The FGIA Virtual Fall Conference featured several experts sharing important information. Key points from these sessions are highlighted below.“The bottom line is we are going through a weird peak and valley, which will drift its way back to a more normal run. It's just a matter of how we get back to that point.”-Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl, on foreseeing a return to “normal” in probably the second or third quarter of 2021“I want builders to demand a higher quality product that will perform better. I...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) will host a webinar entitled “An Introduction to the IGMA Technical Binder” on Tuesday, November 17 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Presented by Bill Lingnell, FGIA Technical Consultant, this webinar will introduce attendees to the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) Technical Binder, which includes information required to successfully fabricate a quality insulating glass (IG) unit. The binder contains all active IGMA Technical Bulletins, Technical Reports and Technical Manuals.The IGMA Technical Binder is segregated by category: Design and Development, Voluntary...

All course segments and certification exams for one of FGIA’s flagship education programs has launched and is now available. FenestrationMasters® version 2.0 offers an update and redesign of the original coursework, first launched in 2012, including repackaged segments from all course groupings. This version also includes updated content reflecting current technical documents and standards as well as code requirements in a redesigned, more interactive platform.“We are excited to announce the completion of FenestrationMasters 2.0,” said Kaydeen Laird, FGIA Education Manager. “Now more than ever, this...

Those participating in the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Fall Conference heard from an architect and engineer about commercial design trends. William Babbington, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C at Studio NYL, shared insights into some of the more frequently seen and requested exterior trends within fenestration and glazing, including frameless glass options, bird-friendly glass and more.Babbington described Studio NYL as “design oriented, but also collaborative with architects and fabricators.” To understand trends, Babbington said, one needs to understand goals and drivers behind them....

Registration for the third installment of the Leadership Development Program from the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) is now open, with the first session taking place in April. Oak Moser, a leadership coach with Coaching 2 Connect, facilitates this professional education offering, which is a legacy program of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) that will continue to be offered by FGIA.“The Leadership Development Program focuses on the soft skills a leader needs to achieve his or her full potential,” said Moser. “Everyone in the...

The Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA), the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) have released a new document focused on replacement windows. FMA/AAMA/WDMA 2710-20, Guidelines for the Full Frame Replacement of Windows without Removal of Exterior Brick Veneer, covers the replacement of windows in residential and light commercial buildings of not more than three stories above grade in height, utilizing a membrane/drainage system, a surface barrier drainage or a wall system without a reliable membrane drainage system.“This newly...

A senior management professional experienced in leading and coaching teams shared tips for how to increase one’s influence over others at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Fall Conference. Leadership coach with Coaching 2 Connect, Oak Moser, facilitates FGIA’s Leadership Development Program (LDP), and previewed the third installment of the program during the event. Moser provided steps in setting expectations with others professionally and personally, including connecting with people of different personality and communication styles, leveraging the strengths that go along with those styles...

A high-end builder in Austin, TX, shared the fenestration trends he has seen in the U.S. when it comes to building performance during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Fall Conference. Matt Risinger is the host of the popular YouTube Channel, The Build Show, where he talks about building science, craftsmanship and best practices for building and remodeling. According to Risinger, there has been an increase in questions on his channel from builders about high-performing products.Risinger, who previously spoke at the 2019 Fall...

At the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Fall Conference, an industry professional with more than 36 years of health and safety experience shared his company’s best practices for keeping plant workers safe during the spread of COVID-19. Michael Cook, Corporate Safety Director for Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, called on employers to do all they can to adapt workspaces and ensure their employees’ safety in the pandemic.Cook began with a reflection on January 1, 2020, when things in the world were somewhat normal – there was...

An economist gave an assessment of the current economy and what the industry might expect from an eventual post-COVID economy during the keynote address at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Fall Conference. “The impact this current recession has had will either push us back to where we were in 2019 or continue into 2021, 2022,” said Dr. Chris Kuehl, a managing director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, who provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients around the world.Kuehl...