Doors and windows create the tenants' and condo buyers' all-important first impression of your property. So you want to choose products that create visual interest and provide security and functionality. Attractive doors and windows can make a building unique, allowing property managers to command higher rents and creating a sense of pride among community residents. Baby boomers, high-income retirees, and upscale singles alike want easy-to-maintain, wide-open window spaces and entryways that provide fine architectural details. Lower-income tenants also value natural light as well as energy efficiency and security.
Making these improvements does not need to cost a fortune. Today's window and door designs blend fine form with first-rate functionality. New materials and technologies make windows and doors—from the most intricately designed to the most basic—energy-efficient, appealing, and cost-effective.
The hottest trend in this area is large, easy-to-clean window expanses. Many developers are choosing these over little-used balconies. “Instead of balconies, some developers want larger openings to allow in more light and view opportunities,” says Ebrahim Nana, president of Nana Wall Systems. “They want a large opening glass wall that is part of the building shell.”
Integrating architectural details into door design is another trend. Leveraging the popularity of French doors, many manufacturers are now designing interior doors with a French country theme to unite the elements and create a more cohesive feel.
Doors and windows continue to be the first choice in property upgrades. Even economical products can create an improved look and feel, offering big bang for your buck. And technological developments enable many manufacturers to fill custom orders more quickly and cost-effectively than ever. So why not open the door to improved property appeal?
For more information, call Nana Wall Systems at 800-873-5673 ext. 209 or visit www.nanawallsystems.com.
OOH LA LA: Sliding, hinged, and out-swing doors—particularly French doors—are popular with builders and tenants alike. Andersen's 400 Series Frenchwood hinged patio doors upgrade the usual styling with curve-tops. The Archtop and Springline doors come in single- or two-panel configurations and a range of standard sizes.
For more information, call Andersen Windows at 800-426-4261 or visit www.andersenwindows.com.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Designers of high-end projects like to integrate fixtures into the overall design. Solid MDF paint-grade and stain-grade wood doors from TruStile come in more than 330 styles and custom designs, including the recently launched Authentic Designs line (featuring 12 architectural styles) and 20- to 90-minute fire-rated doors with panel relief, which allow builders to spec fire-rated doors to match the standard interior doors used within a project.
For more information, call TruStile at 866-322-8308 or visit www.trustile.com. TOUCH OF GLASS: Specialty glass can turn a room with a view into a showplace thanks to insulated glass. For a dramatic effect, try obscure-, bronze-, or gray-tinted glass. Crestline Select has these options in a variety of styles such as casement, double-hung, and gliding. Finishes include aluminum or primed wood in brick red or hunter green.
For more information, call Crestline Windows and Doors at 800-552-4111 or visit www.crestlinewindows.com. LOOKING GOOD: Choosing vinyl for low-maintenance doesn't mean sacrificing “custom” looks or creative designs. Windsor Windows' Next Dimension Series features round tops, segment tops, and other shapes, as well as grille patterns that make these low-upkeep windows resemble more expensive custom products. This option also allows developers to provide energy efficiency to tenants.
For more information, call Windsor Windows at 800-218-6186 or visit www. windsorwindows.com. PEACE AND QUIET: Nothing can keep every exterior noise out of an apartment or condo. But providing a quiet unit even in noisy areas is easier with insulated, soundproof windows. Milgard's Quiet Line lets in 30 percent less noise than most other windows and provides sound control performance, energy efficiency, and weather protection, the company says.
For more information, call Milgard Windows at 800-MILGARD or visit www.milgard.com.
Q: What's the hottest fixture for multi-family buildings in 2005? A: There's something special about a fireplace, and the new ventless fireplaces are what everybody wants these days.
We're seeing them integrated in the standard design or as an easy upgrade option. These gas units create a great effect and don't have to be designed on an exterior wall—you can put them anywhere as long as you can get a gas line in. (Just spec them in an area that's easy to reach for maintenance.)
We've designed them on walls separating the living room and bedroom so it serves as an amenity and detail for two rooms. Plus, they're great when the electricity goes out because they are warm enough to heat a small unit.
—Terry Espy, president of the Momentum Group in Cary, N.C., answered this month's product question.
—Previous Q&As have addressed affordable upgrades, beating a mold problem, and soundproofing, among other topics. If you'd like to suggest a question for future Product Studio Q&As or answer an upcoming month's question, please contact Rachel Azoff at razoff@ hanleywood.com or call 202-736-3494.
Hot Product of the Month
FRESH FLOORING: Hardwoods bring warmth and style to any room, and engineered hardwoods are easy to install and more affordable than traditional hardwoods, especially for upgrades. Armstrong's Valenza Collection features light, medium, and dark hardwood flooring, engineered for high-traffic areas. The 10-ply, cross-grain construction provides exceptional dimensional stability and offers flexible installation on, above, or below grade levels over most subfloors, including concrete. The engineered hardwood planks are available in random lengths and seven colors with a low-gloss Permion finish that combines durability with reduced maintenance and refinishing costs, the company says.
For more information, call Armstrong at 877-ARMSTRONG or visit www.armstrong.com.