Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/124234
Romagnoli door from Duxton Windows & Doors. the construction process. "We're one of the few companies – maybe the only one – in the province that has developed a swing door to meet those standards," says Kerkhoff. While contemporary doors are in vogue right now, a guarantee that sills won't leak is always in style. In terms of esthetics, Kerkhoff has noticed an increase in requests for matching doors and windows. As a company that provides totally integrated packages for 44/ p40-45doors.indd 44 april 2013 coordinating styles and colours for custom homes, that's good news for Westeck. Kerhoff's advice for 2013? "Architects should step outside their comfort zone and consider warm Euro Tilt/Turn Vinyl as a replacement for cold aluminum frames in residential and light commercial." Innotech Windows + Doors director of business development George Nickel explains that for homeowners, security features are a bigger concern than the look of a door. "According to the Washington Post, 56 per cent of thieves break into a home through a door. Homeowners are being proactive by selecting doors (and windows) that provide greater security instead of relying on reactive strategies such as alarm and monitoring systems." Innotech's doors are equipped with an exclusive Defender System to help prevent casual break-ins. Since more and more architects are designing homes with extra-large openings, oversized doors are growing in popularity, too. "Bigger openings can flood the interior in natural light, and large doors have an instant 'wow' factor," says Nickel. Triple-pane glass in styles like Innotech's terrace swing door can let that light in while offering energy savings. "For architects and builders, a highly energy-efficient home distinguishes their brand, while for homeowners the initial investment has numerous long-term, worthwhile benefits." Nickel notes that Innotech Windows + Doors offers architects a flexible hybrid system to design extra-large openings, breathtaking window and door combinations and mock corner assemblies without the need to compromise on performance. Though Häfele Canada Inc. doesn't manufacture doors, their line of innovative door hardware is just as important to those looking to build or renovate in 2013. For the current trend in large swing doors, Häfele provides concealed 3D hinges from their StarTec line. But the StarTec hinges aren't just for over-sized swing doors. The hinges offer a solution for any homeowner looking for a way to display a beautiful new door with no distractions. With a broad range of colours now available for panels and frames, consumers have more options than ever for their finishes. The advancements of door hardware means more options for handles and fixtures, too. Duxton Windows & Doors offer German-engineered multipoint, automatic locking hardware in a range of styles. Beyond the accessories, Duxton has plenty to offer thanks to their technological advancements in the world of glass. "Developments have gone well beyond the well-known fiberglass door panel by now," says Duxton president Al Dueck. "With our new FiberWall system, we've created walls of very high-performance glass which incorporate swinging doors." And with frames now available in unique pultruded fiberglass frames complete with double weather-stripping, the need for a better door frame system has now been addressed. Doors are the entry way to the home, the transition between outdoors and indoors, between one room and the next. The right door can turn a house into a home, or completely change the look of a space. And though every homeowner wants something a little different, doors for 2013 reflect overall consumer desires loud and clear. Large openings and clean lines; technological takes on traditional wood doors; unique looks in bold colours and finishes: whichever look catches your eye, it's a perfect match for these times. n Doors 13-04-05 2:05 PM