How Quanex Enhances Occupancy Comfort Around the World
Quanex can be found within countless applications in homes and commercial buildings everywhere. See how our products contribute to more comfortable, energy efficient living and working environments.
Living and working spaces have evolved in countless ways over time. Today’s modern built environment represents a confluence of cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance the occupant experience.
Quanex is everywhere you look in these settings—and it’s how we’re A Part of Something Bigger for our customers and their customers.
Whether it’s helping to create a more energy-efficient building envelope, enabling the use of advanced architectural glass, or contributing to more aesthetically appealing interiors, Quanex is a part of it all. Here’s a look at how our teams are helping to deliver greater occupancy comfort all around the world.
Complete Fenestration Energy Efficiency
High-performance fenestration products are an essential part of creating more energy efficient—and more comfortable—interior environments. In residential and commercial applications, today’s windows and doors are tasked with delivering outstanding thermal performance, and Quanex has been helping advance this technology for many years.
For example, our warm-edge insulating glass spacer technology—including our industry-leading Super Spacer® and Duralite® brands—has contributed to more effective, energy efficient glass and windows for decades by reducing heat transfer. Our Mikron® brand vinyl window and door profiles have further made an impact, bringing total efficiency to new heights in window units everywhere.
It all makes for more comfortable interiors that maintain more consistent temperatures by eliminating drafts, minimizing cold and hot zones, and reducing reliance on continuous HVAC activity. Further, when homes and buildings can incorporate a greater number of high-performing windows, it allows more natural light without discomfort. Daylight exposure is linked to better mood, altertness, and even healthier sleep patterns—benefits particularly important in workplaces, schools, and health care settings.
“We’ve worked long and hard at making a real, tangible impact on commercial and residential structures everywhere,” said Joe Erb, solutions sales manager, Quanex. “We were pioneers in introducing warm-edge spacers to the market when every spacer used to that point was made from aluminum or other metal. And we’ve continued to push those boundaries with our spacers and commercial vinyl products. It’s part of who we are—we’re challenging the status quo, and we’re delivering critical components for higher-performing building envelopes.”
Outside In. Bugs and Intruders Out.
Windows and doors help maintain interior comfort in more ways than one. And Quanex’s screens are another clear example.
With a full portfolio of high-performance window and door screens, Quanex enhances fenestration products by letting more of the outside in, improving interior airflow and filtering sunlight, all while keeping unwanted intruders out.
Of course, screen protection includes bugs and pests, but with the addition of our proprietary Meshtec® technology, Quanex Fortify Security Screens can also provide greater peace of mind for homeowners. These products resist common intrusion methods and are readily available as consumers everywhere are increasingly focused on home security options.
Quanex also makes it easy for window and door manufacturers looking for screens to do business with us.
“Our recently launched Screens+ program helps assure window and door OEMs that they can satisfy their customers with high-quality, high-performance screens for every window and door that leaves their facility,” said Carrie Scheetz, marketing manager, Quanex. “With Screens+, we provide an elevated level of service that isn’t available from other screens suppliers.”
It’s in the details
High-performance glass, glazing, and framing go a long way toward creating more comfortable interiors. But a wide range of additional components completes the picture.
Throughout our portfolio, customers will find a broad range of thresholds and weather seals that help better protect interiors. Gaps and cracks beneath and around doors can allow unwanted drafts, pests, noise, moisture, and other nuisances to enter the home—and Quanex provides numerous prevention solutions. Further, thresholds provide a smooth transition that minimizes fall risk and maximizes safety.
“With our threshold and weather seal offerings, we’re providing the total package to both our OEM customers and homeowners,” said Mike Dorsey, channel sales director, Quanex. “Overall, Quanex has a broad portfolio that stands up to all for today’s high-performance window and door needs for creating greater efficiency and occupancy comfort.”
Enabling High-End Aesthetic Appeal
High-performance fenestration products contribute to more than just energy efficiency and comfort—they can elevate the aesthetics of any home or building.
For example, Many homeowners are embracing large-format windows and doors with thinner profiles to maximize glass exposure, creating dramatic effects that allow more of an outside in. And our AmesburyTruth brand is helping support these trends with new product development.
“As glass gets bigger and heavier, the completed window or door unit requires optimal hardware to support it,” said Angie Hennessy, director of product management for patio doors, AmesburyTruth. “For example, a large-format patio door might require the distribution of weight over more rollers than traditional applications. It’s just one trend we’re supporting with high-quality products that make forward-looking, desirable door products possible.”
Beyond these capabilities, high-performance hardware is how all windows and doors maintain easy and convenient functionality while keeping pace with consumer trends.
“Aligning hardware with consumer preferences is a big part of what our team tries to accomplish, and it must be done while remaining highly functional,” Angie added. “Some window and door OEMs are seeking seamless, integrated hardware. Others are seeking statement items that add pizzazz to statement pieces. It’s all about ensuring form and function work in harmony with a product that homeowners will cherish for years to come.”
There’s more to the hardware story, too. Throughout the Quanex portfolio, there are a wide range of handles, locks, latches, hinges, and more that provide optimal aesthetic appeal. This enables window and door OEMs to deliver on a breadth of consumer preferences and desired styles, creating beautiful and functional interiors.
Of course, function must match aesthetics, and Quanex delivers. Our hardware portfolio delivers optimal functionality, user friendliness, and high performance for critical applications. For example, our handle and Smart Lock technology enhance security and door longevity as well as convenience.
“We’ve developed multipoint lock technology that not only provides security, but helps customers meet stringent requirements while providing enhanced user friendliness,” Angie said. “Multipoint locks can prevent doors from bowing and warping, and can meet elevated standards for air and water intrusion.”
Modern interiors wouldn’t be as secure, efficient, and comfortable without Quanex. It’s what being A Part of Something Bigger is all about.
Stay connected with us to continue learning about how Quanex is making a difference.
