Window manufacturer to provide expertise and technology, support sustainable design

"We're pleased to add Graham Architectural Products' expertise and technology to the ECB Network," said Paul Platte, head, EcoCommercial Building Program, NAFTA, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Graham will help provide the energy-efficient and aesthetically appealing windows solutions increasingly being sought by today's building decision makers."

Graham Architectural Products recently launched the high-efficiency window products line — GThurm — the first American-made architecturally rated (AW) windows to feature thermal transmission measures as low as U 0.18 (R 5.5), using readily available insulating glass. GThurm windows feature Graham glass-reinforced polyurethane (G2RP) technology, offering improved dimensional stability, durability, thermal insulation and environmental friendliness over traditional windows. G2RP technology employs a polyurethane resin supplied by Bayer MaterialScience LLC that contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

According to Graham Architectural Products, to create these superior strength windows, 80 % continuous stranded glass content is combined with 20 % resin to produce window lineals using a pultrusion process. Unlike traditional fibreglass window lineals, the GThurm window lineals pultruded with the G2RP process require no additional reinforcement for structural integrity. The process allows for lightweight framing with superior structural performance and a thermal performance nearly triple that of ordinary AW-rated products.

In addition to superior strength and increased energy efficiency, GThurm lineals use 57 % less energy per pound of raw materials to produce than comparable aluminium designs, supporting a sustainable design, according to Graham Architectural Products research.

"We're delighted to join the ECB network and contribute to its vision of providing sustainable building design and construction solutions," said Brian Hurley, president and CEO of York-based, PA, USA, Graham Architectural Products. "We worked closely with Bayer MaterialScience on their development of the unique polyurethane resin utilised in the GThurm windows and are excited to take our collaboration to the next level by joining the ECB Network."

Established in 1972, Graham Architectural Products is a leading supplier of architectural windows. Over the past 38 years, Graham has become known for its accurate reproductions of historical windows. During that same time, Graham has added a wide variety of products to its inventory, including a complete line of curtain wall products, acoustical speciality products, and ballistic-grade, blast-resistant and hurricane impact-resistant windows.