For additional information on other Grabill products, please visit our website.

Happy thanksgiving

Grabill Windows and Doors will be closed Thursday, November 24 through Sunday, November 27.  We will reopen on Monday, November 28. 

Wishing you peace, health and happiness this Thanksgiving.

Greg, Teresa, Phil and the staff of Grabill Windows & Doors 

Aluminum Clad Pivot Door

The architectural intent for this large pivot door and adjoining sidelites, is to capture the unparalleled views of the Colorado mountainside. Floor to ceiling windows on each side of the door will allow for a flood of natural light. Overall dimensions of this entry door with sidelites will exceed 20 ft. wide by 11 ft. tall. Specifications include brushed champagne anodized aluminum exterior finish, stained rift white oak interior, and magnetic locking entry system. This unique locking mechanism is fully concealed and is both tamper proof and weatherproof. With 1200 lbs. of holding force and latches at head and sill, the lock also keeps the door properly aligned and prevents warping. For more information on Grabill custom doors , please visit our website.

Custom contemporary windows in aspen, colorado

 

Grabill Windows is proud to partner with Rowland & Broughton Architects and John Olson Builders on a contemporary single family residence outside of Aspen, Colorado.

 

 

Rowland & Broughton Architects is an award winning architectural firm that promotes sustainable and modern designs.  Rowland & Broughton Architects have offices in Aspen and Denver Colorado.To learn more, please visit their website:  http://www.rowlandbroughton.com

John Olson Builders is a premier general contractor of custom residential and commercial projects in the Aspen area since 1985.  John’s philosophy is to build honesty and quality into each project.  Please visit their website to see more projects from John Olson Builders:  http://www.johnolsonbuilder.com

 

Grabill Windows and Doors are supplying aluminum clad contemporary direct set windows for this project.  The client has requested champagne anodized exterior with a rift sawn white oak interior.  Our narrow site lines compliment the design and maximize the incredible mountain views from this stunning site.

 

 

This project has 22 lift and slide door systems, designed to invite the exterior environment into the home.  Some of these systems provide over 10’ of clear opening, others have panels that are over 6’8” wide and exceed heights of 9’. 

Entrance into the home is through 2 pivot doors, each one being over 6’ wide and greater than 10’6” in height.

 

Project completion is scheduled for summer 2012.  Stay tuned to Grabill Window blog for updates!

In progress: Custom oversized transom

Grabill offers architects, proven engineered performance and complete design flexibility.   This 25 ft. transom is fabricated with anodized aluminum clad exterior and white oak interior.  It contains four direct set pieces of glass joined by common mullions to give a clean, contemporary appearance.  Engineered to meet design loads, the wood frame members are laminated from rift white oak veneers and douglas fir cores.  With a unit this size, field glazing is required and will be completed from the outside with European style extruded aluminum glazing frame.   

iN PROGRESS: CONTEMPORARY aLUMINUM CLAD dOORS

Grabill craftsmen are in progress of constructing 20 lift and slide doors for a current project in The Centennial State.  These doors consist of various configurations ranging from doubles to quads, with multiple operable panels.  This specific project is constructed of rift white oak and will have an aluminum clad exterior finish when complete.  All Grabill products are completely custom for each job,  no two projects are exactly alike.  Grabill also can create pocket lift and slide doors to maximize valuable floor space.  For more information on Grabill products, please visit our website.

Aluminum Clad Windows and Doors

The Grabill aluminum clad product line has the best of both worlds: the strength and weather resistance of extruded aluminum to the exterior, and the warmth of handcrafted wood to the interior.  Grabill collaborated with Lucid Architecture and Zahn Builders to produce contemporary aluminum clad units for this Lake Michigan residence.  The project called for oversized windows to allow for unobstructed views of the beachfront.  Grabill used minimal corner glazing detail that allowed for the use of insulated glass with  a nearly seamless appearance.   The home also included several triple wide lift and slide units containing 2 operable panels. Our heavy duty extruded aluminum cladding contains over 90% recycled material, is locally produced, and can be anodized, powder coated, or painted in virtually any color. Our extrusions ventilate the exterior face of the wood sash and jamb, giving the necessary ventilation to mitigate condensation and overheating.  For more information on Grabill products, please visit our website.

Grand Mahogany Entry Door

Grabill custom entry doors allow for maximum design flexibility. Grabill manufactured this elegant entry to compliment the brick and stone construction of this traditional Michigan home.  To create the desirable aesthetics requested, the 15 panel mahogany door is surrounded by 88 true divided light insulated  beveled glass panels.  This grand entrance greets its guests with old world charm and elegance.  Grabill offers a complete line of optional features on all of our custom doors.

