Lately the trend towards sleek contemporary designs has encouraged architects and designers to reevaluate the traditional choices when it comes to windows and doors. While vinyl is the most popular option for windows and doors, and wood remains a “go to” choice when the budget allows, the versatility and strength of aluminum along with some new thermal break technologies have resulted in a changing design landscape.

To help us make sense of how aluminum stacks up with wood, we will be talking with Shawn Fitzgerald, an Architectural Consultant for Western Window Systems who has worked in and around fenestration in the building industry for almost 30 years. We are also joined by Dale DeHaan, also from Western Window Systems, who is a 10-year veteran of the construction industry.

Learning objectives:

1. Discuss the modern trends in windows, specifically design choices in custom and luxury homes.
2. List the benefits and drawbacks of specifying wood and aluminum framed windows and doors in custom projects.
3. Explain how manufacturers have addressed the energy efficiency barriers to specifying aluminum framed windows and doors.
4. Describe how aluminum framed windows and doors can satisfy the design needs for architects and clients when trying to achieve a contemporary look.

0.50 AIA LU/HSW

Speaker: Andrew A. Hunt