As heard last month during the Fensterbau show in Germany, vinyl is widely used in commercial applications. Given its potential for use in the U.S. market, the VMC has formed a Commercial Vinyl Fenestration Products Committee, reporting directly to the council, to “investigate, monitor, address and remove restrictions and limitations that reduce the potential penetration of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.”
“We are looking to raise awareness of vinyl’s capabilities among architects who have not tended to consider vinyl for 10- to 30-story buildings,” said co-chair Tracy Rogers (Quanex). “The record shows there is a lot to offer in terms of design options that render excellent structural strength and durability for expansive high-rise installations, especially as codes increase the focus on energy efficiency in that sector.”
Within the committee’s stated scope, the objectives are ambitious: “To develop educational and promotional materials to communicate the capabilities and benefits of vinyl fenestration products for use in commercial/architectural applications.”
Among the upcoming projects aimed at educating the market, including architects, regarding vinyl’s effectiveness in commercial applications are:
1. Identify and resolve technical issues that pose roadblocks or limitations to the acceptance of vinyl fenestration products within the commercial/architectural marketplace.
2. Identify code, regulatory and/or legislative restrictions to the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
3. Complete a white paper that details the capabilities and benefits of the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
4. Complete an AIA-accredited continuing education program that details the capabilities and benefits of the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
5. Revisit InstallationMasters course material to include vinyl-specific installation methods at the commercial level.
6. Develop any other marketing initiatives deemed useful (articles in trade magazines, webinars, web pages focused on commercial applications, etc.)
7. Compile case studies where vinyl has been used in commercial applications. Members are invited to send such case studies to staff liaison, Angela Dickson.
“There is plenty of opportunity and plenty of work to go around,” says co-chair Renee Havrilla (Westech). “There will likely be additional task groups assigned to address the various projects, and we welcome the participation of all. I’m confident it will be an exciting and fruitful experience.”
Within the committee’s stated scope, the objectives are ambitious: “To develop educational and promotional materials to communicate the capabilities and benefits of vinyl fenestration products for use in commercial/architectural applications.”
Among the upcoming projects aimed at educating the market, including architects, regarding vinyl’s effectiveness in commercial applications are:
1. Identify and resolve technical issues that pose roadblocks or limitations to the acceptance of vinyl fenestration products within the commercial/architectural marketplace.
2. Identify code, regulatory and/or legislative restrictions to the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
3. Complete a white paper that details the capabilities and benefits of the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
4. Complete an AIA-accredited continuing education program that details the capabilities and benefits of the use of vinyl fenestration products in the commercial/architectural marketplace.
5. Revisit InstallationMasters course material to include vinyl-specific installation methods at the commercial level.
6. Develop any other marketing initiatives deemed useful (articles in trade magazines, webinars, web pages focused on commercial applications, etc.)
7. Compile case studies where vinyl has been used in commercial applications. Members are invited to send such case studies to staff liaison, Angela Dickson.
“There is plenty of opportunity and plenty of work to go around,” says co-chair Renee Havrilla (Westech). “There will likely be additional task groups assigned to address the various projects, and we welcome the participation of all. I’m confident it will be an exciting and fruitful experience.”