March/April 2020

PPP Update: Loan forgiveness, audits and more

The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program offers much-needed emergency financing for companies affected by the COVID-related economic downturn. However, the program has introduced numerous questions among business owners, many of whom are now concerned about available…

How to Reopen the Workplace: Part 1, The Office

As state stay-at-home orders are lifted, many employees may be returning to the office. “Preparing Your Office and Employees for Returning to the Workplace,” a webinar presented by the American Society of Association Executives, offered further insights from consultants and professionals for…

How to Leverage Instagram and LinkedIn for Sales and Marketing

Marketers are tasked with finding new ways to get in front of potential customers and communicating messages that resonate. And, with people remaining home under coronavirus-induced shelter-in-place orders, organic reach is incredible right now. More people than ever are online and the time is ripe…

Emergency Financing: Options for urgent, short-term and mid-term funding

During an April 22 webinar from the National Glass Association, financial expert Marco Terry, managing director of Commercial Capital LLC, provided an overview of emergency financing options for companies. Terry noted urgent funding available for companies in addition to options for short- and mid-…

Communication in the Time of COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many companies to shut their physical doors and move operations online where possible. Among the challenges some face is how to best communicate to maintain relationships with existing customers and partner companies and how to attract new business.

COVID-19 Economic Update: Indicators Provide Clearer Picture as States Consider Re-opening

Economic indicators give a clearer picture as to the state of the housing industry as governors commence conversations about re-opening parts of the economy

Do Your Employees Qualify for Paid Leave Due to COVID-19?

To help employees determine when they qualify for paid leave, the NGA has developed a fact sheet that you can distribute to a company’s workforce.

Working Remotely: Hardware, Software and Soft Skills

“The Additional Pressure the Outbreak Places on Your Information Technology Operations,” part of Associated General Contractors “Navigating the Outbreak” webinar series, examines how companies can adapt and upgrade their IT processes to continue communicating and collaborating at home.

Cash Management: Five Ways Builder Customer Expectations May Change

Establishing a cash reserve requires taking a critical look at cash flow, something you and your customers will be keeping a close eye on for the foreseeable future.

Invest During Difficult Times

5 fundamental questions to consider when reevaluating goals and performance.

COVID-19 Economic Update: “No Question” US Is in a Recession

March data paints a grim picture that caused several industry economists to declare the U.S. is in a recession. “We are in recession, full-stop, no question about it,” says Richard Branch, chief economist, Dodge Data & Analytics.

CARES Act: Small Business Loan Options for Fenestration Companies

To assist businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, there are two intriguing Small Business Administration loan programs that are part of the new CARES Act signed into law on March 27, 2020.

COVID-19 Economic Update: Recent Developments Offer Hope

As has been the case since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the duration of the virus’s sweep across the country will determine if the economy rebounds quickly or if it’s in for a longer recession, said Ali Wolf, chief economist of Meyers Research, in an economic update webinar on April 1.

First Look at the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act economic provisions include broad assistance and incentives to shore-up businesses and institutions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Safety Considerations Amidst COVID-19

The current approach for handling employees’ confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases is “better safe than sorry,” according to Howard Mavity, partner at Fisher Phillips law firm.

COVID-19 Economic Outlook: Race Against Time

Policymakers are acting fast to keep the economy as stable as possible and reduce the duration of an inevitable recession in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Ali Wolf, chief economist of Meyers Research, in a webinar on March 25.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: What are your obligations for paid and unpaid leave?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is slated to take effect no later than April 2 and is set to last until the end of 2020. Per the act’s stipulations, employers are required to provide some paid relief for employees, but employers may apply for tax credits on a quarterly basis that…

4 Things Sub-Contractors Can Do Today, Amid COVID-19 Disruptions

In a March 19 webinar from the American Subcontractors Association, Brian Wood, partner with Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP, offered tips for subcontractors as they navigate construction market disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

Initial Outlook: Economic Impacts of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing with it global uncertainty, fueled by unknowns as to long-term impacts, duration and economic implications. “It’s a given we will have an adverse economic impact in the first and second quarters of 2020,” said Ali Wolf, chief economist of Meyers Research, during a…

Fenestration Industry Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., businesses—including those in the fenestration industry—have been tasked with changing the way they operate to ensure safety and health of employees and customers. 

COVID-19 Coverage from Window + Door

Window + Door is dedicated to covering the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects our industry. This is your hub for all articles and news briefs on coronavirus related to our industry. Click on the links to find information from industry sources, the latest updates on events…

How Will Coronavirus Affect Manufacturing and Construction?

Now that cases of coronavirus have increased across the country, and cities and states have instituted more extreme measures to control the spread, the construction and manufacturing sectors could be in for more serious disruptions. Some reports from across the industry:

Multi-panel Doors | Big, Bold, High Performance

Bigger openings, more glass, larger panels and narrower frames dominate the multi-panel door market today. All of these attributes fulfill what customers seem to want most: a connection with the outdoors and prolific natural light.  

Multi-panel Configurations

Overall project considerations, functionality, performance, aesthetics, available wall space, desired purpose and interaction, and budget all determine which type of multi-panel door is appropriate for a given project, including multi-slide, bifold and lift-and-slide…

Closer Look

Materials heavily influence the aesthetics and performance considerations of multi-panel doors, as well as impacting ease of functionality. 

Doorglass

Divided Light for Entry Doors

Architectural styles—even the most contemporary expressions of an architect’s creativity—are drawn from the pre-existing, visual language of architecture inherited from earlier styles. These styles can remain with us in legacy buildings, modern revivals and elements repurposed and reinterpreted for…

After the Storm

Natural disasters often spur conversations around resiliency in building, but the term can be vague and broadly defined. 

Digital Manufacturing

Digital transformation strategies may differ from one manufacturer to the next, but many have a common endgame.

Field Testing

The FGIA provides pre-occupancy field testing methods in the form of three AAMA specifications.

Anticipating Challenges to Product Warranties

3 Lead Generation Channels

Legislative Outlook | Part 3

Window and door manufacturers will be dealing with a complex legislative landscape in 2020, according to legislative experts at the Window & Door Manufacturers Association. Beginning the year with partial resolutions for some of the ongoing trade and tariff tensions, WDMA officials offered…

Legislative Outlook | Part 2

Window and door manufacturers will be dealing with a complex legislative landscape in 2020, according to legislative experts at the Window & Door Manufacturers Association. Beginning the year with partial resolutions for some of the ongoing trade and tariff tensions, WDMA officials offered…

Legislative Outlook | Part 1

Window and door manufacturers will be dealing with a complex legislative landscape in 2020, according to legislative experts at the Window & Door Manufacturers Association. Beginning the year with partial resolutions for some of the ongoing trade and tariff tensions, WDMA officials offered…