Contractor Advantage Mar / Apr 2020

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

ON TOP OF FRONT (AND BACK) DOOR TRENDS

Publications Mail Agreement #40006677

March / April // MARCH - APRIL 2020 2020 1

Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group representing over 300 member locations across Canada.

Contractor Advantage Magazine is the exclusive publication of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. featuring quality Castle vendor brands available at Castle Building Centres locations.

Visit castle.ca to find a Castle location in your area.

Editorial Director Castle Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca Publisher - Espress Labs Inc. Dan Alexander Managing Editor Teresa Christine Art Director AŃ—cha Niazy Contributors Lawrence Cummer Teresa Christine

Advertising Inquiries Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 jmercieca@castle.ca Material Contact Maryam Bashir Marketing Coordinator Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 mbashir@castle.ca

MARCH / APRIL 2020 Volume 25 Issue 2

Published and designed exclusively for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.

by Espress Labs Inc. On the cover:

ABOUT CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE // MARCH - APRIL 2020

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CONTRIBUTORS

TERESA CHRISTINE Teresa is an accomplished communicator, copywriter and award-winning Editor with the publication and design team at Espress Labs Inc. For fifteen years, she is also known, recognized and respected for her brand direction and creative instincts and has advised clients in various industries including construction, building materials, consumer and lifestyle. Her ghostwriting is proudly displayed through published content and across various digital platforms and print forms across the country and beyond.

LAWRENCE CUMMER Lawrence (“Law”) Cummer is a freelance writer and editor and has been a frequent contributor to Contractor Advantage, Ideas and Rough Construction for nearly a decade. Over his more than 20-year career, Law has written about contracting and construction, general business, information technology, health and safety, personal finance and almost every topic in between. He has a passion for storytelling and sharing how people can work better, easier — and “smarter” — from contractors to technologists to business executives.

STEVE YACOVELLI Dr. Steve Yacovelli (“The Gay Leadership Dude”) is Owner & Principal of TopDog Learning Group, LLC, a learning and development, leadership, change management, and diversity and consulting firm based in Orlando, FL, USA, with affiliates across the globe. For more information, please visit: www.topdoglearning.biz.

EMILY SAFRIN Emily Safrin is a certified Spanish-to-English translator and editor specializing in the medical and culinary sectors. She is also an active member of the American Translators Association (ATA), which represents over 10,000 translators and interpreters across 103 countries. For more information on ATA and to hire a translation or interpreting professional, please visit: www.atanet.org.

WARREN DI MARCO Warren DiMarco is a vehicle safety expert and CEO at Brigade Electronics Canada – a market-leading provider of safety devices and solutions for commercial vehicles and machinery. For more information, please visit: www.brigade-electronics.com

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CONTENTS

TABLE OF OF TABLE

7 12 22 26 39 42

BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

How to Win at Customer Service: 3 Strategies for Converting Customers into Brand Devotees

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Windows have become a larger part of the home’s style, but still must be efficient and durable.

NEWS & NOTES

Flexing your Leadership Courage

ON TOP OF FRONT (& BACK) DOOR TRENDS

Contemporary designs, simplicity and viewing area are driving exterior door trends

WHAT’S TRENDING Noise issues in the Construction industry: Protecting against worker hearing loss

DESIGN TALK With a new decade upon us, many homeowners are looking for fresh, up-to date design ideas

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// EDITOR’S NOTE

More and more, accompanying this, is a desire to maximize windows for more natural light. Gone are the days where their only purpose was to be efficient and durable.

These are still important ; however, today contractors and homeowners alike are also making windows an integral part of the design both externally and internally.

For all the latest trends in windows and doors, be sure to open the pages of this issue of Contractor Advantage!

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Photo courtesy of Kohltech

M

ON TH E I N S I DE

Some say, when a door closes a window opens, so why not invest in the view! With various housing markets across the country, the importance of curb appeal remains consistent to all. For potential buyers, first impressions are often made right at the front door and for homeowners, this focal entrance way is a perfect place to add their own individuality and sense of style.

// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

HOW TO WIN AT CUSTOMER SERVICE 3 Strategies for Converting Customers into Brand Devotees Written by Emily Safrin

When Scarlett hung up the phone, she was close to tears. Even more unexpectedly, so was the customer service representative on the other end. How did a seemingly simple inquiry end in two people so frustrated they were on the verge of a breakdown?

Scarlett had called to resolve a mistaken charge on her phone bill, but what she thought was a straightforward question turned into a snafu with no solution in sight. Try as she might to explain the situation, she and the customer service representative couldn’t get on the same page. The two went in fruitless circles for half an hour before the agent finally announced starkly that she was applying a discount to Scarlett’s next three bills.

