Source: DOOR & Window MARKET MAGAZINE by John Hollis and Tara Taffera
Those who attended the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convention in Denver last week were able to view the latest innovations from door and window manufacturers including new door lines, sliding door systems and an automated exterior shade system. One manufacturer even educated architects on how windows can help a building get to net zero energy. One theme did seem to emerge at AIA: many of the exhibitors showed architects products that focused on a better view—whether in the form of large pieces of glass or sliding door systems.
Marvin introduced the Automated Exterior Shade System that utilizes a motorized lifting system and combines both infrared and radio frequency technology. The system can be programmed with timed events to automatically provide exactly the right amount of light 24 hours a day, allowing the sun to warm a home during cool weather while also closing the shades at times when the homeowner desires to keep the sun out. The advanced technology allows homeowners to preset the precise shading position for optimal energy management, privacy and mood.
The motorized, fully programmable shading system is an extension of sorts of the passive building system primarily seen most commonly in Europe until now, according to Marvin. In this system’s design, windows, walls and floors are made to collect, store and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter, while rejecting solar heat in the summer.
“Marvin Windows is the only company in the United States that has passed all these tests needed for the passive building codes,” said Steve Lien, a senior commercial sales representative for Marvin. “The people who want to know about this are very interested.”
The motorized, fully programmable shading system is an extension of sorts of the passive building system primarily seen most commonly in Europe until now, according to Marvin. In this system’s design, windows, walls and floors are made to collect, store and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter, while rejecting solar heat in the summer.
“Marvin Windows is the only company in the United States that has passed all these tests needed for the passive building codes,” said Steve Lien, a senior commercial sales representative for Marvin. “The people who want to know about this are very interested.”
Homeowners needn’t even worry about being at home to monitor the system as it can be hooked up to a home’s thermostat and automatically jump into action when any desired temperature is reached.
Marvin can currently apply the system to windows as big as 40 inches and 80 inches long, with future plans calling for an expansion of those specifications, Lien said.
“We’ll let the sun light up your house,” Lien said.
Deceuninck North America partnered with Renson® Ventilation NV to offer ventilation solutions for commercial windows.
Renson displayed Deceuninck’s Revolution tilt-and-turn window which features a seven-chamber thermal structure and multifunctional operability in a window that has the capability of achieving an R-value of 7+, and a C-100 rating, according to the company. Revolution tilts in and locks for secure, indirect ventilation. It has minimal frame and sash sightlines and features maximum daylight area to take full advantage of high-performance glass technologies.
Renson Ventilation recently established a U.S. subsidiary located in El Segundo, Calif. With the Invisivent EVO, the company offers a self-regulating window that combines a healthy living comfort with a maximum visual comfort. The product is a thermally broken window ventilator that is installed on top of the PVC window frame. According to the company, “this almost invisible installation guarantees maximum light penetration as the glass size is not reduced.”
Kolbe also focused on windows that showcased large glass sizes. The company introduced its VistaLuxe collection which showcases contemporary designs that utilize multiple units to create large expanses of glass.
Casements, awnings, direct set windows, inswing and outswing doors and matching transoms are featured as the debut products in the collection. A choice of two profiles is offered: the smoothly aligned Flush style or the setback Accent style. Minimal, narrow frames optimize daylight openings and maximize viewing areas, while maintaining energy efficiency. “Appealing to design-savvy homeowners, the new VistaLuxe Collection gives architects the flexibility to harmoniously combine multiple units into unique, compatible configurations, while maintaining symmetry and sightlines,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s vice president of marketing. “Clean, fluid lines are delivered by the narrowest of frames. On a 3-by-6-foot casement, the vision area is 82 percent of the total window.”
The focus on modern designs was also evident at the TruStile booth. The company debuted its new modern door collection. The offering includes bold new door styles and material options
“Today, architects and interior designers often default to flush doors for modern and contemporary interior design because there are no great modern door options,” says president and CEO, Scott Schmid. “The TruStile Modern Door Collection radically alters the concept of what a door can bring to today’s modern and contemporary designs.”
The collection offers many new door elevations based on the core concept of stacked horizontal rails separated by minimal reveals.
YKK AP America introduced the YTD 350 TH impact-resistant terrace door which is part of its line of ProTek products. The company says it is the ideal choice for condominiums, hotels and high-rise residential properties in hurricane regions.
The product utilizes a three-way adjustable hinge and multi-point locking system to ensure the door closes properly and creates a weather-tight seal. The terrace door was specifically tested to withstand high-impact events and meets the impact and cyclic requirements of the International Building Code and Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone – Miami Dade and Broward Counties. The YTD 350 TH terrace door is available in sizes up to 7 feet by 8 feet in double door configurations and up to 3-feet 6-inches by 10 feet in single door configurations. Both double door and single door configurations have achieved water infiltration resistance ratings of 16.5 pounds per square foot (PSF).
“Expectations are high for a multifamily housing rebound in 2013 and the demand is there for a robust, impact-resistant terrace door,” said Greg Galloway, ProTek brand manager for YKK AP. “Ensuring the integrity of the building’s envelope is a top concern in coastal regions.”
Centor unveiled the first integrated door with its Centor 200 Series. The integrated door collection combines fully retractable screens and shades in one system.
