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May 1, 2012
Many companies will need to be more cautious in their energy savings claims
The Federal Trade Commission fired a warning shot in February, when five replacement window companies were cited for making unsubstantiated energy savings claims to homeowners about their products. Some executives welcomed the FTC actions, but it's clear many manufacturers and dealers are now re-examining of the parameters of acceptable marketing and making adjustments in their advertising...
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May 1, 2012
We’re looking at social media use among window and door dealers and manufacturers in our August issue. Do you have a success story to share on how you’re connecting to customers using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other such tools?
I'll try to kickstart the conversation with this week's poll question. And whether you're a supplier, manufacturer, dealer or consultant, I'...
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May 1, 2012
VIG, dynamic glazing and BIPVs are coming
Glass or window and door pundits who have hoped for a Moore’s Law like effect to hit our industry and consistently drive technological advances in a timely manner may finally be in luck.
Oh, we may not realize the speed or intensity of change that occurs in the semiconductor or electronics industries. But we certainly are entering an era in which we can expect to see great leaps forward in...
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May 1, 2012
The International Code Council begins its first set of code development hearings for the 2015 editions of its codes this month in Dallas. The ICC Group A codes to be covered include the International Building Code. Group B codes, including the International Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the International Green Construction Code will be addressed later.
IBC...
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April 25, 2012
In preparing for my moderator role at this week’s Fenestration Manufacturers Conference—taking place right now in Pensacola Beach, Fla.—I participated in several conference calls with organizers to polish up our agenda. One of the topics of discussion we explored was raw material price increases and whether or not the market can sustain increases rippling through the supply...
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April 24, 2012
Window & Door recently reached out to a number of people in the industry for an upcoming article looking at the impact of recent steps taken by the Federal Trade Commission designed to end the use of "exaggerated and unsupported claims" related to the energy-savings potential of windows. Gary Delman of Sunrise Windows in Michigan shared the following insights. We thought...
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April 18, 2012
A growing number of new home builders have found a point of differentiation in the marketplace by offering Energy Star-qualified homes. Studies reveal that homebuyers feel good about being good stewards of the environment—but they feel even better about saving money on energy bills.
Consequently, with more people staying in their homes longer, energy-rated homes are becoming an easier sell...
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April 18, 2012
Biggest challenge for most manufacturers likely to be new U-factor requirements
The fenestration industry is facing significant changes that will likely increase thermal performance standards by 30 percent to 40 percent within the next few years. Higher performance levels are demanded by the International Energy Conservation Code and the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, and soon the Energy Star Windows, Doors & Skylight program.
The Environmental Protection...
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April 18, 2012
Most window and door manufacturers and dealers talk very cautiously about the future. The downturn in the economy, coupled with some false starts on the road to recovery, has produced a significant change in attitude to our industry.
In the ’80 and ’90s, there was always an underlying optimism—even when economic forecasts were less than rosy. That optimism grew and grew as we...
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April 17, 2012
With Earth Day coming, I thought I would turn my attention to green. In surfing the internet on the subject, I came across a a small business report on American Express's Open Forum that suggests that consumers are opting for green products less due to the weak economy, but companies continue to move in a greener direction. The reason companies are embracing green, it suggests, is that...
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May 1, 2012VIG, dynamic glazing and BIPVs are comingGlass or window and door pundits who have hoped for a Moore’s Law like effect to hit our industry and consistently drive technological advances in a timely manner may finally be in luck. Oh, we may not realize the speed or intensity of change that occurs in the semiconductor or electronics industries. But we certainly are entering an era in which we can expect to see great leaps forward in... more »