AmesburyTruth has announced that Cindi Freidhof has been appointed to the newly created role of director of industry relations. She will be responsible for managing AmesburyTruth’s engagement with industry associations and events such as the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, the American Institute of Architecture, the World Millwork Association, WinDoor and GlassBuild.

Sept. 25, 2017 - After a three-year venture into the fabricator sales world, Marco Porcelli has returned to the supply side to begin a new chapter in his fenestration career as President of Synergy Sales and Consulting.

Sept. 25, 2017 - AmesburyTruth has joined with Industrial Sales Corporation (ISC) to develop a nationwide partnership. This restructuring allows AmesburyTruth to have uninterrupted U.S. coverage and service customers more effectively than ever before. It also eliminates complexity for their customers by providing a single representative firm covering the entire United States.

Sept. 13, 2017 - H.B. Fuller Company has announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase Royal Adhesives & Sealants, a leading manufacturer of high-value specialty adhesives and sealants. This business consistently delivers industry-leading growth rates, EBITDA margins, and free cash flow that are expected to enhance H.B. Fuller’s position as a global leader in the adhesives industry.

Aug. 23, 2017 -  ODL has announced several expansions to its EVOLVE framing line.

Aug. 16, 2017 - Roto North America is proud to announce the launch of its new website www.rotonorthamerica.com

Aug. 3, 2017 - Vitro Architectural Glass has published third-party-verified, product-specific Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its flat glass and processed glass products, becoming the first architectural glass manufacturer in North America to do so.

July 6, 2017 - Roto Frank AG has acquired Union Ltd., a manufacturer based near Shanghai, China. The acquisition will help Roto Frank strengthen and expand its window and door technology division.

A case study in custom fenestration software development.

May 24, 2017 - The University of Waterloo is building one of the largest university-based facilities in the world to advance additive manufacturing (AM) and help companies adopt AM processes for innovative and customized products.

May 11, 2017 - WTS Paradigm is proud to announce the launch of its Web CenterPoint product.

Oct. 5, 2017 - The Glass Association of North America (GANA) and the National Glass Association (NGA), Vienna, VA, announced unanimous board approval for the combination of the two associations during GlassBuild America's Opening Session in Atlanta last month.

The rain held off long enough for the 2017 Fenestration Manitoba Golf Tournament held on Sept. 19. Over 50 industry representatives gathered at the St. Boniface Golf Course amongst the turning leaves and migrating Canada geese. The evening’s dinner acknowledged the day’s best (and least best) golfers.

Sept. 28, 2017 - Roto North America made its presence known at GlassBuild America 2017 (September 12-14) in Atlanta, despite the threat of severe weather due to Hurricane Irma.

Sept. 14, 2017 - Day Three at GlassBuild America in Atlanta featured the "Best in Show" Awards, presented to six companies in recognition of their overall exhibit presence. Winners were chosen after review by an anonymous peer panel including sales, marketing, and operations professionals from the residential and commercial glass industries.

Sept. 14, 2017 - Day One at GlassBuild America kicked off with the Opening Session, which featured a dynamic message from keynote speaker and generational expert Cam Marston as well as an important announcement from the National Glass Association and the Glass Association of North America (see event news below). The 12th Annual Glazing Executives Forum, Window & Door Dealer Days, and a full lineup of Express Learning educational sessions also highlighted Day One at GlassBuild America.

The Boards of Directors of the Glass Association of North America (GANA), Topeka, KS, and the National Glass Association (NGA), Vienna, VA, have unanimously approved combining the two associations into one, strong and unified voice for the glass and glazing industry. 

Fenestration West 2017 Conference and Trade Show is a highly focused educational, informative and networking event for window and door manufacturers, commercial glaziers, installers, architects, engineers, designers, spec writers, commercial construction contractors and owners.  The event takes place Oct. 26 at the Sheraton Guildford in Surrey, B.C.

