Contractor Advantage March / April 2021

UNLOCKING THE FUTURE

Publications Mail Agreement #40006677

WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS

TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS

March / April 2021 // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group representing over 300 member locations across Canada.

Contractor Advantage Magazine is the exclusive publication of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. featuring quality Castle vendor brands available at Castle Building Centres locations.

Visit castle.ca to find a Castle location in your area.

Editorial Director Castle Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca Art Direction and Design Espress Labs Inc. Contributors Lawrence Cummer Lisa Gordon

Advertising Inquiries Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 jmercieca@castle.ca Material Contact Maryam Bashir Marketing Coordinator Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 mbashir@castle.ca Published and designed exclusively for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.

by Espress Labs Inc. On the cover: All Weather Windows

ABOUT CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

MARCH / APRIL 2021 Volume 26 Issue 2

CONTRIBUTORS

LAWRENCE CUMMER Lawrence (“Law”) Cummer is a freelance writer and editor and has been a frequent contributor to Contractor Advantage, Ideas and Rough Construction for nearly a decade. Over his more than 20-year career, Law has written about contracting and construction, general business, information technology, health and safety, personal finance and almost every topic in between. He has a passion for storytelling and sharing how people can work better, easier — and “smarter” — from contractors to technologists to business executives.

LISA GORDON Lisa Gordon is a freelance writer and editor based in St. George, Ont. She operates Mustang Media Writing & Editorial Services, delivering informative and engaging articles for trade and association magazines in a variety of industries. Contact her at www.mustangmediaservices.ca.

LIZ URAM Liz Uram is a nationally-recognized speaker, trainer, consultant, and author. She equips leaders with the tools they need to communicate like a boss so they can make a bigger impact, get better results, and motivate others to do their best. With 20 years of experience, she’s developed systems that work. Uram’s written four books packed full of strategies leaders can implement to get real results, real fast. For more information, please visit www.lizuram.com.

TERESA CHRISTINE Teresa is an accomplished communicator and award-winning Editor with the publication and design team at Espress Labs Inc. For fifteen years, she is also known, recognized and respected for her brand direction and has advised a broad range of consumer, lifestyle and corporate clients in various industries including construction, building materials, consumer and lifestyle. Clients have trusted Teresa to uncover, shape and tell their stories, helping to build their brands and her attention to detail, creativity and passion has allowed her to cultivate solid relationships in every industry. Her ghostwriting is proudly displayed through content across various digital platforms and print forms across the country and beyond.

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CONTENTS

TABLE OF OF TABLE

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UNLOCKING THE FUTURE Tomorrow’s homes will likely be secured by some type of digital lock, many of them capable of communicating with property owners who are around the block or across the world

WHAT’S TRENDING 3 steps to stop people from stealing your time

WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS Builders and contractors coming out of an unprecedented year may still find positive demand for windows in 2021, as many homeowners in various stages of lockdown seek ways to bring more of the outside in

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DESIGN TALK Getting creative during Covid-19

TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS While visitors these days may be few, exterior doors are often the first impression of a home and has a significant impact on its look and feel, and ultimately comfort // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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UNLOCKING THE FUTURE

Tomorrow’s homes will likely be secured by some type of digital lock, many of them capable of communicating with property owners who are around the block or across the world.

Written by Lisa Gordon

Photo courtesy of Spectrum Brands 6

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According to a November 2020 report by Fortune Business Insights, nearly two-thirds of North American households have at least one smart home device or system.

By 2023, the burgeoning Canadian smart home market is expected to hit US $3.8 billion in revenue.

As connective technology continues to develop—including Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6, and Z-Wave 700—it is enabling exciting advances in home security. Many of these advances start at the front door, with the rising popularity of digital door locks.

“In 2017, electronic locks were one per cent of our units sold and two per cent of dollar volume,” said Brian Crouch, director of sales for Spectrum Brands, which includes the Weiser, Kwikset and Baldwin residential lock lines. “By 2019, this segment had grown to seven per cent of units, and 27 per cent of dollar volume. It is the fastest-growing segment of the lock market.”

