Apr. 16, 2018 - Glaston has closed a deal for a RC Series flat tempering line for processing extra long glasses up to 12 meters, to Novavetro located in San Severino Marche, Italy. The order is booked in Glaston’s Q2/2018 order book and is part of Glaston second-quarter expected order intake. The furnace will be delivered to Italy towards the end of 2018.

With an industry-wide focus on budgets and operating costs, not to mention more stringent building codes and LEED rating on the horizon OmniGlass SCT (OG) has the answer for you. Manufacturing custom curtain wall components from pultruded fiberglass all OG curtain wall components are ultra strong, thermally efficient, easy to install. Available in infinite design options and paintable in any color (to AAMA 615 standards) the warmth of the fiberglass frame cannot be beat. Fiberglass is much less conducive to allowing cold temperatures to pass through the frame, thus helping to prevent condensation and loss of heat.

Mar. 20, 2018 -  Solar Innovations Architectural Glazing Systems recently launched its new Conservatory Planning website at Conservatory.Planning.Solar, a new tool that will walk users through the planning process of a conservatory build.

Mar. 21, 2018 - Stürtz Machinery Inc. has announced the promotion of Michael Thomas to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Mike earned his BS in Business Administration, concentrating in Accounting, from Baldwin Wallace College. He is a licensed CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant. Mike has headed up SMI’s accounting and administration groups since 1997.

As our industry kicks in to gear for another construction season, it’s a good time to look at a few best practices and common failures. First, let’s start with some background before discussing a recent project example.

In this AIA-accredited presentation, Chris Fronsoe of ICD High Performance Coatings will discuss the use of silicone opacifiers in spandrel applications, educating attendees about the technological concept, application process and implications for surface performance, durability and esthetics.

Scratched glass is a major issue, especially on high value, heavy fabricated or hard-to-acquire materials. Jobsite damage from other trades can also be a major issue for the glazier.

Feb. 13, 2018 -  HHH Tempering Resources (HHH), and glass edging and polishing equipment provider, Hiseng, are anticipating 2018’s glass fabrication needs with a new product partnership.

Lift it, tilt it and store is safely with these innovative handling solutions.

Feb. 2, 2018 - OROShazaGLAS Kft. is a flat glass processor in 100 % Hungarian property, which is on a growth course. Located 20 kilometers away from the Rumanian border, approximately 170 employees process high-class flat glass to unique end products. In addition, the company has a technical office and an assembly team in Budapest. Founded in 1995 (roots are going back to 1974), the company generates a yearly turnover of 12 million Euros. 70% of the products are exported.

Feb. 2, 2018 -  C.R. Laurence is making progress on multiple facility expansions at its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

Jan. 16, 2018 - AGC Glass Europe is launching Stratobel Colour - A new range of coloured laminated glass products combining trendy looks with safety.

Apr. 9, 2018 - Glass Day is the commercial glass and glazing industry's learning and networking event of the year. Hosted by Garibaldi Glass, an award-winning glass fabricator with over 50 years of experience, Glass Day is an annual event hosted at Garibaldi's Headquarters in Burnaby, B.C. located at 8183 Wiggins Street. This year the event will take place on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 1:00PM – 7:00PM.

With 12 days left to go until Canada's architectural glass event, Top Glass organizers are announcing the show floor is sold out with 65 exhibitors in 17,000 square feet. Top Glass takes off April 17 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. Find show details and register for free at topglasscanada.com.

Mar. 22, 2018 - The Ontario Glass & Metal Association will hold its 2018 Two-Topic Spring Seminar on April 12 at the Richmond Hill Country Club in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Mar. 21, 2018 - Cutting-edge industry trends can pose challenges and opportunities for organizations, but only if they know how to take advantage of them.

Alumicor will show off its new Integra 6000 integral rain screen window system.

The glass and contract glazing industry in Canada is a sizeable entity employing thousands and one would expect it to have a voice that represents our collective interests on a national basis. In the United States, the National Glass Association recently merged with the Glass Association of North America to create a formidable national presence. I hate to tell you that Canada’s national voice is today on life support.

Here are some highlights from the technical meetings at our very productive and enjoyable Winter Conference in Tucson, Ariz.

Each year Top Glass is proud to host the Ontario Glass and Metal Association’s Awards for Excellence.

If everything always stayed the same there would be no need to come out to trade shows. Instead, we are inundated with change. Tightening energy efficiency standards are entering the market unevenly across the country, challenging contractors and fabricators to maintain esthetics and margins as designs adjust.