The problem is, Scarlett wasn’t looking for money; she was looking for an answer. Although the discount amounted to more than the erroneous charge she had called to dispute, she was not only dissatisfied, but hurt. Instead of feeling that her problem had been resolved, she felt that she had troubled the poor agent to the point that the agent felt forced to get rid of her.

It goes without saying that no customer should ever be made to feel this way. So how do you make sure they don’t?

1. BE HUMAN Even in business contexts, we’re all human, and a human touch can go a long way to fostering

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a pleasant experience for all. That starts with empathy, or simply acknowledging the customer’s dilemma. The golden rule of “Listen first” works wonders to set the tone. Most customers just want to feel heard and validated.

customers feeling understood and tended to. Certainly, to attract this type of capable staff, the job has to be desirable. That means, for starters, offering competitive pay, attractive benefits, and a pleasant work environment.

Many companies use scripts to streamline processes and stay on brand. Yet, while scripts can be helpful training tools, research has shown that they of ten fall flat with customers, who perceive scripted interactions as disingenuous and even impolite.

Ultimately, a human representative with the right tact and training will be able to transform a difficult situation into a positive one by demonstrating a common humanity. Done properly, customer service can even turn a complaint into an opportunity to impress.

That’s why many companies are instead hiring capable, empathetic, and trustworthy staff and empowering them to be make decisions that leave

2. TAKE A CUE FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES AS A CUSTOMER Theory and research have their place, but another

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// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

powerful way to create or refine your business processes is to take heed of your own reaction when you’re the customer.

customers glowing? This exercise may also reveal some fall-flat tactics in your customer service processes and help you replace them with more effective ones.

When you find yourself especially impressed by an interaction, whether in your personal or business life, make notes about what went well. There’s no better way to know what works than by seeing it in action. The same goes for situations that go awry: What went wrong? How could things have been handled differently?

3. SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE Language barriers are a serious source of customer frustration. As you might expect, consumers are unlikely to engage with a brand they can’t understand or communicate with. For that reason, it’s helpful to hire staff who speak your customers’ language(s).

Make time to review your notes and design a plan for how you can implement similar practices in your own business. What can you do to leave your

Consider audiences you may be missing out on due to a language gap. For example, you could be meeting the needs of the “untapped” market of

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the more than 41 million US residents who speak Spanish at home. A 2014 study by Common Sense Advisory found that even among those who also spoke English, most consumers preferred to buy exclusively in their native language.

But how can you reach these non-Englishspeaking markets? Many US companies translate their websites and other marketing materials into Spanish and hire Spanish-speaking staff, for example, given the ubiquity of the language. If you follow suit (whatever the language), just be sure that you have an infrastructure in place to serve these customers when it comes to interacting with them beyond your website. The first step is to make sure staff are prepared to assist these

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clients, whether in person, over the phone, or online (email, chat, etc.).

If you don’t have a large enough non-Englishspeaking customer base to justify hiring multilingual staff, you might consider using translation (written language) and interpreting (spoken language) services to help you and your team to attract and interact with customers in their own language.

Determine which channels these buyers are most likely to use to interact with your brand and start there. But be wary of free translation services: as with scripts, when it comes to customer service, a human touch is best.

// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

FINAL THOUGHTS A different customer service representative from a major technology company recently told Scarlett over the phone, “I’ll solve that for you today.” Given the frustrating experience Scarlett had had with her phone service provider shortly before, she took it as an overzealous promise. But by the end of the call, she was left astounded.

Despite significant hurdles, he solved her problem. What’s more, he treated her like a peer from start to finish. She was quickly reminded of

why she’s been a loyal customer of this particular brand for decades.

Consistently stellar service begets customer loyalty. That feeling of security, trust, and plain old satisfaction is hard to beat. Treat your customers the way you want to be treated and speak to them in a language they can understand and they’ll become your most compelling, authentic, and effective form of advertising. —

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ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Windows have become a larger part of the home’s style, but must still be efficient and durable.

Written by Lawrence Cummer

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“It’s tied into consumers wanting more expansive views,” says Darren Lagacy, vice president of marketing and sales for Global Windows and Doors. “They are looking for larger windows in their main living areas, their kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms.

They are trying to bring the outside in.” It’s an opinion mirrored by window vendors across the country.

Photo courtesy of Global Windows & Doors

Homeowners are seeking more natural light as they spend more time indoors, making windows a more significant part of their home’s design and style.

Alongside that demand for more view is a push for more contemporary or minimalist styles with greater glass and less framework. While energy efficiency is “by far one of the leading factors” in selecting windows, style and colour are now playing a role.

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Whether it’s part of an entrance system or window, these rich colours are bound to create alluring accents, adding a signature look to any home.

