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CANADA’S WINDOW AND DOOR MAGAZINE
www.fenestrationreview.com
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EDITORIAL
Maybe history is a flat circle when it comes to fenestration technology.
14 WINDOWS AND TIME
After 106 years, Roberge Windows and Doors is an institution in La Salle, Que.
7 SIDING AND WINDOW DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
6
INDUSTRY NEWS
New building science facility at Carleton... co-CEOs at All Weather... FGIA updates standards...
18 WHAT’S UP AT WINDOOR?
Your preview of Canada’s national window and door event.
13 FENESTRATION AND GLAZING INDUSTRY ALLIANCE
10 THE PROBLEM WITH PASSIVE HOUSE
Phil Lewin looks at why European Passive House standards might not work over here.
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2023 FENESTRATION BUYERS GUIDE
22 Fenestration Review 2023 Vol. 12, No. 2 17
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History as a circle
The future could end up more like the past.
Reading Carroll McCormick’s latest excellent industry profile on Roberge Windows and Doors (our cover story in this issue) got me thinking about all the changes a company would see in over 100 years of existence. When Roberge was founded in 1917, the facility probably did not have electricity (it’s not in a large city). Just about everyone would have ridden horses or walked to work. The singlepane, wood windows would have been made by hand without power tools. Even if a truck was available for delivery, I doubt you would have used one – the 1917 suspensions plus the condition of the unpaved roads would guarantee a broken load by the time you got anywhere. A photo I saw of the Montreal Technical School in 1917 showed belt-driven lathes powered by an overhead shaft. Things like air travel, air conditioning and telephones were still rare luxuries. The staples of today’s business, like PVC and insulating glass units, were speculative inventions that had not been commercialized.
Now let’s look forward. What will window and door manufacturing look like 100 years from now?
On present trends, it would would seem safe to predict that we’ll continue doing everything we can to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. It’s hard to see where we go much further with the insulating and airtighteness qualities of our products to save operational carbon produced by heating and cooling homes. Doing so would require some really unforeseen invention on the materials side, or at least a radical reduction in cost of today’s best technology, like vacuum insulating glass or aerogels. That’s possible, of course, but I doubt that’s where the big changes will come. Why? Because the push is on to convert our homes to electric HVAC powered by non-emitting energy sources such as hydroelectric, nuclear, wind and solar. When the
by Patrick Flannery
home’s energy source doesn’t emit much carbon dioxide, the urgency to reduce its power use goes down.
Instead, we’re going to be looking at reducing the carbon dioxide emissions created by manufacturing and installing our products - the so-called embodied carbon. This could be a big one since PVC, aluminum, fibreglass and glass all generate a lot of carbon dioxide emissions in their manufacturing processes. A lot of that could be mitigated by powering the manufacturing processes themselves with non-emitting energy, but converting existing plants to do so would be very expensive and technically challenging. Possible, but will take a long time to execute.
Maybe there’s another alternative. Don’t laugh - it’s wood. Harvesting and processing wood emits far less carbon dioxide than the other materials above, especially if electric-powered logging equipment and sawmills are used. Crucially, wood can be harvested locally, reducing the carbon emissions from transportation. When growing, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Using wood incentivizes planting new trees, so some green building measures actually apply a credit for using wood acknowledging that this is the one material that reduces the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while it’s growing.
We went away from wood frames as an industry because it is easier to make thermally broken frames with PVC. But if the energy supply becomes non-emitting we won’t have to worry about the insulating value of the frames so much any more. Maybe the slightly poorer thermal performance of wood will come to be seen as less important than its superiority in terms of embodied carbon.
Maybe, by 2117, we will come full circle to making windows the same way Roberge did 200 years ago.
APEX
Introducing our cutting-edge Apex system, a solution designed to redefine efficiency, security, and durability in both casement and awning windows. Boasting a range of innovative features, the Apex system is poised to enhance your product offerings.
Its innovative corner drive system introduces a groundbreaking enhancement to conventional window design, incorporating an additional locking cam mechanism that goes beyond the traditional vertical axis and extends to the top horizontal section of the window sash (or bottom in an awning situation).
With its innovative features and customization options, the Apex system is set to become an essential component of your product lineup, providing outstanding performance and peace of mind to your customers.
TRY IT AT WINDOOR 2023
BOOTH #309
BOOTH #309
INDUSTRY NEWS
New research lab at Carleton
Carleton University has opened its Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research (CABER). The state-of-theart facility will be used to investigate innovative materials and design strategies for completing retrofits and building new homes in ways that prioritize energy conservation and affordability. Led by mechanical engineering researcher Cynthia Cruickshank, Carleton CABER researchers will investigate how heat, air and moisture move through materials and highly insulated wall systems, and how these elements contribute to occupant health, comfort and building science risks. They will use their findings to develop new approaches to constructing building envelopes that are thinner and cheaper, and new methods for renovating existing buildings with less cost and less disruption. The 5,700-square-foot CABER facility is equipped with three state-of-the-art pieces of equipment: a two-storey guarded
Co-CEOs
Benoit-Antoine Bacon and Cynthia Cruickshank enjoying a demonstration of the pressurized spray rack.
hot box to examine the thermal and moisture performance of retrofit wall assemblies, a two-storey pressurized spray rack to assess moisture resilience and in-situ wall openings to examine the interaction between interior and exterior.
take the helm at All Weather
Wadel heads new Canadian Sturtz office
All Weather Windows has announced the appointment of Jillene Lakevold and Colin Wiebe as co-CEOs. Wiebe has been with All Weather since 2012 serving in various leadership positions including director of builder channel sales and most recently vice-president of sales and marketing. Lakevold has been with All Weather since 2005 contributing in such roles as director of commercial and most recently vice-president of manufacturing.
Fenplast
acquisitions
The Sturtz Group, an automated fenestration manufacturing equipment supplier headquartered in Neustadt, Germany, has expanded its worldwide footprint with the founding of Sturtz Machinery Canada. The new company will provide sales, service and parts for Stürtz equipment throughout Canada. Jason Wadel has joined the new company as managing director to oversee all Canadian operations. “I am excited to join Sturtz and be part of their commitment to the Canadian window and door industry.”, states Wadel. “I have worked in this industry for over 20 years and have always respected Sturtz and their ingenuity. I look forward to being a part of their growth and success moving forward throughout Canada.”
Fenplast has announced the acquisition, through its subsidiary Altek Windows and Doors, of Ramp-Art, a company that has been a leader for nearly 30 years in manufacture of custom aluminum and glass railings.
This strategic acquisition allows Fenplast to expand its activities beyond its usual fields of fenestration activities, while seizing a promising diversification opportunity. Ramp-Art has a well-established clientele outside Quebec, thus offering significant advantages for the Fenplast group in terms of market expansion. In addition, Fenplast has announced the complete acquisition of Solarcom, a Quebec company specializing in the manufacture of custom aluminum fenestration products. Fenplast acquired a minority stake in Solarcom last spring. In both cases, the administrative structures and all the personnel will remain in place to continue operations and support the growth of the company. Fenplast is located in Candiac, Que., where it operates a 225,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. It has been in business since 1989.
