Crystal Window & Door Systems, the national manufacturer of quality energy efficient windows and doors, has been selected as the exclusive window supplier for the A&E cable TV show "Flipping Boston" for the new fall season. Crystal supplied a few individual projects for the prior seasons of "Flipping Boston" and its predecessor "Flip This House." As a result, Crystal was approached by the show's production staff and featured general contractors to be the sole provider of fenestration products for the new season, which premiered last month. While several episodes of the new season have been completed, production and installation of Crystal windows continues with future episodes.
"We were thrilled to be selected to provide all the fenestration products for the new season of 'Flipping Boston' on A&E," said John Kane, Crystal's sales executive for the "Flipping Boston" properties. "Crystal's Energy Star qualified vinyl windows and doors offer tremendous value, and the show's planners appreciate the customer service and attention to detail Crystal provides."
The current season of "Flipping Boston" consists of 13 episodes, generally featuring one property per episode, including single-, 2- and 3-family homes, and light commercial buildings such as restaurants. Properties highlighted are usually distressed and in need of significant renovation, and the show's general contractors transform these properties into profit-making beauties. Crystal windows are an important component of this transformation, maximizing value to meet the projects' energy efficient specifications, constrained budgets and tight deadlines.
The Crystal Series 200 energy efficient vinyl windows used for the "Flipping Boston" season feature strong, multi-chambered extrusions, 3.25"jamb depth and full-welded sash and frame corners. The Series 200 line includes double-hung, casements, sliders, pictures, awnings, hoppers, bays and bows, and architectural shapes. The windows boast a distinctive and stylish curved exterior profile and clean, modern interior lines. The Series 200 features a .875" insulating glass unit with dual-glazing, and optional between-the-glass Georgian grids. An advanced PPG Solarban 60 low-E coating and argon gas filling were specified for superior energy performance. Crystal's standard Series 200 vinyl windows and many of its other major vinyl product lines are Energy Star qualified.
Kane said, "The TV show's staff selected Crystal windows for their wide range of styles and features, as well as the ease of installation. The new homeowners will enjoy the beauty, energy efficiency and ease of operation of the Crystal windows for years to come."
In different project, Crystal Window & Door Systems' high-end windows and terrace doors played a major role in the gut rehabilitation makeover of Frank Sinatra's Manhattan apartment in the sky. Located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the penthouse sits 22 stories high atop the Edgewater Building at 530 East 72nd St. Crystal Windows supplied a variety of large tilt-and-turn, picture, and double-hung windows and swing terrace doors used to totally rebuild the apartment's three levels of dramatic exterior fenestration.
Sinatra was the original owner of the apartment from 1961 until 1974. During its heyday, the property was the site of some of New York's best parties as well as providing Sinatra with a rehearsal space and crash pad when he was in town. Termed a "Glittering Grotto in the Sky" by Andy Warhol, the glass wrapped penthouse features 18-ft. tall window walls, two terraces and city views. Sinatra's party guest list included President John Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., and many more.
A variety of Crystal's best aluminum windows and doors were selected and combined to create a custom fenestration façade for the apartment. Used in the project were Crystal's flagship Series DA-9000 dual-action tilt-and-turn window, the Series DH-5500 double-hung, and Series PW-8100 and Series CTP-2100 fixed picture windows. The project also used several Series CTT-1400 aluminum swing terrace doors to access the outdoor spaces. In much of the penthouse façade, the windows and doors were combined vertically and horizontally to create floor-to-ceiling window walls.
The Mike The Glazier firm installed the fenestration as well as the railing glass panels and bathroom shower glass. This full service glass company specializes in all aspects of commercial and residential exterior and interior glass fabrication and installation.
The New York Metro area firm has been family-owned for four generations and in operation for over 90 years. Founded in 1918, the company has offices in Queens (Flushing) and Long Island (Mineola), NY.
"This exclusive luxury project showcases Crystal's high-end products beautifully," said Steve Chen, executive vice president for Crystal. "Our energy efficient aluminum windows and doors can meet the most discriminating architectural design, including the extraordinary Sinatra Penthouse."
All the Crystal aluminum windows and doors used on the Sinatra penthouse are AAMA AW- or HC-rated and feature 1/8" or 3/16" dual glazed insulated glass units (IGUs). Enhanced energy efficiency was realized through the use of PPG advanced Solarban 70XL sun control low-E glass coating and argon gas filling in the IGUs. The fenestration products were all finished with Crystal's standard durable and environmentally friendly AAMA 2604 powder coat bronze paint. The use of compatible mullions, subsills, receptors, T-jambs and new structural steel facilitated the installation of the custom glass façade.
The Sinatra penthouse in Manhattan boasts more than 3,000 s/f over three levels. The apartment has four bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths, as well as the building's only fireplace. Outdoor terrace space on two levels offers views of the East River, several bridges, Roosevelt Island, and the Borough of Queens. The gem of the residence is the two-level master bedroom suite with an 18-ft. tall wraparound window wall façade, glass staircase and terrace access.
The property is listed for sale at $7.7 million by real estate broker Rubicon Properties. The renovated penthouse with its history has been the subject of much New York, national and even international press attention, including a feature on a recent episode of TV's nationally syndicated news tabloid "Inside Edition."'s Series 200 energy efficient vinyl windows