Glass Solutions

What Glass Solutions does

Glass Solutions Incorporated (GSI) is a privately held, full-service commercial glazing and facade contractor founded in 1999 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. The company fabricates and installs exterior facades, tenant improvements, and specialty glazing for healthcare, education, commercial real estate, hospitality, and government clients across the U.S. Midwest (Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa). Its core technical offering centers on a proprietary UCW 3400 Series Unitized Curtainwall System, complemented by custom point-supported curtain walls, digital printed glass, and interior glazing systems. Operations are vertically integrated across pre-construction design assist, BIM/Revit digital twin modeling, in-house 3D printing of 1:1 prototypes, thermal performance testing, and a static test chamber — all feeding a 100,000 sq ft automated manufacturing facility in Itasca that supplies 100% self-performed installation by Union Local 27 Glaziers.

GSI generates revenue primarily through project-based contracts — lump sum, design-assist to lump sum, integrated project delivery (IPD), and negotiated arrangements — with general contractors (Turner, Gilbane, Pepper, Power, Rockford, Bulley & Andrews, Clune, Skender) and tier-1 architectural firms (HOK, Gensler, Perkins+Will, Studio Gang, SmithGroup). Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no publicly disclosed tiers. Marquee projects include the 180,000 sq ft University of Chicago Medicine Cancer Center, Willis Tower repositioning for Blackstone, Notre Dame Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Building, Amway Grand Hotel facade renovation, and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. The firm holds the North American Contractor Certification (NACC) as the first Chicago-area contractor to do so, has participated in projects earning LEED Platinum/Gold/Silver certifications, and was named Best Glass Glazing Company to Work For by USGlass Magazine in 2022 and American Contract Glazier in 2023. Leadership comprises CEO Andy Hill, President Jon Norris, COO James Scholes, CFO Jacob Gurke, VP of Sales Sean Hill, VP of Operations Greg Wojciechowicz, and VP of Manufacturing Andrew Wright.

Name

Glass Solutions

Legal name

Glass Solutions Incorporated

Website

https://gsichicago.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Glass Solutions is a Midwest-focused commercial glazing and facade contractor founded in 1999, serving healthcare, education, and commercial real estate clients with proprietary unitized curtain wall systems, in-house manufacturing, and 100% union self-performed installation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Glazing & Facade Contracting

NAICS

Glass and Glazing Contractors (23815), Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass (327215)

SIC

Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass (3231)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural & Building Glazing Systems (Curtain Wall/Storefront/Canopies) (IMADAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Glazing & Glass Partitions (IMAFANAK), Glass Fabrication & Processing Services (Cutting/Edging/Drilling/Polishing) (IMADAHAI)

Keywords

• Commercial glazing services
• Facade installation
• Curtain wall systems
• Exterior glazing contracting
• Building envelope services

Headquarters

HQ city

Itasca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Glazing and Facade Installation Services: GSI generates revenue through project-based contracts for exterior facades, tenant improvements, and specialty glazing. Revenue is earned through lump sum contracts, integrated project delivery (IPD), design-assist to lump sum arrangements, and negotiated project delivery methods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Glass Solutions is a commercial glazing and facade installation contractor that designs, engineers, fabricates, and installs unitized curtain wall systems, custom point-supported curtain walls, tenant improvement glazing, and specialty architectural glazing for commercial and institutional buildings. The company operates from a manufacturing facility in Itasca, Illinois, providing vertically integrated design-assist, fabrication, and installation services.

