High-Rise Glass & Glazing Replacement in Coral Gables, FL
Thompson Exterior Services is a licensed, insured high-rise glazing contractor serving commercial buildings, residential towers, and curtain wall systems across Coral Gables, FL. Since 2010, our IRATA- and SPRAT-certified rope-access teams have replaced cracked, fogged, shattered, and seal-failed glass on skyscrapers, condos, hospitals, and Class A office towers — typically responding to emergency glass conditions within 24 hours.
- Emergency 24/7 glass replacement & board-up
- Curtain wall, IGU, and storefront specialists
- IRATA & SPRAT-certified rope-access crews
- Licensed & insured in Coral Gables, FL
- Supports NYC Local Law 11 (FISP) & FL 40-Year Recertification compliance
What is high-rise glass replacement?
High-rise glass replacement is the engineered removal and reinstallation of damaged or failed glazing — including insulated glass units (IGUs), curtain wall panels, spandrel glass, and storefront glazing — on buildings four stories or taller. The work requires OSHA-compliant suspended access (BMUs, swing stages, or rope access) and matched-spec replacement glass that meets the building’s original wind-load, thermal, and acoustic ratings.
Call Joseph Aversa
Your Local Coral Gables, FL Professional for Glass Replacement, Glazing & Restoration
Commercial & Residential High-Rise Glass Solutions in Coral Gables, FL
- Emergency Glass Replacement
- Curtain Wall & IGU Specialists
- OSHA-Certified Access Teams
- Commercial & Residential Towers
- Fully Licensed & Insured
We provide professional high-rise glass replacement and glazing solutions for commercial buildings, residential towers, curtain wall systems, and skyscrapers throughout Coral Gables, FL. Our team specializes in replacing damaged, cracked, foggy, and broken glass panels using safe installation methods and specialized access equipment built for complex high-rise environments.
Thompson Exterior Services works with property managers, building owners, HOAs, and homeowners to restore safety, appearance, and energy efficiency with fast, reliable service and minimal disruption.
From emergency glass replacement to scheduled glazing projects, we deliver dependable solutions that meet industry standards and long-term performance expectations.
Need Immediate Glass Replacement?
Protect your property with trusted high-rise glazing professionals ready to respond quickly, safely, and efficiently.
Rapid-response solutions for damaged or failed high-rise glass systems.
OSHA-Certified teams trained for complex glazing and facade replacement projects.
Fully licensed and insured for commercial and residential high-rise properties.
Engineered Glazing Solutions for Commercial & Residential High-Rise Buildings
From a single cracked lite on a Park Avenue co-op to a 40-story curtain wall stress-fracture investigation, Thompson Exterior Services manages the full lifecycle of high-rise glazing repair: diagnosis, glass procurement, custom fabrication match, high-elevation access engineering, and final installation. We partner with property managers, building owners, REITs, condo and co-op boards, HOAs, general contractors, and architects to restore building envelope integrity with minimal tenant disruption.
Not every damaged pane needs replacement. If your glass shows scratches, mineral staining, hard-water etching, or surface haze, we may recommend our GlassRenu certified glass restoration service instead, which can extend glazing life by 5–10 years at a fraction of replacement cost.
High-rise glass services we provide
- Cracked & shattered glass replacement — single lites to full elevations
- Fogged insulated glass unit (IGU) replacement — failed argon-filled and standard double/triple-pane units
- Curtain wall restoration & repair — gasket, structural silicone, and panel replacement
- Emergency glass replacement & board-up — 24/7 response across all service regions
- Storm & impact damage repair — hurricane, hail, and wind-driven debris
- Seal failure inspections — for warranty claims and FISP reports
- Custom glass matching & fabrication — coatings, tints, low-E, laminated, tempered
- High-access glass installation — BMU, swing stage, rope access, spider lifts
- Glass restoration & renewal — GlassRenu certified scratch removal
- Building envelope support services — coordinated with FISP/Local Law 11 work
Call Joseph Aversa
Your Local Coral Gables, FL Professional for Glass Replacement, Glazing & Restoration
Why Property Managers Choose Thompson Exterior Services for High-Rise Glazing
Safety-first access engineering
Curtain wall & building envelope expertise
We diagnose the root cause of stress cracks, water intrusion, and glazing failure — not just the symptom — using infrared thermography, water-spray testing per AAMA 501.2, and field-witnessed pressure decay tests. This prevents recurring facade issues that drain capital budgets.