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FEATURE STORY // ROOMS WITH A VIEW

INSTALLATION Achieving all this beauty doesn’t come easy, and contractors will find that the larger windows and ensuring their efficiency will be an ornerier job, suggests John Arsenault, director of national accounts and Atlantic sales at Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems.

Energy efficiency is continually driving the increased demand for triple glazing, which Arsenault says, can double that window’s weight along with the reinforcement needed to structurally bare a larger window. The larger sizes themselves can cause transportation and logistical challenges, and the engineering of homes today make elements of flashing, detail and use of the rain screen principle more critical.

“With climate change, we get more frequent adverse weather conditions… we get a lot of high winds, driving rain… And you have these very tight homes, so you have negative pressure in some cases just sucking water in,” Arsenault says.

ECO-AWARE CONSUMERS The energy efficiency of windows is, of course, a top priority, and with stricter codes and Energy Star requirements, top of mind for many homeowners and builders. But energy efficiency isn’t the only way homeowners are making their ecorelated concerns known.

Driven by the Millennial generation, consumers are beginning to look beyond merely what they can do to make their homes environmentally friendly, but

Photo courtesy of Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems // MARCH - APRIL 2020

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FEATURE STORY // ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN

for manufacturers who share their values. To that end, they are starting to look at the environmental practices of the vendors, and the entire lifecycle of the product, Lagacy says.

BLACK IS STILL THE NEW BLACK As in past years, black remains the colour of choice when it comes to painted windows, manufacturers suggest. In fact, the colour represents 60 to 70% of all painted product from JELD-WEN of Canada, according to its director of marketing and manager Paul Commisso. But this interest doesn’ t come without challenges that manufacturers like JELD-WEN are trying to solve. “The issues with paint in a construction environment, especially with dark colours is wear and tear during shipping and installation. Manufactures are moving to

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alternatives from paint to avoid damage as well as provide products that provide superior appearance, quality and performance.” His company’s FiniShield option for vinyl windows is a semi-rigid PVC foil that, as well as protecting against UV rays and reducing heat build up is scratch-resistant, reduces colour variation across units and will not crack or peel like paint.

Still, black is by no means the only colour on the scene. “Black is still the big colour, as mentioned in the interior and exterior,” says Tracy Nadiger, director of marketing and customer experience at All Weather Windows. “But we see gray being another emerging colour.”

COLOUR INSIDE AND OUT Coloured windows continues to hold homeowners’ attention, and interior colour continues to trend,

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In the photo: Apex 9100 series PVC windows with black interior acrylic wrap

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says Nadiger. In addition, she says, the use of acrylic wrap to apply colour is gaining in popularity too.

“The desire for colour – primarily black – to the exterior has been present in the marketplace for the last ten plus years,” says Glen Janiszewski, director of marketing and pricing at Ply Gem. “What has changed recently is the desire to bring black to the interior of the window.”

options, as well as the ability to colour match.

Tim Weiler, key account and dealer development at Ostaco Windows and Doors, says his company of fers 30 colours with unlimited options through colour matching. Similarly, Don Kennedy, marketing and sales manager at Kento Windows & Doors, notes Kento has the ability to provide durable window paint across “pretty much” any colour through matching and replicated stain finish.

Of course, homeowners are in no way limited to blacks, whites, beiges or grays. Many companies of fer a wide range of pre-painted or pre-stained

That replicated stain finish is, he said, a custom look that’s gaining traction with homeowners that want a wood grain aesthetic. Beyond black, Ken-

Photo courtesy of All Weather Windows

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FEATURE STORY // ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Photo courtesy of Ply Gem

nedy says he’s seeing greens and blues having increased uptake. Weiler also notes an increase in demand at his company for earth-tone colours like browns, grays and darker tones.

PVC: DURABLE, RESILIENT Vinyl, or PVC, is still the primary player, representing about 85% of all residential windows sold in Canada, according to Commisso. Nadiger concurs, noting that “PVC is durable, long lasting, and value driven. It also performs better from an energy efficiency standpoint than aluminum and is a better price point than fibreglass.”

That is not to say vinyl is the only material being used. According to Janiszewski, “While vinyl windows continue to be desirable due to their inherent benefits — low maintenance, energy efficiency, etc. — there is a strong desire to “dress

them up” and that is why we see strong demand for our aluminum-clad vinyl products.” Ply Gem’s Design Series windows feature such aluminum cladding on the exterior and vinyl on the interior, while its Design Architectural Series sport aluminum cladding on both.

“There remains a niche market that values the classic look of wood windows,” he adds, and as such his company’s Signature Series aluminum-clad wood windows features fully extruded aluminum cladding to the exterior and stain grade hem-fir interiors.