Aug. 31, 2018 - WinDoor, Canada's trade event for the window and door industry occuring Nov. 28 - 30 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., has announced plans for a huge increase in its show-day educational program amounting to a tripling of the sessions offered in previous years. The show will now feature three full streams of educational programming, taking place throughout the Wednesday and Thursday show hours.

Aug. 3, 2017 - Fenestration Manitoba is inviting submissions for educational presentations at FenCon18. The second edition of FenCon will take place March 1 at the Victoria Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg. FenCon is a one-day educational and networking event for the window and door industry.

After 10 years of impressive growth in Europe and requests from the industry to expand into the US market, AMI Plastics is pleased to announce the launch of the first US edition of PVC Formulation. This new conference will take place on February 27-28, 2018 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Dan Darcy of Dan Darcy Associates has announced he has made donations of $715 and $500 to Feed Nova Scotia on behalf of Fenestration Canada and its management group, Zzeem, respectively. The Fenestration Canada donation was collected at the association's annual general meeting in June.

July 20, 2017 - FENBC has been listening. This year our annual conference has some changes.

The first quarter has started out strong for the association with 27-per cent growth in revenues versus the same period last year coupled with a 16-per cent reduction in expenses.

May 24, 2017 - Around 175,000 construction workers in Quebec went on strike this morning following a breakdown in talks with the provincial government. Union statements pointed to job security and working hours as main sticking points.

April 12, 2017 - The deadline for having all workers who work at heights on construction sites trained in a Ministry of Labour-approved Working at Heights: Construction program has been extended to October 1, 2017. However, employers must still meet specific requirements in order to qualify for the deadline extension.

Feb. 1, 2017 - Following on from a successful diversification of their product range, Great Windows is pleased to announce an expansion of their operating base with the opening of a new office and distributing facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Jan. 19, 2017 -  Call it a big glass revolution.

Nov. 24, 2016 - Marvin Windows and Doors of Canada has opened a one-of-a-kind showroom in Calgary. The experiential design center is the largest in the country, and the 6,500 sq. ft. space now acts as the new Canadian design destination. The showroom features curated collections of premier made-to-order wood and wood-clad windows and doors, acting as a design inspiration gallery and shining a spotlight on Marvin Windows and Doors’ most innovative products.

SAWDAC Golf tournamentThis year’s golf tournament was a great success as we raised money for a charity called Kids Can Play.  We had to move our originally scheduled date as Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, so we moved it out a week and had tremendous weather at Turtle Creek. he course was in great shape and the dinner was fantastic. Many thanks to all that participated and we look forward to seeing you next year.  

Neal takes the reinsJason Neal, 44, assumed the duties of executive director of SAWDAC in March. His previous experience was mainly in the world of software sales management, including time at Electrolux and Research In Motion. Neal has a B.A. in Economics from Laurentian University. As executive director, he will take over all functions from the retiring David Mitten, including serving the dealer members, marketing the association’s Window Wise and Renoworks programs and educating the membership about changes to government policy that affect them. His immediate priorities are to expand the benefits available to members and to grow SAWDAC membership across the country. Over the longer term, Neal would like to see the association offer a program similar to Window Wise for doors. “When I met with the board, they said they were looking for someone who could add to David’s good work with the association,” Neal explains. “I liked the autonomy of the position and I like working with dealers. Dealers put so many years into their businesses – I liked the chance to offer programs that will help them.” Doors and Windows:Attendees were shown how to make a header drip cap flashing with end dam that would integrate well with vinyl siding.  Attendees made sample drip caps using hand-held benders.  Much discussion and experimentation centred around how an installer integrated a drip cap with end dam into a vinyl window brick mould with built-in j-channel, which is popular in Atlantic Canada.  No solution was found.Other fenestration installation methods demonstrated were: Proper methods of shimming and fastening Installation of a sub-sill flashing with end dam. Foam insulation application and air-sealing Use of backer rod with caulking / shape of bead for best performance Siding:Paul Martin showed photos of water damage to due mainly to poor flashing of a siding installation.  Attendees discussed why the water damage occurred and how it could have been prevented.  Flashing topics discussed were: Kick-out flashings Drip caps Flashing a round-top window Flashing around a bay window Flashing at the bottom of a wall and at transition planes in the wall. Flashing above a deck Flashing and set-off installation of a wall plate for support of a deck. Capping beams and columns Dos and don’ts of capping and flashing “A lot of topics were covered and the clinic was pressed for time.  Next time we’ll need two days.” Commented David Mitten, SAWDAC Executive-DirectorSAWDAC Training in St. John’s NLDespite delays due to a blizzard, David Mitten and Paul Martin, conducted a one-day, hands-on installation clinic in St. John’s NL on February 10, 2016.  The eleven attendees were a mix of home builders and building inspectors who were looking for more information about the various causes of poor fenestration and siding performance relative to moisture and rain-water ingress issues.David and Paul focused on specific installation methods that a) either caused poor weather performance or b) helped solve water damage problems.