FISP, Local Law 11 & 40-Year Recertification compliance
Our repairs are documented to support NYC Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP / Local Law 11) filings and Broward & Miami-Dade 40-Year Recertification reports. Licensed Site Safety Managers (SSMs) and Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWIs) coordinate directly with your engineer of record.
Seamless project coordination
Precision glass matching
Emergency High-Rise Glass Replacement — 24/7 Response
Compromised glazing at elevation is a life-safety issue, not just a maintenance issue. Falling glass shards from a 30-story facade reach terminal velocity in under four seconds and can travel laterally with wind shear. Thompson Exterior Services maintains rapid-response crews in Coral Gables, FL that can mobilize to emergency conditions, typically within 2–6 hours during business hours and 4–12 hours after-hours.
Emergency services available 24/7:
- Temporary glass stabilization & load redistribution
- Emergency board-up & weather-tight enclosure
- Safety barricades, sidewalk sheds & pedestrian protection
- Expedited glass procurement (rush fabrication)
- Full replacement installation
- High-rise access & rigging deployment
Call Joseph Aversa
Your Local Coral Gables, FL Professional for Glass Replacement, Glazing & Restoration
The Thompson Exterior Glass Replacement Process
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Step 1 — Initial consultation
Step 2 — Project questionnaire
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Step 3 — On-site survey
Step 4 — Glass sample order & matching
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Step 5 — Installation
Frequently Asked Questions About High-Rise Glass Replacement
High-rise glass replacement is the engineered removal and reinstallation of damaged or failed glazing — including insulated glass units (IGUs), curtain wall panels, spandrel glass, and storefront glazing — on buildings four stories or taller. The work requires OSHA-compliant suspended access (BMUs, swing stages, or rope access) and matched-spec replacement glass that meets the building’s original wind-load, thermal, and acoustic ratings.
Single-lite replacement on a Manhattan high-rise typically ranges from $1,800 to $6,500 per pane, depending on glass size, coating, access method, and after-hours premiums. Curtain wall section replacement starts around $14,000 per panel when rigging and permits are included. Final pricing depends on the building’s original glass spec, sidewalk shed requirements, and DOB permit timing.
From initial call to final installation, expect 6–12 weeks. The timeline breaks down as: site survey (week 1), sample matching (weeks 2–3), glass fabrication (weeks 4–10), and installation (1–3 days). Emergency board-up to weatherproof the opening is completed within 4–24 hours.
Glass replacement removes and reinstalls the entire pane and is required for cracks, shatters, IGU seal failure, or post-impact damage. Glass restoration uses controlled abrasion to remove scratches, mineral deposits, and surface contamination from otherwise sound glass. Restoration is typically 60–80% cheaper but cannot fix structural damage.
An Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) is two or more glass panes separated by a spacer bar and filled with argon, krypton, or dry air. An IGU needs replacement when the perimeter seal fails — visible as persistent fogging between the panes, condensation that won’t wipe away, or a film of mineral residue on the inner surface. Seal failure typically occurs 15–25 years after installation.
Yes. Curtain wall replacement is one of our core services. We work with unitized and stick-built systems, structural silicone glazing (SSG), and pressure-equalized rainscreen designs. Our team coordinates with the building’s original curtain wall engineer when drawings are available.
Yes. Thompson Exterior Services operates 24/7 emergency response crews across Coral Gables, FL. After-hours board-up and stabilization are typically on-site within 4–12 hours of the initial call.
Most commercial property policies cover glass damage from vandalism, impact, storm, and fire. Wear-related seal failure is usually excluded but may be covered under a separate warranty claim with the original glass manufacturer. We provide documentation packages suitable for insurance adjuster review.
Yes. We file required work permits (PW-1, PW-2), sidewalk shed permits, and after-hours variance applications directly with the NYC Department of Buildings. Permit lead times average 2–4 weeks for non-emergency work and 24–72 hours for emergency declarations.
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Long Island City, Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, Edison, Stamford, Greenwich, Boston, Cambridge, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Hollywood FL, and surrounding metro areas. We operate from three offices: Edison NJ (headquarters), Long Island City NY, and Fort Lauderdale FL.