For more information on Grabill products please visit our website.

architectural windows and doors made in usa

All Grabill products are proudly made in the USA.  We are part of the Pure Michigan campaign in which we use as many local suppliers as possible.  Our primary lumber supplier is right here in nearby Detroit while much of our glass is supplied by a company based  in Fenton, Michigan.  Even closer to home, historical hardware that was designed and engineered by Grabill, is cast at another Almont based manufacturer.  At Grabill we do our best to keep it local and keep it made in the USA!  For more information on Grabill Windows and Doors please visit our website.

Commercial window wall

This commercial building is nestled below Mt. Sopris in the Roaring Fork Valley.  Grabill provided  20 direct set windows paired with 2 sets of double doors.  FSC certified vertical grain douglas fir and high performance glass was used to produce these adjoining window walls.  A combination of common mullion units and site built methods allowed us to achieve a monolithic appearance with minimal site lines.  For more information on Grabill products please visit our website.

Kalamein custom Bronze doors

Grabill products will be ready to greet the arrivals at the luxury hotel these doors will soon adorn.  The doors are complete with custom hardware that not only makes a statement, but compliments the grand architecture of this building. The craftsmen at Grabill created 2 pairs of simulated divided lite entry doors with Grabill fabricated custom muntin bar details. Standing at 102” high, these doors are constructed of FSC certified mahogany fully wrapped in premium bronze and finished with a hand-rubbed medium patina.  For more information on Grabill premium doors and windows, please visit our website.

Wood vs. clad….what to use for your architectural windows

Are you in the decision process of  choosing all wood or clad on your project?  Wood and clad products have their own qualities that make each of them unique and when the final decision is made…..you just need to weigh the options and choose what best fits your likes, needs and budget.  Check out the list below that highlights the attributes of each.

WOOD

• Unlimited shapes and designs
• Multiple product options
• Ability to match architectural/historical details
• Less expensive (in most cases, depending on wood/window type)
• True divided lites or simulated divided lites
• Common mullions

ALUMINUM CLAD

• Minimal exterior maintenance
• Limited shapes
• Greater choice of interior wood species and finish options
• Profiles can be made to match
• Clad can be color matched or annodized
• Painted aluminum allows for field touch up
• Simulated divided lites with narrow muntin bars
• Great for oversized window walls, modern contemporary designs
• Narrow profiles offer large glass openings and common mullions
• Premium high end with higher price point than all wood

BRONZE CLAD

• Minimal exterior maintenance
• Limited shapes
• Highly durable weather resistant exterior
• Custom patina bronze offers an "Old World" look or modern
• Great for oversized window walls, modern contemporary designs 
• Narrow profiles offer large glass openings and common mullions
• Exclusive high end product

Grabill offers full service design, engineering and technical support. Please call or E-mail us direct if you need more information on our products or have questions. 

810-798-2817 info@grabillwindow.com

For more information on Grabill custom window and door products, please visit our website.

HISTORICAL PIVOT WINDOW HARDWARE

Brass lever-actuated, pivot hardware

– By GRABILL.

Are you looking for historically accurate pivot hardware?  Grabill can help. 

Recast based on 1923 pivot hardware by  Grant Pulley & Hardware Co., NY.   Engineered to withstand additional  weight of todays high performance glass.

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Developed for the renovation of the Denver Steel Building in 2008, these windows utilize the historical pivot window hardware shown above.  This hardware was recreated to mirror the original pieces and operates exactly as it had in 1923.  136 windows in this downtown Denver project have the unique hardware.
 
Grabill engineered several modifications during the reproduction process that included the ability to carry a heavier weight and to offer improved function with the use of ball bearing rollers.  The pivot hardware lifts the sash off the weather seal,  then rotates while still clearing the sill.  This lever actuated pivot can be cast in brass or bronze.  Although it was only reproduced with one lever style, custom matching is available on request.

 For more information on Grabill products, visit our website.

in progress: leelanau county

Grabill has been actively involved in the renovations of a Northern Michigan lakeshore lodge.   Tight vertical grain Douglas Fir windows and doors have been produced to highlight this 100 year old log home.  In-swing casements with mortise and tenon pegged construction combined with concealed roll screens have seamlessly merged the 1900’s with 2011.  These historical windows are a glimpse of the past with all the features of contemporary windows of today.