Some areas of the country prefer a wood or wood look, such as the Toronto market, according to Weiler. To that point, his company offers an interior finish of solid cellular over their vinyl windows to create the wood grain aesthetic.

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CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS Canada can have some of the roughest weather, and certain regions face the brunt of it. Kennedy notes that his company’s customers in Newfoundland and Labrador represent a microcosm of the “interesting” climate faced across Canada.

Even as homeowners demand aesthetics such as larger windows, different shapes and a variety of colour options, they must be manufactured and built with durability to withstand Canadian temperature shifts and wind-loads.

The trend of open concept homes combined with larger windowed views may be one that at its heart speaks to the Canadian experience: one of a harsh and beautiful landscape.

“We have an interesting climate, combined with a beautiful country; whether it’s a scene over the Prairies, a view of the Atlantic Ocean, or of a beautiful salmon river in B.C.” Kennedy says, painting a picture of just why Canadians want such grand windows.

He reminds Canadian contractors, that the grand view homeowners seek doesn’t always need to be achieved with a single massive pane of glass.

In fact, repairs, should they ever be needed, are faster and more affordable when the view is created through combing smaller panes. And, in Canada, the need for a replacement is always a rock, branch or puck away.

“Think about when the kids are playing in their make-shift hockey rink and drive the puck right through the glass?” —

Photo courtesy of Kento Windows & Doors

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FEATURE STORY // ROOMS WITH A VIEW

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// NEWS & NOTES

FLEXING YOUR LEADERSHIP COURAGE

Written by Steve Yacovelli

Remember in The Wizard of Oz how the Cowardly Lion—when he got to see the Wizard—was like, “What?

I already had courage? WTH?” It was kind of not cool that the Wizard made the poor guy go all the way through that drama, only to say, “That gift you want?

You already got it!” Well, leadership courage is a lot like that. Often when leaders ask, “How can I get more courageous in my leadership?” the answer is—like the Lion—you already got this; just tap into that which you already have.

get an idea of what “courage” is supposed to be.

But if you’re not a Navy SEAL or a wand-wielding wizard or an immortal Amazonian princess, you’re in luck! Courageous leadership doesn’t require you to be any of those. But—by nature of being in that leadership role within your organization— there’s a strong argument that you already have some semblance of courage up your sleeve. The challenge is to build and harness that courage to be even more effective as a leader.

At its core, it’s easiest to think of courage as that adrenaline-filled action hero that you see in the movies or when you’re home Netflixing and chillin’.

Amazon warriors like Wonder Woman, deathfacing young wizards like Harry Potter, countless soldiers and sailors entering the massive battle to win the war: you see these images in media and

When you think about being courageous in the workplace, even if you’re being your bravest self, there’s still a lot of factors that can prevent you from being your most courageous (and effective) leadership self. Time and again, these are the top three “courage-inhibitors” that tend to come up for many leaders:

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1. THE CHALLENGE OF FEAR If you were to ask around, you’d likely find that a lack of courage and abundance of complacency in the workplace comes down to one simple thing: fear. When you think about this in the business context it can be broken down into two subtypes: (A) Fear of (Perceived or Actual) Failure, and (B) Fear of Feeling Like an Outsider. With Fear “A,” you tend to strive for perfectionism, where the idea of submitting anything less than perfect could alter the opinion of a boss or trusted ally. Typically, most folks want their best foot forward; they want to be seen as a rock star performer. Anything less is deemed a failure (even if your “C” work is on par with some others’ “A” work!).

But Fear “B” comes from a more personal place, where challenging the status quo may make you feel like an outsider within your own workplace.

At some point in your career, you’ve likely had that feeling before (or maybe you currently do).

It’s not fun, it’s alienating, and, for some, it’s a feeling they don’ t want to ever feel again. So, in a work context, this desire to avoid the feeling of being the “other” leads you to be compliant, even if in your core you know the idea at hand really needs to be challenged for the good of the organization. Having leadership courage here is to be OK with failing, being OK with being perceived as that outsider for the sake of doing better work, benefiting your team members or moving your organization forward.

2. THE CHALLENGE OF ASSUMPTIONS (OR “FILLING IN THE BLANKS”) As humans, it’s common to fill in the gaps when presented with a situation where all the data isn’t available. It’s easy to connect the dots between

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one problem and the next, even when the two aren’t related, without taking the time to examine your own approach. It’s how humans are wired.

When you think of this in the context of courage, you’re either avoiding truly understanding the situation, or you’re scared (back to fear again!) to dive deeper into the truth of the situation. Having leadership courage means lifting up those rocks and seeing what’s underneath. Lack of courage here is making assumptions about the situation without knowing all the information.

