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.

Mar. 30, 2017 - ODL has introduced a new line, Destination Doorglass, which will be debuting at the 2017 International Builders’ Show in Orlando. 

Mar. 16, 2017 -  Robotics continues to make great strides in automating production of windows and doors. Here, PMC Automation’s robotic hinge installer works at a major Quebec door manufacturer. 

Hardware makes fenestration innovation possible. Here’s our look at some great new offerings.

Dec. 8, 2016 - Functional Fenestration Inc. has announced the official launchof Automated Fenestration Inc. (AFI).

Oct. 19, 2016 - Stephane Labelle has left the role of vice-president of business development for Eugenie, a Terrebonne, Que.,-based manufacturer of automated door-cutting machinery. The departure message references "other opportunities." Jonathan Chauvette, vice-president, will assume Labelle's duties for now.

Sept. 1, 2016 - Engineers at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD) demonstrate in a new study that windows made of transparent wood could provide more even and consistent natural lighting and better energy efficiency than glass.

Andrei Aderca has joined the Roto North America team as a Senior Product Engineer. Andrei has a strong background in engineering and manufacturing design, with more than 20 years’ experience, and has earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Sharpen your offering with these innovative products from top suppliers.

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

Fenestration Canada’s trip to Halifax May 30 through June 2 generated significant excitement and interest for the industry, attracting about 170 delegates from across the country to the Westin Nova Scotian on the harbourfront.

I am honoured and pleased to serve as president of Fenestration Canada for the upcoming year. Change is in the air both locally, regionally and federally and we know the next few years will be very challenging for the fenestration industry. Fenestration Canada is committed to closely monitoring potential changes that will impact our members.

June 23, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) invited Michael Collins, Building Industry Advisors, to address those at the 2017 AAMA Summer Conference about both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the wake of the new Trump administration. Collins gave a forecast on how Trump's influence on matters such as immigration, China trade, health care and other big news topics could have on the industry.

June 23, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) hosted Chip Gentry, founding member of Call & Gentry Law Group, to advise those at the conference about the important role of both proper installation and good insurance when it comes to avoiding litigation.

The Siding and Window and Door Association of Canada has been helping members, especially in Ontario, meet their legal requirement to provide working-at-heights training to employees who work more than six feet off the ground. The one-day course is provided by a certified third party, on demand, at your location.

Fenestration Manitoba has moved the date of its 25th annual golf tournament to Sept. 19. The event was previously scheduled for June 22.

Steve Alward, product manager at Atlantic Windows, was given the first-ever President's Award for outstanding contribution to Fenestration Canada at the association's Annual General Meeting on June 2 in Halifax, N.S. Outgoing president Allan Doyle of Global Windows presented the award.

Fenestration Canada's trip to Halifax May 30 through June 2 generated significant excitement and interest for the industry, attracting about 170 delegates from across the country to the Westin Nova Scotian on the harbourfront. The week began with a tour of Atlantic Windows in Port Elgin, N.B. – about two hours away – then moved through two days of committee and board meetings with social events in the evenings. Friday was the big day with education sessions and panels culminating in the President's Dinner and presentation of the C.P. Loewen Award and the new President's Award.

June 2, 2017 - Fenestration Canada appointed a new board of directors at its Annual General Meeting in Halifax, N.S., on June 1. Directors are elected by the membership in a general vote.

May 16, 2017 - Registration for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2017 AAMA Summer Conference in Newport, Rhode Island, is open, so those in the industry are encouraged to grab a spot at the popular event now. Early bird rates are available until Sun., May 28, and the conference takes place June 18-21.

They say perception is reality so perhaps its suitable that 2017 is recognized as the 25th anniversary event of the annual Manitoba window and door industry golf event – with a slight twist.  One of the most knowledgeable individuals on the topic, Roland Toker, advises that the very first Manitoba Window and Door Golf event was held in 1991.

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.

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.

Aug. 18, 2016 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document describing the test procedures and specifications required for sealants. The AAMA 800 document, Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants, was last updated in 2010.

July 21, 2016 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document describing the test procedures and performance requirements for pigmented organic coatings applied to aluminum, fiber reinforced thermoset or wood and cellulosic composite profiles for windows, doors, wall panels, skylights, sloped glazing and similar products. The update was made as a clarification to the requirements for outdoor or accelerated weathering testing. The document, "Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Solar Reflective Finishes," was originally released in 2013.

July 14, 2016 - The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Ventilation Rating Task Group, led by Ray Garries as chair, successfully developed a new ventilation rating for NFRC after several years of task group work.  Titled NFRC 401: Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Ventilation Rating, the final document (with edits) was approved by NFRC members at the Spring 2016 Committee Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia.

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. 

In response to skyrocketing housing prices in the Greater Toronto Area, the Ontario government has announced plans for a 15 per cent tax on foreign buyers and to bring back rent control, capping residential rent increases at the rate of inflation. Critics are warning that these measures may have the opposite of the desired effect as price controls and increased red tape cause landlords to leave the business and builders to avoid rental projects.

April 13, 2017 - Following a relatively weak 2016, residential construction activity in Canada is poised to see a modest decrease in 2017 as the number of housing starts is expected to decline to this year, according to The Conference of Canada's latest outlook for the industry. On the other hand, non-residential construction is expected to return to growth in 2017, thanks to government infrastructure spending.

April 12, 2017 -  Canadian municipalities issued $7.5 billion worth of building permits in February, down 2.5% from January. Ontario and Alberta led the five provinces that reported declines in February. The national decrease was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for single-family dwellings and institutional structures.

As spring arrives, the National Safety Council's Window Safety Task Force encourages everyone to recognize the importance of practicing window safety during Window Safety Week, being observed in 2017 from April 2-8. However, open windows any time of year can be dangerous for young children who are not properly supervised. While the number of falls from windows is generally very small compared with other recorded child injuries, a window incident can result in serious injury or possibly even death.

Mar. 16, 2017 -  The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched the Gender, Work and Health web portal to help bridge the gap between gender, sex, and health, and their impact on the workplace.