 

The in-swing casements shown above consist of a diamond pattern while the sliders to the right have the cottage pattern.  These are significant features in this project and will play a major role in defining the end look of this historic lodge.   For more information on Grabill Products please visit us at www.grabillwindow. com.

michigan lakeshore home

This beautiful residence is right here in our home state of Michigan.  It adorns the lakeshore and is just minutes from Good Morning Americas, “Most Beautiful Place in America” – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  Grabill’s full lite inswing single and double doors allow for spectacular sunset views across Lake Michigan !  There are numerous window types throughout the house, including triple casement, fixed oval, operable round pivot, and both fixed and operable tilt-turn casement round tops.  For more information on Grabill Window and Doors, please visit http://www.grabillwindow.com/.

In Progress: Pivot door

This Chicago property was originally a commercial space, but was converted to a luxury residence with the use of both traditional and contemporary windows and doors.  The storefront façade was updated with new traditional hung windows that preserved the downtown history, while the new addition consisted of contemporary direct set windows and lift and slide doors. 

This sapele pivot door has 2 ft. deep jambs with a large transom above.  Although the transom has clear glass, the sidelight has privacy glass allowing for the desired light and security requested.  The custom stainless steel canopy contains concealed lighting that makes this gorgeous entry even more inviting!   To see more about Grabill Windows and Doors custom products, please visit our website.  

in progress: sapele doors

 

These beautiful inswing double doors made of sapele are nearing completion.   They stand 60 inches wide and 108 inches tall and are part of a project in the midwest that Grabill’s skilled craftsmen have been working on.   There are multiple inswing doors in both singles and doubles all of which contain the 4 lite configuration.  More updates will follow.

Contemporary Showcase home

 

 

Grabill highlights contemporary showcase home:  Click on the image to view more project photos and to learn more about Grabill products.

SAY HELLO TO OUR SENIOR DESIGNER

Sol Cunningham joined the Grabill Staff nearly 4 years ago.  He brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.  He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona and has years of  design experience in the window and door arena.  Sol has an unparalleled perspective to the Grabill product.  He has had the opportunity to work, hands on, with the wood, glass, finish and hardware during his rotation on the shop floor.  With that experience, he can combine the construction and design knowledge to create exactly what is requested.  Sol works closely with the architects on each job, interpreting their intentions to comply with Grabill production capabilities.  In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking.  He has even made the 13 mile trek to work by bike, now that is what we call Grabill Green.   

IN PROGRESS: SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN RESIDENCE

Grabill is in the process of completing a copper clad door project in Michigan.  The triple full lite doors are constructed of a primed eucalyptus interior with a copper wrapped clad exterior.  The bronze is currently unfinished, but upon completion will be custom black.



The triple doors are operational on each end  - and contain a bronze metal threshold.  These door units will be highly energy efficient with Low-e and argon filled glass.  For more information on Grabill clad products, please click on  Aluminum Clad Doors or visit our website at http://www.grabillwindow.com/. 

Grabill E-Brochure

 

Grabill’s e-Brochure is now available online!  The brochure incudes product types, options and our portfolio:   

Grabill windows: production updates

The Mile High City will soon be home to these ribbon cut sapele windows.  The ongoing project consists of 49 units total, both operable and fixed.  The largest arched unit is 120 inches in height and will have stainless steel multi-point hardware.  More updates will follow as the project nears completion.

 

Grabill Press Releases

Stay informed about what is going on at Grabill!   View our latest press releases on our website in the Grabill News section and PRlog.org.

July 2011 Press Release

Product Highlight: Storefronts

Traditional and Contemporary Storefronts.   All wood provides a traditional, warm look for main street businesses. Aluminum or bronze cladding offer a contemporary, sleek style with minimal site lines.  Shared mullion window systems incorporate both fixed and operable units, making each storefront one of a kind.

Aspen, Colorado: Modern Aspen Home

Project Specifications and Highlights:

• Full lite, fixed in frame, large expanse commonly mulled windows, with awning and casements.
• Large expanse lift and slide door, bi-fold and pivot door systems.
• Bronze clad extruded metal exterior with hand rubbed patina finish.
• Walnut interior with premier finish.
• High performance NFRC Rated.

             

Architects:  Charles Cunniffe    Contractor: Fenton Construction

In Progress: Contemporary Lake Michigan Home

Currently in progress is a contemporary Lake Michigan home north of Chicago.
Project Specifications:

• Contemporary direct set and outswing casement windows.
• In-swing exterior doors with out-swing screen doors.
• Rift sawn white oak interior with aluminum clad exterior.
• NFRC Certified Units

               
To view more contemporary aluminum clad projects, please visit our website.

Photo Updates: Contemporary, Lake Michigan Residence

• Aluminum clad exterior windows and doors with Sapele wood interior.
• Innovative, modern design for a unique project.

To view the original blog about this residence, please click here.