3. THE CHALLENGE OF BEING LOCKED INTO CURRENT BEHAVIORS Let’s talk about change for a minute. Here’s a little secret you probably already know: most people don’t like change. On a fundamental level, change is

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a really awesome idea: it’s fresh and new, it expands horizons, it allows for innovation and to have new experiences. In the workplace context, you initiate change so that the organization can grow and prosper. But the hard truth? The vast majority of people hate change. Why? Well, on one hand (at the unconscious level) humans don’t like to change because it hits a part of our brain that likes safety and security. As our cave-ancestors survived and grew as a species, they (like us) were wired to be fearful of changes. Engaging in something new could lead to a dangerous situation.

Now, flash forward to today: you’re still wired like this in changing situations. When most people engage in change, it leads to an unsettling feeling of vulnerability. On the other hand, your

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conscious self doesn’ t like change because it’s difficult. There’s a tendency to simply get used to situations and know how to act and adjust to them, even if the situation isn’ t ideal. You might have heard the old adage: “The devil you know versus the devil you don’ t,” meaning that we as humans tend to be OK with even bad situations/ bosses/friends/ relationships/etc. because we know where we stand in this context. Some people don’ t like change so much that they’d sooner stay in a bad situation because it’s familiar rather than make a move to newness. So, whether unconscious or conscious, for most people change is hard! It takes courage to try something new,

NEWS & NOTES

something dif ferent, and individual resilience to keep at it when it doesn’ t work perfectly the first time.

As a leader, courage should be the bedrock that’s your foundation—the courage to challenge the status quo, and to be your authentic and effective self in front of the world. It’s a super power that every leader has within them: it’s just a matter of avoiding the three “courage-inhibitors” and channeling that courage just like the not-so-Cowardly Lion did. —

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ON TOP OF FRONT (& BACK) DOOR TRENDS

Contemporary designs, simplicity and viewing area are driving exterior door trends Written by Lawrence Cummer

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Photo courtesy of MDL Door Systems

First impressions matter, they leave people with lasting opinions for better or worse. For homes and homeowners that impression is generally made at the front door.

Because of this, the front door is a natural place for homeowners to add their own individuality or spin. What better place, some would argue, for homeowners to put their own personal touch?

Aesthetics combined with durability for the front door is important, says Mark Lichty, operations manager at MDL Door Systems. “One thing that I really find interesting is that when people build new homes they will spend quite a bit of money on kitchens and bathrooms, but the front door always seems to be treated as just a door to go in and out of.�

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FEATURE STORY // ON TOP OF FRONT (AND BACK) DOOR TRENDS

Some he says, try to cut back on the windows and doors. “Windows are one thing. You don’t use them every day, and 80% of the time they are going to stay closed. The door you use everyday and it’s something people should want to put a better system in place.”

He says while trends often move more slowly in the space, the aesthetics being sought to make that crucial first impression are increasingly contemporary. But contemporary style isn’t just about straight-lines and Craftsman-like simplicity, experts say more attention today is also going towards the glass in and around those door slabs.

Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products

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LITE DETAILS “The biggest trend in Western Canada is glass lites changing away from decorative glass to clear glass, privacy or textured glass lites with simulated divided lites (SDL),” says Hardy Rahn, director of sales, for Alliance Door Products in Winnipeg. “The trend towards a ‘simpler’ look is created by adding different size of SDL bars to create a unique look that will add some longevity to the home’s appearance.”

SDL decorative grills are installed directly on the surface of glass to give the windows, patio doors or door lites a traditional experience.

Photo courtesy of Kohltech

(A shadow bar can also be installed for added authenticity).

The move from decorative door lites is not just a western trend, notes John Arsenault, director of national accounts and Atlantic sales at Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems.

“The glass kits we’re seeing more popularity from are more of an etched glass, or a rain glass (pattern) or tinted glass, as opposed to a lot of chaining and grills and design. It’s cleaner, and in some cases a kind of ’60s or ’70s retro look.”

Gone, or on its way out, he suggests are colonial-style trim rings around

curved door lites and curved embossing. Instead, homeowners are leaning toward angles and a flat look.

COLOUR ME PROUD It can be hard to differentiate one’s abode amidst the abundance of track housing. Here there’s an opportunity for renovators to help homeowners seeking to stand out through colour.

“Door colours are where people express their individuality in a home,” Arsenault says. “You see bright canary yellow doors, and fire-engine red and purples. Most are more conservative black or blue. But some people do like to be bolder.”

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Photo courtesy of Kohltech

Darren Lagacy, vice president of marketing and sales for Global Windows and Doors, suggests that most entrance doors are painted today in order to draw attention to them. “We’re seeing darker colours, like iron ore and black in urban centres. And when you get to rural areas, Atlantic Canada, cottage country, you’re seeing the blues, yellows, light greens and more pastel colours for cottage-type homes.”