While 93 per cent of exterior residential locks sold by Spectrum are still traditional keyed locks, Crouch said the company has its eye on the massive potential presented by techsavvy homeowners. Indeed, there are many—

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Photo courtesy of Spectrum Brands

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Photo courtesy of Spectrum Brands

especially younger property owners—who would prefer to throw away the key when it comes to locking their front doors.

LOCKING DOWN THE OPTIONS When it comes to digital locks there are a few different categories, with prices ranging from less than $100 to upwards of $350.

First, there is the least expensive standalone electronic lock, featuring a digital keypad and PIN code. These locks aren’t connected to any home automation system but offer users the convenience of keyless entry and unique user codes.

Donnie Viajar, Spectrum Brands’ product manager, Electronic Smart Locks, told Contractor Advantage that so-called smart locks are defined by connectivity capability—and there is a range of options and features available, depending on the desired network platform.

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Spectrum offers a wide selection of smart locks, including its WiFi-driven Halo Touch line with fingerprint access, its Aura family of Bluetooth compatible locks, and the Premis touchscreen line that works with Apple HomeKit. Weiser features a range of HomeConnect products that integrate with whole-home networks powered by Zigbee and Z-Wave.

Viajar said the selection of a smart lock is entirely driven by the user profile.

“There’s been a transition from Bluetooth to WiFi over the last few years, because Bluetooth has a shorter range. With WiFi, you can connect to your home internet without the additional cost of a WiFi hub, so you can lock your door from anywhere in the world. WiFi does consume more battery life than Bluetooth, though.”

When it comes to biometrics, Spectrum has already integrated a fingerprint scanner and

FEATURE STORY // UNLOCKING THE FUTURE expects facial recognition to be next. “We are definitely investigating facial recognition, but the additional power requirement from the battery will need to be addressed,” said Viajar. “There are obstacles to overcome, but I can see it.”

In the future, he noted that smart home devices and systems will be connected by a new interoperable platform called Thread. Leading manufacturers such as Google, Amazon and Apple are already developing Thread-compatible devices as part of the CHIP (Connected Home over IP) Alliance, and Viajar expects them to become more commonplace over the next couple of years.

DRIVEN BY THE SMARTPHONE According to Jonathan Bremer, director of LBM sales at Allegion Canada—which offers the Schlage product line—smart lock development is keeping pace with smartphone technology. People like being able to see when the dog walker arrives or when the kids come home from school. Owners with rental units can use smart locks to remotely assign unique, timed entry codes for renters, cleaning staff and repair technicians.

Exterior lock sales make up about a quarter of Allegion’s residential business, said Bremer. He, too, noted a rapid increase in electronic lock sales, a category which has been experiencing double-digit growth for the last few years. While

Photo courtesy of Allegion Canada

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Photo courtesy of Allegion Canada

mechanical lock sales are still strong, they are not growing at the same pace.

Schlage’s latest product release is the Encode smart WiFi deadbolt. Its built-in internet connectivity allows users to monitor their door locks from anywhere in the world. It also pairs with the Schlage Home app so homeowners can grant entry to guests and monitor access to their home.

The manufacturer has also launched its Schlage Custom line, a premium lock line that Bremer reported is “getting great traction.”

While Allegion has integrated biometric indicators into its commercial locks, he said the company doesn’t see it as a fit for the residential market right now.

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“Fingerprint scanning locks don’t have a code. To get in, you have to take your gloves off because there is no keypad. We are exploring it now, but personally I don’t see it as a big market.”

On the other hand, he reported that new finishes are definitely hot. Recently, a black stainless finish was added to the Schlage Custom line. Other popular looks include satin brass and matte black.

In other trends, roses—the decorative metal plate around the lock itself—are changing from round to square or rectangular lines to match new door styles.

WHAT IF THE WIFI GOES DOWN? Some people are reluctant to buy smart locks for their homes, wondering: What if the WiFi goes down?

FEATURE STORY // UNLOCKING THE FUTURE Bremer said it’s not a problem: You will still be able to lock and unlock your door.

“If you’re standing there, you can still enter in the code that you selected or use your key,” he explained. “We keep a keypad on our locks that work without WiFi, so although remote capabilities would be eliminated, you could still engage or disengage your lock.”

