Window & Door FAQ

We follow up within one business day to discuss your project and schedule a site visit. During the visit we assess existing conditions, take field measurements, and gather what we need to prepare an accurate proposal. After the visit we discuss product types, operations, frame materials, and installation methods, then deliver a detailed proposal covering specifications, lead times, scope, and warranty.

Every proposal includes window and door specifications, frame materials, glass package, installation method, lead time, payment terms, and warranty details. Optional upgrades — enhanced glazing, hardware, weatherstripping — are listed separately so you see exactly what the base price covers and what is available if you want it.

A single-apartment replacement is usually done in one day. Multi-unit and full-building projects are scheduled in phases coordinated around building occupancy, elevator access, and any required permits. You receive a clear project timeline before we start — no surprises.

In most cases no. Our crews work room by room and restore each opening before moving to the next. For larger gut-renovation scopes, requirements depend on what is being done and are discussed upfront.

Yes. We work year-round in New York City. Exterior work may pause during extreme rain or high wind for safety, but cold-weather installation is standard practice in NYC — proper product selection and technique ensure performance regardless of season.

A replacement window fits into an existing frame opening without disturbing surrounding masonry or trim — the standard approach for occupied renovations, faster and less disruptive. A new construction (brick-to-brick) window is installed from the full masonry opening, used in new builds or gut renovations where finishes are being completely redone. Brick-to-brick allows a wider range of products and configurations.

Low-emissivity (low-e) glass has a microscopic metallic coating on one interior pane surface that reflects infrared heat — keeping warmth inside in winter and blocking solar heat in summer — while allowing visible light through. Combined with argon gas fill, low-e is the standard for energy-efficient replacement. We quote low-e argon-filled double-pane as the baseline on all projects.

AAMA/FGIA performance classes rate windows under the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS). Class selection is based on design pressure requirements, not just building type:

For most NYC residential projects LC or CW is appropriate. High-rise commercial typically requires AW. We specify the right class during the consultation.

Aluminum — the dominant choice for NYC commercial and multi-family. Slim sightlines, strong, long service life. Thermally broken aluminum is required for energy code compliance.

Steel — thinnest possible sightlines, maximum glass area. Required on many LPC landmark restorations. Higher cost and longer lead times.

Wood and wood-clad — warm interior aesthetics. Wood-clad (aluminum or fiberglass exterior) minimizes maintenance. Standard for premium residential.

Fiberglass — exceptional thermal performance, very low expansion and contraction. Increasingly specified for high-performance and Passive House projects.

For most NYC applications high-quality double-pane with low-e and argon already delivers strong energy performance. Triple-pane adds clear value for: high-floor units with significant wind exposure, north-facing or cold-exposure units, buildings targeting aggressive LL97 reduction, and high-end residential where acoustic performance is the priority — triple-pane significantly improves STC ratings. We specify the right configuration for your building, not the most expensive option.

Acoustic glazing uses laminated glass — PVB or SGP interlayer bonded between panes — to dampen sound. Standard double-pane IGUs achieve STC 28–32. Acoustic-grade assemblies reach STC 38–45+, depending on glass thickness and air gap. For street-facing NYC units on high-traffic corridors, STC 38+ is a meaningful improvement. Laminated glass also provides safety glazing, UV protection, and forced-entry resistance.

We work with 33+ manufacturers including Marvin, Andersen, Kolbe, Pella, Windsor, Milgard, Kawneer, YKK AP America, Reynaers, Schüco, Intus Windows, and many others. As an installer — not a manufacturer — we source the right product for your project rather than pushing a single brand.

Stock aluminum residential: 3–6 weeks. Custom aluminum commercial/architectural: 8–14 weeks. Premium wood and wood-clad (Marvin Signature, Andersen A-Series): 8–16 weeks. Steel windows: 14–26 weeks depending on complexity. European systems (Schüco, Reynaers): 12–20 weeks. We build lead time into the project schedule at proposal stage. For large multi-unit projects we phase orders so installation can begin on early deliveries while later units are still in fabrication.

We handle both DOB and DOT permit filings in-house when required.

DOB permits are required when the masonry opening is being modified, when lot-line windows or fire-rated assemblies are being replaced, or when structural changes to the opening are involved.