Paul Commisso, director of marketing and product management at JELD-WEN of Canada says his company is seeing a wide range of colours gaining popularity in the entry door space.

“From sunny yellows, to millennial pink, aqua blues, deep indigos, peacock and sage, front door colour trends reflect the consumers’ individuality,” he says. “Customers no longer want the cookie-cutter colours of the past, they are looking to express themselves through new and exciting colours.”

In the renovation market served by MDL Door Systems, painted doors represent a continu-

ously growing trend and colour variety is on the rise, according to its operations manager Mark Lichty. His company offers 25 standard colour options, but also provides custom colours through colour matching. “Black’s still popular but it seems to be slowly changing to more blues and greens, softer colours, but not so much tans or sand.

Lighter tones.”

Meanwhile, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Don Kennedy, marketing and sales manager at Kento Windows and Doors, says homeowners typically want to match their windows and doors. He adds that Kento pre-finishes fibreglass and steel doors as well as their all vinyl patio doors with a nearly unlimited range of colours. “If they buy a window that’s black, they typically want a door that’s black; if they buy a cedar finished “replicated-wood” vinyl window they want that same replication on the doors. Some people are more adventurous, that is happening in the marketplace, where they will select contrasting colours.

They’ll make their windows black and their doors a pewter or beige or use a wood grain finish.”

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Madero

FEATURE STORY // ON TOP OF FRONT (AND BACK) DOOR TRENDS

STEEL OR FIBREGLASS? Steel remains the primary material of choice for entry doors, but fibreglass is growing, Arsenault says. “People want that more of a wood-grain look (achievable with fibreglass),” he adds. Fibreglass wins over in terms of durability, while steel remains the more affordable options.

In the past, Kennedy notes that fibreglass doors had some issues; however, the very high-durability fibreglass offered by door vendors like Kento overcome these, affording consumers the more natural look provided by fibreglass combined with an embossed or printed wood texture. “Because these higher end products meet the durability needs, people who were moving away from fibreglass are now coming back to it for the aesthetics and added durability.”

Entry doors are a major player in the curb appeal of a home, suggests Tim Weiler, key account and dealer development at Ostaco Windows and Doors. “Over the years, you’ve seen steel doors probably with 90% of the marketplace, but in the last 20 years or so, fibreglass doors have come onto the marketplace and gone through its early stages of issues,” he said, adding that Ostaco is currently one of the largest suppliers of pre-hung fibreglass doors in Ontario.

“The nice things about fibreglass are that it won’ t rust and will not dent like a steel door will.

If you want to paint it, you have a smooth finish similar to a steel door that accepts paint extremely well.” He adds that because the skin of a fibrelgass door is a thicker than that of steel, painted colour looks better when the sun hits

Photo courtesy of Kohltech // MARCH - APRIL 2020

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FEATURE STORY // ON TOP OF FRONT (AND BACK) DOOR TRENDS

it from all angles. He says, when dealing with higher-end doors, like those offered by Ostaco, fibreglass is competitively priced against steel.

With the popularity of the modern farmhouse trend, Commisso says that natural wood tones and reclaimed finishes are on the rise, “and look especially new with the addition of matte black hardware.” To be on trend, he adds, “Large window panels in clear glass are most important, with frosted glass as an option for added privacy.

Blond woods are important for a Scandinavian look and a more contemporary aesthetic.”

PATIOS AND PERFORMANCE As with entry doors over the past years, where 8’ has become a trend, there is a desire from homeowners for patio doors to become larger as well. “The real door activity is at the back of the house,” Arsenault says. “We’re seeing extended patio doors, sliding doors, that are not just two-panel but three-panel or four-panel doors; and 12' or 16' wide.”

“Some are getting calls for folding doors, like those in California. They don’ t really work well in our climate, but we’re seeing (increased interest in) them in the south…

In any case (homeowners) want wide panels of glass — walls of glass — at the back of the house. But they all need to perform for the Canadian winter.”

The coveted view provided by patio doors isn’ t just becoming more panoramic in width, but height too, suggests Lagacy. It’s all tied to what Lagacy and other industry watchers say is a desire to bring “ the outside in” and its being met by both larger patio doors and windows.

Meanwhile, to ensure performance, the National Building Code has adopted the NAFS (the North American Fenestration Standard) which requires both windows Photo courtesy of Ostaco Windows & Doors

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Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN

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FEATURE STORY // ON TOP OF FRONT (AND BACK) DOOR TRENDS

Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products

and doors to meet requirements around water and air infiltration, and the ability to withstand wind loads, based on specific location, height from the ground and terrain (open or closed off).

“NAFS for doors is something that all purchasers should be aware of,” says Rahn. “This is a building code requirement and contractors should ensure they are installing the appropriate product for the project.”

