FGIA Conference Focuses on Trends such as Window Innovation and Sustainability
A roundtable discussion at the 2022 Window and Glass Industry Alliance Conference (FGIA) in Amelia Island, Florida, featured on-site topics highlighting thin triple glazing, sustainability best practices, and innovations in the window industry Research and other trends.
How thin triple-glazed units differ from traditional triple-glazed units
Kathy Frafka Harkema, Director of Technical Operations, FGIA USA, and Amy Roberts, President, and Technical Glass Operations, FGIA Canada, co-hosted a panel discussion on thin triple glazing versus traditional triple glazing. Participants are:
Robert Grommesh, Technical Services Manager, IG;
Robert Hart, Chief Science and Engineering Assistant, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory;
Joe Hayden, chief engineer at Pella;
Bill Lingnell, glass consultant, Lingnell Consulting Services.
Figure 1 More delegates at the FGIA roundtable discussion 1
Figure 2 More delegates at the FGIA roundtable discussion 2
“The thin triple glazing segment has a lot of growth potential and is the energy star of the industry,” Hart said. “Traditional triple glazing is too heavy, too wide, and sometimes too expensive to retrofit. Thin triple glazing provides a temporary replacement. "
Industry experts highlight the differences between traditional triple glazing and thin triple glazing, how thin triple glazing relates to the U.S. Energy Star 7.0 specification, and why energy proponents are pushing for more thin triple glazing technology as the industry norm, including in terms of the potential to create more energy-efficient window products. Bill Lingnell said some architects in the commercial sector were looking for thin triple glazing, although not as many homes used it yet. "Everything will happen," he said.
Embrace innovation in the window industry
Ray Garries, president of Global Window Consultants, moderated a roundtable discussion on innovation in the window and door industry. Garries and the following participants review recent market innovations.
Tim McGlinchy, Executive Vice President, Engineering Research and Development, GED
Miles Barr, CTO of Ubiquitous Energy,
Chad Swier, Product Manager, Amesbury Truth.
"Innovation doesn't have to be just about engineers or technologists, everyone has great ideas," says Garries.
Figure 3 More delegates at the FGIA roundtable discussion 3
Panelists shared ideas, each detailing how it was conceived and ultimately implemented, from window products that change the way sashes lock-in balance when they are tilted or removed, to product tracking systems that address the challenge of window misalignment, and a window product that can become a coating for transparent solar panels.
"We're developing our first full-scale production line for floor-to-ceiling windows," Barr said. "You can put energy into the system grid to drive fixtures, machinery, and more."
Environmental and Sustainability Trends and Considerations
A panel moderated by FGIA technical training expert Aaron Blom discussed ideas for a company's sustainability journey and gained a clearer understanding of the difference between embodied and activated carbon. Participants heard advice from three different companies on these environmental issues. Team members are:
Chris Giovannielli, Product Manager at Kawneer,
Dr. Helen Sanders, General Manager of Technoform,
Cathy Turkey, Manager of Market Development at Sherwin-Williams,
Douglas Mazeffa, Director of Global Sustainability at Sherwin-Williams.
Figure 4 More delegates at the FGIA roundtable discussion 4
Panelists discussed the growing need for employees to educate employees about sustainability and how to start with those at the bottom of the manufacturing facility. "People think sustainability is just recycling, and education is necessary," Sanders said. "Take a little more digging and see if the path you choose is sustainable."
The panelists agreed that there is still a lot of innovation and sustainability work to be done. "We want our culture to prioritize sustainability, and it's a long journey," Mazeffa said.
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