According to Spectrum’s Donnie Viajar, “If the WiFi goes down, the fingerprint is stored in the (Halo) lock itself, not backed up in the Cloud. You can still lock and unlock the door without WiFi. What will be affected is the history on the lock—it won’t be pushed through the Cloud. Also, for locks with PIN codes, that is kept in the lock itself, so you can lock and unlock it with the PIN.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, home improvement products have been flying off the shelves as people forgo their vacations and instead sink money into their houses.

“It’s a relatively simple do-it-yourself product to purchase and install an electronic lock,” said Spectrum’s Crouch. “The younger demographics are the people who are adopting the electronic locks at a pretty good pace. They are taking the time to research and invest in products.”

While some homeowners may be looking to integrate their locks with a whole home monitoring system, others may be fine with a simple standalone electronic coded lock. If you’re leaning toward a smart lock solution, Viajar recommends considering the technology infrastructure of the home itself.

“If you have the Amazon Echo as the main product in your home, for example, you’ll want to select a compatible smart lock.”

Regardless, selecting the right lock for your home is a question of personal preference. The majority of people still prefer a traditional mechanical lockset, although the key to the front door of the future will most likely be electronic. —

Photo courtesy of Spectrum Brands

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3 STEPS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM STEALING YOUR TIME

Written by Liz Uram

If you have been working remotely, you have probably discovered that you are a lot more productive when you are not in the office. The main reason for the increase in productivity is that people aren’t inviting you to ‘got-a-minute’ meetings. ‘Got-a-minute’ meetings are those unannounced drop-ins that always take more than a minute and result in people stealing your time – unintentionally or not.

These ‘got-a-minute’ meetings can be frustrating and time consuming. You may wonder why so many people want to steal your time. This happens for a variety of reasons, including:

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IT MAKES THEIR JOB EASIER Some people are stealing your time because they know you will say yes to their requests. They know they can get out of doing their work because you’ll do it for them. This is sometimes called ‘reverse delegation’ and can happen when you delegate a task to a team member or co-worker. When they ask you a question about it, you take the task back from them instead of helping them find the answer.

THEY’VE BEEN CONDITIONED Have you unintentionally trained your team to check in with you before taking action? If you

// WHAT’S TRENDING

catch yourself saying things like “Run that by me…” or “Let me know...”, you could be micro-managing (gasp!) your team without realizing it.

YOU FEEL RESPONSIBLE Leaders sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that they aren’t doing their job if they aren’t always available. Banish that thought. You could actually be depriving someone the opportunity to develop their skills if you are too available.

Give people the chance to figure things out on their own.

So, how do you protect your time and establish boundaries without being bossy or getting a reputation of being unapproachable or missingin-action? It starts with being pre-active. Preactive means anticipating what will happen and taking actions to prevent that thing from happening. For example, it’s not hard to anticipate that you will be interrupted when you sit down at your desk and try to work, especially if any of the scenarios above sound familiar.

Follow these 3 steps to stop people from stealing your time:

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DESIGNATE TIME When you have to focus on a specific task that takes all your brain power, don’t try to multitask. Studies reveal that multi-tasking does not make people more productive. According to a University of Utah study, only 2% of people can actually multitask and the other 98% of us are overestimating our abilities. This means that we might not be producing the highest quality work or as much work as we think.

The antidote to multi-tasking is to focus on one task at a time. Do this by designating time on your calendar to focus on those tasks that require a high level of concentration.

COMMUNICATE YOUR PLANS While many people agree with the idea of time blocking in theory, they fear that other people won’t respect their time. Whether it’s your team, your co-workers, or your boss, people will typically respect your wishes if you tell them in advance what you are trying to do. Some people react

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to this idea by saying “I can’t do that. Someone might need something from me.”

If you said to your boss, “Hey boss, I’m going to block off an hour on Friday to get these reports done. Do you need anything from me before then?” Do you think the boss will say “That’s a terrible idea, stop trying to be so productive”? Of course not! They will probably say “Great idea. I should try that too.” Your team and co-workers will respect your wishes as well if you communicate your plans ahead of time.

If you are in a leadership position, you are modeling good communication techniques for your team when you take this approach. When you tell your team in advance that you will be unavailable, you are demonstrating that you trust them to make good decisions.