SAWDAC Newsletter
FORE!
SAWDAC held its annual golf tournament at Turtle Creek Golf Club in Guelph, Ont., on Sept. 21, with over 120 members and friends einjoying perfect weather and outstanding conditions. This event fills up faster every year! Participants took part in the 18-hole scramble with special contests like a closest-to-the-bottle putting test and closest-to-the-keg drive hole, plus a chance to take a drive from Canadian long-drive champion, Ryan Gregnol.
The traditional roast pork dinner followed the day of golf with executive director Jason Neal handing out prizes and announcing $1,200 raised for KidsAbility through the 50/50 raffle and other events. Huge thanks to our generous sponsors, Consumer Direct Windows and Doors, Vinyl Window Designs, Vinylbilt Window Systems, Federated Insurance, Kennedy Insurance, Strassburger Window Systems, Darcy and Associates, Fenestration Canada, Tremco and Financeit.
NEAL’S NOTES
Our members across Canada are reporting some economic headwinds. Economic growth and confidence has shifted to one of hold-and-see, creating a downward trend of 10
to 20 percent for the back half of the 2023 year and into mid-2024. Leads are drying up, as well as closing rates as economic growth continues to slow with high interest rates and low consumer confidence. Homeowners are more likely to invest in home renovations once they start to “see some light at the end of the tunnel,” as one dealer said.
Employment levels have dropped as the exponential growth of the population far exceeds the creation of new job opportunities, resulting in a 0.5 percent increase in the national unemployment rate, reaching 5.5 percent. I know, I know, for months we have heard that everyone needs employees, both here at the office and on the road. What we see forecasted might be false as Canada takes in more immigrants than jobs available, which seems to not have affected our industry. When employment levels come back down, we will see homeowners more inclined to invest in renovation projects.
The Bank of Canada held interest rates unchanged in its September update. Good news, since lower interest rates can make financing home renovations more reasonable, as homeowners can access cheaper credit through loans or refinancing options, such as using our
RenoPlan program. The state of the housing market is down, which can impact home renovations. Currently, 464,239 properties are forecast to trade hands via Canadian MLS systems in 2023, a 6.8 percent decline from 2022. In a seller’s market with rising property values, homeowners may renovate to increase their home’s resale value. However, we can see from this evidence that that isn’t going to be happening for a while. Government policies and incentives, such as tax credits, grants or rebates for energy-efficient renovations, can stimulate the home renovations sector but we are not seeing that through our dealer network. These incentives often encourage
homeowners to invest in improvements that align with government priorities, such as energy efficiency, but not what the consumer actually wants or can afford.
Fluctuations in material prices and labour costs are impacting our dealers as quotes from a year ago have increased from 15 to 40 percent and are drying up the sales funnels.
Seems gloomy, doesn’t it? We can say this, though, from talking with dealers and manufacturers: you are a resilient group and have always found a way to make it through the low times and come out thriving on the other end. Seems like the perfect time to break the status quo!
And low score goes to (from left)... Greg Stockdale, Tosha Yantzi, Ryan Uttley and Barry Jantzi from Beingessner Home Exteriors, with SAWDAC executive director Jason Neal handing out the prizes.
INDUSTRY NEWS
FGIA rolls out standards updates
PVC profiles
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance has updated a specification establishing the minimum requirements for dimensional stability, weatherability, heat resistance, weight tolerance, heat build-up, Shore D Hardness and lead content of cellular PVC exterior profiles used in windows, doors and skylights. AAMA 308 “Voluntary Specification for Cellular Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Exterior Profiles” was last updated in 2016.
Hardware coatings
The FGIA has also updated a specification covering requirements for corrosion-resistant coatings on carbon steels used for hardware components in fenestration applications. AAMA 907-23 “Specification for Corrosion Resistant Coatings on Carbon Steel Components Used in Windows, Doors and Skylights” was last updated in 2015.
“AAMA 907 is a critical hardware document that is referenced by most other codes and defines a pass/fail criteria for products tested to ASTM B 117,” said Chris Griffin (Roto Frank of America) vice-chair of the document’s developing group. “This newest version is important because it adds back in established allowances for zinc dichromate plating, which had been removed from the previous version.”
The requirements in AAMA 907 are functional and are not intended to address esthetics. Due to the diversity of corrosive environments that windows, doors and skylights are exposed to, this specification does not imply a specific service life. Fasteners, which are an integral part of the fenestration hardware, are included in the scope of this specification.
“This specification is referenced in many of the 900 series hardware standards,” said Dan Raap (AmesburyTruth), chair of the developing group. “Many hardware components are zinc plated with chromates such as sliding patio door rollers.”
Hurricane testing
The FGIA has updated a specification providing a system for rating the ability of windows, doors, skylights and sliding glass doors to withstand impact and pressure cycling generally associated with hurricane conditions. AAMA 506-23 “Voluntary Specification for Impact and Cycle Testing of Fenestration Products” was last updated in 2016.
“The 2023 update for AAMA 506 aligns the standard for the recently released NAFS-22 standard,” said Lothar Erkens (Winco Window Company), co-chair of the task group. “AAMA 506 can be utilized to assure windborne-debris-resistant fenestration will meet the criteria required for nationwide acceptance. This assures that the product not only provides protection against windborne debris, but also provides comfort and protection against excessive air infiltration, water infiltration and structural performance suitable to a project-specific performance grade.”
This specification is intended to include fenestration products of all framing materials covered by the standards and specifications listed in Section 1.3 of the document.
Impact-resistance
The FGIA has updated a specification providing a standard laboratory procedure for evaluation of simulated human impacts on window systems intended for installation in behavioral care hospitals and facilities. This evaluation procedure also applies to occupancies with similar concerns, excluding other hazardous locations as defined in the International Building Code or International Residential Code. AAMA 501.8-23 “Standard Test Method for Determination of Resistance to Human Impact of Window Systems Intended for Use in Behavioral Care Applications” was last updated in 2014.
“This standard has been updated for windows subject to human impact,” said Erkens, vice-chair of the task group. “Guidance is given for the specifier of windows mounted at higher-than-usual window locations. Also, a clarification was added to post-impact evaluation without changing the pass/fail criteria.”
The method assesses whether window systems perform adequately when sustaining human impact from the interior and restricting patient passage to unauthorized areas.
Hensley joins Starlight
StarlightCorp has welcomed Bart Hensley in his new role as technician and thermal break specialist serving North America. In his new role, he will lead the effort to repair thermal break insertion machines of all brands, conduct preventive maintenance and implement improvements to enhance their performance. With an impressive 18 years’ experience as a thermal break polyamide supplier, Bart brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His extensive background in the fenestration industry, specializing in designing and assisting customers with aluminum assembly challenges, will allow him to deliver exceptional customer support and performance.