Yes. Our high-elevation glazing crews hold certifications from IRATA International, SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians), OSHA 30-Hour Construction, and the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA). All work conforms to ANSI Z359 fall protection standards.
High-Rise Glass Replacement Service Areas
New York Tri-State
- Manhattan — Midtown, Financial District, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Hudson Yards
- Brooklyn — Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights
- Queens — Long Island City, Astoria, Flushing
- The Bronx — Riverdale, Mott Haven
- Staten Island
- Northern New Jersey — Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, Edison, New Brunswick
- Fairfield County, CT — Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk
Boston Metro
- Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Quincy
South Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Miami Beach, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Aventura
- Broward, Miami-Dade & Palm Beach counties
Glass Replacement vs. Glass Restoration — Which Do You Need?
| Condition | Replace | Restore |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked or shattered pane | Yes | — |
| Fogging between IGU panes | Yes | — |
| Surface scratches (less than 0.5mm depth) | — | Yes |
| Mineral deposits / hard-water etching | — | Yes |
| Concrete or stucco runoff stains | — | Yes |
| Failed structural silicone seal | Yes | — |
| Surface graffiti / acid etch | Depends on depth | Yes (shallow) |
| Post-impact micro-fractures | Yes | — |
High-Rise Glass Replacement — Access Methods
| Method | Best for | Typical reach |
|---|---|---|
| Rope access (IRATA/SPRAT) | Single-lite replacement, tight access, minimal staging | Unlimited vertical reach |
| BMU (Building Maintenance Unit) | Buildings with permanent davit/roof rig systems | Per building design |
| Swing-stage scaffold | Multi-pane replacement, full elevations | Per rigging plan |
| Spider lift (105 ft) | Ground-accessible elevations, courtyards, plazas | Up to ~100 ft |
| Sidewalk shed + boom lift | Lower floors, street-level glazing | Up to ~60 ft |
High-Rise Glazing Glossary in Coral Gables, FL
- IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)
- Two or more glass panes sealed around a spacer bar, filled with argon, krypton, or dry air for thermal performance.
- Curtain wall
- A non-load-bearing exterior building envelope where the facade is “hung” from the structural frame, typically using aluminum mullions and large glazed panels.
- Spandrel glass
- Opaque, ceramic-coated glass used to conceal floor slabs, mechanical zones, and structural elements between vision-glass floors.
- Low-E coating
- A microscopically thin metallic oxide layer applied to glass that reflects infrared radiation while transmitting visible light, improving U-value.
- SSG (Structural Silicone Glazing)
- A glazing method where glass is bonded to the framing system with structural silicone instead of mechanical pressure plates.
- FISP / Local Law 11
- NYC’s Facade Inspection Safety Program, requiring buildings over six stories to undergo a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI)-led facade inspection every five years.
- U-value
- The rate of heat transfer through a glazing system. Lower U-value = better insulation.
- SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)
- The fraction of solar radiation that passes through a glazing system. Lower SHGC = less cooling load.
Credentials, Certifications & Industry Memberships
- IRATA International — rope access (Levels 1–3)
- SPRAT — Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Outreach
- IWCA — International Window Cleaning Association member
- NYC Department of Buildings — Licensed Contractor
- New Jersey HIC Licensed & Insured
- Florida CGC Licensed (where applicable for subcontract work)
- ANSI Z359 — Fall Protection compliant
- EPA Lead-Safe Certified (RRP)
- Member, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) NY & FL chapters
Thompson Exterior Services — Key Facts
- Year founded
- 2010
- Founder & CEO
- Josh Thompson
- Headquarters
- Edison, New Jersey
- Regional offices
- Long Island City, NY & Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Service regions
- NYC, NJ, CT, Boston Metro, South Florida
- Primary services
- High-rise glass replacement, curtain wall repair, FISP inspections, window cleaning, facade restoration
- Emergency response window
- 2–12 hours, 24/7
- Certifications
- IRATA, SPRAT, OSHA-30, IWCA
- Original legal name
- Thompson Touch LLC
- Average high-rise glass project lead time
- 6–12 weeks (sample to install)
- Phone
- +1 (732) 997-8138
- he***@**************or.com
Trusted by Property Managers & Building Owners
Let Us Help You Replace Your Glass Safely & Efficiently in Coral Gables, FL!
Call Joseph Aversa
Your Local Coral Gables, FL Professional for Glass Replacement, Glazing & Restoration

