Introducing Layton Consulting's comprehensive fenestration workshops, designed to provide invaluable support to the fenestration industry. Tailored for manufacturers, designers, specifiers, dealers, and compliance managers involved in the realm of windows and doors, these workshops offer a solid foundation in compliance understanding and actionable steps to fulfill the stringent Building Code requirements and overall compliance expectations. Aiming to streamline the often daunting process of navigating compliance complexities, these workshops are structured to expedite your grasp of the evolving compliance landscape. Whether you deal with locally manufactured or imported fenestration products, these sessions cater to your specific needs. Moreover, designed as intimate workshops rather than webinars, with a capped group size of 20, they encourage meaningful interaction and an enriching learning environment. With options for both open sessions and private corporate events, there's a workshop suited for every organizational need.

Navigating the various energy performance standards in the construction industry can be a complex endeavour. The introduction of the BC Energy Step Code aimed to simplify this process by providing a generic path for achieving higher performance. This shift has allowed for the use of North American-certified products, eliminating barriers for manufacturers. When considering supplying windows for NetZero Homes, it's important to understand the specific U value range required based on window area. Thermal Research and Development can assist in optimizing window design to meet these standards. With the right approach, supplying windows for NetZero Homes might be more achievable than you realize.

Field water testing of windows has been a crucial practice in the building industry for many years. The process involves verifying if a product meets project requirements and integrates well with the building envelope. While not always a code requirement, it is often specified by the design team and becomes a contractual obligation for manufacturers and installers. Understanding the specified test pressure and the testing standard is crucial. Some key aspects often overlooked include the definition of failure, calibration of testing equipment, and environmental conditions during testing. It's important to comprehend these aspects to ensure the accurate assessment of window performance in the field.

As we witness a cultural shift in building design and the application of codes and regulations, the rapid advancement of energy codes stands out. Energy efficiency in buildings is improving at an unprecedented rate, creating challenges in product capabilities and application processes. One significant shift is the move from NFRC standard size U-values to project-specific U-values for fenestration. This change is driven by the need for more accurate data to balance other energy-efficiency elements in a building. The question arises whether we can continue business as usual or need to adapt our processes. Traditionally, manufacturers provided standard U-values at the bid stage, but now they are asked for project-specific values. This shift introduces financial risks and potential cost increases. Engaging fenestration suppliers earlier in the design process might be key. This blog aims to raise awareness of these evolving issues and encourage proactive collaboration to meet increasingly complex energy codes.

In the ever-evolving fenestration industry, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have become a hot topic. The shift towards understanding and reducing the carbon footprint of glass production has been a topic of interest in recent industry conferences. Reflecting on the past, I recall the substantial energy consumption involved in producing float glass, prompting me to question the environmental impact long before EPDs gained attention. The evolution of energy codes and the drive for higher-performance windows have reshaped the industry, challenging assumptions about achieving desired performance levels. As we navigate these changes, organizations need to prioritize comprehensive submittal packages to facilitate project approval. Adapting to these developments is crucial, and I am here to offer guidance based on my experiences in this evolving landscape.

There is a contradiction in U-values between the BC Building Code and the BC Energy Efficiency Standard Regulation. The issue is not the contradiction itself, but rather the lack of awareness of the BCESR and its applicability. Harmonization between the two is necessary, especially regarding enforcement. It's crucial for architects and energy advisors to be well-informed about the BCESR, as it is not directly linked to a building design tool like the BCBC. Harmonization is needed to prevent conflicting policies and ensure compliance with both regulations.

It's important to remember that when we argue about what's most important, our biases can cloud our judgment and lead to endless circles of disagreement. Just like the question "What's the best fruit?" can have countless answers depending on the context, failing to consider the context often leads to arguments.

It's crucial to understand that what is most important can vary depending on the situation. This is especially true in the fenestration industry, where decisions on codes and design can have far-reaching implications and result in conflicts between saving energy and keeping people safe.

As advocates of integrated solutions, we believe in the importance of evaluating all impacts and making informed decisions as a team. We cannot disregard one issue for the sake of another. This is why it's crucial to understand the code and how to use it to make decisions.

Code changes are inevitable. However, some recent changes have caused confusion and uncertainty among manufacturers and installers. One such change is the modification to how NAFS is used in Part 5. The key takeaway is that anyone in the window/door business needs to have a strategy in place for their teams to know how to apply these changes to their methods. It is essential to collaborate with experts in the industry, use the language provided in the code and the NAFS standard, and proactively build compliance strategies. With the right guidance and strategy, businesses can navigate these changes and ensure compliance with the latest codes and standards.

As a manufacturer, being code-compliant is crucial to your business success and reputation. However, compliance planning is often overlooked and viewed as a mere line to cross. This is where the importance of a fenestration consultant comes in. By auditing your current compliance strategy, you can identify gaps that exist and align them with the current code requirements. Not all gaps need to be filled, however, and a compliance strategy should align with your overall business strategy. Combining a compliance strategy with a sales and marketing strategy can empower your sales teams to tackle a market in a way that contributes to your brand and strengthens your overall market impact.

As the densification of single-family lots to multi-family lots continues, there is a growing need for fenestration products in the multi-family housing market. This presents an opportunity for window and door manufacturers who primarily supply to the single-family home market to expand into this growing market. However, this shift comes with its challenges, including understanding compliance requirements and preparing for additional testing and inspections. That's where Layton Consulting and Anton Van Dyk come in to help you navigate this transformation and successfully make the move into the multi-family housing market.

High solar heat gain windows are often touted as a solution to reduce energy consumption in homes and buildings. However, their effectiveness can depend on several factors, including when they are used and where they are installed. In this blog post, we explore the limitations of high heat gain windows during peak hours in extreme cold weather events, and the potential unintended consequences of their use, such as summer overheating.

As a manufacturer, compliance with the North American building code is a necessary step to enter the market. However, simply meeting the code minimum is not enough to achieve business goals for growth. In fact, code minimum designs often fail to provide value to customers and may not meet the unique expectations of third-party influencers, such as architects, building envelope consultants, general contractors, developers, and government housing providers. To develop a compliance strategy that goes beyond code compliance, Layton Consulting recommends focusing on three key areas: approval, enforcement, and liability. Learn more about this strategy to enhance your business growth.

Discover how Layton Consulting and Anton Van Dyk's expertise can help you understand the latest 2020 NBC regulations that have removed all combustible limitations put on fenestration and how this change opens up new opportunities for window manufacturers to develop products for buildings that were previously unachievable due to the combustible nature of their materials. This change presents a great opportunity for window manufacturers to expand into new markets and prepare for changing trends.

Discover the game-changing insights from Anton Van Dyk on optimizing fenestration design. Learn why structural design for fenestration products should start at the early stages of building design, avoiding post-tender costs. With 25 years of expertise, Anton addresses industry challenges, revealing how small adjustments, even during the design stage, can lead to substantial savings – potentially eliminating tempered glass costs in large projects. Dive into this innovative approach and unlock cost-effective fenestration solutions.