Roto now offering Autoslide
Roto North America has announced a distribution partnership with Autoslide, a premier manufacturer of sliding patio and swing door automation products. In 2011, Autoslide manufactured a sliding patio door system that can automate existing sliding patio doors. Now they are expanding their system further with automation solutions for swing doors and lift-and-slide doors. To maximize their growth potential throughout the U.S. and Canada, Autoslide sought to identify a partner who has well-established relationships and a trusted name in the fenestration industry. They recognized Roto as a quality hardware manufacturer and the two companies began working together to create the strategic footprint for a successful partnership. Roto and Autoslide have already discussed pairing Autoslide’s automatic door operator with Roto’s electrified locks to provide a complete smart door solution. Autoslide products are now available to window and door fabricators exclusively through Roto as the sales and distribution partner.
AmesburyTruth buys Lawrence Industries
AmesburyTruth has announced it has completed the acquisition of Lawrence Industries. This strategic acquisition will further enhance AmesburyTruth’s portfolio of window and door hardware for the North American market. Lawrence builds, designs, moulds and manufactures highperformance composite window hardware for sliding and hung window fabricators. It was founded in 2005, has over 50 employees and operates from a single location in Thomasville, N.C. Brandon Lawrence will remain with the company to continue to drive Lawrence forward with the same commitment to teamwork, quality, service, and design.
“I am excited to welcome Lawrence to the AT family” said Bob Burns, president of AmesburyTruth, “The Thomasville facility offers operational resiliency with impressive injection moulding proficiencies which complements current AmesburyTruth capabilities and footprint. The acquisition of Lawrence aligns with our North American strategy to further develop our product offering to suit industry needs and trends while adding flexibility and capability in our supply chain.”
THE PROBLEM WITH PASSIVE HOUSE
Concerns around applying Europe’s gold standard for energy efficiency.
by PHIL LEWIN
That is a good thing as I am a person with strong opinions. While in today’s article I have made every effort to air both sides of the issue, I am not without my own opinion as you will read.
I admit that as soon as I finish an article, I start worrying about what I can write about next time. For this issue I came up with a great idea! I asked my fellow members of the CSA A440.4 committee that has been busy making modifications to the installation standards for their thoughts as to what are the most significant issues facing the window and door industry in the near future. I received an excellent list of critical issues, however one jumped out and slapped me. To quote, “Then another issue we come up against is the lack of decent-performing windows in the North American market. Anything with decent insulation values is coming from Europe.”
What? I do not believe that European windows are intrinsically better than those manufactured in North America, so, what gives? After a little bit of direct
One thing I like about my relationship with Fenestration Review is that I am not expected to be a reporter and stay neutral on issues I raise.
communication with the source of this comment, it was clarified: the writer was referring to windows that could be used in the Passive House program. This did make sense to me, but it also brought up a level of frustration I incurred back when I worked in window manufacturing. At the time, a customer was trying to quote a Passive House specification in Canada, but couldn’t because my Canadian manufacturer had never tested to the required European standard.
As we had already spent what I would estimate to be about $70,000 on testing, and the company’s management was ready to throw sharp things at me when I showed up with more budget requests for testing, my personal safety meant that I couldn’t ask for more testing for what, at the time, was a one-off project. I did do some follow up and, once I learned what was required to qualify to bid on the project, vented my frustration on some of the usual suspects, such as Jeff Baker of WestLab. Jeff, among others, educated me in the difficulties in trying to meet the
standard by establishing an equivalency between Canadian and European testing methods. Surely, by now, this had been accomplished and the Canadian Passive House Program must have a way to utilize Canadian testing, right?
To update myself, I contacted Cameron Laidlaw, a team lead for technical services at Passive House Canada. Without editing, here is his answer:
Passive House windows are indeed assessed according to various EN and ISO standards. From all of the testing that I have seen and undertaken, there is no easy conversion between the ISO standards and those used for NAFS. Results when the same product is simulated to both don’t return a consistent difference. There are some loose conclusions that can be drawn around when you might expect results to align more closely versus not, but not to the degree that there can be any sort of standardized adjustment factor or conversion, unfortunately. That being said, with the advent of resources like the “Reference Procedure for Determining Window Performance Values for PHPP,”
it has become significantly easier for manufacturers to assess their products against the EN/ISO standards, either in-house, or through a third-party consultant.
The reference procedure Cameron mentions is available on the Passive House Canada website passivehousecanada.ca.
Now back to me writing. Above is a reasonable explanation from the Passive House people, but is it valid? Let’s start with a major difference in how windows are tested between North American testing and European testing criteria. In North America, we test with a 21 Celsius internal temperature and a minus 18 C exterior temp. The European testing uses a 20 C internal and a 0 C external. The difference between 21 and 20 C is not a big deal, however the difference between minus 18 and a 0 C is earth-shattering. One can understand why Europe uses 0 C. It is expected to be a temperate climate, so this makes sense. (I say “expected” in deference to the reality that actual
temperatures are going crazy due to global warming.) Zero Celsius does not apply to the Canadian climate as a cold condition. The result is that the European test, when applied in Canada, will result in an irrelevant and misleading result.
According to Baker, who knows much more than I on this subject, one design implication of the temperature differential is that North American manufacturers building products actually designed for our climate will opt for air spaces in the 12- to 13-millimeter range. European manufacturers, building to their test standards, will opt for 16 to 17 millimeter air spaces which will not offer peak performance in our climate at our extremely cold temperatures in the dead of winter. When temperatures drop below 0 C, there is a huge drop in performance. Clearly, use of windows based on the European testing model are inferior in our environment to those designed and tested to North American standards. I did run across a caveat where a
window can be used legitimately in a Passive House specification without being tested in the European standard. Here is where I am about to go over my head, so forgive me. If it can be entered in the data flow of the Passive House computer system’s input formula, and if the overall output meets the Passive House requirements, any window meeting the building code could legitimately be used. However, it is unclear to me as to how easy or difficult it is to create a data flow that works.
Another issue which needs to be recognized in Passive House design (and, to be fair, in all designs going forward,) is the potential for overheating. Build a nearly airtight building envelope. Put in high-solar-gain windows. You can, in some instances, create an interior where overheating is significant. I am told that in B.C. some houses with this issue have required retrofitting with air conditioning. The whole issue between high- and low-solar-gain glass is an issue for another article.
EXTENDED PHILIBUSTER
U-Factor Centre-of-Glass vs Air Space and Environmental Conditions
Gap Thickness (mm)
- TG-MS2-ARG-CLR-ARG-HS5 - C(-18C)
31 - TG-MS2-ARG-CLR-ARG-HS5 - E(OC)
At 0 C (blue curve) the Passive House window performs better. At minus 18 (orange curve), a standard North American air gap retains a much higher U-factor. Because physics.
The chart above shows the dangers of working with the Passive House program based on their use of a 0 C test exterior. This chart shows that when a product designed to the near-optimum glass spacing for the North American standards at minus 18 C the U-factor will improve (U will decrease) by three percent as the temperature warms to 0 C. A product designed to the near-optimum glass spacing for the Passive House standard at 0 C will degrade (U will increase) by 19 percent when the temperature decreases to minus 18
C. This indicates that when a Passive House window is used in a cold Canadian climate the home owner is not getting the claimed performance of the product.