Product overview

Glass Solutions is a full-service, Midwestern glazing and facade contractor providing commercial glass services since 1999. The company operates as a single unified offering centered on exterior facades, tenant improvements, and specialty glazing installation services. Their core products include proprietary unitized curtain wall systems (UCW 3400 Series) and custom glazing solutions. Services encompass the full project lifecycle from pre-construction (BIM/Revit modeling, design assist) through manufacturing (100,000 sq. ft. facility in Itasca, IL) to installation (100% self-performed by Local 27 Union Glaziers), complemented by testing, mockups, and quality assurance services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exterior Facades Design-assist, engineering, manufacturing, and installation of unitized curtain wall and panelized facade systems for commercial and institutional buildings.
• Tenant Improvements Interior glazing and glass partition installations for commercial tenant buildouts and office fit-outs.
• Specialty Glazing Custom architectural glazing installations including point-supported systems, glass canopies, and decorative glass features for signature commercial projects.
• UCW 3400 Unitized Curtain Wall System Proprietary in-house engineered unitized curtain wall system manufactured and installed by Glass Solutions for commercial building envelopes.
• Custom Unitized Curtain Wall Systems Project-specific engineered unitized curtain wall solutions designed and fabricated to meet unique performance and aesthetic requirements.
• Custom Point Supported Curtain Wall Custom designed point-supported glazing systems featuring minimal framing and high-transparency glass for signature architectural applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Chicago-Area Contractor to Earn North American Contractor Certification (NACC)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Bulley & AndrewscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for construction projects including DePaul School of Music.
• ClunecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for projects including Ernst & Young office interior.
• GilbanecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Cleveland Clinic and 10 & 120 S Riverside projects.
• Pepper ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Pritzker Military Museum & Library project.
• Power ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Skokie Hospital project.
• Rockford ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Amway Grand Hotel facade renovation.
• Skender ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Hinshaw and Culbertson office project.
• Turner ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral contractor partner for Willis Tower and University of Chicago projects.
• Union Local 27 GlazierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSI's 100% of projects are installed by Union Local 27 Glaziers. Working closely with Union partners, GSI provides rigorous in-house training for all field team members.
• HOKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural firm partner for Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Building and University of Kentucky Health Education Building.
• GenslercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural firm partner for Willis Tower repositioning project.
• Perkins + WillcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural firm partner for Ernst & Young office project.
• Studio Gang ArchitectscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural firm partner for Solstice on the Park project.
• SmithGroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural firm partner for Chamberlain building and AAH IMMC projects.
• Advocate HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare system owner for multiple projects including AAH IMMC CAC Expansion.
• Northwestern MedicinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare system owner for Med Properties project in Oakbrook, IL.
• BlackstonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuilding owner for Willis Tower repositioning project.
• HinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate firm owner for 10 & 120 S Riverside Renovation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Enclos Corp. National specialty contractor designing, manufacturing, and installing custom curtain wall and facade systems for commercial buildings; comparable to GSI's unitized curtain wall and facade scope, but operating at larger national scale.
• Harmon (Apogee): Full-service glazing and curtain wall contractor within Apogee Enterprises, focused on architectural glass and facade installation for commercial construction; closely comparable in product offering and customer type to GSI.
• W&W Glass LLC: Specialty glazing contractor supplying and installing storefront, curtain wall, and architectural glass systems in the Northeast US; comparable product mix and project-based delivery model to GSI.
• Walters & Wolf: West Coast-based curtain wall and glazing contractor providing design-assist, fabrication, and installation services for commercial facades; comparable vertically integrated service model to GSI.
• Benson Industries: Curtain wall and facade systems contractor delivering custom unitized and stick-built systems for high-rise and large commercial buildings; comparable in scope, although more nationally oriented.
• Tower Glass Inc. Commercial glazing contractor providing curtain wall, window wall, and storefront systems for commercial and institutional projects; comparable in size and product offering to GSI.

Broad incumbents

• Flynn Companies (Facade): Large Canadian-headquartered building envelope contractor offering glazing, curtain wall, roofing, and cladding services; overlaps with GSI in facade/glazing but is part of a broader multi-trade portfolio.
• Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope: National manufacturer and installer of architectural glass, glazing systems, and storefront/curtain wall components; broad incumbent serving similar customer base though manufacturing scale exceeds GSI.

Regional players

• Architectural Glass & Aluminum Co. Mid-Atlantic commercial glazing and aluminum/glass installation contractor focused on storefronts, entrances, and curtain wall; comparable specialty glazing services though operating in a different US region.
• Crescent Glass Inc. Southern US-based commercial glass and glazing contractor providing storefront, curtain wall, and interior glazing installation; comparable specialty trade contractor model, though operating in a different region than GSI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/glasssolutionsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/glass-solutions-inc
• Xx.com/gsichicago

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glass Solutions