improveit 360, a leading provider of CRM and business management software for the home improvement industry, announces the launch of One-Org for franchises and manufacturers. The new solution acts as a single platform to bring an entire network together into one powerful system, with web-based accessibility and enhanced by custom mobile apps. Now a franchisor and franchisees, or a manufacturer and its distributor/dealer network, can have all their communication, data, and business functionality in a customizable operations platform built exclusively for the industry.

March 31, 2016 - Despite delays due to a blizzard, David Mitten and Paul Martin, conducted a one-day, hands-on installation clinic in St. John’s NL on February 10, 2016. The eleven attendees were a mix of home builders and building inspectors who were looking for more information about the various causes of poor fenestration and siding performance relative to moisture and rain-water ingress issues.

March 17, 2016 - Tiltco is pleased to announce the launch of it's new sister company, TiltcoAP. The new company has a full line of aluminum window and door products. TiltcoAP provides aluminum windows, doors and aluminum curtain wall products.

As stompings under the jackboot of government authority go, it couldn’t have been more pleasant. Debbie Scharf’s tone was friendly and upbeat as she delivered the message to Canada’s window makers that the government plans by 2030 to outlaw the majority of the products they make.

The Fenestration Canada AGM education program took place on the Friday, June 2. The keynote message came from Debbie Scharf, director of the equipment division of the office of energy efficiency at the National Research Council, who outlined the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. That is a document agreed on by Canada's provincial premiers setting out the targets for energy efficiency and emissions controls that various sectors will need to hit in order for Canada to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. For the fenestration industry, the big news was that governments want all new homes to be at least Net Zero-ready by 2030 – which means windows will need to achieve a 0.8 centre-of-glass U-factor.

May 25, 2017 - Chongqing Polycomp International Corp. has announced that late in 2016 the company moved its North American headquarters from Rowland Heights (Los Angeles), Calif. to Amsterdam (Albany), N.Y., where CPIC owns a fiberglass manufacturing facility. Anticipating significant growth in the North American fiberglass market, the organization also has added several fiberglass and composites industry veterans to its North American team.

April 12, 2017 - The Province of B.C. is providing $500,000 to encourage the development and certification of high-performance windows that will help homeowners and businesses conserve energy and reduce heating costs, and stimulate the high-performance window manufacturing industry in British Columbia.

Ask Marc Rivest and David Johnson how they decided to celebrate more than three decades in business together, and you’ll get a rather candid answer: “With a case of beer,” Marc jokes.

Historically, the winter months for Canadian fenestrators have been used for housekeeping. With good intentions, the projects that didn’t get the attention they deserve during the busy months get deferred to the winter.

Ansley Dueck, continuous improvement manager at Duxton Windows and Doors, recently completed an overhaul of the Winnipeg fabricator's quality and production processes and reported on her experiences at FenCon17 in early February. She has shared this report, which casts light on some of the challenges and benefits of embracing Lean manufacturing processes. - ed.