HOLD YOUR GROUND Despite your best efforts, you should be prepared for people who will try to steal your time. When this happens, not if, hold firm. If you have a

// WHAT’S TRENDING previous pattern of accepting ‘got-a-minute’ meetings then you should expect that it will take time for people to get used to the new you. When you get interrupted, simply say “I’m in the middle of something. I’ll be free at 11am. Come back then and I can help you out.” If they persist and say “But it will just take a second.” You say, “I can’t stop what I’m working on. I’ll be free at 11.”

This is called the broken record technique. Yes, you could have answered their question in the time it took you to repeatedly say no but that isn’t the point. The point is you are establishing new expectations. Don’t give up a long-term win for short-term relief.

To recap, the cornerstone of communicating like a boss is to be clear, direct, concise, and nice. When

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you develop these skills and learn to be assertive when it comes to protecting your time, you will quickly realize the tangible benefits of higher quality work and increased productivity. Don’t lose sight of the bigger, and maybe more important, 18

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benefits of increased trust and respect you will earn from others and the feeling of confidence you will experience when you set boundaries and learn to protect your time. —

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WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS

Written by Lawrence Cummer

Builders and contractors coming out of an unprecedented year may still find positive demand for windows in 2021, as many homeowners in various stages of lockdown seek ways to bring more of the outside in.

This time last year, with the spread of the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) taking root, windows contractors and manufacturers faced an uncertain year ahead. But after an initial lull due to lockdowns, supply chain challenges and safety protocols, many homeowners started freeing up home improvement funds, and windows were an attractive option. Add the boon of unseasonably warm weather in some regions, which generates an unexpected extended building season, and things look even more promising for window installation contractors.

“If the first couple weeks are any sort of indication of how the winter months will be in Western Canada, we are poised to have an extremely good start of 2021,” says Jeremy Kirbyson, vice-president of sales (Western Canada) at Ply Gem Canada Inc. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR “It’s about wellness, and the positive effects of daylight and fresh air,” says Mark Taylor, national sales manager at VELUX Canada Inc. It’s a healthy message that the skylight manufacturer has been promoting for almost 80 years.

“With COVID and various lockdowns, as people spend so much more time working from home, so many companies are changing their work strategies, so our products are in very high demand” he says. “We’re one of the few categories in the non-DIY industry that have been having a good year for demand in product.”

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Photo courtesy PlyGem Canada Inc. // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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FEATURE STORY // WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS Photo courtesy of VELUX Canada Inc.

Many manufacturers expect that trend to continue, as well as several trends around aesthetics and performance.

PAINT CONTINUES ITS JOURNEY Painted or colour-coated windows continue to be popular, and the trend of adding interior colour continued to grow in popularity over the last year, with black continuing to be the most prevalent choice for inside colour for a moderncontemporary look.

“Funny enough, there’s actually not a huge correlation between the exterior and interior with regards to the paint colour,” says Jeff Barsalou, marketing manager at Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems. “What we’re seeing is people painting inside might have a different colour on the outside or might even keep it white vinyl.”

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On the exterior, custom colour matching with other elements such as vinyl siding is fashionable, he says. Grey scale has grown in popularity as brown hues have fallen off. “So, people getting more creative with colour, the grey scale is where they tend to be heading,” Barsalou says.

Of course, although called “painted” by many, vinyl windows offered by manufacturers today use coating techniques that adhere colour.

Painting of vinyl windows isn’t recommended due to expansion and contraction, notes Jeff Ward, director of new business development and customer experience at Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

“We use a high-quality vinyl laminate permanently adhered to the vinyl, which is very robust, blocks 80% of infrared heat to perform well long-term,”

Ward says. “Obviously in Canada, when you’ve got black windows facing the sun for 16-hour days in the northern provinces, you don’t want fading, shifting or warping. So, vinyl is not only durable, but really high-performance.”

especially with various provincial governments having ramped up rebate programs, Kirbyson says.

Stricter than those a decade back, many of the rebates available today are aligned with energy guide ratings.

“For colour application, consumers should consider acrylic wrap as an application,” says Tracy Nadiger, director of marketing at All Weather Windows. “It is much more durable than paint and has a 20-year warranty.”

“Energy efficiency still drives a lot of the consumer purchasing decision in windows,” Nadiger says. “So triple pane is most common now in renovation. In new construction, large glass size and black colour continue to be popular.”

