News

Jun 18, 2023

Patio doors get a boost with new production, designs

Cornerstone Building Brands Inc. has introduced its most advanced patio door — a

Cornerstone Building Brands Inc. has introduced its most advanced patio door — a vinyl multislide door — produced with automated manufacturing advancements at its plant in Rocky Mount, Va.

Called Perspective, the doors for Cornerstone's Ply Gem brand are made in a facility where the Cary, N.C.-based manufacturer of building products announced in 2020 that it was investing $25 million over the next five years.

The investment has resulted in Perspective, a product manufactured with technology not available at the other Ply Gem-brand facilities, according to Laura Rossomangno, channel marketing manager of new construction.

"Using automated and robotic equipment and technology to manufacture the door panels and glass units, we are able to provide a level of precision and quality that allow us to consistently achieve the high performance and durability our customers desire," Rossomangno said in an email.

Perspective patio doors debuted at the 2022 New American Home, the showcase home of the National Association of Home Builders. However, the product line didn't launch until later in the year.

Rossomangno described what makes Perspective versatile and durable.

"Perspective is capable of achieving sizes, configurations and performance ratings that are not available in other Ply Gem patio door product lines," she said. "Unique design elements, such as the hidden 'T' lock feature, create strength where it is needed without unsightly external reinforcements."

The different door configurations include bypass, which can open from either end; pocket, in which all panels slide and nest into the wall, maximizing the size of the opening; and bi-parting, where the center panels open and slide to the right or left respectively.

The T-lock design is an integrated system on the door track that engages when wind blows against the door panel.

"This secures the panel in place, helping to achieve the high-performance ratings and certifications," Rossomangno said.

The doors meet certification for high-velocity hurricane zones and Missile D level of impact resistance, which protects during severe weather and makes them an ideal choice for coastal areas.

PVC was chosen as the material for the door frame and panels due to its energy-efficient and low-maintenance qualities, Rossomangno also said.

Perspective doors are available through a distributor network in the Southeastern U.S., mainly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The doors were designed for new construction. Cornerstone has a companion multislide vinyl patio door for remodel and replacement projects branded as the Simonton MaxView that is available to homeowners through dealers and distributors.

With $2.85 billion in related pipe, profile and tubing sales, Cornerstone is the second-largest extruder in North America, according to Plastics News' latest ranking.

The Maumee, Ohio-based Therma-Tru brand of doors added size options to its Craftsman Shaker-style products, including Fiber-Classic and Smooth-Star, which has a polyurethane foam core that insulates against cold and heat. The new sizes complement a wider range of homes and are designed to match a variety of decorative and architectural elements.

Homeowners can complete the look with different glass options, such as flush-glazed and square-recessed panels.

Therma-Tru is part of the Outdoors & Security division of Deerfield, Ill.-based Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. Other Fortune brands include Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock and SentrySafe.

The company posted sales of $4.7 billion in 2022, which was a 2 percent decrease from 2021.

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