The window and door industry isn't vocational. We don't graduate from the school of windows with a master's degree in glazing.  Instead, it's those involved with our industry for a prolong period time and likely attends association meetings, who become our leaders.  That said, collectively, we are an evolving industry.  

One of the special advantages of getting involved in Fenestration Canada as well as WinDoor is the unique ability to get acquainted and establish special friendships across the country with peers. Yvon Houle, founder and president of Montreal-based Portes et Fenetres President, has been in the industry for some 25 years and has also been quite active in various industry associations, especially Fenestration Canada.  Yvon and his wife have travelled Canada literally from coast to coast to events such as the FenCan AGM, following it as it moved from St Johns, N.L., to Winnipeg to Vancouver and to Mont Tremblant, Que.

After 35 years in business, Centennial Windows and Doors has taken the time to thank its 65,000 customers across southern Ontario. Billboards like the one pictured have appeared in cities across the province all summer.

When he built our home, my father took as model the only other house then standing on the brief length of Rue Deschambault, still unencumbered by any sidewalk, as virginal as a country path stretching through thickets of wild roses and, in April, resonant with the music of frogs.”

Shut the window and cut down the noise. That’s the message blared across Canada by Bquiet Soundproof Windows and Doors. And people are listening. “Sound reduction is a niche market, but one with tremendous room for growth,” says Mike Montecalvo, co-owner of the Toronto-based glass window and door manufacturer.

Aug. 31, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) currently is planning instructor training classes for the InstallationMasters program. Those interested in becoming accredited instructors are encouraged to contact the association now, so that as many schedules as possible may be accommodated.

Aug. 16, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard method of evaluating side-hinged door active slabs for their ability to resist a vertical load. AAMA 925-17, the "Specification for Determining the Vertical Loading Resistance of Side-Hinged Door Systems," determines the ability of a side-hinged door slab to remain operable following the application of a vertical load along the lock stile. It was last updated in 2013.

Aug. 16, 2017 - August is a hot, fun season full of BBQs, beach days and renovation projects. As homeowners look to beat the heat, running fans or air conditioning around-the-clock, or adjusting their central air to cool, they may find an increase in their utility bill.

In an email to the editor Phil Lewin, vice-president of technical marketing for Vinyl Window Designs in Toronto, responded to Chris Meiorin's Fit & Finish column in the summer issue of Fenestration Review. His comments posted here with permission.

July 12, 2017 - The Fenestration Canada’s NAFS performance calculator is a tool that allows the user to determine the NAFS performance requirements for the local environment. Users enter their province, city, building height, and exposure type and the calculator determines the appropriate NAFS requirements for these conditions.

Let’s say you went out last week and bought a new family vehicle. You did your homework. You poured over the NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) website. You studied the EnerGuide fuel and consumptions ratings. You made sure the vehicle you were about to purchase had the new, redesigned EnerGuide label, detailing everything from fuel consumption to annual fuel costs.

June 8, 2017 -  The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has launched a new website intended to increase ease of usability for members and other visitors. The site’s address has not changed, and can still be located at aamanet.org. Join AAMA for a short, complimentary webinar to learn more about the site’s new features on July 18.

ENERGY STAR Canada is pleased to announce the addition of This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to our team in the new position of ENERGY STAR Brand Manager.

May 11, 2017 - On June 7, the BC Energy Step Code Council will release the BC Energy Step Code Best Practices Guide. Though the guide will target a local government audience, it will also be of interest to the fenstration sector as it provides a great deal of information about the code and its focus on envelope.

Mar. 2, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released a new document to provide guidance and sound technical information on the various aspects and considerations that need to be considered when applying plastic-glazed skylights and sloped glazing as an enhancement to a building design. The document is intended to provide the architect, engineer, contractor and property owner with this information and knowledge to help them understand the value and effective application of these features, as well as the benefits of different plastic glazing materials.

