Latest Articles

  • November 3, 2011
    Meetings & Events | Segments, Markets & Trends

    Win-Door Returns to Toronto This Month
    Annual event once again provides focal point for Canadian industry
    Canadian window and door manufacturers are grappling with new codes and regulations, and the need to stay up-to-date on changes is expected to help drive attendance at this year's Win-Door North America. With more than 150 exhibitors signed up, the annual trade show returns once again to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, November 15-17.      Win-Door will once again... more »
  • October 31, 2011
    THE TALK... | Markets & Trends

    Who Would You Vote For?
    The presidential campaign has been going strong for some time on the Republican side. We've had debates, straw polls, withdrawals from the race, and a mix of front runners, including some who weren't officially candidates.  But given the fact that it's the first week of November and we're now a year away from the real election, I thought it was time for WDweekly's first poll of the 2012... more »
  • October 26, 2011
    THE TALK...

    Will Your Business Mirror Harvard's Predictions?
    Last week, Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies released the results of its Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) study that indicates the home improvement market will falter in the early part of next year. The researchers expect the fourth quarter of 2011 will end up with home improvement spending at a pace of about $111 billion per year year. ... more »
  • October 18, 2011
    Meetings & Events | Channels, Markets & Trends

    Millwork Distributors Heading to Nashville
    AMD event strengthening with more door makers exhibiting again
    Slightly delayed, the Association of Millwork Distributors is heading to Nashville for its 47th annual convention and exhibition next week. Set for the Nashville Convention Center and the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, this year’s event will once again feature a refined scheduled with one day focused on education, followed by two days of the trade show, and organizers are reporting an... more »
  • October 18, 2011
    THE TALK... | Energy Efficiency

    What Do You Think of New Energy Star Criteria?
    We know a little more about what the Environmental Protection Agency is thinking about the next set of Energy Star criteria, tentatively set to take effect in fall 2013. It issued a document last week, indicating U-value and SHGC performance levels it was considering for windows, doors and skylights. What stood out for me is an apparent EPA decision not to go for an R-5 level of performance... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Management, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Close-Ups

    Dealers of the Year 2011
      Window & Door is pleased to announce its 2011 Dealers of the Year. Honored for Overall Excellence this year are Walker Windows from California and Southwest Exteriors from Texas. The magazine has also recognized five Focused Excellence category winners—window and door retailers and distributors that stand out in the areas of marketing, installation, customer service,... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Empowered for Perfection
    Perfection Glass Puts Customer Service into Employees’ Hands
      Going the Extra Mile EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE Perfection Glass  Kennewick, Wash. Shawn Linhoff has learned that if you give employees the ability to make decisions with the full support of the leadership team, the employee will win, the customer will win and, ultimately, the company will win. As the head of Perfection Glass, a Kennewick, Wash., company... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Giving Customers a Fix
    Window-Fix focuses on solutions in its unique business model
      Out of the Box EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATIVE THINKING Window-Fix  Brooklyn, N.Y. The team at Window-Fix doesn’t have a strong preference about whether they sell replacement windows or not. This might seem somewhat problematic given that it’s one of the New York City metropolitan region’s most prominent window retailers. But with a vast range of... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Southwest Exteriors Eyes the Future
    Short-term customer satisfaction plus long-term planning equals sustainability
      Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE HOMEOWNER MARKET Southwest Exteriors  San Antonio, Texas   Scott Barr has no intention of retiring anytime soon. And yet, almost every element of the day-to-day operations at Southwest Exteriors, a San Antonio, Texas-based Renewal by Andersen dealer, contributes to a long-term vision of sustainability for the growing company.... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Staying the Course
    Walker Windows Sticks to Professionals, Stands Apart with Service
      Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONAL MARKET Walker Windows  Anaheim, Calif.   Staying on course during a storm is something Walker Windows has perfected. The Anaheim, Calif.-based window dealer was founded to serve professionals and grew during the boom years as its builders and general contractors rode the wave of inflated building demand. As the... more »