Restoring Heritage with High-Performance Windows: The Harlem River House Project

December 9, 2024

Restoring Heritage with High-Performance Windows: The Harlem River House Project

Historic restoration combines architectural preservation with modern efficiency.

In Harlem, New York City, the revitalization of the Harlem River House was made possible by Graham Architectural Products’ SR6800 window series, which provides both a historically accurate look and advanced thermal performance. By balancing classic design with today’s energy standards, Graham is helping bring new life to this cherished landmark.

The Harlem River House, a significant architectural landmark, has stood as a testament to classic urban design for decades. Built during the Great Depression, the building reflects the character and spirit of its era, capturing both the elegance and resilience of Harlem’s architectural heritage. Today, as it undergoes a careful restoration, Graham Architectural Products’ SR6800 window series brings a new layer of innovation to this historic icon. The SR6800 – from Graham’s steel replica series – seamlessly merges period-specific design with advanced thermal efficiency, honoring the building’s past while enhancing its future with modern performance. This blend of authenticity and innovation ensures the Harlem River House continues to thrive for generations to come.

“At Graham, we understand the unique challenges that come with preserving the past while meeting the demands of today. The SR6800 window embodies this balance, providing small sightlines and customizable design features that allow it to replicate the look of traditional steel windows while maximizing thermal performance. With trapezoid or concave muntins, beveled frame profile, applied grids, and an overlap of the vent to the frame, the SR6800 ensures that every detail is true to the building’s original character,” said Bill Wilder, Director of Technical Sales at Graham.

Why the SR6800 Window is Ideal for Historic Replications

The Harlem River House Project benefits from the SR6800 window series, known for its energy efficiency, advanced thermal strut technology, and weather resistance. Its modern aesthetics allow for custom colors and design features that replicate older steel windows while maintaining slim sightlines, expanding the views from each window. This makes the SR6800 a popular choice for historic replication projects. Additionally, Graham’s collaboration with the National Park Service offers potential tax credits for qualifying projects. With deep experience working with historic consultants and architects, Graham ensures designs that respect original aesthetics while meeting today’s performance standards.

Key Performance Features

• Thermal Efficiency with Proven U-Values: Thanks to its advanced thermal strut technology, the SR6800 fixed series achieves U-Values as low as 0.26, delivering superior insulation and reducing energy loss. This is ideal for older buildings needing to meet current energy efficiency standards. The SR6800’s dual-sealed, thermally broken frames reduce heat transfer, helping to lower HVAC costs and align with stringent energy codes focused on sustainability.
• Durability and Structural Integrity: Engineered for strength, the SR6800 is designed to withstand the demands of urban environments. It offers high structural performance, making it a long-lasting choice for buildings in high-traffic, noise-polluted areas like New York City.

A Trusted Partner in Historic Window Restoration

With Graham’s longstanding relationship with the National Park Service, which helps guide projects based on historic preservation standards, Graham is entrusted with historic window-replication projects nationwide. Precision craftsmanship, extensive knowledge, and meticulous attention to historical aesthetics define Graham’s approach to landmark restorations—an expertise that ensures projects stay on track and meet timelines, avoiding the costly delays often caused by competitors unfamiliar with this complex process.

Each window installed, whether on a high-rise building or an iconic site, enhances comfort and energy efficiency for its occupants and owners.

Make Graham Your Partner for Historic Window Restoration

With over 50 years of expertise, Graham offers trusted, high-performance products, comprehensive support from start to finish, and a commitment to sustainability, ensuring long-lasting reliability for every project. For your next historic restoration project, trust Graham Architectural Products to deliver both historical window replication and energy-efficient performance.

As part of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (OBE), Graham benefits from a powerful network, strong supply chains, and a solid foundation of industry expertise. This partnership allows us to deliver unmatched quality and innovation to your projects.

Find a representative in your area today: https://www.grahamwindows.com/find-a-rep/