WinDoor Opens Tomorrow–Live
November 16th, 2021 by Drew Vass, Executive EditorWhile launching a virtual event last year, officials for Fenestration Canada vowed that WinDoor would be back in 2021 with an in-person format. They’re making good on that promise this year by returning to Toronto, but show organizers aren’t giving up on the progress they made online. Instead, they’re going hybrid.
Information posted by exhibitors to the online venue, dubbed Marketplace by WinDoor, has remained available since the site was launched. Visitors are encouraged to circle back from time to time, looking for updates. What that does for the fanfare of this year’s digital presence is yet to be seen. So far as the in-person trade show is concerned, at press time, 30 companies were signed on to exhibit. But several companies told [DWM] they hadn’t made a final determination. Those who do plan to be there say they’re ready to get back to face-to-face business.
“After COVID-19 caused cancellations across our industry, we’re most excited to interact with our industry colleagues in-person at this year’s WinDoor event,” said Ryan Mayrand, director of marketing for Paradigm. “There’s simply no substitute for the face-to-face interactions, networking and educational opportunities that an in-person event affords.”
Others said that—no matter how attendance pans out—they’re expecting to reach new customers, including manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and other industry professionals.
So far as COVID-19 is concerned, show officials say proper sanitizing measures will be in place, following guidelines provided by the Ontario government. To enter, attendees will need to provide proof of full vaccination with final shots predating the show by a minimum of 14 days. Those entering Canada from the U.S. will need to be tested within 72 hours before arrival or show proof of a positive COVID-19 test taken between 14 and 180 days prior.
Along with educational sessions, exhibitors will showcase their latest products on the show floor. Following is a look at some of those innovations.
Continental
With skai Mattex, Continental looks to inspire attendees with options for extreme matt surfaces. The product has a gloss level of two, which “perfectly replicates the look and feel of powder-coated aluminum,” they suggest. The surface is scratch-resistant due to its grain structure and is sealed with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) layer, resulting in low surface tension, making it easy to clean. Due to the product’s high temperature resistance, it shows no gloss development during welding or bending, officials say.
skai Mattex is available in nine solid colors, ranging from white to black, and woodgrain designs. “The visual effects and the tactile elegance combine to create a high-quality overall impression that makes the surface almost indistinguishable from real wood,” the company suggests.
Fabplus
Officials for Fabplus say the company’s four-axis Door Cutting CNC machine “opens a new world of possibility” to “completely change your door department.” Using the head for milling on top and the side of doors, the machine is flexible enough to adapt to future innovations in slab design, they add.
Among the machine’s standard features are an automatic tool changer that’s expandable for up to eight tools, door cutting length with drill bit to eliminate the need for a separate saw, automatic motor speed variation and travel, depending on material type, and fast and accurate X and Y travel, thanks to a rack-and-pinion-design. The system automatically loads and unloads door slabs into the machining area and can unload doors frontwards, increasing productivity, or backwards to reduce floor space requirements. It’s capable of processing anything, officials say, including cut outs, multipoint locks, hinges, face plates, panic bars, peep holes, doorknobs, and locks. Meanwhile, Beckoff plug and play replacement parts eliminate downtime.
Novagard
Among other products, Novagard looks to hook door and window companies on its NovaFlex Qwik-Set Glazing Sealant, a two-component, 100% silicone, neutral-cure sealant. With a high initial green strength, officials say you won’t have to slow production the way you would waiting for traditional glazings to cure in bedding and glazing of glass.
According to company information, NovaFlex Qwik-Set Glazing Sealant allows for movement of assemblies within minutes of application without silicone transfer or glass shifting. In addition to rapid cure, the product offers excellent primerless adhesion to most substrates and accessories, low viscosity that’s easy on pumping equipment, adjustable ratios to help dial in snap times and squeeze-out cleanup. The product is available in 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.
ODL Canada
ODL plans to showcase its new Mystify decorative door glass. The product features a “playful combination of pattern and texture,” officials say. A black drizzle pattern is fused to softly textured glass, resulting in a “mesmerizing statement piece” for modern entryways, while also providing privacy. The contemporary design is offered with black grilles between glass for a clean, divided look or as a single door light.
Paradigm
Attendees looking for a full suite of software offerings will want to swing by Paradigm’s booth. The company will have numerous applications on hand for demo, including Paradigm Omni, which makes configuring and quoting complex building products fast and easy. The omni-channel selling solution offers online, in-home, in-store and dealer functionality.
Building on the capabilities of Omni, Paradigm Nexus is a fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) application for manufacturers in the building products industry.
The company will also feature its digital selling solution, Paradigm Vendo, which is included for free as part of Paradigm Omni. Built on the company’s quoting technology, Vendo allows manufacturers to arm in-home sales with an app for product presentation. Meanwhile, Paradigm Payments helps contractors, distributors, dealers and manufacturers with payment processing.
Protomach
The PROMCP CNC Machining center by Protomach for previously cut-to-length profiles can machine two profiles at once. Company officials say up to 10 tools can be programmed to machine pre-cut frames, sashes or mullions, as fabrication requires. A measurer installed at the entrance repositions machinings on each part if the length is longer or shorter than it’s supposed to be.
The unit includes an infeed pusher and programs are adaptable for various profiles and hardware types and a computer is used to transfer information from fabrication software to the machine’s PLC.
Maximum profile length is 2800mm or 9 feet 1 inch, but configuration for longer materials are available upon request.
Screenco
Screenco Group of Companies will present its Robusto patio door screen this year. The product is one of a kind in the market, officials say, with a 3-inch-wide, heavy-duty extruded aluminum frame, making it the heaviest and strongest available among the company’s offerings.
According to company information, Robusto is complemented with a sleek mortise locking handle and ball bearing wheels that run smoothly on the track. The product is suited for larger patio doors or for upscale product lines.
Veka
The 82 Series Window System by Veka will be at WinDoor, where the company also plans to show off the 23 interior wood grains and colors for its Pinnacle laminated surfaces.
The window system includes slider, casement and picture formats, accommodating 1-3/8-inch maximum glass thickness, allowing for triple-pane—all while maintaining enough spacing for thermal performance, say company officials. Key features of the system include a 4-9/16-inch frame depth, an all-welded frame and sash, a full complement of accessory profiles, an interior glazed frame and an exterior glazed sash. The 82 Series also includes multiple glazing bead options using single or dual durometer and triple weather stripping to achieve DP60 rated performance levels.
Pinnacle laminated surfaces fulfill AAMA 307 and 303 test requirements for superior performing laminated profiles. The product is resistant to abrasion, mortar, detergents and chemicals, and demonstrates superior performance and low heat build-up in areas of high incident solar radiation, according to company information.
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