Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1101469
A PR IL 2019 | 35 Doors F I N I S H I N G T O U C H Matte black is one of the most sought-after hardware finishes at the moment. The problem? It has a tendency to chip or scratch – particularly on high-use items like levers and door pulls. But in response to the high demand for this finish, many hardware manufacturers have developed much more durable offerings, and have even increased the number of products available in this finish. "The same is being done for white, which could be the next big trend," says Mainprize. "In the residential industry, darker colour tones with woodgrain finishes continue to be the trend," says Cara Tenderenda, director of communications on behalf of Steel- Craft Door Products Ltd. "Woodgrain finishes such as Walnut and Cedar, including our Deep Matt Charcoal with reflective coating, are most popular right now." Tenderenda points to the popularity of natural materials as a driver for this trend. "Homeowners are seeking a more natural look for exterior finishes, using more stone and wood accents to create a nice balance. "Architects are also using more grey tones and woodgrain finishes, such as our Cedar or Walnut garage doors. That being said, we are also seeing trends moving towards a more industrial look with contemporary homes, asking for anodized aluminum, bronze, and other powder-coat finishes in the marketplace." T E C H TA L K Smart home connectivity is more important than ever to consumers. "Homeowners want the peace of mind that their windows and doors are closed and locked, and they don't want to add unsightly aftermarket sensors to achieve it," says Marvin. Her company's new Lock Status Sensor is factory-installed and completely invisible, offering simple integration with most home security systems. Homeowners want innovative features that make their lives easier – automatic controls on large doors, retractable screens that disappear out of sight when not in use, and smart home connectivity that doesn't come at the cost of unsightly sensors. "Technology is influencing the door and hardware industry, just like every other industry, with new products coming to market all the time," adds Chris White, VP of sales and marketing for Trillium Architectural Products. Some of the latest from Trillium include wireless locksets with a built-in card reader as a substitute for wired card readers or key-only locks. "Wireless technology reduces installa- tion and co-ordination costs, allowing expansion of access control to more openings – as much as 90 percent of openings on some projects," says White. Integrating these systems beyond traditional openings has huge benefits: "Cards, or even smartphones, can tie into access control systems, padlocks, meeting room bookings, payment systems, employee attendance records, cabinet locks, and beyond." But no matter the design, materials, or high-tech security systems, overall, customers just want performance. "Customers are looking for ways to achieve the look they want without having to compromise on durability or energy efficiency," says Marvin. And smart manufacturers and designers are stepping up to meet this demand for the best of both worlds . . . all with the end-user in mind. "We're increasingly approaching the product design process with these needs in mind – taking a human-centred approach that puts us in the shoes of our cus- tomers to better deliver solutions that fit into their lives and their vision for their homes," says Marvin. "We are thinking of all of the details before a homeowner, builder, or architect has a chance to ask." A Wireless lockset from Trillium Architectural Products. Woodgrain finishes available from Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Aluflam.indd 1 2018-11-12 9:36