About CR Laurence (CRL)
CR Laurence Company — universally known in the trade as CRL — is the dominant North American specialty supplier of glass hardware, architectural glazing components, and specialty framing systems for the glazing industry. Founded in 1961 in Los Angeles, California, by Chauncey Raleigh Laurence, the company grew from a regional glass hardware supplier into the primary catalog source for the North American glazing trade. CRL was acquired by Germany's Würth Group in 2015 and now operates as part of one of the world's largest fastener and hardware distribution organizations.
The CRL product catalog spans tens of thousands of SKUs: glass clamps, standoffs, patch fittings, frameless door hardware, shower and tub enclosure hardware, frameless glass railing and balustrade systems, channel glass framing, architectural metal components, and aluminum storefront systems (under the U.S. Aluminum brand). The company manufactures a portion of its product line and sources complementary items globally, acting as both manufacturer and distributor depending on the category. U.S. Aluminum, operated as a CRL brand, offers commercial aluminum storefronts and entrance systems as a distinct fabricated product line.
For glazing contractors, CRL is typically the first call for any specialty glass hardware sourcing — from standard patch fittings on a frameless storefront to custom standoffs on a structural glass wall. The company's next-day shipping infrastructure, broad catalog depth, and technical documentation make it the default supply source for most glazing trade professionals. Specifiers writing frameless glazing assemblies often reference CRL hardware series numbers directly in construction documents, as they are recognized across the industry.
Company Snapshot
Product Lines
Glass Hardware and Fittings
Patch fittings, clamps, standoffs, glass-to-glass hinges, and frameless door hardware for shower, storefront, and architectural glass assemblies.
- Frameless shower and bath enclosure hardware
- Commercial patch fittings and pivot hardware
- Structural point-fixed glazing fittings
- Multiple finish options including polished chrome, brushed nickel, and matte black
Architectural Glass Railings
Frameless and framed glass railing and balustrade systems for commercial and residential balconies, staircases, and deck applications.
- Base shoe, standoff, and top rail systems
- Tempered and laminated glass compatibility
- ADA-compliant handrail options
- Aluminum and stainless steel construction
U.S. Aluminum Storefronts
Commercial aluminum storefront, entrance, and framing systems manufactured under the U.S. Aluminum brand as a CRL product line.
- Standard and thermally broken aluminum profiles
- Coordinated entrance door systems
- Full glazing contractor supply available from CRL distribution
Channel Glass Systems
Pilkington Profilit and specialty channel glass framing systems for translucent wall and partition applications.
- U-channel glass framing components
- Interior and exterior wall applications
- Privacy and diffuse light transmission
Common Applications
Commercial Glazing Contractors
The primary CRL customer — glazing subcontractors who source hardware, fittings, and specialty components for commercial and residential glazing projects.
Residential Specialty Glazing
Custom frameless shower enclosures, glass railings, and architectural glass features in residential renovation and new construction.
Architectural and Design Specification
Architects and designers who specify CRL hardware series by number in construction documents for frameless glazing assemblies.
What To Know
Catalog depth without peer
CRL's tens of thousands of SKUs means virtually any glass hardware need can be sourced from a single supplier — rare for a specialty category.
Next-day shipping infrastructure
Distribution centers positioned for rapid delivery across North America support the just-in-time requirements of active glazing projects.
De facto specification standard
CRL hardware numbers appear in architects' construction documents by name — a recognition level few specialty hardware manufacturers achieve.
Editorial profile based on CR Laurence public product and company materials; last reviewed May 2026.