Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1274063
Natural wood finishes from Steel-Craft Door Products. Atmosphere folding door from All Weather Windows. EuroLine's 1800 series. J U LY 2 0 2 0 | 33 Doors I nspiration is knocking. We reached out to industry experts to uncover the trends and technologies that were shaping the world of doors this year, and they delivered. Think big and bold, upscale elegance, and smart new safety options: here's what's hot for 2020. BIGGER IS BET TER Door dimensions get bigger and bigger, as larger scale options continue to flood the market. From moving glass walls to large sliding doors to four- panel patio options, larger doors help bring the outdoors in (or the indoors out). The industry is all about big expanses of glass and narrow frames. "We're seeing many homes retrofitted or renovated in that manner," says Karen Watson, regional mar- keting representative for Milgard Windows & Doors. "People want better connection to the outdoors, with the focus on the view," agrees Brenda Brunk, senior product manager at Marvin. "This means narrow sightlines, elemental finishes that comple- ment simple interiors, and intentionally designed details that allow large, uninterrupted expanses of glass." Each year, the industry is pushing the limits of what's possible. "Consumer preference, especially in the patio door market, continues to grow for larger and wider doors that offer unobstructed expan- sive views of the outdoors," says Kareem Abdul, senior product manager at All Weather Windows. "It's all about connecting the indoors with the out- doors, bringing in more light thereby creating a feeling that a space is larger than it really is." The Atmosphere folding door from All Weather Windows is one great option that does just that. SLEEK AND ST YLISH Minimalism is still hot for 2020: clean and simple lines are preferred to ornate finishes for the major- ity of projects. "There used to be different types of profiles on the outer edge and inner edge, but these days people don't want to see any lines at all," says Darren Mark, CEO of EuroLine Windows. EuroLine's 1800 series is decidedly on trend: the brand has the ability to foil its own windows and achieve a highly durable, pure black frame around the outside. Interior doors are still predominantly white or off white, while condo suite entries range from light to dark wood. Sean Greenhill at AccessSMT points out, you're likely to find linear grain patterns like fir and rift-oak with none of the traditional plain-sliced oak or heavy, dark woods. "Designs are still mostly clean and modern without ornate complexity," says Greenhill. In high-end interiors, you may find wal- nut, too, again with clean, simple designs that read as modern. FUNCTIONAL FR AMES When it comes to materials, vinyl frames still offer unparalleled variety. Milgard's Tuscany Series, for example, is a more traditional look, while its Trinsic Series is for those who prefer a contemporary look with a thinner frame and more glass. Ultra Series fibreglass patio doors are perfect for those looking for a black interior and exterior frame colour, which is a very popular trend. "People like the seven exte- rior colour options, however black is most popular, with a crisp, clean architectural look," says Watson. "Whether it's a farmhouse style or something more modern, we're seeing more homeowners choosing contrasting window frame colours instead of match- ing them to the exterior colour of the house." The Marvin Modern Multi-Slide door offers the best of both worlds, using a high-density fibreglass exterior and an aluminum interior, making the product extremely durable and energy-efficient for all climates, with a rating up to PG40. The door is expansive, available in sizes up to approximately 12-feet tall and 60-feet wide (and over 30 panel con- figurations), with the option of adding Sliding Door Automatic Control and Marvin's factory-installed Lock Status Sensor for smart home connectivity. One problem with the demand for slim frames is the impact on the functionality of the sills. "Nobody wants to walk over a sill that's protruding two inches, like you would with a typical patio door you'd buy at the home improvement store," says Mark. It's why Euroline has introduced special low-sills for its lift and slide doors that feature an insulated track. The brand is also introducing a type of sliding door with a gasket that goes all the way outside the door for a compression seal. "It's almost like a Ziplock," says Mark. BARN BEAUTIES Of course, not everyone wants a purely minimal- ist look. "The influx of barn doors into not just single family homes but as base specification in multifamily and hotel interiors has really become mainstream, and may even be starting to plateau and cool off," says Greenhill. That being said, barn doors aren't completely uni- form: there's a whole world of options to explore within the style. "It's interesting to see such a wide range of door styles from flush doors to panel to glass be used, and what's really interesting right now is watching hardware accessories like privacy and lock- ing hardware for barn doors become more economical and have more pleasing designs," says Greenhill. FRESH FINISHES "Homeowners also aren't afraid to personalize their homes, even down to the finishes and hardware on their doors," says Brunk. Black hardware has been gaining in popularity, as it pairs well with a sleek and modern design style. When homeowners opt for wood interior product lines, they're increasingly using their doors to frame their view with clear fin- ished wood and pops of black hardware. "Homeowners are seeking a more natural look for exterior finishes with natural wood accents that cre- ate an overall cohesive look," says Travis Reynolds, national marketing manager for Steel-Craft Door Products. He points to the popularity of woodgrain finishes such as walnut, cedar, and deep matte char- coal with reflective coating. That's not to say that industrial looks don't have their own appeal. "In some regions of the country homeowners are pursuing a more industrial look with contemporary, brushed aluminum and bronze finishes," says Reynolds. In Steel-Craft's Residential line, the Sable Grey colour option has been met with great response. This colour is available for Steel-Craft's ThermoCraft, RanchCraft, Flush, Contemporary, and in the Commercial Series Therm-O-Dor TD 134 and SC Industrial two-inch Series door line. GORGEOUS GAR AGES Modern looks and natural light don't just apply to the residential areas of the home these days: garage doors are now selected with these factors in mind, too. "Full Say hello to oversized frames and sophisticated functionality by STACEY MCLACHLAN Daring Doors