It probably goes without saying, but your reputation as a door and window manufacturer is tied directly to how well your products perform. One problematic product can cost you the goodwill of current and future customers. That means it’s critical to ensure that each unit coming off your lines will meet the highest possible standards.
Never has this been truer in the fenestration industry than it is today, as manufacturers expand their product offerings and enter new markets—all the while capitalizing on the latest design trends. And that brings us to today’s tip:
Build in quality at every stage of production.
In my years in the field, one common trait I’ve witnessed among successful manufacturers is this: quality is monitored and promoted from the beginning of the manufacturing process through installation. This is because each part of your product must work together to provide a quality unit that will stand the test of time, including your insulating glass (IG), your framing, and your door and window screens.
Let’s start with IG. Whether the aim is to improve the aesthetic appearance of the structure or to save money through the installation of energy-efficient products, many homeowners want the best products to improve their homes—and that often begins with quality, high-performance IG units (IGUs).
To those ends, flexible spacer systems—especially paired with automated equipment—enable you to produce more consistent products more efficiently, increasing throughput while maintaining the highest quality. As you consider your manufacturing plan, it may be worth it to invest in adding flexible spacer systems to your line. And flexible systems are not limited to high-speed, fully automated lines; they can be customized to work in any size shop.
Next, there are your window and door profiles. The long-term trend in the residential market has been toward the use of vinyl windows, and for good reason. They offer good thermal performance, are cost effective, and, today, can even offer high-end aesthetics comparable to wood or other materials. That’s why from design to construction and assembly, the use of the highest-quality materials is crucial to ensuring your products meet ever-changing consumer desires. Choosing the right supplier is critical to making sure you put the right materials into your products to help guarantee success.
Finally, there’s your door and window screens. Screens are the most labor-intensive, least rewarding aspects of the manufacturing process. The most common complaint from homeowners and business owners is broken or torn screens, and that one bad screen experience can taint the perception of your company, even if every other part of the window is working flawlessly.
As you already know, handling your screen production in-house requires many employees and significant floor space dedicated to a low-margin aspect of your business. Thankfully, there are options, including the strategic outsourcing of screen production to an outside company. It will free up more labor and space for higher-value tasks, while improving your screen quality.
Taking stock of everything that makes up your final product—the product that your customers will see, touch, feel, and trust to enhance the comfort of their homes—is critical for today’s door and window manufacturer. It’s critical to be certain you’re making optimal choices for every part of your products.
John Ryba is technical services director for Quanex.