Trends

Q + A with CRL | Innovation Boosted by Vigorous Testing

A vital component of the innovation process, in-house product testing helps companies enhance product quality, iterate on designs, streamline development cycles, protect intellectual property and foster a culture of invention. 

Q + A with Roto North America | Maximizing Resources through Innovation

How Roto is delivering hardware solutions for a new age of innovation.

Glazing Adapts to Meet Emerging Building Trends

The glazing industry continues to evolve with trends like increased use of security-rated glass, improved acoustics, timber curtain walls for sustainable design and hurricane-rated systems, all aimed at enhancing occupant safety, experience and wellness.

Revolutionizing Workplace Design

Post-pandemic, businesses are striving to create modern office spaces that are safe, engaging and collaborative by using versatile glass partition systems that maximize natural light, enhance aesthetics and provide necessary sound privacy, encouraging employees to return to the office.

Blazing Trends: The Surging Demand for Fire-Rated Glass 

Aesthetics, technology and sustainability are shaping the future of fire-rated glass in an increasingly multi-functional world.

Shaping Interiors with Channel Glass

Blending aesthetics and functionality, channel glass is an adaptable and dynamic solution.

Considering Fenestration Finishes

Design-driven, high-performance paint and coating solutions for aluminum architectural products.

“Upward,” “Limitless” and “Sweet Embrace” offer optimistic outlook for 2024 finishing trends

Color palettes for coatings and finishes are trending towards “cozy” vibes in 2024, with warmer, less saturated colors. Get a forecast of the most popular colors, and their palette collections.

Industry Leaders Talk Mega Trends

What's ahead for the glass industry? "Industry Trends to Watch," a panel kicking off GlassBuild 2023, welcomed four leaders from all parts of the industry to discuss labor, the advent of AI, and other major trends to be aware of.

New Approaches  to Glass Partition Designs

Modern interior glass partitions are meeting the needs of contemporary next-generation office spaces.

NGA 75th Anniversary

In the 75 years following the NGA’s founding, the organization became the largest trade association serving the architectural glass and metals industry. The NGA merged with the Glass Association of North America in 2018 and now includes more than 1,800 member companies representing contract…

How and Why Sunshades Can Make Your Project Attractive to a GC

While sunshades used to be considered mostly decorative, they have evolved and are recognized as a critical part of a glass and metal system, with respect to energy performance and design. Here's a review of trends to know and understand in sunshades right now.

Eye on Interiors

How designers look to glass for flexible workspaces, stylish home interiors.

Moving Forward | Trends in Metals

Glass and metal systems suppliers focused on customers in 2022 as markets continue to shift.

Sunshades as a Solution to Combating Solar Heat Gain

Properly specified and installed sunshades can help mitigate the effects of intense direct sunlight on the building envelope, particularly during the summer months when glass façades are most vulnerable.

Making an Entrance

By looking at industry trends in glass door design, architects and glaziers can better select and install systems that effectively balance looks, performance and durability.

Versatility in Design and Wellness with Decorative Glass

Decorative glass can fulfill a multitude of roles, providing stylish and eye-catching designs as well as enhanced safety, energy efficiency, even protection for birds who might mistake clear glass for open sky. 

Construction Workers See Biggest Pay Bump in Over 40 Years

Ripple effects of the Baby Boomer generation retiring, compounded by a sizzling hot housing and labor market, drove average pay for non-managerial construction laborers up six percent from the same time in 2021, according to preliminary wage survey data released in February by the U.S. Bureau of…

Window innovation, sustainability, and trends front and center at FGIA roundtables

Roundtable discussions at the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance Hybrid Annual Conference in Amelia Island, Fla. highlighted trends like thin triple glazing, sustainability best practices, and case studies on window industry innovations.

Economist: Construction On-Track for Full Rebound, Despite Russia Sanctions and Labor Shortfall

Manufacturing and fabrication companies can help mitigate the industry labor shortage by offering more training, says economist Dr. Chris Kuehl. 

AIA Consensus Forecast Anticipates Commercial Upturn

The American Institute of Architects’ Consensus Forecast, a twice-yearly review of industry indicators and benchmarks, anticipates an upturn in commercial spending.

Dodge Momentum Index Falls in January

The Dodge Momentum Index declined 7 percent in January to a four-month low of 152.9 (2000=100), from the revised December reading of 163.7. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning,…

Total Construction Starts Flat in December

Total construction starts were flat in December with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $879.3 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts improved by 3 percent.

