Filing away materials I collected last month at the International Builders' Show, I came across a press release about a survey of 55+ home buyers, conducted by the National Association of Home Builders and Metropolitan Life. What caught my eye in the survey was the fact that among 36 features these consumers were asked to rate as "important" in their puchase decision for a new ...
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There's still a transitional phase to go through, but with the new year, new criteria for Energy Star windows, doors and skylights quietly went into effect last week. A lot of companies, no doubt, have invested a lot of time and money into making sure their products could carry the new label. There's probably still work being done, too.For our poll question this week, I thought I'd see ...
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Manufacturers and extruders are exploring new framing alternatives
Out of tough times come not only challenges, but also opportunity. Many companies see an opportunity to break out from the pack through the use of new high-performance framing materials. Wood plastic composites, or WPCs, are an alternative ready for another look.There are many different wood plastic composites, but most existing WPC formulations involve PVC and wood flour or fiber. Such products ...
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With tightening code requirements for verified window and door performance, as well as the proliferation of requirements for specialized performance targets depending on the job site, product certification is more important than ever for all players in the supply and regulatory chain.Despite the publicity understandably lavished on energy rating, itself a corollary to the green building ...
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As 2009 ended, most of the debate in Washington centered on health care, but windows and doors, along with other products offering enhanced energy efficiency, were surprisingly high on the agenda. As 2010 begins, for better or worse, our industry is entering new territory when it comes to the government's direct influence on our business.There are good reasons to believe it could ...
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Previously, reports on the International Code Council code development hearings that ended earlier in November focused on significant energy related proposals that could impact the window and door industry and the approval of a proposal to reference the Association of Millwork Distributors' side hinged entry door standard in the International Residential Code. This article summarizes the results ...
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Most industry executives I've talked to view the green building movement as an opportunity, but they have also been cautious about it. It's easy to see why now, based on developments at last week's Greenbuild show. Three window manufacturers found themselves in the crosshairs of an environmental group, accused of greenwashing because of where they source their lumber. Now I wouldn't claim that ...
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To some extent, sitting in on International Code Council hearings is a bit like watching a professional baseball game. You have to know the rules, and the players involved, to actually understand what is happening. And sometimes, amid long periods of tedium, there are flairs of the dramatic.Such was the case at the code development hearings, which started at the end of October and conclude this ...
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AAMA and WDMA are throwing their support behind a new Senate bill designed to tie the energy efficient tax credits for windows, doors and skylights to Energy Star. Rather than the 30/30 requirements now in place, the bill would allow homeowners to claim tax credits for the purchase of products qualified to the new 2010 Energy Star standards.What do you think? That's our poll question ...
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The EPA has no doubt had an impact on many window and door companies over the years. Manufacturers, certainly, have had to comply with EPA regulations. Now, new lead abatement requirements are set to go in effect next year for those working on homes built prior to 1978. EPA says companies involved in replacing windows and doors and other remodeling work will have to workers trained and ...
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