Multifamily commercial glazing — window wall, HVHZ, and lead times

Why window wall is the default multifamily glazing system

Window wall is installed between floor slabs — the frame sits on the slab below and the head condition bears against the slab above. This is different from curtainwall, which hangs off the slab edge. Window wall is less expensive to install, requires less structural coordination at the slab edge, and is suitable for most residential-spec construction up to roughly 10–12 stories in Florida conditions.

The tradeoff: window wall does not have the water management performance of a full pressure-equalized curtainwall rain screen. For luxury or high-rise multifamily, curtainwall may be appropriate. For the majority of Florida mid-rise condos and apartment buildings, window wall provides the right performance-to-cost balance.

System selection by multifamily project type

ESWindows ES7000 — the standard Florida multifamily assembly

The ESWindows ES7000 (manufactured by Tecnoglass) is a fixed-window and window wall system that holds a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance for HVHZ. It is the most commonly specified window wall system ACG installs on South Florida multifamily projects. Key product characteristics:

• Fixed and operable configurations available
• Miami-Dade NOA for impact hurricane assemblies
• Standard slab-to-slab window wall configuration
• Compatible with project-specific glass specifications (Low-E, laminated, tinted)
• Lead time from ACG release: 10–14 weeks (standard), 14–16 weeks for large volume

For non-HVHZ multifamily, ACG also installs equivalent Florida Product Approval window wall systems from ESWindows, PGT, and Slimpact, depending on project spec and schedule requirements. See our ESWindows installer page for the full product line.

HVHZ implications for multifamily glazing

Miami-Dade and Broward county multifamily projects are in Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Every exterior glazing assembly — frame, glass, sealant, and anchorage combination — must hold a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance. This affects:

• Product selection: not all products hold NOA; the NOA-listed system must be installed as tested
• Glass specification: NOA-listed glass type and thickness must match the assembly; custom glass orders must be NOA-confirmed
• Anchorage: NOA-listed anchor spacing and embedment must be followed exactly; deviation requires engineer-of-record review
• Special inspection: some HVHZ AHJs require a third-party special inspector to verify compliance during installation

ACG documents NOA compliance on every HVHZ multifamily project. Our HVHZ contractor page covers the full compliance process.

Lead times and schedule coordination

The single most common glazing schedule problem on multifamily projects is a late material release. The calculation is straightforward: if the frame is scheduled to hit the 4th floor on Week 22 of construction, and window wall lead time is 14 weeks, ACG must have approved shop drawings and a material release in hand by Week 8. That means submittals approved by Week 5–6, which means submittals submitted around Week 2–3 of construction.

In practice, GCs often do not engage the glazing sub until well into pre-construction, which compresses the submittal and fabrication schedule. ACG recommends engaging the glazing contractor at permit issuance — or earlier — on any multifamily project over 50,000 SF of glass.

ACG multifamily project examples

Frequently asked questions

What glazing system is standard for multifamily construction?

Window wall (slab-to-slab) for mid-rise and high-rise residential. Storefront for garden apartment amenity buildings. Curtainwall for luxury high-rise or mixed-use podium levels.

What is the ESWindows ES7000?

A fixed window and window wall system from ESWindows (Tecnoglass) with Miami-Dade NOA coverage. Standard ACG choice for HVHZ multifamily. Lead time: 10–14 weeks from release.

What is the typical multifamily glazing lead time?

ESWindows window wall: 10–14 weeks from release-to-fab. Large volume or custom configurations: 14–16 weeks. Plan the material release 14 weeks before the installation window opens.

Does ACG handle podium construction glazing?

Yes. Podium projects require two glazing systems: commercial-grade curtainwall or storefront at the podium level, and residential window wall for the tower. ACG scopes both under a single contract.

Does ACG have multifamily project references in Florida?

Yes — Pointe at Palm Bay, Harbour Cay, Compass at Alton, and Lucie at Tradition, among others. References and case study documentation available upon request.

Related resources

• Multifamily glazing contractor — Florida
• Storefront vs curtainwall — system selection
• Florida HVHZ glazing contractor
• ESWindows installer — Florida
• Florida Product Approval & NOA index
• Commercial glass cost data — 2026
• Healthcare glazing vertical hub
• Office tower glazing vertical hub
• Architect CSI spec sections