Why? It’s complicated, but suffice to say that heat passes through a barrier faster when the temperature differential on either side is greater.
My conclusion on having educated myself to the facts and getting scarily technical compared to my usual rants, is that the Passive House Program as it stands, using European test modelling, is inappropriate for the Canadian climate. If the program made some basic changes to its testing procedure and if the ownership of the program recognized the importance of regionalization of testing standards to be appropriate for climate differences, this program could be an asset in the fight against climate change. However, as it now stands, it is inappropriate for use in Canada and should not be specified in its present form. Perhaps Canada’s various certification bodies can put together an alternative program that could be used in a Passive House setting as described by Cameron.
Phil Lewin is technical director for SAWDAC.
Let the rebates roll
Joining HCPN is a route to generous programs in B.C.
by Amy Roberts
At our 2023 FGIA Summer Conference, Greg Bloom, industry relations manager of the Vancouver-based Home Performance Stakeholder Council, offered an overview of window and door replacement rebates and incentive programs that are available in British Columbia.
Bloom told us that industry professionals have long known that retrofitting with a whole-home, or house-as-a-system approach, is key to improving performance. However, most homeowners in British Columbia have only been completing stand-alone energy retrofits. HPSC is a non-profit established in 2015 to enhance whole-home retrofits. It has multiple training and industry partners in Canada and the U.S. HPSC maintains the Home Performance Contractor Network, a database of retrofit contractors, including those specializing in windows and doors, in British Columbia. HPCN contractors have certified trade designations. They also have completed bestpractices training and are committed to ethical business models. These contractors are subject to periodic reviews and quality assurance checks by HPCN.
It is beneficial for residential window manufacturers selling products in British Columbia to encourage local installation teams to join HPCN. This assures end-customers they’re working with a registered, qualified, expert contractor. They also have access to home-upgrade rebates or incentives from many government and utility programs in the province, such as the CleanBC Better Homes Income-Qualified Offer. Many provincial rebate and incentive programs require customers to hire contractors with an HPCN membership in order to be eligible for their offers. Contractors can join HPCN by applying with some standard business documentation. Window and door contractors must finish a
course (“Retrofitting with a House-as-a-System Approach,” 3.5 hours); read a resource (“Best Practices for Window and Door Replacements”); and pass an exam (“Replacement Installer Fundamentals,” two hours). HPSC’s Window and Door Sector Council is working with industry experts and key stakeholders to develop and execute an in-person, hands on, advanced window and door training specific to residential retrofits in British Columbia. It’s expected to launch in the first quarter of 2024, so look out for that. Once approved, contractors benefit from ongoing management as well as having access to subsidized training and qualifications; eligibility for rebate and incentive programs; whole home performance support and knowledge; public recognition for quality work; and opportunities to network with other home performance professionals. Contractors who join are added to HPCN’s publicly available searchable contractor network, which customers can sort by location, company name or efficiency upgrade type, such as windows, doors, or skylights.
Contractors are paid available rebates directly. For windows and doors, contractors are eligible for income-qualified program rebates of up to $9,500. They’re also eligible for the Home Energy Improvement Bonus Rebate (three or more upgrades, up to $2,000); the Greener Homes Grant (up to $5,000); municipal top-ups; and financing options with no interest loans up to $40,000 payable over 10 years.
Knowing these rebate programs inside and out can be a powerful sales tool for companies, said Bloom. Those who conduct business in British Columbia should familiarize themselves with HPCN and consider joining it.
Amy Roberts is FGIA director of Canadian and technical glass operations
WINDOWS AND TIME
Roberge Windows and Doors has been in business for over a century.
Established in 1917 in La Sarre, Que., Roberge Windows and Doors has steadily kept pace with the times, adopting newly invented materials, evolving standards and modern production methods.
by CARROLL MCCORMICK
The company started humbly, with founder Alexandre Roberge making wooden doors and windows by hand. With each succeeding generation of the family, the company grew in geographical reach and manufacturing sophistication: Alexandre’s 20-year-old son, Jean-Guy, joined the company in 1950, bought it in 1960, set up a production line for doors and windows, and developed a distribution network across Abitibi-Temiscamingue (an administrative region in western Quebec bordering Ontario) and northeastern Ontario. Third-generation family members - grandsons Pierre and Gaetanjoined Roberge in the late 1970s.
By the time local entrepreneurs purchased the company in 2016, the windows plant had
grown to 35,840 square feet. In 2017, the new owners added 6,000 square feet of space, including, in a strategic bit of vertical integration, a paint shop.
Fortunately for La Sarre, which is just a few steps short of 700 kilometres north and west of Montreal, and almost 600 kilometres north of Ottawa, the company stayed put; it is one of La Sarre’s top five private employers. The company averages 90 employees, and peaks at about 115 in the high season, according to Simon Gaignard, co-owner and general manager. “We kept the jobs and everything in La Sarre. The company is very important to La Sarre,” he says. Roberge’s community-mindedness includes supporting local organisations, and a bit further
LEFT: The La Sarre showroom in Gatineau, near Ottawa.
RIGHT: A house in chilly Abitibi-Ouest sporting La Sarre windows and front door.
away, the Daniel Johnson Family House in Gatineau. As well, Roberge sponsors a local soccer club and is sponsoring Quebec weightlifter Alex Bellemare in his bid to qualify for next year’s Paris Olympics.
Roberge offers a dizzying assortment of casement, awning, sliding, hung and architectural window styles, doubleand triple-glass thermopanes, exterior and interior PCV mould options, lites and grills, the choice of PVC or PVC/ aluminum hybrids, and a wide range of colours.
“We have standard products on the door side, but on the window side it is all custom orders. In the showrooms we have examples and samples for customers to see. There are lots of custom options for doors if needed,” Gaignard explains.
Roberge manufactures its own doors, offering 10 panel types and a wide range
of door windows, including stained glass, side windows and side panels. Patio doors are also on the menu; almost all of its door and window products are Energy Star-certified.
Roberge specializes in residential work, of which 80 percent is retrofit, Gaignard says. “We have sold some commercial windows, but they all are made with PVC/aluminum hybrid frames.”
Adding the paint shop was an astute move. “Before we built it, we had to send the doors out to be painted, then bring them back here and send them out to customers. Adding a paint shop is probably the best decision I made,” Gaignard says. “If I didn’t have that I’d lose a lot of sales. The demand for coloured products is really high. We were told that in the near future we would be buying another paint shop.”
Roberge mixes its own colours and can match colours and paper samples.
“We have machines that can analyse and reproduce colours,” Gaignard notes.
Another advantage of bringing product painting in-house is that it is easier to maintain a high level of quality, says Nathalie Boileau, supply and certification manager. “The more they are manipulated, the more damage is possible.” Delays and damage have declined, there is increased quality control, and Roberge can react quickly to remedy defects.
