In today’s ever-changing environment, energy codes are becoming increasingly stringent and focus on many different factors including thermal performance, comfort, durability and long-term value. Residential window and door manufacturers, particularly, are increasingly confronted with a wider range of performance requirements across climate zones.
Specifiers, architects, and design professionals frequently ask whether decorative glass can meet safety glazing requirements. Historically, decorative treatments were associated with aesthetics rather than performance. Today, advances in fabrication, interlayers and testing allow decorative glass to meet the same life-safety benchmarks as conventional architectural glazing.
As we roll into the new month, there are two excellent regional events on the calendar, and I think they are well worth attending. First, in the great state of Texas, the Texas Glass Conference is April 23-24. Then, on April 29th, the premier event for the Philly/Jersey area is the Annual Glass Symposium in Atlantic City.
Back at it with a special new episode of the “From the Fabricator” podcast. This time out, a focused edition on the shower door side of the business with three of the best around. Leading off, I visited with one of the best minds on the shower-door side, Danny Donahue of FHC. Danny delivered a ton of straight-to-the-point insights on installs and solutions, and broke news on a very cool hydraulic hinge now available. Which maybe I’ll get if my shower is ever done- that story is told too! Good guy and an enjoyable talk.
Lakisha Woods and Sheronda Carr, CEOs of the National Glass Association and the National Association of Women in Construction respectively, shared candid insights at GlassBuild America's Women Leaders Panel, urging women to embrace visibility early, share their journeys authentically, and show up with excellence regardless of readiness. They also sounded an alarm on the industry's retention crisis—noting that women are leaving faster than they're being brought in—and called on women to champion one another as the surest path to lasting cultural change.
The 28th BEC Conference is now in the books, and it was one heck of an experience. Going in, there was concern about how challenging it would be to get to Louisville. But those concerns obviously went away because the people showed up in droves. Once everyone arrived, Louisville and the host hotel really shone. It was fabulous with a perfect layout. There was so much you could do. I feel like everyone but me went to the Louisville Slugger plant, and really, everyone was in pretty good spirits as we got it all off and going.
Lakisha Woods and Sheronda Carr, CEOs of the National Glass Association and the National Association of Women in Construction respectively, shared candid insights at GlassBuild America's Women Leaders Panel, urging women to embrace visibility early, share their journeys authentically, and show up with excellence regardless of readiness. They also sounded an alarm on the industry's retention crisis—noting that women are leaving faster than they're being brought in—and called on women to champion one another as the surest path to lasting cultural change.
Well, it’s finally here! BEC is upon us and I’m ready for a great few days in Louisville. Lots lined up, and I have hit on much of it in past blogs. Though I don’t think I mentioned the coverage of major items like thermal bridging, hiring options, and immigration law. These are a tiny part of what will be a memorable and helpful event.
Mexico's float glass sector is showing growth despite headwinds from U.S. trade tensions and a domestic construction slump driven by cuts in public infrastructure spending. While the near-term outlook is challenging, analysts see long-term growth potential driven by automotive demand, rising interest in high-performance glazing, and green building trends, though heavy dependence on the U.S. market remains a structural vulnerability.