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From massive picture windows framing gorgeous vistas and letting in sunlight to bifold doors that blur the boundary between interior and exterior, transparency is highly desirable in many a residential project — as is performance. Before you run full steam ahead with what may seem like the perfect window or door system for your project, be sure to compare it with our top picks from the Architizer Source platform, all of which offer high style without compromising performance.
Duratherm Wood Windows and Doors
Duratherm Wood Windows and Doors: Lift/Roll Door
Offering a more expansive opening than typical sliding doors, this line can be custom-built to a range of sizes to suit your design vision. Yet the doors operate effortlessly by lifting them onto carriages with two sets of twin rollers mortised into the bottom of each moving panel. The NFRC-certified system has also passed tests for Large Missile Impact and Cyclical Air Pressure (Wind Zone 3, but not including Dade County, Florida).
Duratherm Wood Windows and Doors
The frames are constructed of FSC-certified or other sustainably harvested wood on both the exterior and interior, with species ranging from African mahogany and ash to Spanish cedar and teak. Complementing the warmth of timber, the external guides, tracks, lock faces and edge stile covers come in clear anodized or dark bronze anodized aluminum. And lever handles and escutcheons are offered in a variety of styles from select manufacturers.
Duratherm Wood Windows and Doors
Dynamic Architectural Windows & Doors: Steel-Arte
Dynamic renders crisp, thin lines in thermally broken steel for this family of doors and windows, which offer profile-design options suited to both historic and modern architecture. All products in this range feature deeper glazing pockets to accommodate thicker, insulated glass for improved U factors. Additionally, the units have been tested for hurricane impact and coastal applications.
Dynamic Architectural Windows & Doors
The frames are available in a variety of powder-coat or wet-spray finishes — or a torched-on Zinc patina — to meet any building style. Marine-grade stainless steel can also be requested. Steel-Arte comes in outswing/inswing doors; casement or French casement windows; awning windows; and window walls.
Dynamic Architectural Windows & Doors
Dynamic Architectural Windows & Doors
LaCantina Doors: Aluminum Thermally Controlled
The folding-door system from this aluminum line opens completely to let fresh air, light and unobstructed views in. But with narrow 2-15/16-inch stile and rail profiles, it looks just as good in the closed position. What’s more, the manufacturer makes this product with a proprietary core and fascia design to allow for a different interior finish and color from the exterior.
LaCantina Doors
Performance-wise, the system boasts thermal breaks that ensure greater energy efficiency whether in hot- or cold-climate regions. LaCantina offers a DP70 impact-rated package for installations in hurricane-susceptible regions and different sill options to meet accessibility and rainy-weather needs.
LaCantina Doors
Panda Windows and Doors: S.51 All Aluminum Folding Door
Custom made to order, this bifold aluminum door system could have an almost unlimited number of panel groups to achieve the desired window-wall effect. But aside from opening spaces to the outdoors, it’s also an ideal system for handsomely creating division within the interior (e.g. partitioning a home office or gym as well as conference rooms and event spaces for commercial applications). Panel heights can reach up to 120 inches (or 144 with a true divider), while widths can go up to 42 inches.
Panda Windows and Doors
Panda has the capability of integrating swing doors for when you want to enter without having to open the entire wall. Glazing comes standard as clear low-E insulated for reduction of solar heat gain and magnetic gaskets ensure a weather-tight seal. Finally, an ADA-compliant dual running recessed track can be specified for a seamless transition from interior to exterior.
Panda Windows and Doors
Western Window Systems: Series 600 Multi-Slide Door
Indoor-outdoor living is made simple with this multi-slide door system (which was also a finalist for the 2016 Architizer A+Awards, incidentally). It actually consists of wide moving glass panels that stack or slide into pockets for unobstructed views — even at corners. The aluminum framing is available in a choice of 11 standard finishes but can also be requested in a custom color, while the handle comes as a grip or flush-mount handle.
Western Window Systems
Depending on your project’s performance needs, you can specify the system in aluminum or thermally broken aluminum. Series 600 Multi-Slide has undergone air, water and structural performance testing by the NFRC and AAMA and is fitted with dual-paned low-E glass manufactured using thermoplastic spacer technology. Three floor track options are available: Water Barrier, Flush and Thinline.
Western Window Systems
Zola Windows: ThermoPlus Clad
Offering even greater performance than its Thermo Clad line, ThermoPlus Clad adds a layer of patented insulating material, resulting in performance gains of 10 percent. The windows and doors in this series are particularly ideal for projects seeking Passive House certification: They feature not only thermal breaks, but also a triple gasket system for a truly weather-tight seal in extreme climates. Together with three or four glazing layers and low-E coatings, they boast an R-value of up to 8 — that’s double the numbers provided by most Energy Star–rated windows.
Zola Windows
Though a real workhorse, ThermoPlus Clad is also a looker, with a range of paints and stains available as well as “Naked Wood,” a proprietary finish that may look like untreated wood but is fully protected. The wood options, meanwhile, include pine, fir, larch, meranti, sapele and European white oak. Finish these openings off with standard or upgraded handles and hardware or specify custom cast-bronze handles made by Italian company Zolini. Those looking for a bit more traditional character can also request simulated or actual divided lites.
Zola Windows
Zola Windows
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