PRL Architecture and Design Blog

Home / An air-conditioned lobby can receive heat through sun-exposed glazing and humid outdoor air when the entrance opens. During rain, the same frontage must manage water at the frames, drainage outlets, and connections to the wall. For buildings in hot and humid climates, glass and aluminum selection needs to…

Home / A compact foyer may leave little room for an entry door to open beside a console table or closet. Outside, a shallow porch or nearby column may also restrict the door’s movement and the space where a visitor can stand. The choice between inswing and outswing exterior doors…

Home / An awning window is hinged at the top and opens outward from the bottom. When open, its glass sash forms a sloping cover over the opening, allowing fresh air to enter beneath and around it. Awning windows are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and arrangements that combine operable…

Home / A room can reach the temperature set on its thermostat and still feel uncomfortable beside a large window. At a commercial entrance, customers opening the door throughout the day allow indoor and outdoor air to exchange, even when the closed door has good thermal performance. For buildings in…

Home / A quote request for an aluminum entry door needs more than a width, height and color. The manufacturer also needs to understand how the door will open, which glass it will accommodate and what the project requires for installation and performance. Aluminum entry door specifications should identify the…

Home / A coastal hotel may have large windows facing the ocean, glass doors opening onto terraces, and an entrance sheltered beneath a canopy. These openings serve the same building, but their exposure to salt-laden air, moisture, and wind can differ considerably. These conditions affect more than the visible glass.…