Maintaining Commercial Vinyl’s Good Reputation

No Comments

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know I advocate for using the right technologies in the right applications. I’ve been pleased to witness the continued uptake of high-performance commercial vinyl profiles for use in the right commercial applications.

Vinyl has long been the dominant choice of material in the residential window and door industry for many years now and for good reason. It offers higher thermal and acoustic performance than metallic options and can deliver a lifetime of high performance. Now, as vinyl formulations have advanced over the years, commercial builders are selecting it for the same reasons.

As vinyl continues its upswing throughout North America, it is important that our industry continues to advocate truly high-performance products. And it’s why I asked my colleague Eric Thompson, commercial sales manager for Quanex and a vinyl windows veteran with many decades of experience, to share his perspective on vinyl’s uptake in the commercial space.

“I think the performance benefits speak for themselves,” said Thompson. “Customers are choosing vinyl to create high-performing, comfortable living and working spaces for building occupants.”

Thompson added a caveat: commercial vinyl’s continued success depends on its good reputation.

“I remember when vinyl was first gaining traction in the residential market; there were a lot of new players and variances in product quality,” he said. “Products that weren’t up to snuff would quickly warp or fail in some other manner, and I think vinyl’s reputation really suffered for a while.”

As the material gains more traction, there will inevitably be new products coming to the commercial space. Discerning architects and builders should know how to vet those products. Thompson said it’s important to look for testing data and certifications that validate a product will perform well in North American climates.

“If you’re sourcing your vinyl from Europe, for example, it’s not always a guarantee that such products were designed and developed to withstand the weather variety of, say, New York City,” noted Thompson. “For North American specifiers, it’s important that a commercial vinyl window has been properly tested for our climate.”

When in doubt, Thompson said to look for AAMA certification on commercial vinyl windows and profiles. Such a label proves that the product has been properly tested and has demonstrated the right performance characteristics required to deliver long-term performance in North American weather conditions.

“You might see a product claim specific, individual ratings or testing performance,” said Thompson. “But that doesn’t mean the product is fully certified. Specifiers should do their due diligence to be sure that product meets weatherability requirements for North America.”

For commercial vinyl technology to meet its full potential, I agree with Thompson that we must put our best foot forward. Whether you are specifying or fabricating vinyl windows, make sure you are selecting qualified profiles that are AAMA certified to avoid issues that can set back the progress that vinyl and all other nonmetallic choices have made in the commercial space in recent years. As always, selecting and specifying the right products for the right applications will be critical.

Joe Erb is a national account manager for Quanex. 

Staying Focused on the Evolving Demands of Glass

No Comments

Commercial construction never stops evolving—it’s an evolution I have attempted to document in the years I’ve authored this blog. Architects and designers continue to push the boundaries while new building codes and standards push performance demands to new heights.

Indeed, if you’re a regular reader, you’ve heard me make these points before. But our industry should always be on the lookout for potential revolutionary changes. This story caught my eye this week: Researchers recently developed an extraordinarily strong and lightweight material by fusing DNA with glass.

Is that example purely experimental? Sure. Here’s another one that could become reality in the shorter term: Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently reported that highly-glazed buildings can reduce their energy consumption and emissions by 40% through photovoltaic glass.

The point is that technological evolution never rests, and it will inevitably impact how we do business in this industry. In light of those changes, it’s worth reminding ourselves of our goal: Delivering high-performance products that contribute to a beautiful and functional whole. Here’s why every part of that sentence is so important:

Performance. Glass products must stand up to the new demands worldwide, which are getting tougher.

Governments everywhere are imposing bolder climate change action plans that will, by necessity, call for new heights in building performance. As a fundamental part of the building envelope, the fenestration community must be ready to meet its end of the bargain. Taking advantage of new components and technologies that deliver on the thermal demands of tomorrow’s buildings will be essential.

Aesthetics. There’s long been some push and pull in the industry over window-to-wall ratios, but as far as looks are concerned, glass is currently winning the battle. Increasingly complex and prominent glass designs are being incorporated into new structures worldwide.

There’s a reason why: it can look stunning. Highly glazed buildings have the potential to remake city skylines, and architects continually employ such design techniques to create modern masterpieces. Those buildings’ ability to maintain such beauty over the long term depends on our industry’s ability to deliver resilient, durable and high-performance glass and glazing.

Functionality. While thermal performance is a top priority, how we think about indoor environments is becoming more comprehensive. Increasingly, commercial glass manufacturers and glaziers must work toward holistic occupancy comfort.

Plenty of data details how efficient buildings can save on energy costs, but now we’re seeing that the benefits are far greater than that. There’s a definite correlation between access to natural light and multiple work and wellness benefits.

Performance, aesthetics and functionality are all intrinsically linked. None would be possible without the other, and it’ll take our industry’s continued commitment to each of those values to ensure we’ll continue to thrive.

Joe Erb is the national account manager for Quanex.

Fostering Technical Expertise in the Next Generation

No Comments

One of the biggest issues facing the glass industry is whether or not we are doing enough to address technical challenges. It’s an interesting and important question to consider.

Performance demands in commercial glass and glazing continue rising, and architectural designs grow increasingly bold in major projects. Meanwhile, highly glazed buildings must continue to prove themselves sustainable and resilient over the long term. Meeting these needs requires deep technical knowledge, manufacturing and glazing expertise, and high service levels throughout the value chain.

Do we have what it takes to deliver?

I believe the answer is yes. For as long as I’ve been a part of this industry—nearly 30 years—I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless incredibly talented people at every turn. I know firsthand that we can deliver on the needs of both today and tomorrow.

But “tomorrow” may be the most important part of that last sentence. I think the biggest challenge we face regarding technical knowledge and expertise is how we foster the next generation of experts and get new blood into the industry. We all know that recruiting is a challenge—whether on the production side or the installation side—and I think it’s incumbent upon all of us in the industry to showcase that fenestration is an industry where you can build a fulfilling career.

I wrote a bit about this subject earlier in the year. As the glass industry moves forward, we must do everything possible to cultivate a new generation of professionals to help our businesses succeed. Some of this will involve getting more familiar with younger workers—what interests them, motivates them, and more.

Because there are good jobs and opportunities in every corner of the fenestration industry, and we need to get young people to see the potential. Glass can—and should—be exciting. Whether it’s using drones for surveying purposes, new machinery for installing glass, testing visual mock-ups, or evaluating next-generation technologies like building-integrated photovoltaics or electrochromic glass, our industry is deploying first-class technology in every part of what we do.

On the factory side, there’s also an opportunity to change the stigma about what people associate with factories or manufacturing in general. Today’s glass plants are safe, clean and filled with advanced technology. Advanced automated processing lines are a wonder of modern technology—but they won’t be able to accomplish much without an educated new generation of production workers who can successfully operate and maintain such equipment.

Connecting with younger workers and recruits and advocating for our industry will be some of the most important things we do in the coming years. It will take proactive outreach, investment in good training/mentoring programs, and a truly collective effort from today’s glass professionals.

Joe Erb is a national account manager for Quanex.