Window to Innovation

Above and below: Home built by Tim Harper, Owner of Rabun Contracting. Photos by Ben Couch, Grit Blueprint.

I remember when my dad first took me to Lake Burton in our lumber truck. I was about seven or eight years old. Our truck was full of aluminum-clad windows and doors we were delivering to a lake house being built. As we drove the winding mountain roads, Dad looked in the mirror at our load. “Pay attention, Stef,” he said, pointing to the shoreline. “These lake houses are special. Each one is unique and built with craftsmanship you won’t find anywhere else in North Georgia.” This was when I fell in love with luxury homes, and Lake Burton and Rabun stole my heart.

Those early days shaped my career in ways I never expected. I started Grit Blueprint with this passion. I get to show off our industry’s best products and people. I love visiting homes with amazing craftsmanship and design.

There’s magic in these spaces. Every small detail adds to the story, and my husband, Ben, captures it all with his camera.

What’s new in windows and doors

We went to the International Builders’ Show in February in Las Vegas and saw amazing new windows and doors. Pivot doors that seemed to float in air. Huge sliding glass walls that moved like silk. Smart glass that changed from clear to cloudy with just one button press.

We just saw these new designs up close at a home by Tim Harper of Rabun Contracting on Lake Rabun in my beloved Northeast Georgia. Tim’s vision for this lakeside masterpiece began with hand-drawn sketches that perfectly captured the lot’s potential to frame the water views. He designed the home to bring the picture-perfect lake scenery inside from every angle. The house showcases aluminum-clad Marvin windows and doors throughout, providing both durability against the lake’s moisture and a sleek aesthetic that frames the water views. The home’s crowning feature is a custom double front entry door crafted from sapele mahogany—its rich, reddish-brown tones creating a warm welcome that contrasts beautifully with the home’s modern lines. The door’s natural grain patterns create stunning visual depth that draws the eye immediately. This project showed how the right windows and doors can make a house extraordinary.

While our Northeast Georgia lakes provide a perfect backdrop for these innovations, similar trends are appearing across the country. In the Pacific Northwest, architects are using these same window wall systems to frame mountain and forest views while emphasizing weather-resistant finishes that stand up to coastal rain. Desert regions like Arizona and New Mexico are embracing indoor-outdoor living with sliding systems that include specialized UV protection and cooling features. In urban settings from Chicago to Boston, industrial-inspired windows and doors are transforming converted warehouses and lofts with sleek, space-maximizing designs.

Giant doors: Breaking boundaries

The days of standard 3-foot by 6-foot, 8-inch front doors are over. In 2025, doors aren’t just functional—they’re statements.

Pivot doors: The new status symbol

Pivot doors are changing luxury home entrances. Unlike normal hinged doors, they rotate on a spindle. This design allows for huge door panels, some as tall as 14 feet and 6 feet wide. Today’s engineering can support up to 1,000 pounds while still opening smoothly.

What makes them special:

• Off-center pivot points create more visual impact
• No visible hinges for a cleaner look
• Can be made from glass, wood, metal or mixed materials
• Typically cost $5,000-$25,000 depending on size and materials
• Last 20+ years with proper maintenance

Industry Insight: For dealers and installers, pivot door projects require specialized training and equipment. The increased complexity translates to higher margins ($1,500-3,000 additional per installation, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association “Installation Revenue Report” 2024) but requires careful pre-installation assessment. Leading distributors are now offering certification programs specifically for large-format door installations. For coastal or harsh-weather regions, manufacturers have developed enhanced weather sealing and material treatments that installers should familiarize themselves with to ensure warranty compliance and customer satisfaction.

Brands like Simpson Door Co. and Panda Windows & Doors lead these innovations. I was particularly struck by Panda’s Odyssey collection at this year’s IBS—its finish created a depth that made me feel like I was looking out into space right on a front door. The galaxy-like effect gives these doors an almost three-dimensional appearance that changes as you move around it, bringing an artistic element to functional entryways.

Bold colors: Black remains king with surprising new options

Black doors and windows dominate across all market segments in 2025, not just luxury homes. The Plastpro Onyx collection exemplifies this trend with doors featuring a true, deep black finish that doesn’t fade or chalk like earlier black doors often did.

What makes the Onyx collection special is its material composition that absorbs light differently than traditional fiberglass, creating a richness of color that previously was only possible with expensive paint treatments. The collection includes various textures and panel designs that all maintain the same consistent black tone throughout.

But the most surprising door I saw at this year’s IBS wasn’t black at all—it was pink! A soft, elegant blush pink pivot door created as a custom showcase piece. While it certainly won’t be for everyone, it signals that manufacturers are finally embracing broader color options beyond the traditional palette. This particular door combined the soft color with minimalist design elements, creating a modern statement that would transform any façade.

The color trends vary significantly by region. In the Southwest, we’re seeing warm terra cotta and adobe-inspired finishes gaining popularity. The Pacific Northwest favors rich, weather-resistant natural wood tones that complement the lush landscape. Urban markets are exploring industrial metallic finishes that reference the architectural heritage of city centers.

Industry Insight: For dealers, showroom displays with actual colored product samples under various lighting conditions are proving to be significant sales drivers. Manufacturers report 30% higher conversion rates when customers can physically experience color options. Dealers who invest in color-matching services are seeing increased order values and stronger relationships with designers and architects. The advanced finishes now available offer significantly improved durability and longevity compared to previous generations, creating opportunities for dealers to highlight performance benefits and comprehensive warranty packages that build customer confidence and loyalty.

