Those participating in the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) 2024 Fall Conference, held in Minneapolis, MN, heard the ways in which the state of Minnesota is leading the nation when it comes to commercial energy codes and efficiency as well as efforts to mitigate the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the environment and local drinking water supply. Both subject matter experts shared what those operating in other states may be able to expect to see in their own jurisdictions down the...

Sustainability was an important theme throughout the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) 2024 Fall Conference, with sessions covering vinyl life cycle assessments (LCAs), the future of environmental product declarations (EPDs) and embodied carbon legislation on the federal and state levels. Expert speakers answered participant questions and shared the latest knowledge on these topics.An Industry-Wide LCA StudyPresenters Nicole Meyer and Marquis Miller (Sustainability Solutions Corporation) led a discussion entitled "How to Use Vinyl Industry LCAs?” which provided an overview of LCAs and shared lessons learned,...

Several training and education opportunities took place during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) 2024 Fall Conference in Minneapolis, MN, including an informative session on mockup testing in construction, a primer on corrosion and an educational hands-on workshop demonstrating proper application of materials common in fenestration installation, as presented by the FGIA Wall Interface Council.Construction Mockups and TestingA presentation entitled "Construction Mockups & Testing | Overview, Trends, and Best Practices" was led by Christopher Grey, a principal in the Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)...

A panel discussion at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) 2024 Fall Conference covered several different uses and trends of safety-focused fenestration and glazing products, ranging from ballistic glass, school security and blast resistance. Information was presented by panelists Lothar Erkens (Winco Window), Matt Manning (Oldcastle Building Envelope) and Vaughn Schauss (Kuraray). Mike Troutman (MI Windows and Doors), Co-Chair of the FGIA Fenestration Safety Committee, moderated the safety panel.Ballistics with Matt ManningManning started by defining ballistic glass as laminated glass that has been designed...

Participants at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) 2024 Fall Conference heard color forecasts from an expert in the field, who shared an exploration of trends emerging and evolving in the building products market over the next three to five years. Kiki Redhead drives all Color, Material, Finish (CMF) and trend initiatives for Sherwin-Williams Industrial and Performance Coatings, including spearheading the DesignHouse in Minneapolis, MN. FGIA conference participants were given the opportunity to tour the Sherwin-Williams headquarters, including the DesignHouse, earlier in the week.Redhead...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) partnered with World Vision, a humanitarian organization helping children, families and their communities overcome poverty and injustice, to provide school supplies to in-need children during the 2024 FGIA Fall Conference (September 16-19). FGIA members assembled and donated 200 backpacks filled with school supplies for students in the Minneapolis area as part of World Vision’s School Tools Backpack Build.“Our team at Richfield Public Schools is thrilled to have FGIA provide essential school supplies and backpacks to children in our...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has named three new Honorary Members of the Association. Jeff Haberer (Trulite Glass & Aluminum Solutions), Steve Harp (Associated Materials) and Mark Mikkelson (Andersen Corporation) now join the legacy of becoming Honorary Members of FGIA.Honorary FGIA members are those who are retired from the industry and have demonstrated exceptional dedication and contributions to the Association, have held multiple leadership positions, and/or have had continuous participation in the Association for 20 years or more. Nominations are required from at...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has updated a specification establishing methods of test cover procedures, materials and performance criteria for determining the durability of gear type rotary and linear operating devices used for opening and closing casement, awning, jalousie, jal-awning and other similar types of windows. AAMA 901-24, Specification for Rotary and Linear Operations in Window Applications, an FGIA document, is now available for purchase in the FGIA online store. This document was last updated in 2016.Rotary and linear operators are hardware components...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) is now offering topics from the upcoming third edition of FenestrationMasters®, FGIA’s flagship education program, for individual purchase. The two à la carte modules cover the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS), including the NAFS Canadian Supplement, and Fundamentals of Insulating Glass. While the full version of FenestrationMasters 3.0 will be released later this year, these two options are now available for purchase.“With the significance of the NAFS standard and the importance of IG performance to our organization, it...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has updated a specification describing test procedures and requirements for architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to extrusions and panels for architectural products. AAMA 611-24, Specification for Anodized Architectural Aluminum, an FGIA document, is now available for purchase in the FGIA online store. This document was last updated in 2020.“This guideline will permit the architect, owner and contractor to specify and obtain anodized aluminum finishes which will provide, with periodic maintenance, a superior level of performance in terms...