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TORRE RESIDENCE
Historical Residential Restoration

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CGI Windows Enhance Historic Charm of Coral Gables Home

Originally built in 1926, the residence of Venny Torre, CEO of Torre Development is situated in Pioneer Village in the heart of Coral Gables, Florida. Surrounded by other historic properties, the home is a classic example of southern colonial architecture and design. So, when Torre decided to expand his home, staying true to the historic design was critical, especially with regard to the windows. To achieve an authentic historic aesthetic combined with hurricane protection and superior performance, Mr. Torre turned to single-hung windows from CGI.

“I have been using CGI products in my developments for years and have been continually impressed with the quality and aesthetics,” says Torre. “With its historic appearance and high performance, the single-hung was an obvious choice for my own home.”

Made with heavy, commercial-grade aluminum frames, the CGI single-hung window has the stylish look of a traditional single-hung with the superior performance of a contemporary impact resistant product. The high-grade aluminum performs well and is more durable than traditional wood frames, which may rot in the humid Florida climate, and the unit’s impact resistant glass and frame offers superior hurricane protection.

Indeed, hurricane protection is a significant reason Torre began using CGI’s impact resistant windows when they were first introduced in 1992. “The CGI impact resistant windows were superior to anything else in the industry then, and they continue to be today. Of all of the CGI windows I’ve installed, I haven’t heard of a single unit failing during a hurricane,” he says.

All CGI windows and doors are manufactured with impact-resistant laminated glass, made with a strong interlayer. The impact glass looks like ordinary glass but has incredible strength. Even if impacted by flying debris blown by hurricane-force winds, the glass will adhere to the interlayer and resist fallout, protecting people and property from injury and damage.

“CGI windows and doors are manufactured with tough impact resistant glass and strong aluminum frames. This allows them to exceed all US hurricane code requirements, including those of Miami-Dade, which are among the most stringent in the country,” says Brian Evans, President and CEO of CGI. “Unlike with code-approved storm panels and shutters, CGI windows offer hurricane protection 24 hours a day/ seven days a week, with no special installation needed as storms approach.”

To match other aesthetic requirements, CGI also offers casement, project-out and fixed windows, as well as swing doors, sidelites, transoms and sliding doors, all with the hurricane protection, durability and style for which CGI is known. “Our ultimate goal is provide owners and architects with the ability to specify a CGI product with the style and finish that is right for each project,” says Steve Dawson, Executive Vice President of Sales.

Although CGI windows are often selected for their hurricane performance and aesthetics, homeowners also appreciate the additional benefits the windows provide. The same tough glass and frame that protects homes from hurricanes also prevent would-be burglars from breaking into a home through the windows. The glass also blocks 99 percent of UV rays, which helps prevent fading and damage to interior fabrics and furnishings. Finally, the windows also significantly reduce the transmission of sound from outdoors to inside, helping to create a quieter home environment.

“The Campo Sano Village my company developed is across the street from a hospital. With the CGI windows we installed, homeowners in the development don’t hear the ambulances that come and go, even though they are only 100 feet away,” says Torre. Even for homeowners who do not live near a known source of noise, the windows make a tremendous difference in interior sound levels. “We’ve definitely noticed that our home is quieter with our new CGI windows,” Torre adds.

Given the hurricane protection, style and added benefits, the decision to use CGI single-hung windows for his addition was not a difficult one, according to Torre: “With this quality, this performance and this level of detail, at a price that beats any other product at this level, why would I choose anything else?”

In addition to his own home, Torre has used CGI windows in many Torre Development projects and has encouraged friends and family to incorporate CGI into their own homes. “Torre Development has built a reputation for its commitment to quality. CGI windows help us deliver on that promise with the best hurricane protection on the market, wrapped up in a beautiful, functional, high-performance window,” adds Torre.

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