Sliding wall systems: Blurring indoor and outdoor lines

Sliding wall systems are transforming homes by connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. New products from Lincoln Windows and Doors, ODL, and Quaker Windows and Doors feature:

• Zero-threshold tracks, which are great for accessibility
• Precision bearings that let 500-pound doors move with just two fingers
• Smart automation for hands-free use
• Energy ratings 40% better than systems from just five years ago
• Lower maintenance requirements with new track materials

The 2025 Houzz and Home Annual Survey reports about 60% of luxury homes now use multi-panel sliding systems. Homeowners report these systems are their most used and loved feature, especially in areas with mild climates.

Industry Insight: Dealers who specialize in sliding wall systems reported 40% year-over-year growth in this category in NAHB’s 2024 “Emerging Product Category Growth” study. The key to success is developing installation teams specifically trained for these complex systems. The high price point creates significant margin opportunities, particularly when dealers include structural modification services and flooring transition solutions in the package. Manufacturers offering comprehensive installation training and certification programs are gaining market share. The most successful dealers are those positioning themselves as consultants, helping architects incorporate these systems early in the design process to avoid costly modifications later in construction.

Automation and technology: The smart home revolution

Windows and doors are now active, smart parts of a home’s system.

Smart glass: Privacy at the touch of a button

One of the most impressive innovations gaining traction in 2025 is smart glass technology that transforms from transparent to opaque instantly. This switchable glass eliminates the need for traditional window treatments while offering unprecedented privacy control.

The technology uses either electrochromic or polymer dispersed liquid crystal film that changes opacity when electrical current is applied.

High-end applications feature gradient options, allowing partial privacy or light filtering rather than just on/off functionality.

Key advantages for both residential and commercial applications include:

• Instant privacy without sacrificing natural light
• UV protection that reduces furniture fading by up to 95%
• Integration with home automation systems
• Energy savings of up to 30% through solar heat control, as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy

Industry Insight: Smart glass installations are commanding premium pricing with margins 20% to 40% higher than traditional windows of comparable size, according to a January 2025 study from the Glass Technology Institute. Dealers report that demonstrations of the technology in showrooms create powerful “wow” moments that significantly impact purchasing decisions. Training is critical, as improper installation can lead to connectivity issues. Forward-thinking dealers are creating package offerings that combine smart glass with complementary technologies like automated shading systems and climate control for whole-home solutions. The service component for these systems represents a valuable recurring revenue stream, with customers typically requiring software updates and calibration every 12 to 18 months.

Voice and app control

• Homeowners can control windows and doors using:
• Voice commands (“Alexa, close the skylights”)
• Mobile apps that work anywhere
• Automated responses to changing conditions

For example, a 2024 study from the Building Technologies Office shows smart windows can open when carbon dioxide levels rise, improving air quality and reducing energy bills by 15% to 20%. Skylights close automatically when rain is detected, and front doors unlock with facial recognition that’s 99.9% reliable.

Different regions are adopting these technologies at varying rates. Urban centers in California and the Northeast are leading in comprehensive smart home integration, while Midwestern markets show increasing interest in security-focused features. Rural installations tend to prioritize remote access capabilities that allow homeowners to monitor and control entry points from a distance.

Industry Insight: Smart technology integration represents a significant opportunity for dealers to increase average order value by $1,500-$5,000 per project, according to a 2024 study from the Smart Home Institute. Forward-thinking dealers are partnering with home automation specialists to offer turnkey solutions. Manufacturers with open API architectures are gaining preference among integrators, creating new partnership opportunities. Training sales teams on technical compatibility is essential. The 2024 report, “Technology Integration in Home Construction” from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, reported 65% of dealers lost sales due to inadequate knowledge of integration capabilities.

Security innovations

Home security has evolved far beyond traditional locks:

• Biometric access (fingerprints, facial recognition)
• Impact-resistant glass with embedded break-in sensors
• AI monitoring that can tell an accident from a break-in attempt
• Instant alerts sent to your phone and security company
• Integration with home security systems.

These features have been shown to reduce break-in attempts by 85% in homes where they’re visible to potential intruders, according to a 2024 study from Underwriters Laboratories.

Industry Insight: Security features have become a key differentiator, with 78% of sales professionals in the Security Industry Association reporting that security is now among the top three customer priorities.

The most successful dealers position themselves as security consultants rather than just product suppliers. Partnerships with insurance providers that offer premium discounts for certified systems are creating new lead-generation channels. Manufacturers offering dealer certification in security product installation report 45% higher attachment rates for premium features in an analysis from the Home Security Market Research Group.

Honoring craftsmanship while embracing innovation

As I watch these amazing changes in our industry, I think back to those early days in the lumber truck with my dad. His lessons on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the artistry of windows and doors still guide me.

We talk a lot about today’s technology, but the foundation remains the same: Quality matters. Craftsmanship shows. Materials speak for themselves.

Today’s best designs blend indoor comfort with outdoor access. They use smart technology while keeping classic styles. The very best designs focus on one key idea: great homes should fit their surroundings. True luxury connects you to nature and craftsmanship, making your home feel one-of-a-kind.

What innovations excite you the most in the window and door world? I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.