Technology changes products

S tIOMI:OWNERS demand higher perf,ormance fronr doors and windows, emerging high technology materials will enable manulacturers to respond.

"Wood composites, extruded thernroplastics, glazing and other materials will all play a part in transforming wood doors in the '90s and beyond." says Jim manager of technical services. "The weight and cost of wood doors will decrease while performance increases. "

Two types of structural wood fibers, which can be engineered to meet Specific Strength requirements, will gain prominence as coring materials: oriented strand board and parallel strand lumber, according to Benney. These composite wood products, which easily accept decor face material, can replace conventional solid wood stiles and rails and will allow more complete utilization of each tree felled.

New patio, l'rench and entry doors as well as windows will offer an option of privacy protecting electrically charged glass that switches from clear to cloudy with the touch of a button. Hardware will include computerized locks that recognize voices or fingerprints.

Improved weatherstripping and seals, especially extruded thermoplastics, will improve wood door performance in terms of energy efficiency, sound attenuation and fire/ smoke protection. Increased energy costs have made homeowners more sensitive to how doors and windows can help reduce heating and cooling costs. With estimates that the amount of energy lost through windows nationwide equals the output ol the Alaska pipeline, homeowners have become anxious for replacement products that offer better thermal protection. They are demanding windows and doors that have higher R values and lower U values. Manulacturers are responding with products listing R values as high as 6.-67 and U values as low as 0.15.

One of the biggest developments in windows during the last decade, Low E glazing is a transparent metallic oxide coating placed on the glass. This reflects energy back into a heated room and in warmer climates keeps heat out of a cooler room. With softcoat Low E windows. the reflective coating is placed directly on one layer ofglass and then sealed inside an insulated window. llecause homeowners have less time, they are insisting upon products that require lower mairrtenance. A factory applied polymer coating to keep windows clean longer and aluminum and vinyl clad windows and doors help to answer this need.

Argon gas fills provide super insulation when used to fill the airspace between layers of glass. An inert, nontoxic gas that has less thermal conductivity than ordinary air, it is predicted to be used increasingly to enhance Low [: glass.

In addition to energy efficiency, consumers are demanding protection against damaging ultraviolet rays. Some products, such as Supersmart windows and doors from Weather Shield. claim to block out nearly 9506 of these rays which discolor and fade home furnishings.

In addition to demanding energy efficiency and easy maintenance, buyers show great interest in high quality appearance. Materials such as real oak and bright genuine brass are in demand. Half circle windows, roundtops, divided lights and custom windows also are favored.

Story at a Glane Technology answets customer€' demands for better thermal protection, higher R and lower U values, ultraviolet protec'tion, less maintenanoe, higher quallty. .new products aim to satisfy expectations.