Door and window manufacturers keep finding new ways to bring more natural light into home interiors. Customizable options for doors made from wood and fiberglass expand design possibilities, and aluminum provides new ways to frame exterior views as openings increase in size. Meanwhile, resilience and thermal performance of windows continue to improve, and the ever-popular barn door benefits from more sophisticated hardware.
Marvin
Marvin recently unveiled an innovative approach to bringing the outdoors in with the launch of its Skycove window. The unit combines the functions of a window seat with a panoramic bay to the outdoors. The pre-engineered, pop-out, cantilevered structure will flood any interior with natural light during the day, while the top glass is perfect for stargazing. The integrated bench offers 16 to 20 square feet of usable space, and can be finished to match the home’s interior decor. The frame includes a built-in recess for shade solutions if more privacy is desired. marvin.com
Hope’s Windows
Is it possible to have pivot doors that will also withstand a hurricane? Yes, it is. The Jamestown 175 Series from Hope’s Windows have passed stringent wind tests and adhere to Miami-Dade County, Florida Building Code and High Velocity Hurricane Zone standards, which tend to be pretty strict. The new line includes large single-panel doors with hot-rolled steel frames, ultra-thin sightlines, and a state-of-the-art finishing system. The doors are tested for TAS-201, TAS-202 and TAS-203; air and water infiltration; and design pressure of plus or minus 60 psf. hopeswindows.com
Masonite
Doors can do more than keep the outside out. New versions of Masonite’s offerings feature interior doors rendered in wood that are totally customizable. Model options include single lights, double doors framed in mahogany, knotty pine versions, and maple barn doors hung on exposed black steel hardware. Solid core is always a sound option, and Vista Grande versions in the line offer more glass for more natural light. If a lighter-by-weight and less expensive door is desired, consider going with fiberglass without losing any of the design panache. masonite.com
Kolbe
Kolbe’s popular VistaLuxe Collection recently broadened its offerings in the window business by moving into aluminum configurations designated and marketed as VistaLuxe AL LINE. On the outside it’s all about light-yet-strong extruded aluminum, available in several popular colors with a powder-coat or anodized finish. On some models the interior side can be ordered with natural wood, a look that’s perfect for the contemporary end of the market. kolbewindows.com
NanaWall
The custom-built, 11-foot, 6-inch SL84 line offers NanaWall’s thinnest aluminum frame yet. The units are available in swing-in or swing-out configurations with a 3 ⅞ inch junction where the stiles meet. The manufacturer’s TwinX mechanism serves as a spring-loaded structural reinforcement that locks the panels together when the system is closed. Top and bottom rails are 2 ⅝ inches, and panel depth is 3 ⁵⁄₁₆ inches. The window wall comes with NanaWall’s “Bionic Turtle” locking system. nanawall.com
Friday Home
In collaboration with the Bjarke Ingels Group architectural firm, Scandinavian firm Friday has released an ergonomic smart lock that has the smallest dimensions of any retrofit lock on the market, according to the manufacturer. The locks come in a variety of finishes, including steel, brass, copper, bronze, and gun metal. The technology is encrypted, the battery is rechargeable and the lock can be set with a phone. The design is at home worldwide as it can be purchased with a Scandinavian cylinder, a European cylinder or a U.S. compatible deadlock. fridayhome.net
Simpson Door
Simpson Door recently showed off some new innovations for transitional spaces, including oversized doorways reaching heights of 12 feet and widths of 10 feet. The large doors can be configured from any species of wood and will fit in with any design scheme. They can be mounted on barn door–style track hardware or swing on a pivot. The doors come in both exterior and interior configurations. simpsondoor.com
Cloplay
Turning a garage door into a functional design statement is the aim of Clopay’s newest foray into full-view aluminum frame doors fitted out with glass panels. The Avante AX and the commercial version, Model 94, feature flat stiles and rails defined by a squared-off design that reduces visible lines. Twelve window options are available to control light flow and privacy, including clear, frosted, tinted, mirrored, obscure, and laminate glass, as well as acrylic and polygal glazing. Tempered, insulated glass is also available for greater energy efficiency, as are solid aluminum panels. The glass is supported by a 2⅛-inch commercial grade aluminum frame that is rust-and corrosion-resistant. Powder-coated or anodized finishes are also available. clopaydoor.com
Sierra Pacific Windows
Sierra Pacific’s Westchester line offers top thermal performance in a classic, double-hung configuration. The window features narrow check-rail sightlines with historically accurate sash proportions, and combines traditional good looks with a performance rating of PG50 on most standard sizes. The line’s U-values range from 0.28 to 0.17, depending on glass type. The Westchester can be used in residential or commercial applications and comes with multi-point tilt latches; a patent-pending, traditionally styled combination sash lock; sill end caps; and a drainage system. sierrapacificwindows.com
Johnson Hardware
As sliding barn doors continue to grow in popularity, the hardware used to mount them has grown more sophisticated. Johnson Hardware’s 2610 SC Soft Closing Wall Mount Sliding Door Hardware can be used on any metal or wood door from 1 to 1¾ inches thick, up to 60 inches wide and weighing up to 200 lbs. Fascia can be ordered in a satin finish or bronze. Track stops are adjustable to limit door travel, and the jump-proof box track is available in lengths up to 96 inches for single doors and up to 192 inches for double doors. The made-in-the-U.S. hardware and track exceed ANSI standards, which means they can successfully complete 100,000 opening and closing cycles. johnsonhardware.com
Jeld-Wen
Jeld-Wen’s newest addition to the Siteline family comes in the form of LaCantina, a new model that uses a 3-inch stile and rail system to maximize the view to the outdoors. Panels are available in sizes up to 60 inches wide by 108 inches tall, and can be configured with up to six panels in a single direction or 12 panels in a bi-parting configuration. Panels are also available down to 30 inches wide by 36 inches tall, for use as a window system or pass-through openings. The Multi-Slide option is available in stacking configurations with multiple operable panels. The door panels have a wood interior with a laminated, veneered lumber substrate and an extruded aluminum exterior. jeld-wen.com
