USA
East Hampton spec home: frameless windows and smart glass for a premium listing – case study
place
New York, East Hampton , USA
How do you build a $14.5M spec home with floor-to-ceiling windows without the luxury price tag? That was the challenge Roland faced on his 5,100 sq ft project in East Hampton.
By importing high-end windows from Europe, he cut his window bill by 50%, while still getting ultra-slim frames, oversized glazing, and clean design. Here’s how it worked.
What did Roland and his company gain?
CUT PREMIUM COSTS
Saved up to 50% on aluminum and smart-glass windows by sourcing from Europe instead of U.S. dealers.
ADDED CUSTOM SMART FEATURES
Used switchable smart glass and other tailored solutions that matched the project’s modern architecture.
MATCHED STYLE TO LOCATION
Installed windows that matched the modern architecture and status of a high-end home on premium listed land.
About the company
debesto’s client: Developer
Project: Premium spec home
Location: New York, United States of America
Experience in importing windows: No
Challenges of premium build
In this project, I worked again with an experienced developer from New York, specializing in high-end residential builds in areas like Long Island.
From what I’ve seen with this and similar clients, the real challenge isn’t just sourcing high-quality windows. It’s finding systems and factories that will help you meet strict design standards without killing the budget.
It’s about building premium home on premium land without paying premium prices for windows.
The key here was sourcing reliable, well-performing systems that looked right for the property and helped keep the investment under control by lowering windows cost.
Project requirements
The house is a 5,100 sqft single-family home located in the Georgica Estate area (Long Island, New York). The windows had to match 11 ft ceilings and premium finishes, including oak flooring and granite pool details.
Glazing elements, especially the large sliding doors weren’t just about appearance. They had to function flawlessly, with zero room for technical surprises. The client didn’t want to gamble on unproven systems or pay extra just for a brand name.
The solution: frameless aluminum systems
The priority for this build was maximizing glass area to match the wide, open interior layout. To achieve tall and wide window and door units with minimal frame visibility, we chose slim-frame aluminum systems.
Products chosen for the project:
- Aliplast Max Light Modern – for windows and swing doors
- Cortizo COR Vision for sliding doors
- Cortizo COR Vision Plus for sliding doors
These systems allowed us to deliver elements like 16 ft wide by 10 ft high sliding doors, and windows reaching 10 ft or 8 ft in height, the same time having narrow frames, e.g. 1.38 inch frame (35 mm) for fixed windows.
Custom features included:
- Smart glass that switches from privacy mode to transparent
- Cool-lite sunproof glass to limit heat gain
- Tempered safety glass
- Concealed hinges for a cleaner window look
- Flush thresholds for seamless indoor-outdoor transition
- Modern jet black finish (the most intense shade of balck)
The results
The project is located on Long Island – one of the most expensive real estate markets in the U.S. The windows have been delivered, and the house is currently listed for sale at $14.5 million (see the Zillow listing).
We helped the developer reduce window and door costs by around 50% compared to equivalent U.S. systems, while using higher-quality profiles sourced from proven Polish manufacturers.
The large glass surfaces deliver not just visual impact, but reliable long-term use. Thanks to solid engineering and tested components, future homeowners can expect trouble-free operation, which helps protect the developer’s reputation and resale value.
How does Roland feel about working with debesto?
The biggest help that debesto provides is serving as the bridge between the architect and the ordering of the windows, because it’s a long and detailed process. Each window and option is carefully considered to ensure it arrives as specified and doesn’t need to be reframed or reinstalled.
The technical sales team ensures the architect and client get exactly what they want, reviewing everything multiple times before producing the invoice. We literally go window by window to make sure it’s the right window with the right features.
Want to achieve similar results?
- Source premium-quality windows for lower price
- Match design and spec without delays or compromise
- Get support with logistics
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