Experience, Estimating, Management & Installation

Experience:

Florida Glass of Tampa Bay, Inc. (Florida Glass) is an expert in design, engineering, manufacturing, and erection of exterior facade systems.  Whether you simply need a competitive bid for your next project or are in need of a complete design-build partner, Florida Glass can assist.  As a manufacturer and installer, Florida Glass prides itself as being an industry leader offering turn-key and single-source responsibility to the commercial construction industry.

Florida Glass manufactures curtain wall and storefront systems that are “unitizedâ€� or produced in “panelsâ€� that are pre-engineered, pre-fabricated, pre-assembled and pre-glazed at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.  The process of “unitizingâ€� allows Florida Glass the ability to offer our clients an alternative, innovative way to dramatically decrease on-site field time, dry-in time, labor hours and cost.  As a result, the quality of joinery and sealing (caulking) are increased to an optimum level, thus providing a water-tight system.

Florida Glass’ integrated manufacturing capabilities affords us the ability to offer the most unique “one-stop� shop in regards to supplying and installing complete interior and exterior metal and glass packages.

With decades of proven technical capabilities, Florida Glass has built a rock-solid reputation as one of the largest glazing subcontractors throughout the United States. This, coupled with our long-term alliances with preferred vendors and the demonstration of our horsepower and quality in the field, has made it possible for Florida Glass to finish projects on schedule, meet budget requirements, achieve LEED certification and earn strong relationships with some 90% of our clientele.

Florida Glass has successfully furnished and installed the following systems on numerous high- and mid-rise projects throughout the United States:

• Multi-Span Curtain Wall Façade - Complex Curtain Wall (Captured and SSG), Unitized Curtain Wall (with or without our own system), Window Wall
• Heavy Commercial, High Performance Aluminum Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, Terrace Doors, Storefront
• Structurally Glazed System
• Entry Systems Including Balanced, Revolving and Frameless
• Aluminum Composite Metal Panels
• Louvers
• Sun Control Devices (Sunscreens, Sunshades, Light Shelves)
• Handrail (Glass, Picket, Ornamental)
• Awnings
• Canopies and Walkways
• Fire-Rated Products
• Impact, Blast and Ballistic Products

Estimating:

To begin each project, Florida Glass' estimating team analyzes design criteria, local building codes, and the project schedule. We utilize an extensive database of competitive and well-qualified vendors worldwide, along with sophisticated estimating software. As a result, our clients get budgets and hard-price quotes that balance cost, performance, and aesthetics.

Management:

At Florida Glass, our Project Management team goes well beyond the expected. By the end of an installation you can be sure that each component and every aspect of the project has been triple-checked for accuracy and then checked again. Stringent quality control standards in the field include a series of well-managed redundant check systems that ensure the integrity of your project. Our team's dedication to quality is one reason Florida Glass is well known for unparalleled field installations. Our plan of attack begins with project shop drawings, and the product test reports which determine the caulking and fastening details required for each product to reach peak performance. We continue with on-site installation training, building mock-ups, planning installation sequences, and arranging on-site staffing and management. Dry-in and substantial completion are important, but final touches such as punch list work prior to handing the project to the owner, is also a top priority. In addition, constant communication with our clients, vendors, and staff is vital to the success of each project, as well as our commitment to first-class service. This means hiring only those who are skilled and knowledgeable in glass installation, and working hard to keep them on our team for years to come.

Crew size consists of two to six people, depending on the weight of the product being installed. Each crew member is an experienced journeyman or an apprentice-in-training. Florida Glass does not utilize general laborers and/or subcontract labor for the installation of materials. The installation crew reports to the on-site Florida Glass Job Captain and, subject to the size of the project, a Foreman will be utilized between the installers and the job captain. A Job Captain is an authorized representative of Florida Glass who performs on-site management, maintains quality control, and attends job-site meetings. Job Captains report to Florida Glass' Project Management team who, in turn, report to our Production Manager and Vice President of Production.

On a monthly basis, all Job Captains, Project Managers, and production employees assemble at Florida Glass' headquarters in Tampa to discuss current projects, the latest installation technologies, trial and error experiences, and additional training techniques to better enable them to perform at their fullest potential at Florida Glass.

Installation:

Installation begins with shop drawing detail(s), product test report(s), on-site training, and mock-up(s).

The accurate creation and implementation of shop drawing detail(s) are imperative to a successful project installation. In correlation with the project’s water consultant(s), Florida Glass works with surrounding trades to supply and install products that are properly weather sealed. Product test reports dictate the proper caulking and fastening methods in which to utilize in order to gain the maximum performance from each product.

Regardless of the redundancy of the work performed by Florida Glass employees, all installations begin with on-site training. Training includes Florida Glass' management and installation teams, the manufacturer’s representative, shop drawings, and product installation manuals. Besides the manufacturer’s installation recommendations, Florida Glass implements its own stringent installation details which include methods from handling the product carefully to avoid damages and/or scratches to “buttering-up� each and every last installation fastener with caulk. Florida Glass recommends that mock-ups are built and tested prior to the project installation in order that all installation methods can be confirmed at the start of the project.

Each installer is responsible for preparing and executing a written-check report for each product they install. The Foreman and/or Job Captain then verify the work and sign off accordingly. The Project Manager ultimately reviews all written reports and files a report weekly at Florida Glass’ Tampa office.

All Florida Glass employees carry Nextel Radios, which can always be adjusted to match our client’s Project Manager’s frequency. Most of our employees carry cell phones for after-hour communication.

At Florida Glass, we are not afraid to admit and prove that our capabilities far exceed that of most other firms within our industry. Please refer to Section V of this package which includes information on our state-of-the-art manufacturing and installation facility.