A Look at the Innovations From GlassBuild

Oct 17, 2024

My annual pilgrimage to GlassBuild America never disappoints. Among the various trade shows I attend, this one consistently impresses with its focus on innovation in doors, windows and skylights. GlassBuild 2024, held in Dallas, was no exception—this year’s event broke records for both attendance and exhibitor enthusiasm. It’s clear that the fenestration industry is not only thriving but also rapidly evolving, with the show reflecting this vitality through cutting-edge technology and product development.

Here are some of the standout innovations from this year’s show that I found particularly impressive.

Matthews Brothers: Vacuum Glass in Historical WindowsMatthews Brothers presented a redesigned double-hung window featuring vacuum-insulated glass (VIG) and laminated wood grids, combining energy efficiency with historical aesthetics. This product replicates the appearance of traditional single-glazed windows from the mid-20th century while delivering modern thermal performance. Their use of thin glass and simulated glazing bars demonstrated the potential of VIG technology, particularly in preserving historical aesthetics while meeting today’s energy standards.

Graf Synergy: No-Clean Vinyl Welding TechnologyGraf Synergy introduced their innovative four-point vinyl welder, which requires no post-weld cleaning. The system incorporates “waffle” weld plates and mini routers to ensure smooth, high-quality finishes. Additionally, they showcased a hybrid welding machine that simultaneously welds vinyl and mills aluminum. This versatile machine is part of a broader trend towards automation in fenestration manufacturing, enhancing both productivity and precision.

Vitro Architectural Glass: The Future of VIGVitro presented a vacuum insulating glass (VIG) unit with no visible ports and extremely small, almost invisible pillars. These units range in size from 12 inches by 12 inches to 60 inches by 118 inches, signaling a significant advancement in VIG technology. Vitro’s innovation addresses both energy efficiency and aesthetic concerns, making VIG an increasingly viable option for both commercial and residential applications.

Anthony Innovations: Large Door Rollers for Massive DoorsAnthony Innovations displayed their latest rollers designed for large sliding doors, a product line that continues to grow in demand for high-end residential and commercial properties. These rollers facilitate the smooth movement of oversized, heavy doors without compromising on performance or longevity.

AmesburyTruth: PowerLink for Electrified SashesAmesburyTruth demonstrated its new PowerLink system, which allows electrical wiring to pass through swing style, sash-based doors and windows. This innovation solves a longstanding challenge for integrating features like electrochromic glazing and powered locks, opening the door for more sophisticated and automated window designs.

Quanex: A Merger and Expanded Product LinesQuanex’s booth highlighted the completion of its merger with AmesburyTruth, along with a showcase of new products, including security screens and window designs from its Mikron division. The award-winning booth also emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency through a broad range of fenestration solutions.

EDTM: Advanced Sensors for Thin Triple IG UnitsEDTM showed handheld sensors capable of detecting the center lite of a thin-triple insulating glass unit (IGU), addressing a common industry challenge. The company’s electronic sensors record the location of multi-pane IGUs and laminates, enabling more efficient tracking and identification during manufacturing and installation processes.

General Show Trends

Additionally, as you walked through the show, three overarching themes came to light: innovation, sustainability and automation.

Sustainability was front and center, with exhibitors showcasing energy-efficient glass and glazing systems that align with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and new ways to meet Energy Star 7 requirements. Innovations in insulating glass, solar control solutions, and thermal performance enhancements were popular among attendees, many of whom had a good grasp of how these products could help meet sustainability goals. This level of awareness marked a significant shift from previous years, indicating that the industry is rapidly catching up to the demand for greener building solutions.

Automation, driven by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, was another key focus. Many exhibitors demonstrated machinery and software designed to address labor shortages—a critical issue across the industry. These solutions not only reduce dependency on manual labor but also improve precision, speed and quality, marking a clear shift toward more automated and intelligent production lines.

Flexscreen and Erdman highlighted improvements to their screen automation suite and were very busy showing the system to new attendees.

A session on innovation was presented at the mainstage and hosted by the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA). This presentation focused on two important topics: decarbonization and security screens. Jason Seals, FGIA’s director of certification, outlined the development of the new AAMA 1901 Security Screen Standard. This upcoming standard will be the first national guideline for security screens on doors and windows, covering both sliding and swinging products. The session highlighted the increasing demand for security solutions in fenestration, as well as the industry’s responsibility to develop energy-efficient, sustainable products that contribute to the global decarbonization effort. With security screens playing a more prominent role in both residential and commercial applications, this standard will ensure consistent performance and safety across the board.

Beyond product displays, GlassBuild offered attendees an invaluable opportunity to network with industry leaders and potential partners. In-person interactions remain crucial to this industry, with 84% of attendees reportedly developing more favorable opinions of businesses following live engagements. The event facilitated countless meetings, partnerships and collaborations that will drive future business growth.

I suggest a three-point action plan for businesses looking to capitalize on these insights:

1. Embrace Sustainability: Focus on ways to economically create Energy Star 7 compliance and put carbon counting practices into your business strategy. Customers and regulators are increasingly focused on sustainability and adopting greener solutions can position your company as a leader in the field.

2. Invest in Automation: Labor shortages and rising production costs make automation a critical investment. Evaluate your operations to identify areas where AI and robotics can improve efficiency and reduce labor dependency.

3. Recommit: to bringing these latest innovations to use in your products and to be inspired to bring more innovation to Glassbuild 2025!

Keep Innovating!Ray G