G3: Industry insiders talk glass

What trends are driving product and service offerings at your company?
May 10, 2012
RETAIL

Commercial

Linda Oristano, COO, Champion Metal & Glass Inc., www.championmetalglass.com

“Since we are not a manufacturer, our product development stems directly from the contractors, owners and architects. Our president, Ali Ghahremani, insists upon studying and staying ahead of trends over time as to what kind of processes, projects and strategies we have in place.  We know what works for us as a company and continue to build upon that.  Once we have mastered what we set out to do, we take it apart and re-master it. It is only then that our team will move onto something new.

Looking at some recent projects, we see some of these trends, such as larger glass sizes, interior installations, and more unitized curtain wall. Our job at the World Trade Center [transportation hub in New York City] project, for example, features large laminated lites, 10 feet by 10 feet, in an interior installation.”

Oristano

Retail

Linda J. Vos-Graham, president, Vos Glass Inc., www.vosglass.com

"Architectural designs seem to be driven by improving energy efficiencies with more daylighting, higher performing glass, sun shades and such. However, the cost scales back some of these efforts, and [owners are] trying to keep projects in budget, as the economy is still weakened. Some construction decisions seem to be delayed pending the presidential election results.

Products such as custom shower enclosures, glass railing systems and decorative glass features are on the upswing in the retail arena. Higher end homes are incorporating more glass products in the décor and design.

We continue to keep our clients informed on a variety of products and services, with a variety of price points. I think flexibility equals strength these days, as we have the ability to successfully complete projects of all kinds and sizes."

 Linda Vos-Graham
 

Fabrication

Jeff Razwick, vice president of Business Development, Technical Glass Products, www.fireglass.com, www.tgpamerica.com 

"Improved energy performance is not a new trend in the glazing industry, but one that’s certain to have a significant impact on product development in the coming year.  This is particularly true given the release of the 2012 International Green Construction Code. Expect to see glass and curtain-wall systems with improved U-value and solar heat gain coefficients; new glass surfacing options, including films, tints and frits; and a renewed emphasis on developing more energy-efficient fenestration systems.

On the fire-rated glazing side, aesthetics continue to drive product development. Architects are looking for applications that integrate well with the overall building design, whether it’s clearer fire-rated glass for window and door lites or expansive fire-rated curtain walls that emulate the smooth, monolithic appearance of structural silicone glazed curtain-wall systems.

Across the board, we’re noticing the continued trend toward multi-tasking products is leading to an increase in integrated system solutions. Assemblies designed to work together from the start have the potential to net better performance results and improve design flexibility."

 Jeff Razwick