Editor's Note: SBR, Inc., the parent company of Metallon, Inc., stopped taking orders for Metallon-finished products as of September 6, 2002.
Metal finishes are showing up all over the home, from wall tiles to faucets to molding. The window market is no exception, as several manufacturers have unveiled a range of metal and metal-look finishes for clad windows that complement other metal materials in the home or make a statement on their own.
Last year Simonton Windows entered this unique market segment by partnering with Metallon, a company that manufactures a 95% metal finish that is cold-spray applied directly to building materials. Also available on Style Solutions and White River molding and around Hy-Lite acrylic block windows, Metallon comes in a range of metal-finish combinations, including four that are available for Simonton. "Now [homeowners] have a vinyl window that performs like vinyl but doesn't look like vinyl," says Chris Burk, a Simonton brand manager.
Other recent introductions include a bronze cladding finish from Norco wood windows and a bronze option for American Weather-Seal's vinyl units. At this year's Builders' Show, Weather Shield showcased a copper cladding of its own, which should be available within a few months on the company's clad wood units. Kolbe amp; Kolbe has been offering a copper finish for about two years.
Like some other color finishes, most of the new metal offerings may be limited to higher-end custom homes and niche markets. But with many homeowners looking to make a unique architectural statement, the finish offerings should continue to grow.
Gorell. Part of the 5300 Series of replacement windows, the lift-out sliding window offers easy opening and closing and a sash that can be lifted out easily for cleaning. The durable vinyl windows are energy efficient, says the firm. (800) 946-7355. www.gorell.com.
American Weather-Seal. An architectural bronze coating is available on the NuSash and Weather-Seal Replacement vinyl windows. The coating is environmentally safe and is created with thermally reflective pigments that enhance the thermal performance of the window. (800) 358-2954. www.americanweatherseal.com.
Kolbe + Kolbe. The Ultra line of windows features a .050-inch-thick extruded aluminum frame with a 5052 alloy roll-formed aluminum-clad sash. The exterior finish meets new AAMA 2605-98 requirements. The windows come in white, sand, Rustic, Chutney, and Hartford green, as well as custom colors. (800) 955-8177. www.kolbe-kolbe.com.
Norco. Clad wood windows are now available with a black or bronze exterior cladding finish. In addition, the company offers white, brown, sandstone, Hartford green, burgundy, and cream. (800) 877-9482. www.norcowindows.com.
Revere. The Advantage vinyl replacement window features a constant-force balance system, a strong positive interlock at the meeting rails, an 8-millimeter-thick vinyl frame, double-walled lift rails on the sash, and brick mold construction. The window has a design pressure rating of 60 and can withstand winds up to 187 mph. (800) 426-0447. www.reverebuildingproducts.com.
Marvin. The company's clad wood products now are fully compliant with AAMA 2605-98 10-year finish specification standards. The windows feature an extruded aluminum cladding on both the frame and sash exterior, a chrome pre-treatment process that provides for stronger paint adhesion, and a 70% Kynar or Hylar coating for weatherability with a Flurospar formulation that further protects the finish against dents and scratches. (888) 537-8266. www.marvin.com.
Hurd. The company now offers three grades of double hung windows for a range of custom projects. The Premium grade features a heavy-duty aluminum-clad exterior and comes in six standard and 22 special colors. Wood grade units have a primed exterior for custom paint. The Builders Classic units are rolled aluminum clad-grade. (800) 223-4873. www.hurd.com.
Milgard. Custom built to order, the Replacement Series of windows can be installed without changing the home's framing. The windows are available in a range of sizes and styles, in one of six frame types, and with a variety of options, including impact-resistant glass and automatic locks. (800) 645-4273. www.milgard.com.
Pella. HurricaneShield window glass sandwiches an ionoplast layer between two layers of glass, providing 100 times the rigidity and five times the tear resistance of traditional impact-resistance laminated glass. According to the company, the glass can withstand the impact of a 9-pound 2x4 hurled at a high speed. The windows are available with aluminum exteriors and wood interiors in a range of styles and sizes. (800) 847-3552. www.pella.com.
Vetter. This aluminum-clad operating casement window includes three architectural-grade stainless steel hinges, custom-designed cam action locks, and 3/4-inch dual sealed insulated glass. Windows are available in eight standard colors, including hunter green, ivory, and dark bronze, and in custom colors. (800) 838-8372. www.vetter.com.
Andersen. The 200 Series gliding window features a modular sizing system, with standard sizes that come in full-inch increments for simpler ordering and a new mulling system. The company's vacuum-formed seamless frame cladding system improves weather resistance, reduces maintenance, and simplifies installation. (800) 426-4261. www.andersenwindows.com.
Weather Shield. The company has added new features to its tilt double hung unit, part of the Legacy Series of premium wood windows. The windows feature top and bottom sash tilts with fingertip latch releases and a new sash profile for a tighter primary seal and cleaner sight lines. Five standard exterior finish colors and six interior wood finishes are available. (800) 477-6808. www.weathershield.com.
Windsor. The company has added a casement window to the Legend line of cellular PVC windows, which combine the strength and look of wood with low maintenance and easy installation. According to the firm, the window includes the industry's first no-nail cellular PVC brick mold as a standard feature. The unit is pre-painted on the interior and exterior. (800) 218-6186. www.windsorwindows.com.
MW Windows + Doors. New to the Twinseal line of vinyl windows, Twinseal Brick Mould single hung vinyl windows offer a traditional brick mold appearance. The windows are energy efficient, the firm says, and feature a nailing fin, a 3/4-inch siding pocket, a block and tackle system, and a non-weeped/sloped sill and higher sill dam leg for enhanced water protection. (800) 999-8400. www.mwwindows.com.
