Cornerstone Building Brands works hard to anticipate what customers need and deliver a broad range of
solutions to solve their challenges. Inline with this commitment, their Aperture Solutions – U.S. business unit launched several new products and existing line enhancements this past year, all designed to help today’s professionals build for what’s next.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT THE FOREFRONT
In line with the debut of ENERGY STAR Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights Version 7.0 in October 2023, both Ply Gem Windows & Doors and Simonton Windows & Doors promptly adjusted to meet the rigorous new U-factor standards across all climate zones and the updated Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) requirements in the South Central and Southern zones. The introduction of a minimum SHGC
requirement in the Northern Zone signifies a substantial stride toward enhanced energy efficiency and overall performance.
For Ply Gem Windows & Doors, the brand has created the HP2+PSL glass package, which attains exceptional energy performance through passive solar Low-E technology with an elevated SHGC for dual-pane glass. This innovative glass package is accessible in specific products, notably the Ply Gem 1500 Vinyl Collection.
At the same time, Simonton Windows & Doors has refreshed the glass packages for specific products, such as the 5500, 5050, 9800, StormBreaker Plus, DaylightMax, Contractor, Madeira and Inovo Patio Door collections. While the glass, spacers and sealers remain consistent in these packages, they have undergone updated testing to align with the new ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 codes.
Simonton Windows & Doors has also unveiled its latest energy-efficient glass innovation, PLUS4 Low-E Glass. This cutting-edge glass not only retains interior warmth but also delivers exceptional insulation, enhancing comfort in colder climates. When paired with the ProSolar Sun, ProSolar Shade or ProSolar Low-E glass options, the PLUS4 Low-E Glass packages achieve remarkable performance by attaining lower U-factors that meet ENERGY STAR Northern criteria across various product collections, including:
- Simonton 5500 Collection
- Simonton 5050 Collection
- Simonton 9800 Collection
- Simonton Contractor Collection
- Simonton DaylightMax Collection
- Simonton Madeira Collection
- Simonton Inovo Patio Door
- Simonton StormBreaker Plus Collection
To participate in the ENERGY STAR for Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights program, both Simonton and Ply Gem obtained certification from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)—which is acknowledged by the EPA as an authority for certifying residential windows, doors and skylights. As part of this process, residential window, door and skylight products must be tested in an EPA-approved laboratory. The products must achieve performance ratings within the specified range of ENERGY STAR® guidelines to be labeled ENERGY STAR certified.
BOLD BLACK DESIGN INSIDE AND OUT
Through new advancements, homeowners and interior design professionals can continue achieving trend-setting black aesthetics without compromising quality or performance with the highly anticipated interior black laminate color option for the Ply Gem West Pro Series.
Paired with a black exterior color option, the West Pro Series black interior products create a high-contrast appeal that suits any architectural style with a modern, sophisticated look. Designed to meet Western U.S. energy-efficiency requirements, these come with glass packages customized to comply with stringent building codes—ensuring maximum comfort and protection against seasonal weather conditions.
This color option is perfect for new construction or replacement projects. Professionals can get the West Pro Series products in black in these styles:
- West Pro Series 200 Windows Single Hung and Sliding options
- West Pro Series 700 Windows Casement and Awning options
- West Pro Series 960 Series Sliding Patio Doors
INNOVATION IN PRODUCT DESIGN
Looking to the future, Cornerstone Building Brands has made its initial venture into near full automation with the production of the Ply Gem Perspective Multi-Slide Vinyl Patio Door and Simonton Windows & Doors MaxView™ Multi-Slide Vinyl Patio Door. This foray into automated manufacturing ensures greater precision in the quality and performance of these products.
The glass units in these patio doors are built using robotics technology, ensuring quality and consistency in creating a durable, sealed, insulated unit. The automated four-point weld system for the door panel frames provides a clean, even weld, ensuring the squareness of the door panel frame.
Ply Gem Perspective and Simonton MaxView have integrated, invisible T-lock systems designed with T-shaped tracks that engage the door panel when exposed to wind, which helps achieve high-performance ratings, including Missile D level impact resistance and High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) certification. Frame corners are assembled in an off-set fastening pattern creating a tighter joint for greater resistance to expansion and weather. Builders, contractors and homeowners can select from a wide array of opening ranges, including pocket, bypass, and bi-parting, with an impressive variety of standard sizes, as well as custom sizes up to 10 feet in height or 30 feet in width.
The Ply Gem Perspective and Simonton MaxView Multi-Slide Vinyl Patio Doors were specifically designed to meet the needs of installers. These doors feature pre-drilled installation holes, simplifying the process and reducing the need for measurements on-site. Additionally, the hardware bags are color-coded for effortless identification of parts at various stages of installation. These thoughtful details, among others, are designed to streamline the installation process, saving time and further reducing the need to measure.
