Design Topics
April 2005
Retrofitting concrete panels with windows
An informational Client Bulletin Prepared by TiCon, a General Contractor, for the Tenants, Owners, Brokers and Managers of Commercial and Industrial Properties in the Bay Area
This bulletin addresses the cost for installing windows in the concrete panel walls of an existing commercial or industrial "tilt up" building. The following information is derived from from the particulars of a project recently awarded to TiCon.
The most economic configuration of a new window being installed into an existing panel is the "gun slot". Generally, the narrower a window is, the less impact its opening will have on the integrity of the wall and the less reinforcement of the panel will be required.
The sketch below shows the scope of the steel reinforcement installation specified by the engineer in our sample project.
| Cost break down for 3 foot x 7 foot window installed in a concrete panel |
3 foot x 6 foot window, aluminum frame, fixed |
$450.00 |
Cutting of concrete wall to accept window |
$350.00 |
Fabrication and installation of steel reinforcement |
$3,325.00 |
COST OF EACH WINDOW INSTALLED |
$4,125.00 |
Steel Access door in lieu of Window |
$4, 575.00 |
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This sample project consisted of five of these windows. It is not unreasonable to expect economies of scale that would affect the cost if there were more or fewer such windows in your project. The cost of engineering, contractor's fee and pro-rated general conditions are not included in the figures above.
Keep in mind that, in most cases, windows may not be installed where the wall is on a property line.
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