Efforts are ongoing as the CGA board works on a new mission and focus for the association. We are determined to deliver value for our members and do what we can as a national association to help the architectural glass industry across the country.

Mar. 8, 2018 - Dean Lewis of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) passed away March 7 after battling cancer. He spent 45 years in the fenestration industry and was 69 years old.

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Black of Brookhaven National Laboratory in the United States will present his team’s research using nanomaterials to render glass and some plastics virtually invisible by eliminating nearly all surface reflections.

Glass Performance Days, a biennial conference held in Tampere, Finland, has released an entire online book full of educational articles provided by its session presenters. The 457-page document contains 91 white papers, each connected to an educational seminar that took place at its 25th event in June last year. The papers discuss just about every imaginable topic in the architectural glass industry.

In our northern climates, where temperatures can plummet to -30 C and colder, consumers can see an increase in glass breakage in their windows.  This year in the Ottawa area, an unprecedented number of glass breakages have been reported with temperatures in the -39 C range with intense sun for days on end. It’s a chilly time.

When it’s time to take IG production to the next level, fabricators can consider integrating automated spacer production into their process. It’s a big investment of money, space and training time, but a big payoff in reduced inventory, supply control and input costs.

Oct. 12, 2017 - The pursuit of safer, more environmentally friendly roadways and sidewalks shifted into another gear with the first public installation of low-wattage, energy-producing tempered glass solar panels manufactured by Solar Roadways topped with low-iron Starphire glass by Vitro Architectural Glass.

Sept. 12, 2017 - Glaston Corporation has closed a deal with U.S based Trulite Glass & Aluminium Solutions for a FC Series jumbo-size tempering furnace. The order is part of Glaston third-quarter expected order intake. The line will be delivered to the customer by the end of this year.

Carbon fibre composite remains too expensive and slow to process for widespread use as a building material. But trends both on the supply and demand side are perhaps bringing it closer to feasibility. The material’s strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion-resistance and low thermal conductivity make it an intriguing possibility for very high-end projects demanding low sight lines, big glass and good thermal performance.

July 28, 2017 - Many applications for building inspection...

June 15, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released a new white paper created by the AAMA Aluminum Material Council that discusses the use of aluminum in high-performing building enclosures. AMC-2-26, "Aluminum in High-Performing Building Enclosures," is now available in the AAMA online store as a complimentary download.

Let’s take a look at the recent great work by our Technical Services Committee, chaired by Jeff Haberer of Trulite Glass and Aluminum Solutions.

Glass and glazing elements like most primary construction materials including concrete, masonry, metals and plastics have benefited a great deal from improvements in advanced coating technologies. The use of advanced coating techniques and materials to improve appearance and performance of glass in particular has proven to be a constant source of successful innovation over time.

Apr. 10, 2018 - Canadian municipalities issued $8.2 billion in building permits in February (-2.6%), following a 5.2% gain in January. Single-family homes as well as the commercial and institutional components saw lower levels of construction intentions in February.

I heard an interesting statistic the other day on Fareed Zakaria’s excellent international affairs show on CNN. Between 2013 and 2016, income for the lowest 20 per cent of Canada’s wage earners increased 20 per cent. In the U.S., incomes for their lowest 20 per cent fell 16 per cent over the same period. 

Mar. 5, 2018 - Oxford Properties has announced plans to develop The HUB, a new 1.4-million square foot commercial tower in Toronto's South Core neighbourhood at 30 Bay Street. UK-based architects Rogers Strik Harbour + Partners were selected to design The HUB. Named for its proximity to the Harbour, Union Station and Bay St., The HUB will be a dominant fixture on Toronto's skyline.

Mar. 1, 2018 -  Innovative architectural and structural design in taller and larger mass timber buildings headlined the 2018 Wood Design Awards event at the Vancouver Convention Centre (West) this evening. The 14th annual event, organized and hosted by Wood WORKS! BC, honoured excellence in wood building and design, and recognized leadership and innovation in wood use. Nearly 500 guests attended this year's celebration of wood, including distinguished building and design professionals, owners, local and provincial government representatives, industry sponsors and guests.

Feb. 20, 2018 - EllisDon is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Chaplin to the role of Vice-President of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE).

Feb. 20, 2018 - SNC-Lavalin is pleased to announce its commitment to support the development of the "AI-powered Supply Chain Supercluster", of which it is a participant, with expertise and knowledge transfer. This is one of five superclusters selected to receive additional funding from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's (ISED) Innovation Supercluster Initiative (ISI).

