Plavecsky’s Ponderings

GlassBuild America: Are You Going?

Aug 24th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

“GlassBuild America is only 3 weeks away? Are you going?” So goes the message that I have been sending out to my customers and prospects. So far, it seems that about 60 percent of the answers are a yes, 20 percent are no and 20 percent are a maybe. In an economy that is still [...]



Will R5 Become R Future?

Jul 19th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Everybody is talking about R5 windows! Late in May, the U.S. Department of Energy launched its “Highly-Insulating R-5 Windows and Low-E Storm Windows Volume Purchase Program” with an event in Washington, D.C., held at the headquarters of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). The program was designed to pair manufacturers of super energy efficient windows [...]



Avoiding the Big Rollover: The Mandate and Market Approach

Jun 22nd, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

The recent BP offshore drilling catastrophe has renewed the debate about the pros and cons of offshore oil drilling. The advocates of offshore drilling say that it is absolutely necessary to reduce our dependency upon foreign oil. Those against offshore drilling bring up the risks of damage to the environment. The recent pictures of dying [...]



What Makes an Effective Window & Door Showroom?

Jun 1st, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Showrooms require a substantial investment to be effective, but the rewards can be great. Showrooms can enable you to position your company’s image as one of quality, craftsmanship, value and professionalism. These are all attributes that a prospective buyer wants to see in a prospective seller.
The very first thing that a prospective customer is likely [...]



Change is a Pane

May 11th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

In my 25 years in the fenestration industry, I cannot recall seeing this much change in such a short period of time. We are seeing significant changes in three key areas: “What to Build, How to Build it, and How to Install It. You name it. Every aspect of the fenestration industry is changing at [...]



Energy Legislation – The Canvas for a Healthy Fenestration Replacement Market for Years to Come

Apr 20th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Oil and natural gas are the lifeblood of our economy, accounting for more than 60 percent of the energy consumed in the United States. To meet projected demand, our Nation has a vital interest in ensuring that competitively-priced domestic natural gas and oil remain part of the U.S. energy portfolio for decades to come.
Are you [...]



Will Lead Weigh Down a Window Industry Recovery?

Mar 2nd, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Everybody is talking about the upcoming regulations that will take place for window installations in houses built prior to 1978. The new regulations are designed to protect pregnant women and children from the hazards of airborne lead particles that may arise from disturbing painted surfaces during the process of window installation. The fear is that [...]



The Green Police

Feb 8th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

When I saw the Colts jump out to a quick 10-0 lead last night, I thought maybe this was going to be one of those Super Bowls that I end up watching just to see the Super Bowl commercials. However, much to my pleasant surprise, it wasn’t. Not only was it a great Super Bowl, [...]



IG Certification: The Deadline is Looming

Jan 11th, 2010 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Well, 2010 is upon us, and this is the year that ENERGY STAR will start shining brighter. I say this because it will mean so much more! Starting July 1 of this year, the DOE requirement for insulating glass certification will go into effect as a prerequisite for ENERGY STAR labeling of windows, doors and [...]



Holiday Greetings: Making Customers Feel Appreciated

Dec 14th, 2009 | By DWM Mag | Category: Plavecsky's Ponderings

Christmas and the holidays are fast approaching and the USPS is running feverishly to deliver the approximate 1.9 billion Christmas and Season’s Greetings cards that are sent out this time each year in the USA. That’s right … the number is 1.9 billion, and the expense is roughly the same number of dollars if you [...]