PERFORMANCE DEMANDS Aesthetics are what homeowners like to talk about, but performance is critical to the overall comfort of the home. Which element of performance features rank highest depends on the region; for example, watertightness looming large in B.C., while airtightness is key in the Prairies, Kirbyson notes. He adds that PlyGem is prepped for 2021 with the latest trends and features customers are looking for provincially.

As homeowners look to large glass to let in more light, performance-related technology becomes more crucial.

Of course, energy efficiency is even more top of mind with homeowners than in recent years,

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“It really goes against the performance rating requirements for the fenestration industry, but more and more people are looking for the big glass walls—as much glass as they can get—and interestingly enough that’s counter intuitive to what building codes and the push towards energy efficiency,” says Scott Targett, president at Targett’s/Global Windows and Doors.

FEATURE STORY // WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS Photo courtesy of All Weather Windows

Mastering both the yearning for greater light and the pressure for better energy performance is no easy task. The technologies and features found in products—such as triple pane, dualand triple-glazing, low-e coatings and more— become increasingly important, an opportunity for contractors to add needed value and make margins while ultimately filling the same space.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION But it isn’t entirely as straight-forward as installing past windows. Higher-performing large windows are heavier as well as more costly. “More caution has to be brought to the handling of these windows, especially when they are coated,” points

out Allan Doyle, vice-president of development and engineering at Global Windows and Doors.

“There’s an extra level of care that needs to be there.”

That level of care extends to the safety of the workers handling the windows, Targett adds.

“As they get heavier and more awkward, they present risks. Slow down and pay attention to the ergonomics. Understand where the pressure points are,” he reminds contractors. “The cost of replacing a broken window is a lot less than that of putting an employee on workman’s compensation.”

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The skill at installation will directly affect window performance, and contractors should recognize this, fully familiarize themselves with the manufacturer’s installation guidance.

This is an important distinction compared with products that are DIY-safe, making windows a job only for skilled contractors, and lately those familiar with current installation techniques.

“Installation of windows and doors is paramount to their performance,” says Marco Greco, chief executive officer at Ostaco Windows and Doors.

“I would highly recommend that unless someone is in the trades, and specific to framing and finished carpentry, it’s not something they attempt.”

After all, even the best system will perform poorly when improperly installed. In fact, windows dealers and manufacturers suggest many, if not most, service calls are due to poor installation methods.

“For contractors specifically, they should understand how easy or difficult the window is to install,” Nadiger says. “It makes their life easier and it ultimately should save the consumer and

Photo courtesy of Ostaco Windows and Doors

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FEATURE STORY // WINDOWS: SHEDDING LIGHT ON 2021 DEVELOPMENTS Photo courtesy of Ostaco Windows and Doors

contractor time and money and mitigate any future issues.”

MAKING THE MOST OF 2021 With the global pandemic still raging on, uncertainty around the year ahead continues. As lockdowns and quarantine continue, and business ebbs and flows, contractors hoping to make the most of 2021 need to be open-minded regarding opportunities and keep in touch with their customers and prospects.

“The only thing we can do (during lockdowns) is phone calls and Zoom calls, and in times of need the people close to you are those by your side,” Greco suggests. “So, be close with your customers, understand the ebbs and flows of their marketplace, and that we are in uncharted waters.

There could be a potential boon.”

“There could be a very quick turnaround of fortunes, so open communication is critical, but also using any downtime to use social media to reach more people.” — // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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GETTING CREATIVE DURING COVID-19

Written by Teresa Christine

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// DESIGN TALK Due to the pandemic and regional restrictions, many homeowners across Canada in the last year have found themselves focused on home improvements and remodeling projects. For many, the thought of increasing curb appeal always seemed too costly to even consider, however, with the stay-at-home orders in some places and increased home time, whether you’re a designer or DIYer there are ways to get creative and achieve a grand entrance regardless of the budget.

the front of the home is through chic greeting sanitation stations. This can include things like, adorning the front entrance or mud room (whether there is a physical room or a newly designated area), with console tables and trendy framed signs on welcoming visitors while also sanitizing hands before entering the home. Throw in some seasonal accents like current “catch-phrase” pillows and some greenery or potted florals and what should be sterile in nature becomes stylish in function.

