Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/124234
A s modernist sensibilities make a reappearance in the world of interiors and architecture, consumers are craving those same clean lines and contemporary designs for their doors. Sleek glass sliding doors, contemporary materials and simple styling are hot for 2013. But there's more to this modern movement than just looks. High-tech developments in manufacturing techniques and materials mean that these doors, whether classic wood or Euro-inspired, are future-ready. Natalia Gordillo, marketing manager for Marvin Windows and Doors of Canada, has seen the demand for sleek and contemporary doors from her own customers. The Lift and Slide Doors have proved to be popular, offering the flexibility of large panels and a simple transition between indoors and outdoors, as clients look to create seamless spaces for entertaining. "Our new square sticking profiles on our regular swinging and sliding doors also present clients with a cleaner, more modern look," she explains. But for those who do prefer a more traditional style, Marvin's fiberglass entry doors have the look of wood with a twist. "It's got the beauty of a wood door, but with the strength and durability of our patented Ultrex pultruded fiberglass frames," Gordillo says. Technology like Marvin's engineered sill system and advanced weather stripping components give all door styles – from classic to contemporary – a modern edge. "European design influence is driving a move towards more contemporary looks with clean, simple and linear profiles," agrees Tracy Nadiger, director of marketing for All Weather Windows Ltd. "The consumer preferences for real wood appearance has shifted our sales of steel and smooth fiberglass doors into more textured fiberglass and pre-finished categories." Nadiger points out that within this trend for simplicity, today's customer still wants a unique look to express their personal taste. The textured glass provides designs like Pear and Chord to offer visual interest to glass with elegance, and the Simulated Divided Lite kits are "intuitively designed and easy to install," allowing the user to create their own design for their door windows. Also coming from All Weather's solidified partnership with Masonite International Corporation is the Torrefied Door. "A whole new breed of doors with impermeable solid wood construction for any entry door environment," says Nadiger. Built to resist warping, twisting, rotting and delamination, the Torrefied is heat-modified, available in by Stacey McLachlan four species of wood and may just eliminate homeowner concerns about traditional wood door problems. Zola European Windows takes oversized lift-slide doors to Glass doors are increasing in poputhe next level with their ability to produce units in sizes as high as 11 feet and as larity, too, with more interest in conwide as 38 feet. "Our large lift-slide doors are extremely popular in modern homes," temporary door systems than in previexplains Florian Speier, proprietor of Zola European Windows. Zola's folding wall ous years. "Full length glass with unique system, Breeze Panels, allow for easy transition between interior and exterior; the SDL or grille combinations, solid panel line of tilt-and-turn balcony doors are great for balconies or patios. "Customers are door styles and even modern inserts looking to bring a sense of the outdoors into the building. These dramatic expanses like the Array Light Control System – of glass do just that." But beyond glass, Speier finds that customers are searching for which features two sliding panels of "highly insulating, airtight doors with an emphasis on excellent quality." perforated aluminum for simple conSmoothly operating, wood lift slides fit the bill when replacing standard vinyl trol privacy and light – are all prominent sliding doors, offering increased airtightness and improved ease of use. Glass or right now," Smith explains. wood, though, energy efficiency, FSC-certification and low- and zero-VOC finishes Homeowners and designers alike love a sleek transition between indoor are crucial. Energy efficiency is always a concern for homeowners and architects. Durabuilt and outdoor spaces, and EuroLine WinWindows & Doors Inc. tackles the problem head-on with their foam core-insulated dows Inc.'s collection of sliding, folding, fiberglass and steel windows. "Fiberglass foam core provides five times the insulat- swinging and tilting doors make it easy ing value of a wood door," points out Durabuilt Windows & Doors Inc. senior mar- to open up the kitchen onto a grand keter Alison Smith. "Plus, with today's modern technologies, the fiberglass wood patio. New this year is the 2200-series grain offers a true-to-life replication of wood without the ongoing maintenance and sliding door, with European saddle-rail sash design to provide smooth, lowrisk of warping and rotting over time." The company's Everlast Composite Door Frame (made from PVC recyclable friction operation and triple glazing for materials) is another hot ticket item as customers seek environmentally friendly, energy efficiency and great acoustics. low-maintenance options – the need for additional cladding is eliminated, and the The interlocking sash enhances strucadjustable sill with concealed sweep offers homeowners the chance to stain the tural durability, while the multi-point locking system provides outstanding whole door without an intrusive sill. Marvin's Lift and Slide doors. Modern Love Sleek, contemporary-style doors take centre stage as clients seek to pair advanced technology with advanced style Doors p40-45doors.indd 41 security. The vinyl-fiberglass hybrid 4700-series is another high-tech option. "It can be extruded in a multi-chamber design with the corners fusion welded to guarantee a permanent and leak-free connection," says EuroLine president Isbrand Funk. "The hybrid core provides high stability, torsion stiffness, and static properties of fiberglass, and it does not require steel reinforcement for standard sizes. It's ideal for Passive House applications." Colours and sizes have been changing in recent years, too. Metallic finishes are more popular than before, and customers are looking for taller and wider doors. "Architects are always looking for something that isn't available yet," laughs Casey Kerkhoff, CEO of Westeck Windows and Doors. For 2013, Westeck hasn't made many changes to their collection of door panels. But, Kerkhoff points out, the B.C. building code changes have made the company's wares indispensable to april 2013 /41 13-04-05 2:05 PM