USA
Urban infill in New Jersey: 50% savings on uPVC and aluminum windows mix – case study
place
New Jersey , USA
How do you install European windows without the right gear or crew and still protect your margin? That was Christoph’s problem. He was building two homes in New Jersey: one to keep, one to sell.
With no installer for Euro systems and no experience importing windows, he couldn’t afford mistakes.
But with the right system and a trusted installer from our network, he saved 50% on windows for the for-sale unit – and got it done right. Here’s how.
What did Christoph and his company gain?
CONNECTION TO A PRO INSTALLER
We connected Christoph with a local pro familiar with European window systems.
EUROPEAN QUALITY, NO U.S. MARKUP
He got high-performance windows, including large custom units, at 50% less per sqft than U.S. vendors.
SEAMLESS REMOTE WORKFLOW
All handled online: calls, specs, approvals. Windows met U.S. codes.
About the company
debesto’s client: Developer
Project: Two single-family homes
Location: New Jersey, United States of America
Experience in the field: 15 years
Experience in importing windows: No
Challenges and problems to solve: no installer, no systems chosen
Christoph knew he wanted: high-quality European windows. But he didn’t know how to make them work on a U.S. jobsite.
As a developer used to American systems and subcontractors, he had never imported windows before.
His main concern was clear: how to find an installer who wouldn’t mess up the job. He hadn’t picked a system yet – material, profile, and other details were still open.
What he needed was more than just a supplier. He was looking for guidance: help choosing the right system, making sure it fit the project, and getting it installed right the first time.
Project requirements: two homes, tight lot
Chris was building two single-family homes side by side – one to sell, one to live in. The site: a narrow urban lot in New Jersey, just across the river from Manhattan.
Project needs included:
- Triple glazing on some windows for noise reduction.
- Tempered glass for floor-level windows, as required by local code.
- Fixed windows wherever ventilation wasn’t needed.
Before we spoke, Chris hadn’t finalized specs like material, color, or whether to use nailing fins, which made it harder to find a qualified installer familiar with European systems.
How we made it work step by step
Chris started by talking to other clients near New Jersey and New York. He got references, saw installed windows in person, and confirmed the product quality himself.
Then came the key issue: finding the right installer. Thanks to our U.S. network, we connected Chris with our other customer Volodymyr (local and proven installer), solving the biggest risk in his plan.
During online meetings with our tech advisor Jakub and business consultant Sebastian, we went over:
- the project specs,
- lead time,
- and window system choices.
For the house he planned to sell, we chose Ideal Neo – a uPVC system with aluminum-look. Using alu-look PVC instead of aluminum is a smart cost move we often recommend: it cuts material costs by about 50% and helps protect resale margins.
For his own home, he opted for aluminum. We recommended Aluprof MB-79N for its solid performance and cost efficiency (see the best aluminum windows ranking). And to cut traffic noise, we used triple glazing on street-facing windows.
Products chosen for the project:
- Aluprof MB-79N for windows and French glass doors
- Aluprof MB-86N for aluminum entry doors
- Aluplast Ideal Neo for windows, French glass doors and entry doors
Custom options:
- Safety tempered glass where required by U.S. building code
- Double and triple glazing, based on room orientation and noise exposure
- Anthracite grey matt finish for aluminum
- Anthracite grey sand-structure finish for uPVC
Install? Not a problem. It’s about the same as American windows. If you’re experienced, you’ll handle it.
The only real challenge was the weight – these windows are just much heavier than typical American ones. But to me, that also means better quality. More material, more solid build.European windows give you much more flexibility in size. You can go big – wide openings, more light -and the price per square foot stays the same. In the US, anything custom-sized like that would cost double or even triple.
The results
Chris had never imported windows before or installed European systems on a U.S. jobsite. He needed quality products, fair pricing, and real support throughout the process. Here’s what he achieved:
- Saved 50% by using alu-look PVC instead of aluminum in a project where maximizing sale margin was the goal.
- Found a trusted installer with experience in European windows
- Saved up to 50% per square foot by ordering directly from Poland
- Matched window specs to his project needs – meeting code without overpaying
All with no delays, no confusion, and windows that made sense for both the site and the budget.
How does Christoph feel about working with debesto?
100% I would recommend debesto. People visiting the construction site ask me about the windows, I always recommend debesto and what they did.
They were very thorough and very professional. I liked the step-by-step approach. We did video meetings, built up a good relationship – it was easy to work with them.
They made all the efforts to get this project off the ground.
Both the aluminum and the uPVC windows came out very nice. They look awesome, I’m very happy with it.
Want similar results?
- Get high-quality European windows at up to 50% less
- Align design, specs, and code without costly delays
- Simplify importing with expert support
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