With so much unknown regarding long-lasting implications of COVID-19, most designers have been integrating current life into their designs.

One of the ways in which this is being done with

For those homeowners who would rather focus on florals. As the spring approaches, so too does the need to breathe fresh life into the season and entrance space. Wreaths, planters, and various

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décor accents are all still on trend this year.

Starting with a wreath or swag on the door, ombre shades of various greens like eucalyptus, ferns and boxwood are always a fashionable choice for greenery. The green hues and shades also blend into another entrance trend of integrating more nature to your surroundings. Experts believe this also enhances mood and many during these heavy times are looking for ways to feel lighter and more grounded. Whether you

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opt for a colourful planter to bring in an element of brightness, or a more muted tone, you can choose to fill it with either vibrant blooms, or more minimalistic branches or birch poles depending on your desired look.

Speaking of incorporating colour; this too is another movement on the rise that homeowners can use to show some of their own personal style in their entrance space. Door manufacturers are

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seeing an increase in various colours other than the traditional black and grey tones. For those that choose a contemporary coloured door, accenting the surrounding space can include combining different shades of the same colour or introducing complimentary ones. Even for those homeowners who have a more traditional door, choosing a pop of colour in their front space, can prove to enhance their space and their spirits.

Décor staples like potted plants, pillows, carpets or lanterns are a great, cost-effective way, to change a home’s curb appeal. In the past, carpets

or doormats were traditionally a place to wipe feet or rest shoes. Today, these unexpected stylish mats are a way for homeowners to express themselves and sometimes how they’re feeling.

From a touch of colour, to their family name to a pop culture catch phrase, personalized doormats and chic carpets are becoming a part of the entrance décor.

While some of the meaning behind décor and style for the front of the home has changed because of the current pandemic, there is no

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// DESIGN TALK

denying that what adorns the front of a house plays a significant role in setting the tone of the home. Increasing curb appeal has benefits to increasing market value for those looking to sell.

For those staying in place, many design experts and homeowners alike have expressed the need to feel good and comfortable in their surroundings

during this time since so many are spending more time inside. And although no one can predict what’s in store for the rest of the year, the front entrance of a home has always been and still is the focal point to first impressions and can give you a peek of what’s in store on the inside. —

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TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS

Written by Lawrence Cummer

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Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products

While visitors these days may be few, exterior doors are often the first impression of a home and has a significant impact on its look and feel, and ultimately comfort.

As with many other areas of their home, many householders in the last year have found themselves focused on improvements and remodeling. Money that might otherwise go to holidays and vacations, entertainment, and other expenses, found and continues to find, its way into home upgrades.

“COVID times have changed everybody’s life. A lot more people are doing R&R projects,” says Hardy Rahn, director of Canadian sales at Alliance Door Products. “They are looking around the home and saying, ‘I need to do this; I need to do that.’ We know home exteriors has been one of the features they’ve been looking at.”

Whether it’s an aesthetically pleasing new front door or replacing an old, leaky patio door, homeowners are updating and looking for what Rahn calls “refined simplicity.” // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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REFINED SIMPLICITY: OLD IS NEW AGAIN Beyond the popular modern-contemporary looks popular in recent years, Rahn is seeing a move towards even more simplicity in 2021, with basic door lites, wood grain and simple panels. “Even on the glass side, it’s basic. Obscure glasses or art deco are not as strong as it used to be,” he says.

“The look of SDL bars and having textured glass is coming in.”

“We’ve added reeded glass in 2021, which goes in line with what’s happening in interiors. It’s a retro look. If you go back to what was hot in the late ’60s, we’re right back there.”

Jeff Barsalou, marketing manager at Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems, says his company is seeing what appears to be a move away from what an older style with curves and patterns to a cleaner, straight-edged contemporary look. In terms of door lites, he says styles are leaning less towards the use of grills and more towards that of a sand-blasted appearance.

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BOLD AND PERSONAL COLOURS Paints and colour coatings aren’t nearly as novel in doors as in windows. Where black, and perhaps grey tones prevail in exterior windows, for doors the choice is much more one related to the homeowner’s individual style.