Any workplace setting is bound to have at least one employee living with an injury or disability. But it doesn’t matter whether that employee’s injury or disability happened at work, at home, or somewhere in between. Employees do not have to be on worker’s compensation in order for employers to have a duty to accommodate disability.

Being sophisticated and therefore a dedicated reader of You Bet Your Glass, you’re undoubtedly aware of what has been transpiring with the Construction Lien Act (CLA) in Ontario over the past four years through my updates, whining and rants on the subject. For those of you who are new, here’s a brief refresher.

As we kick off the new year I’m excited to begin this column.  The window industry is changing and we are seeing unprecedented pressure to manufacture better windows with lower U-values. However, along with this pressure there are many opportunities. At the WinDoor show held in November at the International Centre in Mississauga there were many great presentations regarding the trends in our industry.

I’m writing this at the start of the new year, which always seems like a good time to take the 30,000-foot view and try to get a sense of where things stand before we drive ahead. Just about everyone I talk to is busier than they want to be, which leaves the question of whether it’s time for investment in the business or to stuff money in the mattress for the inevitable rainy day. Oil prices are still low, so this little boom probably owes more to the surging American economy and its spillover effect on Canada.

Feb. 5, 2018 - The Marvin Family of Brands invites architects in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Israel to submit their work to the annual Marvin Architects Challenge, which honors outstanding residential and commercial design projects that demonstrate creativity and ingenuity. Architects can submit their entries to marvin.com/ArchitectsChallenge, which will be evaluated by an independent panel of esteemed architects, including Matt Kreilich, AIA, Takashi Yanai, FAIA and Jane Frederick, FAIA, ASID for a chance at national recognition and other rewards.

Mar. 26, 2018 - Guardian Glass North America has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for flat glass and processed glass products manufactured at its seven North American float plants.

With the title “North American Fenestration Standard,” it is tempting to think that NAFS applies equally to all fenestration products. This is not the case: while NAFS applies to a great many fenestration products, it excludes many products used in larger buildings from its scope. Fortunately, the code recognizes this and provides complementary compliance paths for products within and outside the scope of the standard.

Mar. 5, 2018 - American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) member company UL/CLEB gave a workshop during AAMA's 2018 Annual Conference in Orlando on Feb. 21. UL/CLEB Principal Engineer Robert Jutras presented a case study on the subject, offering visual examples of a specific project and its tests.

Mar. 1, 2018 - The North American Contractor Certification (NACC) program is pleased to announce that National Glass and Metal Company Inc., of Horsham, PA has completed the process of NACC certification. The NACC program is an ANSI accredited 3rd party process that was built for the architectural glass and metal installation community.

Nov. 3, 2017 -  The Physical Test Steering Committee of the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) Certification Program, began development of conceptual test apparatuses at a meeting held on September 20, in Hanover, MD. The apparatuses will be used by future AGMT certification applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in fundamental physical glazing skills and abilities; the physical test element of the certification exam.

The IGMA Summer Conference in Montreal heard about the significant progress our many active committees and task groups are making. Here’s a look at some highlights.

At the Canadian Glass Association’s 2017 Glass Connections in Burnaby, B.C., CGA past president Jim Brady announced new code changes to a room full of people largely unaware of the changes. “The Canadian Glass Association needs to get involved with code changes so we can get them revised and not rely on other codes,” said Brady.

Aug. 24, 2017 - The Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC), the leading provider of independent IG certification globally, along with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) is pleased to announce a new program to advance the long-term performance of insulating glass units.

Aug. 24, 2017 - The North American Contractor Certification (NACC) is pleased to announce its latest certified organization. U.S. Glass, Inc. of West Sacramento, California became the 16th company to acquire certification after going through the ANSI accredited 3rd party NACC program.

Aug. 3, 2017 - The Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) Certification Program, a third-party, personnel certification initiative being developed by Administrative Management Systems, Inc. (AMS), held a steering committee meeting in Chicago on July 20, to develop the basic design for a mechanism that will provide validation of glaziers’ fundamental knowledge and skills.

Aug. 3, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard water penetration test method when it comes to using dynamic pressure. AAMA 501.1-17, the "Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Windows, Curtain walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure," establishes the equipment and procedures for testing.

July 13, 2017 - ASTM International’s committee on glass and glass products (C14) is creating a standard that will help clean and restore glass windows, doors, and other architectural glass used in modern buildings. People involved in related industries including glass manufacturing, glazing companies, and maintenance/restoration contractors are invited to participate in the development of the proposed standard (WK58123, Practice for Cleaning Architectural Flat Glass).