ABI December 2021 Closes Year on Strong Note

Business conditions at architecture firms ended 2021 on a high note, with an Architecture Billings Index score of 52.0 in December 2021; any score over 50 indicates billings growth. Firm billings increased every month of the year except for January, as most firms experienced a strong rebound from…

2022 Prediction Time

After a one-week delay, my fearless predictions for 2022 are here. They range from forecasts about glass dominance as a building material, trends in IG units, and some ideas about our economic landscape. Let's go!

Dodge Momentum Index Declines in December, Moderate Growth on the Horizon

The Dodge Momentum Index fell 3 percent in December to 166.4 (2000=100), down from the revised November reading of 170.7.

2021 Prediction Review: How did I do?

My tradition is always on the second post of the year to review my predictions from the previous year and grade how they turned out. I am never always right or always wrong and looks like 2021 stayed in track with that.

4 Things Standing in the Way of Daylighting and Views

From the consequences of not designing for occupant health to communicating the payback to building owners.

Views + Daylight

Leading industry voices discuss the role of natural light and views on human health and performance, and the essential role of glass in daylighting design. Plus, NGA resources, including a webinar on the use of glass in biophilic design. 

ABI November 2021 Sees Slower Growth

While architecture firms reported an increase in billings for the tenth consecutive month in November, the pace of growth continued to moderate from its peak in the summer. An Architectural Billings Index score of 51.0 for the month still means that the majority of architecture firms saw billings…

Total Construction Falls Sharply in November

Total construction starts fell 14 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $867.8 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding and nonresidential building starts bore the brunt of the decline, falling 30 percent and 21 percent respectively after seeing sharp…

2022 Crystal Ball

In early December, I sat down with my friend, the famous From the Fabricator blogger/podcaster and head of Sole Source Consultants, Max Perilstein. We took out the 2022 crystal ball and chatted through our projections for the industry in the new year.

Dodge Momentum Index Declines in November

The Dodge Momentum Index fell 4 percent in November to 171.7, down from the revised October reading of 178.1. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to…

ABI October: Business Conditions Remain Strong

Architecture firm billings continued to rise in October, although the pace of growth decreased modestly from that of the last few months, according to the American Institute of Architects. However, the Architecture Billings Index score of 54.3 means that business conditions remain generally strong…

Total Construction Starts Soar in October

Total construction starts pushed 16 percent higher in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.01 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network.

The Future of Metal Systems

Whether it’s part of a new build or a thoughtful retrofit, we’re seeing a few common themes in the metal systems of today: aesthetic variety, unitized and thermally broken solutions, and wellness-centered design.

Total Construction Starts Rebound in September

Total construction starts rose 10 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $889.7 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts rose 15 percent.

September ABI Remains Strong, Firms Report Strong Backlogs

Architecture firms continued to report strong business conditions in September. The ABI score, compiled by the American Institute of Architects, rose by a point from August to 56.6, one of the higher scores seen this year.

Nonresidential Construction Jobs Post Increases, Remain Below Pre-pandemic Levels

The construction industry gained 22,000 jobs between August and September as nonresidential construction firms added employees for the first time in six months, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data.

Dodge Momentum Index Recovers in September

The Dodge Momentum Index gained 11 percent in September to 164.9 (2000=100) from the revised August reading of 148.0. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Construction Network, is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been…

Walker Glass Leaders Discuss Top Trends

Earlier this month, I hopped on a video call with Charles Alexander and Danik Dancause of Walker Glass to get their take on the current state of the industry and leading trends. Alexander, who is the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, and Dancause, marketing operations manager,…

Steps to Success with Large Glass

3 ways for glaziers to prepare for the jumbo glazing trend

3 Applications Transformed with Fire-rated Glass

A new breed of fire-resistive glass has transformed how architects design and reimagine spaces. 

Architecture After COVID

Green building and occupant wellness shape post-pandemic commercial building.

5 Decorative Glass Trends to Watch

New design trends in the decorative glass market call for larger sizes, custom designs, vibrant colors, new inks, multi-functional products and more. Successful glass fabricators keep a close watch on emerging trends, track relevant changes in codes and standards, and implement factory best…

Here Comes the Sun

Mitigate the adverse effects of direct sunlight on the building envelope with sunshade systems.

Begin with the Finish

5 Resilient finishing trends in architectural aluminum products

The Rise of Mass Timber

The 2021 building code is set to allow mass timber buildings up to 18 stories high. What are the fire, seismic and structural performance considerations?