The good news is while NAFS can create challenges for contractors and homeowners in finding product that

meets the specific requirements of an installation, manufacturers are stepping up to those challenges.

“NAFS performance requirements can limit the size and application of the product, specific to geographic areas,” Lagacy says. “But manufacturers are finding ways to develop products that perform to a higher level. It’s good for consumers and it’s good for the industry, as a whole, not to be putting product out that isn’t performing the way it’s expected to.” —

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Photo courtesy of Kohltech

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WHAT’S TRENDING

NOISE ISSUES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY:

PROTECTING AGAINST WORKER HEARING LOSS Written by Warren Di Marco

Hearing loss is a major health issue for construction industry workers. Studies show that occupational noise exposure causes between 7 and 21% of hearing loss among workers across all industries, with those in the construction and agricultural industries among the most vulnerable. Warren Di Marco, a vehicle safety expert at Brigade Electronics Canada, discusses how the construction industry can help limit noise pollution on worksites.

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Noise is inevitable in the construction industry; anyone working in this sector knows that ‘a quiet life’ is never going to be part of their job description. The danger, however, is that long-term exposure to high noise levels can cause NoiseInduced Hearing Loss (NIHL), usually resulting from extended exposure to sound levels at or above 85 dBA (average decibel levels). Symptoms include deafness and tinnitus, a distressing ringing in the ears that can have a highly detrimental impact on quality of life.

The World Health Organisation reports that worldwide, NIHL is the most prevalent irreversible occupational hazard. Once the damage is done, it’s often too late to be remedied. To compound the issue, workers with compromised hearing are themselves at further risk of danger since they may have trouble hearing warning alarms or safety instructions while on-site.

example, smarter design methods mean that ducts can be incorporated into a wall at manufacturing stage rather than being chased out onsite. Power tools are being adapted and developed to be ever quieter, and hearing protection such as ear defenders can be worn when it is safe to do so. Some noises, such as the tonal ‘beep beep’ of vehicle reversing alarms can be eliminated entirely using the latest backup alarms on the market.

ies. Hearing loss usually develops at a slow pace, which means it is not always accurately monitored or reported over the years of a construction worker’s career.

In Canada, as in many countries around the world, calculating exact levels of occupational hearing loss can be almost impossible since many worker compensation boards only report time-loss injur-

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Fortunately, there are many ways that noise levels can be reduced on construction sites. For

Yet the Canadian Union of Public Employees reports that NIHL continues to be a significant problem in the country’s workplaces. Particularly vulnerable workers include those that operate heavy machinery, along with people working on construction sites or with snow removal equipment.

Reversing alarms have long been a solution to alerting those on the ground to danger when a

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heavy vehicle is moving. But research has shown that old-fashioned tonal alarms may be causing significant noise pollution on construction sites, and to people living and working nearby. In addition, it’s not always possible to locate the direction from which the alarm originates, meaning its effectiveness can be severely compromised, especially if several alarms are sounding at once.

Multi-frequency alarms are helping to address this problem. Rather than the traditional ‘beep beep’ of tonal alarms, they create a ‘ssh-ssh’ sound which is gentle on the ear and dissipates quickly. The alarm can therefore be instantly

WHAT’S TRENDING

located and heard only in the danger zone. In adverse conditions, for example if rain is pounding down, the warning decibel level will be increased, but only to the minimum level required to ensure the alarm is heard.

While reversing alarm are a step towards limiting noise pollution, they form only part of the picture. Regular monitoring of employees’ hearing alongside reviews of worksite practices and strict adherence to noise guidelines are essential to protect workers from the cumulative effects of worksite noise. —

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// DESIGN TALK

DECORATING ON TREND FOR A NEW DECADE Courtesy of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) With a new decade upon us, many homeowners are looking for fresh, up-to-date design ideas.

For some of the latest insights, we look to some industry experts for their insight on how these new trends can be incorporated into our homes.

GO NATURAL & BE WELL “The major design trend I foresee for the decade is incorporating natural elements into the home,” says Marina V. Umali. “I feel it’s so important not only to create a beautiful look for my clients, but a calmer, healthier environment in which to live.

Most people are unaware of how simple it is to do.”

“I like placing such plants such as Areca palms, Boston ferns, bamboo and rubber plants in various areas throughout the house. If the client is willing to try something more original, I suggest some version of a ‘living wall,’ made of a variety of green plants or even moss, which requires little maintenance. They can fill an entire wall, be a stand-alone display or when framed, become an art piece.”

Another trend Umali is keen on is “wellness.”

“Everyone agrees that wellness and design go hand-in-hand,” she says, “but they often think it’s too complicated to do or won’t be pretty.” Among

Photo courtesy of The Sherwin-Williams Company

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Photo courtesy of Napoleon

many of the suggestions she makes are sit/ stand desks and ergonomically-designed chairs.

