Tag: AIA

Working Toward Continued Excellence

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It’s been a busy few weeks. Fresh from attending the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Annual Conference in Orlando, I headed to Naples, Florida, for a meeting of the Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC). And those two events had something in common.

Glass, in all its forms, has become quite the versatile tool for architects to use in bold new designs throughout recent years. Whether it’s massive curtainwalls, structural glass, oversized panels, or other features, architects have taken to the material to create boundary-breaking new structures.

These trends were apparent at the AIA conference, and insulating glass (IG) plays a significant role in the equation. Take, for instance, glass building facades—high performance is an absolute necessity, and glass suppliers and fabricators have risen to the challenge with new innovations and technology. At AIA, I took note that warm-edge spacer technology for IG units and advanced framing design and materials grabbed the attention of architects for the workability and performance benefits they can bring to many of the most forward-thinking projects.

Meanwhile, the meeting of IGCC was concerned with something related: Beyond just thermal performance, how can the IG community help ensure the long-term durability and performance of insulating glass? What can we do to certify high-quality products in a meaningful way that benefits both the end consumer and our industry?

Durability Matters

The standards for long-term durability have proven to be an enduring topic in commercial fenestration, and not without reason. Perhaps more than anything, building and property owners taking on new architectural projects want some form of assurance that their new asset will last. The last thing an owner wants to see are performance issues occurring so soon after installation.

As such, we’ve seen increasing discussion on long-term performance for building material including glazing.  This is especially true for larger commercial buildings which are expected to have extended useful lifespan and replacement costs can be significant. Simultaneously, cost-effectiveness remains an ever-present concern for all stakeholders. These needs were echoed at the AIA conference, and for IG suppliers, it means providing robust, durable and high-performing solutions, all within a reasonable budget.

These are some of the challenges that the IGCC wrestles with, and are part of the reason why our organization plays an important role in the advancement of our industry. Certifications programs were developed to provide a mark of quality on which IG suppliers can base claims and that builders can trust. So, we must consider these market demands when formalizing the performance standards necessary for certification, ensuring both stringency and attainability.

Moving Forward with Confidence

It’s been promising to see that industry engagement and involvement around durability and performance standards are on the rise. This past IGCC meeting in Naples drew the largest attendance in my recent memory.

It speaks to the level of interest and desire of IG professionals to stay in front of the needs of the glass industry as they relate to certification programs that offer proof of performance. It shows that we are willing, able and driven to meet the demands of new trends hitting the market.

Joe Erb is a commercial sales specialist at Quanex Building Products.

 

 

Eye on Architects: Communicating with a Critical Audience

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In Debra Levy’s preview post for the upcoming American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference in Orlando, she noted that “the glass industry secretly loves architects.”

Indeed, the architectural community is a critical audience for glass fabricators and component manufacturers. Every building meets specific needs, whether it’s multifamily housing, a giant commercial high-rise structure, a hospital, or anything in between. The architect’s job is to balance beautiful design with functionality, comfort and purpose. Architects are charged with specifying products that suit those needs all while staying on budget, and glass and window systems are a major part of the equation.

The challenge, of course, is that architects are involved in so many different aspects of building design that it can be difficult to break through the noise. Lighting, heating and cooling, interior components, glass and glazing—all must be considered within a building.

Nevertheless, when the right solution comes along that balances aesthetics, performance and cost, architects pay attention. And there are several areas of opportunity where our industry is in a unique position to deliver.

The sustainability imperative. While we might not see many federally backed green building efforts coming anytime soon, the environmental performance of commercial buildings remains critical. Occupancy comfort and energy savings are simply good business for property owners, and that means architects’ eyes are always open for building materials that can help deliver on these needs.

Emerging, cost-effective technology. For all the ways in which architects seek to push design into new frontiers, they remain a justifiably risk-averse bunch. What good is design if performance doesn’t stack up?

Among fenestration technologies on the cusp of greater acceptance in the commercial space are high-performance vinyl window systems. These products have seen success in light-commercial and multifamily construction for their ability to drive down u-factors and boost performance without excessively complex conventional systems, all with the same installation, aesthetics and structural performance.

But vinyl has something of a perception problem, due to decades of being viewed as a “cheap” option. The truth is that it’s a cost competitive technology that can meet the toughest commercial demands, and continuing to educate the architectural community on the benefits can open new opportunities for commercial window OEMs.

Never forget aesthetics. And of course, glass itself continues to evolve, and so do the ways in which architects put it to use in their designs. High-performance glass enables architects to continue to break boundaries and push the limits of what’s possible in commercial structures.

And for these reasons, performance and aesthetic beauty must always go hand in hand. Our industry has done a tremendous job of heightening glass performance through coatings, insulating technologies, and more—but we can never rest on our laurels.

I’ll be attending this year’s AIA Conference, and I’m excited to learn and interface with the architectural community. Quanex will be exhibiting at the show as well—stop by and say hello at Booth #3725!

 Joe Erb is a commercial sales specialist at Quanex Building Products.