The company has a network of 31 distributors. Some are in AbitibiTemiscamingue, others are strung out along Highway 11 from North Bay to Hallebourg – about half-way to Thunder Bay. A few more are clustered around Sudbury and Ottawa and there is a branch office and showroom in Gatineau. Customers in La Sarre can visit a Roberge showroom in their local Home Hardware, which Gaignard owns.
Kate Dickey, workshop worker, busy in the La Sarre paint room.
PROFILE
“Competition is fierce, so we must always listen to our customers. That’s why we are very quick to respond to their requests,” Gaignard notes. “We are very fast to resolve any problems for our customers. Our main advantage is how fast we can answer requests. For example, if a customer breaks a window, we can replace it in less than three hours. We can help customers very quickly,” Gaignard explains.
Roberge has a service team in Gatineau and a technician in La Sarre who hits the road a minimum of three days a week on the road to take care of customers. It uses subcontractors and contractors to do most installs. However, Gaignard notes, “In Gatineau we have both our own installers and a subcontractor.”
The company’s continued existence is proof that Roberge has a good handle on its supply chain management, such as inventory control and distribution across rather challenging distances. “This is why we need to keep inventory up to date. The cost of transportation is very expensive. When I am ordering material, what else can I order to make the trips worthwhile?” Boileau asks. Gaignard adds, “We use our delivery trucks to bring back supplies. We ship full and return full. We never come back with an empty truck.”
While Roberge says it is not experiencing
a labour shortage (a pan-Canadian complaint since the pandemic struck) it is nonetheless a job-seekers market, Gaignard says. “We are a popular employer here in Le Sarre, but right now, when we do interviews, we have to decide very fast. If not, when we call back, they already have jobs. It is a very fast market at the moment.”
Boileau adds, “For now we are fine [with labour supply] because we have a lot of long-term employees. Most of them have been with us for over 20 years.” Roberge will hire people with no experience and train them directly on the production line. And while it does not have an apprenticeship program, Gaignard explains, “In the winter there is a program in high school to help students do internships with companies. For two years we have had one student a year who comes here from one to three days a week, working here, and continuing their schooling during the winter.”
Employee training includes health and safety training. “It includes first aid, maintenance methods such as lock-out, and we have a health and safety committee that meets four times a year. The employees like to participate and consult. When we get requests from employees, we listen to them every time. We have line inspections, safety guides, and we are changing processes to be sure everything is safe. We have
safety light curtains which, if obstructed, stop the machines.” Roberge also uses Mutuelles de prevention which, according to Medial, “… is a group of companies that promotes healthy and safe workplaces for their employees.” These efforts, Gaignard points out, have reduced the rates Roberge pays to the Quebec worker’s compensation program by putting the company in a lower risk category.
Quality control and product certification, always a preoccupation, is especially important now, Gaignard says. “In the past year, visits by a recognised inspection agency, which does product certification and sends the information to the certification agency, are more frequent and more strict.”
For example, Boileau says, “If we decide to change the weather stripping, we either ask for equivalences or have them re-simulated in the laboratory. We ensure conformity to the standards we require, and with getting our products certified.”
With rising interest rates tamping down demand at the moment, Roberge has put some projects on hold. “We have some projects in the near future but with the financial situation at the moment they are on hold. Renovation and construction are on hold, and now with the increase in interest rates a lot of projects have stopped,” Gaignard says.
Still, Roberge is steaming ahead with other important projects. One, under the rubric of plant optimization, includes advances such as getting automation results in real time, collecting more data, and cloud computing. “When this project is finished, we will be able to have all the information about project scheduling in real time. Inside or outside the plant, we will be able to track everything in real time,” Gaignard explains. “Now we can use a model to track [for example] our productivity. It can be used on a smaller scale; for example, counting windows coming off the production line, right up to very sophisticated work.”
From horses and gaslights to realtime automated inventory control. Who knows what the future holds?
Simon Gaignard is general manager and co-owner of Roberge, managing about 100 employees. The company is a major employer in La Sarre.
Your ticket to opportunity FENESTRATION CANADA
WinDoor can get you ready for the coming rush of demand.
by Rich Porayko
Each year, Canada welcomes record new permanent residents while simultaneously undergoing a housing crisis. In order to meet the increasing demand for housing, Canada will need to construct approximately 5.8 million new homes by 2030. This staggering number equates to around 830,000 new houses per year, resulting in a 40-percent surge in the current housing supply, as reported by Royal Bank. Back in 1972, Canada constructed a whopping 232,200 new homes. Fast forward to 2022, even with a larger population, only 219,500 homes managed to hit the market.
There is immense pressure on municipal, provincial and federal governments to address the urgent need for housing. Despite price fluctuations, the constant demand for housing in Canada remains unchanged. With a tight labour pool inching towards retirement combined with increasingly stringent energy codes, there has never been a better time for the fenestration industry to attend Fenestration Canada’s WinDoor.
WinDoor is Canada’s premier fenestration industry event showcasing the best of the window and door industry, attracting manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and other industry professionals from all over the world. There, you can embrace a world of quality fenestration education, cultivate powerful relationships and networks, discover the latest products, services, technology and equipment, stay informed about industry trends, and find lucrative business opportunities. It’s a chance to learn more about the latest automation technologies and products available. Not only will you be able to speak directly with vendors who specialize in window and door equipment, but WinDoor also offers a chance to meet other fenestration professionals and see what solutions they have adopted.
WinDoor allows business owners to stay
up to date on industry developments in their province and find the best solution for their needs. With a vast array of solutions presented throughout the two-day event, it is helpful in comparing different options side-by-side to find the best fit.
Networking is another key benefit of attending WinDoor. You’ll have the chance to meet industry professionals and build relationships that can help your business over time. Don’t forget to join us at the fabulous Embassy Grand for an extraordinary and unforgettable WinDoor Main Event banquet party! Get ready for an amazing evening experience that only Fenestration Canada could deliver. Your additional ticket includes a lavish dinner, an open bar and captivating entertainment throughout the night.
WinDoor has a reputation of offering highcaliber educational opportunities. Attending the technical educational sessions at WinDoor is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest industry developments and trends in Canada. With the ever-changing landscape of the industry, WinDoor’s technical sessions are essential for staying ahead of the competition.
Don’t miss your chance to join the thousands of window and door professionals who will be attending WinDoor 2023 at the Toronto Congress Centre. This year’s event will also feature exhibitors and education sessions from FenCan’s commercial glazing chapter, includings sessions on the difference between residential and commercial glazing, silicone technology and more.
For more information, visit fenestrationcanada.ca/windoor or email laine@fenestrationcanada.ca. We look forward to seeing you there!
Rich Porayko is director of business development for Fenestration Canada Commercial.
WINDOOR PREVIEW
What’s up at WinDoor 2023?
Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s big fenestration show.
by Patrick Flannery
WHAT
WinDoor is Canada’s national trade show for the fenestration industry hosted by Fenestration Canada. It takes place every year and alternates between Toronto and Montreal locations. It is a two-day event featuring a supplier exhibition, a professional education conference and social networking opportunities. The sold-out show floor will include booths and displays from about 100 industry suppliers. Products on hand will include fabrication machinery, finishes and finishing technology, lineal and framing systems, hardware, insulating glass, production and ERP software, screen, assembled windows and doors, sill and flashing systems, testing and certification services and more.
If your business depends on contact with this industry there is no better opportunity.
The Main Event is Fenestration Canada’s social banquet and awards night, held on the evening of the first day of the show. Anyone can buy a ticket to attend. Suppliers often buy entire tables at the event and give away seats to their clients and prospects...perhaps ask your salesperson before buying your own. The night includes a gourmet dinner, an open bar, entertainment and the presentation of Fenestration Canada’s big awards for leadership in the industry. These include inductions into FenCan’s Hall of Fame including
the Lifetime Achievement award for business success, the Industry Pioneer award for innovation and the C.P. Loewen award for overall contribution to the industry and the association. The 2023 Main Event has a Fire and Ice theme - attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly.
Each day of the show will include two professional education sessions hosted in the show floor lecture hall and free to all attendees. See windoorshow.ca or the online show guide for details. Topics on tap this year include interior low-E coatings and their effects on condensation; a panel discussion about the differences between residential and commercial fenestration; embodied carbon; a presentation from the Canadian Federation for Independent Business; and a codes and standards update from FenCan technical director, Terry Adamson.
WHEN
WinDoor 2023 will take place Nov. 15 and 16. The show floor opens at 10 a.m. each morning and closes at 3 p.m. each afternoon with education sessions ongoing throughout the day.
WHERE
The show venue is the Toronto Congress Centre at 650 Dixon Road, just a few blocks from highway 427 and a ten-minute drive from Pearson airport. It’s a good half-hour drive (in light traffic...bet on an hour to be safe) north of the downtown core. It is also very close to Toronto’s major fenestration manufacturing centres in the Woodbridge and Concorde areas.
The Main Event will take place at the Embassy Grand convention centre in Brampton, Ont., approximately 20 minutes away from the show venue.
WINDOOR PREVIEW
WHO
WinDoor is for anyone involved in putting windows, doors and glazed building envelopes on residential, commercial, industrial or institutional buildings. Fabricators, glazing contractors, dealers, installers, consultants, architects, building engineers, educators and researchers all attend WinDoor. The show is open to all occupational levels from business owners through managers and supervisors right to shop workers and students. Booths are staffed by supplier sales staff and often senior executives, managers and marketing personnel. All staff, board members and committee chairs from Fenestration Canada are typically at the show, as well as representatives from other major North American fenestration associations. Fenestration Review is WinDoor’s media partner and editor, Patrick Flannery, and brand manager, Leslie Osborne, will be there, too.
HOW
Attendees can register online for WinDoor at windoorshow.ca. Registration costs $75 for Fenestration Canada members and $175 for non-members. Pre-registration is not necessary, walk-in attendees can register and pay on the day.
Main Event tickets can also be purchased online at windoorshow.ca for $200 per seat or $2,000 for a table of 10.
The WinDoor official show hotel is the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport across the street from the venue. The original block of discounted rooms is sold out, but really any hotel advertising itself as a Toronto airport hotel will be in close proximity.
Road travel to WinDoor is via 401/407 to 427 from the west and east, and 400 to 407/401 from the north. Flying into Toronto Pearson airport puts you minutes away. Coming out of downtown Toronto is via the Gardiner/427, though a less annoying option would be to take the UP train from Union Station (20 minutes) and Uber/taxi over to the Congress Centre.
WinDoor attracted about 1,200 attendees to its Montreal edition in 2022 and expects to exceed that this year.
WHY
It’s not complicated. WinDoor is Canada’s national show for the fenestration industry and if your business depends on contact with our sector there’s no better opportunity to meet the people and collect the information you need.
There’s an extra reason for anyone involved with the commercial aluminum side of the industry to come to WinDoor 2023. Fenestration Canada has made an unprecedented commitment to serve the Canadian architectural
glass sector, with new staff and technical experts dedicated to Fenestration Canada Commercial. Partnering with Top Glass, Canada’s architectural glass trade event hosted by Glass Canada magazine, WinDoor will offer education and exhibits for ICI glazing contractors and glass fabricators in addition to the usual content targeted to residential window and door fabricators and dealers. Come help Fenestration Canada build an event that brings both sides of the fenestration industry together!
STURTZ AUTOMATION.
Join us as we push boundaries and explore new horizons in the realm of PVC window and door manufacturing. Our bespoke products and services are meticulously designed to enhance your pursuit of innovation and optimization, ultimately elevating your productivity and results.
Next Level.
The Trade Show Experience: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
Trade shows are not just about exhibitions; they are about seizing opportunities. We‘re excited to announce that Sturtz will be participating at the upcoming WINDOOR, November 15-16, 2023, Toronto Congress Center, Hall D. - Join us at this event.
The latest technology for window and door manufacturers will be on display in Toronto
SHOW FLOOR PREVIEW
TOOLS WELL
8 cs2sales.com
DowSil Contractor’s
Weatherproofing Sealant is an industry-standard sealant for perimeter window installation. Colour trends change, so CS2 stocks 60 of the most popular window frame colours. CWS is a single-component sealant that cures through moisture exposure. This medium modulus sealant is designed to create durable, flexible and watertight joints. Notably, it exhibits exceptional adhesion to a variety of porous and non-porous substrates, all without the need for priming. Its specialized formulation
makes it ideal for effectively sealing joints that undergo dynamic movement. Other applications include EIFS, bedding of mullions, panels and frames, tilt-up panels, curtainwall joints and many other uses. It is easily gunnable in all weather conditions from minus 29 to 49 C. CWS is a highly economical sealant considering its performance. With movement capability of plus or minus 40 percent it outperforms other sealants at its price point. Feedback from installers indicates it tools well. CS2 has been in business for 20 years and has a central location for pick up or delivery. Assistance with
product selection is available through a team of technical advisors. CS2 is the exclusive distributor for Dow Chemical silicones in Ontario as well as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact CS2 as well for any silicone needs including two-part IG or structural sealants, one-part structural silicones, polyurethanes, foams and many more specialized sealants or glazing accessories also.
DRIVES SUCCESS
8 orgadata.com
Orgadata provides the popular software LogiKal. LogiKal is a software solution for the glazing industry. It’s tailored for the storefront, curtainwall and window and door industries. Logikal optimizes project management, enhancing efficiency, collaboration and decision-making. Whether a small team or
a large enterprise, Logikal empowers users to deliver projects on time and within budget, ultimately driving the organization’s success.