“They’ve been scientifically proven to be beneficial to one’s health, and are as perfect for the home office as the corporate one.”

TECHNOLOGY Both designers Ivee Fromkin and Karen Topjian, put technology at the top of their 2020 trends lists. Fromkin says, “I believe that we designers will increasingly include technology in our projects, an important part of each plan, whether for security, climate control, remote access, food prep or ways we don’t even know about yet.”

“For the client who may be reluctant to learn about smart home technology, I’d suggest starting small with something really useful, like a simple home-monitoring system perhaps with camera security both inside and outside the home.”

Bringing up another aspect of technology, Topjiian says, “If one wants to update a room, start with the lighting. If you have recessed lights, change bulbs to LEDs, which will eliminate the dull, yellowish light cast from 50- and 75-watt bulbs. Use either 2700 K or 3000 K. The quality of light emitted will be brighter and crisper and fabrics and furnishings will look refreshed. Test different LEDs to see which color (Kelvin/color temperature) works better with your furnishings.” An added benefit of using LEDs? “Dollar savings.”

LIGHT SOURCES Designer Mary Catherine McCarthy, also an advocate for lighting’s increased significance, says, “As the decade unfolds, I believe the use of light and its effects on our mood and health will be analyzed by scientists in depth. There will be many more developments and opportunities to create with lighting.”

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Photo courtesy of Moen Canada

“Lighting has become the anchor of a design plan, requiring special attention in all areas of the home,” she advises. “The play of light across walls, floors, fabrics and counters adds additional energy or calm, controlled with dimmers to attain the desired effect.”

“Lighting is actually becoming a sculptural artistic statement not only a functional one,” she adds.

“The play of light on such materials as forged metals, glass and crystal are all artworks on their own.”

FABULOUS KITCHENS “An open floorplan of kitchen, dining and living zones is a new must for modern life’s dynamic,” Fromkin explains. “Socializing while cooking is a trend that this addresses while also increasing communication among family members and guests.”

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Texture will play a bigger role in the kitchen, says McCarthy, provided by patterns and most often seen in backsplashes. “Clients are beginning to value layering on different elements to create more visual interest.”

Fromkin also sees more vinyl being used on kitchen floors (and throughout the home). Unlike 1950s vinyl, today’s version is durable, moisture-resistant, comfortable under foot, less expensive and increasingly interesting with patterns reminiscent of wood, tiles and marble among other things. A new trend for large kitchens that McCarthy has adopted is the two-toned kitchen. “You could pair a navy cabinet with a wood-toned island featuring raw edges,” she suggests. Another concept is black cabinets with a white island or vice-versa.

“To encourage the clean, minimalist, clutter-free look now in demand, are 2.5” – 3” thick countertops and garage door-style storage,” she adds.

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“Anything to make the workspace a new landscape for cooking, eating and foodscaping presentations is in!”

MIX’N-MATCHING Agreeing, Fromkin adds, “Comfort will be a top priority in the 2020s, along with sustainability, durability and ease of maintenance. To create a softer, more comfortable contemporary look, she recommends adding an antique you love, perhaps a family heirloom, an end table, ottoman, desk or chair. Any of these will add an eclectic feel and help to change transitional mindsets into more modern ones. “Lastly, patterned rugs and scattered cushions will subtly introduce different design eras and cultures into the space, adding interest as well,” she says.

COLOR ON THE RISE “What comes after grey?” queries Topjian. “Grey

has been popular for so long that we now have a hunger for color! Change a color, change the mood,” she believes. “And just a little will do; try an accent wall, pillows or throws.”

Citing a December 2019 article in Forbes, Mary Catherine McCarthy says she agrees that the desire to introduce more vibrant colors into the home is a new direction. Aligned with that is the comeback of wallpaper, used as an accent. She shares a recent project to illustrate these trends.

Her client had recently moved into a new home, primarily grey and beige, and wanted more color, more excitement. But she was timid as to how to accomplish this, and also experiencing “‘decision fatigue,” McCarthy began by papering the dining room’s tray ceiling in a teal blue that reflected the dining chairs’ upholstery. As the client saw the gentle progression of teal that McCarthy em-

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// DESIGN TALK

Photo courtesy of Alexandria Mouldings

ployed in the adjoining kitchen, then on into the foyer and finally the nearby bedroom, which is ceilinged in a companion paper to that used in the dining room and Roman shades with of the same palette, she was indeed, timid no more.

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As writer Anusha Atukorala so beautifully put it, “A New Year has tiptoed in. Let’s go forward to meet it.” With all the design possibilities available, the future has never been more exciting. —

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