The collection is designed for large exterior openings from 3 to 24 feet. The company says the new line “challenges all concepts of what we know as a door today. Centor combines door, screen and shade into one system, introducing a new category of ‘integrated doors’ that connects people with the world outside … Never before have screens and shades been able to appear and fully disappear into doorframes.”
The doors are available in a variety of configurations, including two and three-panel sliding patio, folding, double-swing and single doors.
“Big doors have great views, but little privacy,” said Nigel Spork, Centor managing director. “Heavy drapes keep houses warm, but make rooms feel small, and who wants to look out through insect screens or have hardware blocking views? The best solution is to design a door system as a whole, not as individual components like panels, shades or hardware.”
Pella Windows and Doors not only displayed its products but offered education at its booth covering “Fenestration Design for High-Rise Multifamily Construction” and “The Role of Windows in Getting to Net Zero.” Attendees also received in-booth building information modeling training.
Marvin can currently apply the system to windows as big as 40 inches and 80 inches long, with future plans calling for an expansion of those specifications, Lien said.
“We’ll let the sun light up your house,” Lien said.
Deceuninck North America partnered with Renson® Ventilation NV to offer ventilation solutions for commercial windows.
Renson displayed Deceuninck’s Revolution tilt-and-turn window which features a seven-chamber thermal structure and multifunctional operability in a window that has the capability of achieving an R-value of 7+, and a C-100 rating, according to the company. Revolution tilts in and locks for secure, indirect ventilation. It has minimal frame and sash sightlines and features maximum daylight area to take full advantage of high-performance glass technologies.
Renson Ventilation recently established a U.S. subsidiary located in El Segundo, Calif. With the Invisivent EVO, the company offers a self-regulating window that combines a healthy living comfort with a maximum visual comfort. The product is a thermally broken window ventilator that is installed on top of the PVC window frame. According to the company, “this almost invisible installation guarantees maximum light penetration as the glass size is not reduced.”
Kolbe also focused on windows that showcased large glass sizes. The company introduced its VistaLuxe collection which showcases contemporary designs that utilize multiple units to create large expanses of glass.
Casements, awnings, direct set windows, inswing and outswing doors and matching transoms are featured as the debut products in the collection. A choice of two profiles is offered: the smoothly aligned Flush style or the setback Accent style. Minimal, narrow frames optimize daylight openings and maximize viewing areas, while maintaining energy efficiency. “Appealing to design-savvy homeowners, the new VistaLuxe Collection gives architects the flexibility to harmoniously combine multiple units into unique, compatible configurations, while maintaining symmetry and sightlines,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s vice president of marketing. “Clean, fluid lines are delivered by the narrowest of frames. On a 3-by-6-foot casement, the vision area is 82 percent of the total window.”
The focus on modern designs was also evident at the TruStile booth. The company debuted its new modern door collection. The offering includes bold new door styles and material options
“Today, architects and interior designers often default to flush doors for modern and contemporary interior design because there are no great modern door options,” says president and CEO, Scott Schmid. “The TruStile Modern Door Collection radically alters the concept of what a door can bring to today’s modern and contemporary designs.”
The collection offers many new door elevations based on the core concept of stacked horizontal rails separated by minimal reveals.
YKK AP America introduced the YTD 350 TH impact-resistant terrace door which is part of its line of ProTek products. The company says it is the ideal choice for condominiums, hotels and high-rise residential properties in hurricane regions.
The product utilizes a three-way adjustable hinge and multi-point locking system to ensure the door closes properly and creates a weather-tight seal. The terrace door was specifically tested to withstand high-impact events and meets the impact and cyclic requirements of the International Building Code and Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone – Miami Dade and Broward Counties. The YTD 350 TH terrace door is available in sizes up to 7 feet by 8 feet in double door configurations and up to 3-feet 6-inches by 10 feet in single door configurations. Both double door and single door configurations have achieved water infiltration resistance ratings of 16.5 pounds per square foot (PSF).
“Expectations are high for a multifamily housing rebound in 2013 and the demand is there for a robust, impact-resistant terrace door,” said Greg Galloway, ProTek brand manager for YKK AP. “Ensuring the integrity of the building’s envelope is a top concern in coastal regions.”
Centor unveiled the first integrated door with its Centor 200 Series. The integrated door collection combines fully retractable screens and shades in one system.
The collection is designed for large exterior openings from 3 to 24 feet. The company says the new line “challenges all concepts of what we know as a door today. Centor combines door, screen and shade into one system, introducing a new category of ‘integrated doors’ that connects people with the world outside … Never before have screens and shades been able to appear and fully disappear into doorframes.”
The doors are available in a variety of configurations, including two and three-panel sliding patio, folding, double-swing and single doors.
“Big doors have great views, but little privacy,” said Nigel Spork, Centor managing director. “Heavy drapes keep houses warm, but make rooms feel small, and who wants to look out through insect screens or have hardware blocking views? The best solution is to design a door system as a whole, not as individual components like panels, shades or hardware.”
Pella Windows and Doors not only displayed its products but offered education at its booth covering “Fenestration Design for High-Rise Multifamily Construction” and “The Role of Windows in Getting to Net Zero.” Attendees also received in-booth building information modeling training.