Latest Articles in Design & Performance

  • May 9, 2016
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Design & Performance

    The Luxury of Automation
    Fenestration follows suit in smart home technology
    Kolbe’s sliding door automation systems utilize an interactive wall switch, providing easy-to-use, push-button controls, as well as a feedback feature for serviceability. These systems are available for field-installation on Ultra Series and VistaLuxe complementary multi-slide doors, as well as Ultra Series TerraSpan Lift & Slide doors. (Image courtesy of Kolbe.) The popularity... more »
  • May 3, 2016
    THE TALK... | Codes & Standards

    Quality Management
    Everyone wants to deliver quality—whether in terms of products or installation. Today, there is an increasing focus on developing front-end quality-control procedures as critical steps to meeting end goals. Documenting these early quality evaluations is essential.   The North American Fenestration Standard/Specification and its prior individual standards always required fenestration... more »
  • March 13, 2016
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Design & Performance

    Designing for Future Success
    Creating the framework for new product development
    Seldom can you stand still—you either move forward or stagnate and lose market share. A sound policy to generate sales growth is to strengthen your product line with innovative products. Developing new products enables manufacturers to appeal to a wider geographic arena as well as enter into additional markets. Interpreting Market Signals In developing a new product line, it’s... more »
  • March 13, 2016
    COLUMN : Code Arena | Codes & Standards

    Interruption in the Cycle
    System glitches alter ICC code development path for 2016
    State and local jurisdiction adoption and enforcement of the 2015 International Building Code, 2015 International Residential Code and 2015 International Energy Conservation Code continues to grow. As of press time, the International Code Council website reports that the 2015 IBC is being enforced either statewide or locally in five states, and the 2015 IRC and 2015 IECC in three states. At the... more »
  • January 12, 2016
    THE TALK... | Codes & Standards

    What’s in Your Warranty?
    Authors Note: While The Gary Law Group has written articles for Window & Door over the years, we are pleased to be given this opportunity to join the 21st century and pen our first Talk. Our firm focuses on providing legal services to the fenestration industry and we look forward to tapping into that expertise to provide you with blog posts throughout 2016. We seek and appreciate any and all... more »
  • January 4, 2016
    COLUMN : Code Arena | Codes & Standards

    International Code Requirements for Windows & Doors
    Courtesy of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association How to Use this Guide This article focuses on the requirements of the 2015 editions of the IRC and IECC for residential fenestration, with emphasis on the changes that have occurred between the 2012 and 2015 editions of those codes. The user of this summary is cautioned, however, that it is not intended to be a full discussion of... more »
  • November 17, 2015
    THE TALK... | Codes & Standards

    Do You Know Your EEROs?
    During my years of window replacement, I was only somewhat acquainted with clear opening size requirements for Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings—5 square feet for first floor bedrooms and 5.7 square feet for upstairs bedrooms. That was about all I knew off the cuff. I also referenced window manufacturers’ standard sizing tables that identified what sizing met egress... more »
  • October 26, 2015
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Design & Performance

    On Display at WMA 2015
    The World Millwork Alliance (formerly AMD), will host its 51st annual convention and tradeshow October 31 through November 4, 2015 at the Cobb Galleria Convention Centre in Atlanta. Get a sneak peek at what the exhibitors will have on display. See the products... more »
  • October 26, 2015
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Design & Performance

    Win-Door North America 2015: Product Preview
    Win-door North America, held Nov. 3-5, 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, features machinery, doors, hardware, wood products and systems, the latest computer software, testing services and more on display for fenestration and door professionals. Click below for a sample of what you’ll see from exhibitors. See the products... more »
  • September 21, 2015
    COLUMN : From the Field | Methods & Techniques

    Big Windows in High Places
    In each of our regions, we become accustomed to “typical characteristics” of existing housing that affect our fenestration replacements. These include certain wall construction, exterior cladding materials, recurring window frame material, and physical sizes of the homes. This deceptively large triple located just below a 20-foot ceiling required an interior scaffold. (Images... more »