Stressed about Huge Windows and Doors? 4 Ways to Make Installation Easier

Popular modern styles call for expansive (and heavy) windows and doors. A manufacturer who’s experienced with large units should help you with simple things to take the stress out of the installation process.

Brought to you by Marvin

As a builder, you’re responsible for the most stressful part of the building process: installation. No matter the style, any kind of window and door project is an involved process with multiple parts, pieces, and deadlines that need to align for a successful installation. That means if anything goes wrong, you’ll be the one feeling the pressure and addressing concerns. Since it's your responsibility to keep the project on time and on budget, the pressure can feel overwhelming. And as more of your clients want to build modern homes, window and door products involve more glass, complicated mulling, and larger units—all of which can add to the stress you feel on site.

Here are four features to look for so you know your product selections are coming from partners that have your design and installation goals in mind:

● Select experienced product manufacturers who understand modern design and have anticipated the challenges.

● Know your product weights before materials arrive on site. Information about product weights allows you to plan to have the proper equipment and people available to handle materials. "Our equipment has limits," said Paul Commesso, Window and Door Manager, Water Mill Building Supply. "It's nice to know for sure that we are not going over the limitations."

● Work with products packaged for hassle-free unloading
How a product is packaged is just as important as receiving the right products. Commesso was pleased to see Marvin's Signature Modern products were packaged to protect components during shipping and handling and that dual skid plates provided rigidity and maneuverability so the products could safely slide across different floor surfaces “[There was] a sense of pride and understanding of what has to get done to get these units,” he says. “Everybody cares how the units come off the truck when we receive them, which is tremendous.”

● Preplan how you will lift a heavy unit. Lift handles make it easier to lift units.
It can be difficult to lift heavy units wrapped in plastic—there’s nothing to hold on to. Manufacturers who deliver with lift handles already attached to packaging give you an easy solution.

● Understand the tolerances. Window walls are often an integral element of a modern design but often have tight tolerances. Look for products that have features like nailing fin spacers that can help installers easily see how mulled units will fit together before placing a single window. Easy-to-find boxes of hardware and installation details are also helpful. “You don’t want to be shut down because there are two screws missing,” says Eric Kline, Installation and Service Instructor at Marvin in Warroad, MN. With Signature Modern deliveries, these “Job Boxes” also come with a QR code that installers can scan for quick-start installation animations.