ALTERNATIVE TO FILMS, CERAMIC AND WIRE
8 safti.com
Safti First’s patented SuperClear 45-HS (hose stream) and SuperClear 45-HS-LI (hose stream, low iron) are North Americanmade, non-wired, tint-free, monolithic, fire-protective glazing products for all 45-minute doors, sidelites, transoms and openings. Listed and labeled by UL and Intertek, SuperClear 45-HS and SuperClear 45-HS-LI are available in large sizes and meet CAN/ULC S104, CAN/ULC S106 with hose stream and CAN/CGSB 12.1 Class A and B impact safety without additional films or laminates. SuperClear 45-HS and SuperClear 45-HS-LI
have high acoustical ratings and can be customized to protect against bullets, forced entry, blast, hurricane and more. Both products have a lifetime warranty and are approved glazing components in the NFRC CMAST database. Proudly North American-made with fast lead times, SuperClear 45-HS and SuperClear 45-HS-LI are affordable alternatives to expensive filmed and laminated ceramics or unsafe wired glass with better durability, VLT, STC and OITC performance values.
PROUD SUPPORTER
8 screenco.ca
Screenco has over 35 years history in the fenestration industry and is a proud WinDoor sponsor. It’s extensive market coverage in Canada and the United States allows it to provide quality products and industry knowledge North Americawide. Screenco offers a wide variety of products including grille bar and accessories, steel reinforcement channel, fabricated window and patio door screens and lineal and components for fabricators to produce their own screens. Visit Screenco at WinDoor booth 501.
SMOOTH, UNINTERRUPTED SURFACE
8 amesburytruth.com
The Attraction handle and cover from AmesburyTruth has taken style and performance to a higher level for casement and awning windows. Featuring a concealed magnet designed to draw the handle into proper placement, Attraction folds into a smooth, uninterrupted surface that makes cleaning easier. The long slender handle features a filled backside that improves the appearance when open, resists folding and reduces operating force offering smoother functionality. The handle and cover are made of zinc for lasting durability and available in an abundance of painted and plated finishes. Because it was designed to work with the Encore operating platform, Attraction can be used to upgrade existing Encore installations. Attraction will blend seamlessly into any window design, providing elegant esthetics and functionality customers will love. AmesburyTruth will exhibit Attraction at WinDoor booth 325.
HIGH-QUALITY SEALS
8 schlegelemi.com
SEM SP offers high-quality materials to meet weatherstripping and sealing needs for any project size with superior
sealing technology, delivered when needed. SEM SP commits to having the highest quality components available in customers’ hands, on time, every time. From custom windows and doors to office cubicles and other building product projects, SEM SP provides consistent quality. The SEM SP portfolio includes the PolyFab premier line of foam PP, TPE and dual-extrusion gaskets that are RoHS- and REACH-compliant; custom and standard extruded copolymer and polypropylene seals; and vertical pile yarn woven with a horizontal weft with hard or softback coating. SEM SP products can help meet several safety standards including ANSI/UL 10B door assembly fire tests; ANSI/UL 10C positive pressure door assembly fire tests; and the CAN/ULC-S104 standard door assembly fire test method. Products are UL 10C and AAMA certified. SEM SP is a member of the National Glass Association and Fenestration Canada.
REDUCES ENERGY LOSS
8 industriesradisson.com Radisson introduces its cutting-edge Apex system, a solution designed to redefine efficiency, security, and durability in both casement and awning windows. Boasting a range of innovative features, the Apex system is poised to enhance product offer-
ings. Its innovative corner drive system introduces an enhancement to conventional window design, incorporating an additional locking cam mechanism that goes beyond the traditional vertical axis and extends to the top horizontal section of the window sash (or bottom in an awning situation). The Apex system offers the flexibility to include up to five locking points. These combined features contribute to achieving a higher design pressure rating, ensuring the system’s resilience and durability even under extreme conditions. In the pursuit of energy efficiency, the system incorporates increased compression and therefore weatherproof sealing. This feature enhances insulation and minimizes energy loss. The tie bars’ pre-punched guide locations are strategically positioned to streamline the installation process. The design not only saves valuable time on the production line but also ensures precision and accuracy during the application of the system, significantly reducing the risk of errors and costly rework. Furthermore, the Apex system offers full cam adjustability, providing a seamless locking mechanism that adapts to specific process needs. This adjustability produces a smooth, secure fit, thereby enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the system. Users have the choice between the standard powder-coated carbon steel finish, which offers a durable and cost-effective solution, or the premium option of 304 austenitic materials, renowned for their maximum durability and resistance to corrosion.
PRODUCTCATEGORIES
Insulating Glass (Software)
Fenetech - A Cyncly Company
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Inventory Management
Fenestratio
Fenetech - A Cyncly Company
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Jobber/Distribution
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Optimization Programs
Fenestratio
Fenetech - A Cyncly Company
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Order Entry Systems
Fenestratio
Fenetech - A Cyncly Company
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Windoor Quote
CAD Services
Kits Glass Ltd.
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Other
Fenestratio
Fenetech - A Cyncly Company
Openjanela Llc
Preference North America, Inc. // Prefsuite // Preferp
Accounting
Openjanela Llc
SUNROOMS AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Sunroom Windows
Golden Windows Limited
WINDOW COMPONENTS
Balances, Windows
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Rw Coomber Inc.
Screens
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Storetek Sales
Sealants and Adhesives
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Construction Distribution & Supply (cds) Co Inc.
Fenestration Components
International
H.b. Fuller Company
Haseda Holding Ltd (akfix)
Lamatek, Inc.
Protective Packaging Ltd
Tremco- Industrial Products Group
Jamb Liners
Fenestration Components
International Praxis Profiles Inc
Grilles, Window
Fenestration Components
International
Golden Windows Limited
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Glazing Tapes
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Construction Distribution & Supply (cds) Co Inc.
Fenestration Components
International Frank Lowe
H.b. Fuller Company
Lamatek, Inc.
Lockwood Industries
Protective Packaging Ltd
Rw Coomber Inc.
Tremco- Industrial Products Group
Balances, Sash
Amesburytruth
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Rw Coomber Inc.
Blinds, Internal
Aribell Products Limited
Kits Glass Ltd.
Odl Canada
Zz Construction Ltd
Retractable Screens (Window Comp.)
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Extrusions, Composite
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Fenestration Components International
Extrusions, Vinyl
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Amesburytruth
Click Coatings
Elton Manufacturing
Fenestration Components
International
Golden Windows Limited
Praxis Profiles Inc
Vinylcraft Extrusions Ltd.
Trim, Windows, Vinyl
American Renolit Corp.
Fenestration Components
International
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Vinylcraft Extrusions Ltd.
Trim, Windows, Wood
American Renolit Corp.
Aribell Products Limited
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Storetek Sales
Weston Wood Solutions, Inc.
Window Jambs
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
American Renolit Corp.
Golden Windows Limited
Storetek Sales
Weston Wood Solutions, Inc.
Sills, Adjustable
Aribell Products Limited
Decorative Laminate Films (Window Comp.)
American Renolit Corp.
Continental Surface Solution
Wintegra Windows
Extrusions, Aluminum
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
WINDOW HARDWARE AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Window Hardware
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Amesburytruth
Aribell Products Limited
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Golden Windows Limited
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Zz Construction Ltd
Rollers (Wind. Hardware)
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International Garibaldi Glass
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Zz Construction Ltd
Screen Cloth
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Fenestration Components
International
Rw Coomber Inc.
