Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/292860
D Making a Statement The laTesT in door design favours The big and The bold by Stacey McLachlan Doors don't just keep out unwanted visitors – they make a statement about the people living inside. This year doors are oversized, high-tech and saturated in rich hues. Clean lines and crisp angles are more popular than ever among homeowners, appealing to both modern and retro sensibilities. "Homeowners are looking for artistic expression," says Shiva Kumar Shunmugam, senior marketer for Durabuilt Windows and Doors Inc. "Our Therma-Tru Pulse collection features signa- ture details with vintage flair, with the reassurance of modern technology." Even styles that channel old-school glamour incor- porate today's best materials to create an energy- efficient product. Durabuilt offers Energy Star-rated options in wood and fibreglass. In addition, the com- pany's glass doors feature impressive energy savings. "With our Vivacé EuroSystem Tilt and Slide doors, one can expect a wide opening up to six feet with astound- ing thermal performance and design flexibility." Isbrand Funk, CEO and president of EuroLine Windows Inc., adds: "With today's increasing cost of energy, homeowners and building professionals alike are interested in products that provide superior ther- mal comfort and significant energy savings without sacrificing elegance or design." The 4700-Series ThermoPlus system for windows and doors is one of EuroLine's most popular choices, coinciding with the increasing number of Passive House projects. The Passive House concept is based on a European performance-based building standard that focuses on dramatically reducing or eliminating the need for an active heating or cooling system to maintain a comfortable interior climate. Made from a recyclable vinyl fibreglass hybrid material, the Ther- moPlus line can be combined with "robust hardware and high-performance glazing to help reduce energy loss, assure long-term air tightness and allow for more design f lexibility," Funk explains. Today 's consumer is more educated about the options. "With the ever-increasing access to information, consumers are paying more at ten- tion to architectural details like door hardware, hinges and deadbolt securit y," says Mike Longhi, senior V P of McGregor & Thompson Hardware Ltd. "Today, we see European mortise-style locks, integrated securit y and remote access cont rol appearing in residential offerings." Technolog y is becoming more standardized too."Our product specialists are involved with not only architects and designers, but IT departments and facilities managers when developing specifications and providing hardware solutions," Longhi notes. Door designs for 2014 are letting the sunshine in. "Customers want more daylight and bigger doors," says Karen Bills, location marketing specialist for Milgard Windows & Doors. "Our moving glass wall systems are a smart choice for residential or commer- cial use." While getting the right look is important to homeowners and architects alike, ease of use is key, too. The WoodClad and Ultra Fiberglass collections come with conveniently adjustable hinges and strike- plates for a truly customized experience. Jerome Madden, national corporate training and architectural support services manager for Marvin Windows of Canada, adds, "There is a definite push towards doors that have a more clear view and con- temporary feel to them." Marvin's contemporary French door is now available with new standard siz- ing and built-in shades that fit seamlessly. "The shades can be raised from the bottom or lowered from the top, giving a unique window treatment solution," says Kurt Farnsworth from Marvin Windows & Doors. The company's popu- lar Bifold and Lift and Slide doors – specially engi- neered for wide expanses – bring the outdoors in. "Large expanses of glass are being designed into more homes, while advances in window technology allow large glass areas without loss of structural integrity or energy efficiency," Farnsworth explains. Designing for small spaces can be challenging. Maurizio Frigo, architectural product manager for Häfele Canada, says that as a result there has been an increase in sliding door solutions. "Sliding doors do not protrude into open spaces like swinging doors. This allows designers to be more creative with their doors designs," Frigo notes. "We get a lot of requests for soft and self-closing mechanisms, too. They add sophistication to the movement of doors so that less effort is required, and it's quiet and smooth." Invisible hardware also helps keep smaller rooms visually uncluttered. Kim Agar, president at PC350, agrees, adding that maximizing space has increased the popularity of sliding doors. "PC350 offers the perfect range of alu- minum doors to compliment popular trends in contem- porary interiors. Maintain the sophisticated esthetic of your environment with our highly functional alu- minum Swing and Sliding Doors Systems," says Agar. For some customers, though, bigger is better. "People are increasingly looking for clean-looking, contemporary doors that are both very large in scale – up to nine feet tall or more with the use of illusion panels – and have great performance," notes Aynsley Dueck of Duxton Windows & Doors. German-engineered multi-point locks achieve increased air tightness for the company's oversized fibreglass door frames. This material is popular, says Dueck, no matter the size of the door. "Fibreglass has been a popular choice for both its warmth and its durability, as opposed to steel, which can dent and be difficult to repair. Fibreglass panels and frames also provide the opportunity for any colour, inside and out." Ghislain Jacques, sales and marketing manager for Baillargeon Wood Doors has noticed an increase in oversized doors, too, along with a demand for dark colour wood species. But whatever the colour or size, "homeowners are looking for a good ratio of quality, service, price and time for their specs," says Jacques. For 2014, Baillargeon is releasing a new line of high- impact interior wood doors, stainless steel insert mod- els and lightcore thick barn doors, all available with solid technical support to make installation a breeze. Esteem series of contemporary garage doors from Steel-Craft Doors. april 2014 /23 Doors p22-27The Doors.indd 23 14-04-02 4:49 PM