The North American Fenestration Standard governing air/water ingress for windows and doors has been updated and a draft published for public input. Anyone can now review the document and submit comments with a free online registration on the CSA website. The comments will be reviewed by the committees preparing the final draft. 

Sept. 15, 2016 - In 2015, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) experienced some significant changes in staffing and leadership. As a result, and under the direction of Deborah Callahan, CEO, a concerted effort has been undertaken to make sure that NFRC is staffed as it should be while preparing a focused and well-planned course to the future.

Sept. 12, 2017 - Canadian municipalities issued $7.9 billion worth of building permits in July, down 3.5% from June and the first decrease since March 2017. Lower construction intentions for commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings were mainly responsible for the national decline. Seven provinces posted decreases, with the largest decline in Ontario.

September 12, 2017 - Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board says that—after conducting a multi-year engagement with experts and stakeholders—it is changing the way the board calculates employer premium rates, adding the process will be easier for employers to understand, and more accurately reflect the risks associated with operating their businesses.

Aug. 9, 2017 - Canadian municipalities issued $8.1 billion worth of building permits in June, up 2.5% from May and the second highest value on record. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings were mainly responsible for the national increase. All building components reported gains in June, except for single-family dwellings.

July 28, 2017 - Here's a really interesting robot concept that's been developed at Stanford University in the U.S. A flexible tube is inflated from the inside and can be extended, retracted and moved in any direction by controlling the airflow. The interior channel can carry liquid dispensers, cameras, power/communication lines, antennas and more. Applications for building inspection? Plant maintenance? Maybe even window installation?

July 18, 2017 - Pomerleau is pleased to announce that it is investing in innovation to bring new business practices to market that will enhance quality in the construction industry across Canada. Pomerleau's investment will enable it to efficiently prequalify trade partners. The prequalification of trade partners is a common practice across North America, but a relatively new one in the province of Quebec.

July 6, 2017 - Canadian municipalities issued $7.7 billion worth of building permits in May, up 8.9% from April and the third highest value on record. The national increase was mainly the result of higher construction intentions for residential buildings, particularly in Ontario. Seven provinces registered gains in the total value of building permits in May, and every building component increased except institutional structures.

I’ll admit it, I’m a lousy golfer. Total hacker. I have many strengths but golf is not one of them. With that said, you don’t have to bend my arm to get me out of the office for a day on the links to sneak a cheeky cigarette* and a few drinky-poos.** That may sound simple but it goes a lot deeper. Say what you want but business happens on the golf course. My golf game may not be up to par however my social game makes up for it.

June 8, 2017 - Concurrent with National Environment Week, Built Green Canada issued its fourth annual challenge to municipalities across the country to encourage sustainable building policies. The challenge is marked by a growing number of municipalities who have proclaimed June 7 as Built Green Canada Day. This includes over 20: Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Kelowna, Langford, Moose Jaw, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Penticton, Port Coquitlam, Prince Albert, Regina, Saanich, Saskatoon, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Squamish, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, and Collingwood. Yorkton acknowledged the day; Okotoks is in support of the day, Lethbridge will mark the day by lighting up City Hall through green LEDs on June 9 and June 10, while others are endorsing third-party certified programs, including Built Green Canada’s.

May 26, 2017 - Housing starts are trending higher at 213,768 units in April 2017, compared to 210,702 units in March 2017, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This trend measure is a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts.

May 11, 2017 - The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities fell 5.8% to $7.0 billion in March, marking a second consecutive monthly decrease. Nationally, the decline was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. All provinces and territories, except Ontario and Quebec, registered decreases in the total value of building permits in March.

Organizations are planning their activities and programs for North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) Week that runs from May 7 to 13. As part of their NAOSH program, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will be hosting a free, live webinar that provides a practical approach to addressing mental health in the workplace.