“Door colours are a very personal choice,” says Scott Targett, president at Targett’s/Global Windows and Doors. A wide selection of colours has always been a major element of his company’s offering, and while little has changed in that regard the scope has.

He notes: “We used to have 12 standard colours and everything outside those were available by colour matching. Now we have more than 140.”

Marco Greco, chief executive officer at Ostaco Windows and Doors, says exterior doors are functioning like accent walls do in the home. “It draws attention. It’s inviting. We’re seeing a lot of very bold colours: reds, yellows, blues, you name it.

I believe there was a neon green door that went out this week.”

FEATURE STORY // TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS Photo courtesy of Ostaco Windows and Doors

“A lot of character comes through on the front door,” Greco adds.

BIG AND TALL For years, taller doors have been in vogue, with heights reaching 8ft. or more, but more recently the desire for even bigger doors is pushing widthwise.

“A 2ft. 8in. door was the most common, now 3ft. is definitely the most common, and 3ft. 6in. is becoming more asked for,” Barsalou says.

More than door slabs are expanding to meet this desire for greater entrance widths. It’s becoming more popular to combine 8ft. tall doors, with wider than average slabs and side-lites or double side-lites to extend the perceived width even more. Patio doors boast even wider sizes, up to 20ft wide and 8 or more ft. tall in some cases, Targett says.

Of course, as doors grow in height, hardware becomes more important to their performance, and multipoint locking systems become more

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Photo courtesy of Global Windows and Doors

crucial. The reason is twofold: security and energy performance, says Allan Doyle, vice-president of development and engineering at Global Windows and Doors.

GEOGRAPHY AND STYLE Of course, style trends are as much about what’s new as where one lives. What’s currently hot in one province might not be to the taste of homeowners in another. Besides looking around to see the growing regional trends for themselves, it would 38

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be wise to talk to their dealers and manufacturers, who see such door fashions applied widescale.

“In Western Canada, we’re still seeing a high demand for a scenic door option that opens up and allows an inside-outside living,” says Jeremy Kirbyson, vice-president of sales (Western Canada) at Ply Gem Canada Inc. “With a profile that maximizes glass faces and offers ease of operation.”

FEATURE STORY // TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS Photo courtesy of PlyGem Canada Inc.

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Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products

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FEATURE STORY // TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS Meanwhile in the prairie regions, he adds, a French door appearance remains popular, but often with a twist. “The overall design of a French product doesn’t have to be the old school in-swing/out-swing doors.

There are sliding French doors now, and we’re able to fill a large opening with a four-panel or more sliding French door.”

In terms of popularity by region, steel is still top in la belle province, but less so in other ones.

“Quebec is committed to steel doors, whereas in Ontario we’ve flipped most of that business to fibreglass,” Greco says. “It has the advantages of superior performance; the finish is less susceptible

to the environment and it’s warmer. It also doesn’t have the cost and maintenance associated with a solid wood door.”

STEEL, FIBREGLASS OR WOOD Reasons homeowners lean towards material choices are varied, with performance and cost being key factors.

While most manufacturers say steel makes up the majority of the market, there’s a growing interest in fiberglass entry doors, according to Jeff Ward, director of new business development and customer experience at Durabuilt Windows & Doors.

Photo courtesy of Durabuilt Windows & Doors // MARCH - APRIL 2021

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Photo courtesy of Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems

“We do nothing but fibreglass door slabs, and we use the same fashions as our windows, so homeowners’ doors can complement their windows,” he says. “Fibreglass gives them a dentfree door, as it’s not steel, and offers a better replication of wood grain. It’s insulated, so it’s warm as well.”

Steel is definitely the more affordable choice, and has great performance, Barsalou says; however, fibreglass boasts a longer lifespan, can better

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mimic stained wood and is easier to hide dents or scratches on.

Of course, for some homeowners, the weight, luxury and look of a solid core wood door can’t be beat.

“A front door is something you’re likely to have for the lifetime of your home, and you touch it every day,” Greco says. “You can tell the difference between a foam-filled MDF, fibreglass or solid wood door.” —

FEATURE STORY // TOP VENDORS OPEN UP ON THIS YEAR’S TRENDS Photo courtesy of Durabuilt Windows & Doors

// MARCH - APRIL 2021

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