2020 Industry Trends | Part 4 | Metals & Hardware

2020 has challenged glass companies across all segments of the industry, but it hasn’t stopped the pace of innovation and evolution across the industry. This six-part series presents Glass Magazine’s complete Industry Trends report.

2020 Industry Trends | Part 6 | Software & Digital Tools

2020 has challenged glass companies across all segments of the industry, but it hasn’t stopped the pace of innovation and evolution across the industry. This six-part series presents Glass Magazine’s complete Industry Trends report.

2020 Industry Trends | Part 5 | Handling & Transportation

2020 has challenged glass companies across all segments of the industry, but it hasn’t stopped the pace of innovation and evolution across the industry. This six-part series presents Glass Magazine’s complete Industry Trends report.

2020 Industry Trends | Part 3 | Equipment & Automation

2020 has challenged glass companies across all segments of the industry, but it hasn’t stopped the pace of innovation and evolution across the industry. This six-part series presents Glass Magazine’s complete Industry Trends report.

2020 Industry Trends | Part 2 | Architectural Glass

2020 has challenged glass companies across all segments of the industry, but it hasn’t stopped the pace of innovation and evolution across the industry. This six-part series presents Glass Magazine’s complete Industry Trends report.

2020 Industry Trends | Part 1

The Present and Future of Glass

Sisecam Flat Glass held its T Meetings, focused on architectural glass and design, as global and online events for the first time this year. Partnering with the Arkitera Architecture Center, also based in Turkey, the meetings hosted two prominent architects; Kim Herforth Nielsen, the founder of…

​​​​​​​Blast Glazing

Since 9/11, blast-resistant systems have become a prevalent type of glazing for governmental and institutional facilities. Although this trend has created a new and rapidly growing niche industry within the glazing market, it has also created a multitude of operational complexities for any glazing…

6 Finishing Trends to Watch

From blue-green hues to tactile textures, check out these trends driving advancement in finishing for architectural aluminum products.

4 Trends in Building for the 22nd Century

At NBBJ, we are in the midst of designing a 55,000-square-foot behavior health facility in Monterey, California, that shares an architectural ethos with the Empire State Building. Although the project is not a skyscraper, not an office building, nor constructed of steel, it demonstrates, as does…

Coronavirus Adds Uncertainty to Otherwise-strong Construction Forecast

2020 Economic Forecast: Your Top Five 2020 Questions Answered

The U.S. economy is slowing but is unlikely to go into recession. Details on threats to the construction economy, regional winners & losers and building trends.

Future Enhanced Remote Service Based on IoT Data

In the context of a modern, globalized and highly digitalized world, the success of glass processing plants to a great extent depends upon how well they embrace the latest IoT-based technologies. The amount of automation and smart data enabled by IoT are two primary factors that define a company’s…

The Industry’s Next Step

This December issue of Glass Magazine closes out an amazing decade in the industry—one that has witnessed a redefining of what’s possible with glass. What will the next 10 years bring? What are the long- and short-term trends, challenges and opportunities for architectural glass? How can industry…

Go Unitized

A unitized glass curtain wall system with vertical aluminum fins being installed on a commercial office building in Rockville, Maryland. Pivoting a façade business from one that stick-builds to one that prefabricates offers financial and strategic advantages that could benefit any size company.…

Fired Up: A Little Reminder About How Awesome Glass Is

If you haven’t been to Seattle in the summer, you should. It’ll kick your visions of hippies drinking coffee in the rain to the curb. Eighty-degree weather, sun until well past 8 p.m., mountains, trees, water, ferries – the list goes on. It’s so stunning, you might not even notice our grunge scene…

2019 Top Glass Fabricators | Bigger and Better

  IMAGIC GLASS­, AGNORA | RICHARD MILLE, FLAGSHIP STORE The Manhattan flagship store for Richard Mille, a luxury watch brand, sports a stunning glass entranceway thanks to carved feature glass fabricated by Imagic Glass. The company founder, Richard Mille, says he selected the New York…

Top 10 Curtain Wall Trends

The exterior wall defines the look of the building. It’s often complex. It’s dynamic. It protects occupants from the outside environment. Tracking façade trends is critical for everyone in our industry.  Every year, hundreds of projects come across my desk and into our firm. We win some and…

The World of Glass

The glass-making process starts with raw materials heated to 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit to produce molten glass. Pictured, the molten glass floats on a molten tin bath to become a flat ribbon. Photo courtesy of Guardian Industries.   The global float glass industry…