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October 20, 2008
People have called me a cynic. And given today's economic environment, I am certainly a realist. A recent panel presentation held in conjunction with the Remodeling Show in Baltimore, however, gave me pause, and suggested to me that perhaps I should improve my attitude.
The session, hosted by Ply-Gem Windows, featured window dealers enjoying increased sales despite the tough times. One key...
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September 1, 2008
The past several months, I have been feeling bombarded with headlines about housing market woes, a lackluster economy and the rising costs of gas. Throw in the industry-specific reports of another window or door plant that's closed down, it can get depressing. When so many headlines are gloomy, it's a real pleasure to put the focus on new products and technologies that highlight creativity and...
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August 15, 2008
Questions and concerns about a possible shift to triple-glazing have been floating around the industry ever since the Department of Energy issued its preliminary announcement about potential changes to the Energy Star Windows program. The new, more stringent U-factors DOE said it was considering for Northern climates in a couple years would be tough to meet with even the best double-glazed, gas-...
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June 1, 2008
David Seiders, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, sees new single-family home starts bottoming out by the end of the year, with a recovery beginning in 2009. He predicts the remodeling market will trail new construction, but it will begin to see improvement next year.
Whether he's right or not, who knows, but I now have an answer to a question that's kept coming up...
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May 1, 2008
Everybody loves the idea of solar power-and the idea is certainly not new. It's never generated much electricity within the window and door business, however. In 20-plus years in the industry, I can count the number of times solar energy has come up in conversation with window and door executives on one hand.
There's good reason. We're a practical bunch. We know solar power-photovoltaic...
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April 1, 2008
The green building movement is not only a focus of this issue, recent meetings of both the American Architectural Manufacturers Association and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association have featured much talk about the subject. It was also a big topic at the International Builders' Show, with many manufacturers talking about how their products could make a home green, and how they were green...
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March 15, 2008
The Department of Energy is scheduled to release new, more stringent criteria for windows, doors and skylights that carry the Energy Star label this month. As we went to press, DOE was talking about three sets of new requirements, and while I don’t know what the numbers are, I can ask, “Are you ready?”
And I’d like to focus that question on the longer term. The first set...
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February 15, 2008
Most window and door companies tout the fact that their products are energy efficient. Many want to go further and say their products are green. But what does that mean?
Is it a product’s U-value or solar heat gain coefficient? Is it some recycled content, certified wood or lead-free PVC?
If you’ve covered all those elements, can you say your products are green if your company...
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January 15, 2008
News in the industry hasn’t been very good as of late. While I generally start new years with renewed optimism, I’m realistic about 2008. So Therma-Tru Doors’ David Haddix struck a chord for me when he noted for our industry forecast (page 51), “The future is bright. I just wish we could fast forward.”
I share his optimism for the future and that eagerness to move on...
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October 1, 2007
One of the most exciting changes we’ve made to Window & Door in recent years is the launch of our Dealers of the Year issue. We’re now in our fourth year—and it’s a pleasure to recognize nine more companies involved in the sales, marketing and installation of windows and doors to builders, contractors and homeowners.
As I’ve noted in the past, the nine companies...
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