Products & Services

The NWI Difference

Northwestern Industries has the capability to heat-strengthen, temper and laminate glass all in one facility.

The importance of this ability cannot be over emphasized, in that it allows us to precisely track and monitor each stage of the process for both greater efficiency and higher quality.

This procedure directly benefits each project, and in turn, each customer. For example, because a combination of processes is specified for many overhead-glazing situations, our all-encompassing approach provides a distinct advantage with major slope glazing projects.

The advancement in development of post temperable, high performance coated glass has allowed NWI to provide rapid on time delivery of the most energy efficient glass products. The best equipment and techniques are required to process this type of glass. NWI has invested heavily in equipment and staff to manufacture the highest quality possible.

NWI was a charter fabricator in PPG’s Certified Fabricator Program (CFP). This program is backed by annual independent plant inspections of our quality systems and manufacturing processes, which has regularly recognized NWI as a top volume quality producer.

Guardian Industries has certified NWI in the SunGuard Fabricators program. Membership of this audited program allows NWI to fabricate the full line of coated Guardian products.

Insulated Glass

Insulated glass provides an array of benefits

Insulated glass consists of two or more layers of glass separated by a layer of air or gas.

The process for creating an insulated glass unit removes humidity from the unit's airspace before the edges are sealed. The unit's airspace helps to limit heat and noise transfer.

Northwestern Industries can create insulated glass from other types of glass (such as laminated or tempered glass), and is capable of handling glass in sizes up to 90" x 157".

Additionally, we use several highly refined processes to make sure our insulated glass meets the most stringent requirements required by our customers.

NWI's insulating process differs in several important and beneficial ways.

Tempered Glass

Our precision equipment and skilled technicians ensure the highest levels of quality.

Northwestern Industries has dedicated tempering ovens enabling us to get your projects completed promptly and in accordance with the highest standards.

State-of-the-art high convection ovens consistently produce low-e and coated glass with the highest optical flatness available

Laminated Glass

We offer custom sizing and a large in-house inventory for immediate delivery

Northwestern Industries makes laminated glass using an automatic production line and a hot-air autoclave capable of handling sheets as large as 84" x 174" and ranging from 9/64" to 2" thick.

We currently maintain a stock of 35 different standard sizes available for immediate delivery, and are able to fabricate custom sizes, shapes and make-ups upon request. Ask about our 5-year warranty.

We also offer the following fabrication services:

Low-E Glass

Providing better thermal performance and energy efficiency

Northwestern Industries uses low emissivity coatings to improve the thermal performance of its units. This glass, also known as Low-E glass, improves the insulating value by reflecting long wave heat back to its source, thereby improving energy efficiency. These coatings also enhance the shading coefficient to reduce a building’s cooling requirement

The outcome of NWI’s process is a superior glass that optimizes energy efficiency, making it the best choice for any structure that has a large number of windows or skylights. These types of structures include office buildings, retail structures, schools, hospitals, hotels, apartments and other multifamily residential developments.

NWI is also able to mix tints and reflectives with our safety glass to create improved performance glass.

At present, we maintain a consistent inventory of at least 28 Low-E glass types in stock available for immediate delivery.

Spandrel

Create custom accents with Spandrel glass

Spandrel glass is created by applying ceramic frit enamel to the glass with a Union Tool roller coater. Our coater can handle glass sized up to 84" x 144". The ceramic frit is then permanently fused onto the glass through the heat strengthening or tempering process.

Enamel or translucent ceramic frit can be applied as a solid backing or silk screened to achieve geometric shapes such as lines or dots for special shading applications. Our equipment is capable of handling custom silk-screening of up to 80” X 144" in size.

Screen printing can add design elements that compliment other architectural or design features.

Spandrel glass products are available in ten standard colors. Custom color matching is also available by special order.

Silk Screening

Improve aesthetics, thermal performance, and durability with Silk Screened glass

Northwestern Industries’ custom silk screening process enhances the thermal performance of your glass by blocking heat gain, particularly in glass used in ceilings and overhead applications.

In addition to reinforcing sheet strength, silk screening can also improve the appearance of the glass by adding design elements that compliment other architectural or design features.

Currently, NWI has the capability to silk screen areas ranging from 12” x 12” to 80" x 144".

Sound Control

When it is better to be seen than heard

Managing unwanted noise is an important consideration for architects and builders. In response, Northwestern Industries has developed Enhanced Sound Control Glass® for those instances.

NWI’s patented, Enhanced Sound Control Laminated Glass® utilizes a special PVB interlayer, laminated to two pieces of glass, resulting in improvements of up to 30% over standard laminated glass.

Several varieties of Enhanced Sound Control Laminated Glass have undergone testing by Riverbank Acoustical Laboratory. (Complete details available by request.)

For many years laminated glass has been the industry standard for controlling sound through glass.

With our introduction of Enhanced Sound Control Laminated Glass, sound reduction capabilities have been significantly improved.

NWI’s Enhanced Sound Control Laminated Glass provides measurable reductions in noise pollution, making this the perfect glass for doors, windows, and with all types of glass partitions used in office buildings, residences, and similar needs environments.

Glass Fabrication

Cutting & Tempering

Northwestern Industries provides complete cutting and tempering services in a timely manner

Our state-of-the art cutting capabilities ensures each piece of glass is processed to the highest standards in terms of accuracy and quality of the cut.

Tempered safety glass offers the perfect solution for both general and safety glazing projects such as sliding doors, building entrances, and interior partitions where superior strength and safety are demanded.

NWI’s tempered glass can provide up to triple the resistance to thermal shock and four time the load resistance as compared to standard, annealed untempered glass.

Our process of creating tempered glass consists of two steps. First, the glass is heated to a very high temperature, and then it is immediately cooled. This process creates a piece of quality glass that shatters safely into small pieces upon impact.

Our ovens are capable of handling glass which measures up to 96" x 192". In addition, our furnaces are supported by fabrication equipment for handling holes, notches, cutouts and edge work.

LEED Certification

Northwestern Industries is dedicated to the principles of energy efficiency and sustainable environmental practices.

In support of these principles, NWI continues to develop and refine our product offerings to meet or exceed the highest standards.

A leading measure of such standards is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), building certification is based on a four-tier system of 100 points (ranging from “Certified” up through “Platinum” status).

The LEED Green Building Rating System is a third party certification program that serves as the benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high performing green buildings. Under the LEED rating system, only projects are rated; there is no rating or certification system for raw materials, products, or suppliers/fabricators of such products.

Northwestern Industries fabricates a broad range of products that can help architects and owners earn LEED credits for their projects.

For over 30 years NWI has provided building teams – including architects, designers, specification writers, engineers, building owners / developers, and glazing contractors – with technical assistance and services. Today more than ever, customers rely on the expertise of NWI to help in achieving the applicable LEED prerequisites and potential points towards LEED-certification.

Lean Manufacturing

Northwestern Industries has long been a proponent of lean manufacturing.

We regard waste reduction and improved efficiency to be sound business practices that directly benefit our customers and the community at large.

At NWI, we view our commitment as one dedicated to continuous improvement across all levels of the company.

 

Custom Services

Northwestern Industries has the facilities, experience, and technical expertise to handle almost any glass-related project.

We welcome your inquiries, and look forward to meeting your specialized and/or custom needs.