DOT permits cover the street and sidewalk — required when a project needs a sidewalk shed, storage container, boom lift, or other equipment in the public right-of-way.

For the majority of standard replacement jobs, neither permit is required. We will know after our first call and site survey, and handle everything in-house if needed.

An LPC permit is required when a building is a designated NYC landmark or sits within a designated historic district. LPC reviews the proposed replacement to ensure it conforms to the character of the building. We have extensive experience navigating the LPC approval process — producing required shop drawings, documentation, and product specifications that meet LPC standards.

Local Law 97 imposes escalating carbon penalties on NYC buildings over 25,000 sq ft. High-performance windows with thermally broken frames, low-e coatings, and insulated glazing units reduce heating and cooling loads — directly lowering a building's emissions intensity. A building-wide window replacement is often a core component of an LL97 compliance strategy. We coordinate with your energy consultant to confirm U-values and SHGC ratings needed for your compliance model.

The NYCECC sets minimum energy performance requirements for fenestration — maximum U-values and SHGC — based on building type and climate zone. Any permitted window replacement must comply. We specify products that meet or exceed code and include NFRC certifications in DOB filing packages. For projects targeting LEED, WELL, or Passive House benchmarks, we can exceed code minimums significantly.

NYC's Bird-Safe Building Law (Local Law 15 of 2020) requires bird-safe glazing on new buildings and substantial alterations below 75 feet. The ABC Threat Factor rating system is the compliance standard. Bird-safe glazing uses fritted glass, UV-reflective coatings, external shading, or patterned films that break up the reflective appearance of glass. We source ABC-compliant glazing from our manufacturer network and include compliance documentation in DOB submissions where required.

A PE-stamped submittal is a set of engineering documents — structural calculations and shop drawings — signed and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer. Required when a project needs a DOB building permit, involves structural changes to the opening, or falls under certain occupancy classifications. Our in-house engineering team produces shop drawings and coordinates PE stamping as part of the full DOB filing package — included in our scope for all permitted projects.

We develop a unit-by-unit schedule with building management, provide residents 48–72 hours written notice, protect all interior surfaces before work begins, complete and weatherproof each opening the same day, and conduct a walk-through before leaving. Our large on-site storage capacity allows full building orders to be staged without repeated deliveries, minimizing disruption to building operations and street access.

A full shop drawing package includes: dimensioned elevations of each opening, rough opening sizes and clearances, product section details and anchoring methods, sill flashing and perimeter waterproofing details, hardware schedules, and glazing specifications. For LPC projects, shop drawings are submitted for Commission review before any work begins. For DOB-permitted projects, they form part of the filing package. Errors caught at this stage cost nothing — errors caught in the field are expensive.

Manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and fabrication — glass seal failures, hardware defects, finish failures. Premium manufacturers typically offer 10–20 years on glass and 5–10 years on hardware and finishes. Coverage varies by product line and must be registered.

Installer warranty covers the installation itself — water infiltration at the perimeter, air leakage, structural performance of the installed assembly. We provide a full written installation warranty on every project. Get both in writing — verbal warranties are not enforceable.

Yes — and it is a relationship we actively pursue. We currently serve as primary vendor for several NYC property management groups, handling everything from emergency service calls to full building replacements under master service agreements. Benefits include priority scheduling, volume pricing, consistent documentation for building records, and a single point of contact for all fenestration needs. Contact us at info@kenemax.com to discuss a primary vendor arrangement.

Yes. Our Service Division handles repairs, hardware replacements, glass replacements, and emergency calls regardless of who originally installed the windows. Our vans are fully stocked for same-day service across all five boroughs.

Hardware failures, broken operators and cranks, failed glass seals (fogging between panes), sash replacements, weatherstripping, balance systems, screen repairs, and emergency board-up or temporary glazing. If it relates to a window or door, we handle it.

Repair is sometimes the right call — fixing a balance, re-caulking, or replacing a hardware piece. But repairs often treat a symptom rather than the root issue. If your windows are drafty, foggy between panes, hard to operate, or more than 20–25 years old, replacement is almost always the better long-term investment. We assess this honestly on the initial site visit.