Storetek Sales
Snubbers
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Interlock Usa
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Tilt/Turn Mechanisms
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Renko Rubber
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Tiltco Architectural Products
Zz Construction Ltd
Window Repair Parts
Fenestration Components
International
S.i.l. Plastic
Zz Construction Ltd
Window Screens
Fenestration Components
International
Golden Windows Limited
Indow
S.i.l. Plastic
Storetek Sales
Zz Construction Ltd
Balances
Amesburytruth
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Grove Shims
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Rw Coomber Inc.
Screen Frames
Fenestration Components
International
Storetek Sales
Operators
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Garibaldi Glass
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
Combo Lock/Tilt Latch Systems
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Hinges (Wind. Hardware)
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Garibaldi Glass
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Renko Rubber
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Operator Handles
Amesburytruth
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Golden Windows Limited
Interlock Usa
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
Pivot Bars
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Garibaldi Glass
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Sash Lifts
Amesburytruth
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Fenestration Components
International
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Sash Locks
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Tilt Latches
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Renko Rubber
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Weatherstripping, Windows
A.k. Draft Seal Ltd.
Amesburytruth
Collins-toker Agencies Ltd.
Fenestration Components
International
Golden Windows Limited
Lamatek, Inc.
Lockwood Industries
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Renko Rubber
Multipoint Locks (Wind. Hardware)
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Golden Windows Limited
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Tiltco Architectural Products
Access Control (Wind. Hardware)
Garibaldi Glass
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Rw Coomber Inc.
Hinges, Four-Bar
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Checkrail Locks
Amesburytruth
Keepers
Amesburytruth
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Interlock Usa
Northern Architectural Products Inc.
Radisson Industries
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Connectors (Wind. Hardware)
Renko Rubber
S.i.l. Plastic
Pivots (Wind. Hardware)
Amesburytruth
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Garibaldi Glass
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
PRODUCTCATEGORIES
Vent Locks (Wind. Hardware)
Fenestration Components
International
Fentro Technologies Inc.
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Golden Windows Limited
Interlock Usa
Roto North America
Rw Coomber Inc.
S.i.l. Plastic
Jamb Adjusters (Wind. Hardware)
Interlock Usa
WINDOWS
Egress Windows
Anig Window & Door Manufacturing Limited
Dayside Windows And Doors
Del Windows & Doors Inc.
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Fenetres Unique Windows Inc
Gem Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (1992)
Gentek Building Products Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
Herr Window & Door
Strassburger Windows & Doors
Tiltco Architectural Products
Vetta Windows
Zz Construction Ltd
Custom Windows
Anig Window & Door Manufacturing Limited
Dayside Windows And Doors
Del Windows & Doors Inc.
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Fenetres Unique Windows Inc
Gentek Building Products Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Oasis Windows
Pollard Windows
Strassburger Windows & Doors
Tiltco Architectural Products
Vetta Windows
Zz Construction Ltd
Casement Windows
Anig Window & Door Manufacturing Limited
Dayside Windows And Doors
Del Windows & Doors Inc.
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Fenetres Unique Windows Inc
Ferco Architectural Hardware
Gem Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (1992)
Gentek Building Products Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
Inline Fiberglass Ltd
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Oasis Windows
Pollard Windows
Strassburger Windows & Doors
Tiltco Architectural Products
Trimbo Window Mfg Inc
Vinyl Window Designs Ltd.
Zz Construction Ltd
Basement/Cellar Windows
Dayside Windows And Doors
Del Windows & Doors Inc.
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Gentek Building Products Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
Window Systems, PVC and Composite
Aluplast Gmbh
Anig Window & Door Manufacturing Limited
Click Coatings
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Maritime Door & Window
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Praxis Profiles Inc
Strassburger Windows & Doors
Zz Construction Ltd
Single-Hung Windows
Anig Window & Door Manufacturing Limited
Dayside Windows And Doors
Del Windows & Doors Inc.
Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors Inc.
Everlast Group Of Companies
Gentek Building Products Ltd.
Golden Windows Limited
Inline Fiberglass Ltd
Millcraft Systems Inc.
Oasis Windows
Pollard Windows
Strassburger Windows & Doors
Horizontal Sliding Windows
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THE WINDOW GEEK
Pandora’s doors
The changing housing market is opening up a box of headaches for prehangers.
by Anton Van Dyk
About a year ago I noticed something shift when it came to door specifications from architects on multi-family projects. This change prompted me to look a bit closer at what was driving this shift. Nothing was new in the requested requirement, what was new was all the requirements were being asked to be achieved in one single product. This shift made me look into why this is and what was driving it more. What I discovered is what most of us already know: the majority of housing has shifted from singlefamily to multi-family and this is prompting single-family features in multi-family buildings.
The main difference that I realized is multifamily buildings, and in particular six-storey wood frame buildings, are being designed more and more with nine-foot ceilings when they traditionally had eight-foot ceilings. This is because more and more people are choosing to live in multi-family buildings as a result of housing costs, and multi-family buildings are the solution to this. So why does this change in housing type result in changes to doors?
Well, in B.C. we had this thing called leaky condos. What leaky condos did in B.C. was to separate buildings with high exposure from buildings with low exposure and, in a way, created two different types of building standards. In other words, multi-storey buildings versus single family homes. This is why certain types of product features in windows and doors are more available for single-family homes.
So how does this impact doors? The rise in requests for eight-foot-tall doors is now at an all time high as a result of ceiling heights going to nine feet. In fact, I am seeing six-storey buildings with all the balcony doors being designed with eight-foot-tall doors. Now, eight-foot-tall doors in general are no big deal. This has been a trend in single-family for decades. So why am I focused on this as a design issue?
In B.C., due to leaky condos, we have regulations that put higher requirements on doors than any other jurisdiction in Canada. It is not uncommon to see designers specify 510-pascal water ratings on doors and require ASTM E1105 testing as well. It is also common for designers to define the doors to be considered exposed regardless of overhang and therefore not allow the Limited Water rating path.
Combine this with the demand for black frames that have more thermal movement. How a door seals in a test lab might be quite a bit different from what it does after a few days in the sun before its field test. Especially when the door is bigger, meaning a small amount of growth across the whole surface area adds up to more movement at the edges.
Now add lower U-value demands due to energy step codes. Steel reinforcing is a thermal bridge that reduces the insulating value of the door. But hitting the structural requirements in an eight-foot door without it is difficult and costly.
B.C. has strict rules for accessibility that call for low-profile door sills. Low-profile means it’s easier for the snow and water to get across the sill. More complexity, more cost to address this conundrum.
Then there is the ease-of-use expectation that separates a door from a window. Making it tight is great, but it has to remain easy to open.
All of these on their own are not difficult, but to provide a single product that can meet all of these aspects is not as simple.
Not to make it more complex, but add third party installation into this and see what kind of results you will get in a field test. But that’s for next time.
Anton Van Dyk is an independent fenestration consultant located in Langley, B.C.
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