Latest Articles
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May 15, 2013More product options propel systems beyond the warm-weather, million-dollar home marketMulti-panel sliding and folding doors that open up virtually the entire wall of a room to the outside are going more mainstream after years of being a product geared largely toward million-dollar homes. The drivers: more homeowner interest, an expansion of sales beyond warm-weather climates, and the entry into the market of large door and window manufacturers. LaCantina Doors... more » -
May 9, 2013This week, Marvin Windows is highlighting the fact that it offers windows meeting passive building standards that are "made in the USA," offering customers faster turnaround and design flexibility, it states. The Earthwise Group of vinyl window manufacturers was also honored as the "Made in the USA Certified " company of the year. And, "Made in the USA" was an... more »
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May 8, 2013It seems as though cloud-based computing is picking up steam in the manufacturing sector. "The best manufacturers I’ve visited this year all share a common attribute," writes Louis Columbus, a Forbes contributor in a recent column. "They are obsessed with making themselves as easy as possible to work with from a supply chain, distribution and services standpoint.... more »
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May 7, 2013The 2013 International Code Council Group B Code Development Hearings recently took place in Dallas, where code officials reviewed numerous proposals for changes to the 2015 International Residential Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and 2015 International Existing Building Code, among others. Following is a report on the more significant results of these hearings, with... more »
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May 1, 2013The International Code Council has posted the code-change proposals that will result in the 2015 ICC Group B codes, including the 2015 International Residential Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and 2015 International Existing Building Code. These proposals are available for review at the ICC website. While it's too early to know the results of these proposals, there are some... more »
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May 1, 2013The grey tabby was perched in the rough opening as I returned to the room carrying the new window. Unaware of a house cat I asked it, “Do you live here?” His only reply was a blank stare. He had no collar ID, and I couldn’t reach the homeowner to ask if the cat was a resident or just a visitor. This dilemma quickly turned into a vision of a panicked homeowner quizzing me,... more »
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May 1, 2013Product development underway despite concerns about program requirements and implementation dateWhile window and door manufacturers move forward in their efforts to meet the Energy Star for Windows, Doors, and Skylights Version 6.0 criteria, significant concerns still surround the program’s proposed product requirements and an early 2014 implementation date. Topping the list is the concern that the proposed U-factor for the Northern zone would drive the cost of Energy Star... more » -
May 1, 2013Today’s windows, doors and skylights bear little resemblance to those of yesteryear. Materials technology, designs, standards, testing protocols and installation requirements have continued to evolve, providing consumers with greater performance and aesthetic options at moreprice points. The old double-glazed window pane has moved well beyond a simple unit consisting of two lites of glass... more »
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April 30, 2013The housing market continues to recover, but not at the rate many of us would like to see. Economists attribute sluggish growth levels to rising material costs and a lack of skilled labor, among other reasons. Builders around the country are pointing to such problems, particularly in some of the hotter new home markets. It's been a long time, however, since I heard such complaints in the window... more »
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April 23, 2013I just love this list of 10 surprising assertions from entrepreneurs, published recently as a column on Forbes.com. Even though the columnist warned me that a statement or two might come as a surprise, I still managed a couple of mental “no way”s and “really?”s as I made my way through it. Of particular note were some against-the-grain assertions, including that business... more »