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Building Design + Construction’s January 8, 2019 roundup is a 16-item editorial selection of windows, doors, glass walls, access hardware, an overhead-door operator, and a roof hatch. It is not a ranked “best products” list or an independent test. The reported dimensions, acoustic values, security claims, and operating specifications describe what BD+C published at that time; they must be checked against current manufacturer documentation, approvals, and the exact project configuration before specification.
Identify the correct BD+C list
The target article is “BD+C’s 101 Top Products: Windows & Doors,” published January 8, 2019. It contains 16 numbered entries. A separate article, “101 Top Products: Windows + Doors,” appeared March 26, 2018 and contains 11 products. The two pages should not be treated as one edition.
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BD+C’s available overview of the 2018 report says its 101 products were a snapshot of products featured in the magazine’s previous 15 issues and were selected using reader-service inquiries from the previous 15 months, across eight categories. That explanation is specific to the 2018 report; it does not establish that the 2019 Windows & Doors page used the same period or method.
Because the 2019 page is a magazine roundup, it does not supply a common test protocol, prices, lifecycle costs, current availability, or an apples-to-apples ranking. Treat it as a useful catalog of ideas and product types, then obtain current submittals and test records for a real project.
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The 16 products, organized by what they do
1. Schlage M Collection
BD+C describes the M Collection as ergonomic door levers with curved forms and a flattened, paddle-like end. The collection includes a minimalist linear lever and an oversized lever, giving designers a choice between a restrained profile and a more substantial handhold. The article does not establish current trim availability, accessibility testing, price, or lead time, so those items belong in the current hardware schedule rather than being inferred from the 2019 description.
2. C.R. Laurence Full-Vision, Bullet-Resistant Doors
These interior doors were described with a continuous geared hinge and a low-profile frame and latch around a single panel of bullet-resistant acrylic or polycarbonate glazing. BD+C reported Level 1 or Level 3 protection under UL 752. A protection level applies to a tested construction, not automatically to every size, hardware set, glazing thickness, or installation. Request the current UL 752 listing and the tested assembly before using the door for a security opening.
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3. Hufcor InVista
InVista is a framed, operable interior glass wall that does not use floor tracks. BD+C reported a 38 STC rating, panels up to four feet wide, six glass options, and three handle designs offered in multiple lengths and finishes. STC is an acoustic laboratory rating; field performance depends on the complete wall, seals, adjacent construction, and installation. Confirm the current test report and the wall’s required operating clearances.
4. Western Window Systems Series 7000
This oversized aluminum door system was presented with thicker glazing choices. BD+C said 8 mm glass, producing a 1.3-inch overall insulated unit in the described configuration, allowed panels up to 96 square feet. It contrasted that with panels up to 60 square feet using a traditional quarter-inch glass and one-inch overall configuration. The article also noted Cardinal Glass LoE-366 coatings. Those areas and glass build-ups are reported 2019 figures, not a blanket approval for every door size or wind load; an engineer must verify structural, thermal, and code requirements.
5. Marvin factory mulling options
Marvin’s “Mulling Options” were described as factory-prepped solutions for large-scale window walls: certified standard, reinforced, stud-pocket, and space mulls. BD+C identified 3/8-inch aluminum reinforcement in the offering. The appropriate mull depends on loads, anchorage, rough-opening conditions, and whether the window wall is assembled in the factory or on site. Obtain the current mull charts and structural calculations for the specified series.
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6. Ceco Door Attack-Resistant Openings
Ceco presented hardened doors, frames, and hardware for forced-entry and ballistic threats. BD+C reported that an assembly resisted four minutes of physical attack after 60 shots from an AK-47. That is an article-era claim, not a generally applicable performance guarantee. The exact door, frame, hardware, ammunition, attack tools, mounting, and laboratory protocol determine what the result means. Require the manufacturer’s current test report and certification for the complete opening.
7. CornellCookson ControlGard
ControlGard is an overhead-door chain hoist with an integral brake. BD+C said the compact system requires 3½ inches of side clearance. That dimension can matter when an existing jamb, shaft, duct, or adjacent operator leaves little room. Verify the current operator’s door weight, lift type, mounting details, cycle rating, guarding, and emergency operation before reserving space from the 2019 figure alone.
8. dormakaba MUTO sliding door
MUTO is a sliding system for glass, wood, and other door materials. The article highlighted concealed slim mechanisms, damping, and a status indicator that can connect to facility-management systems. Those features make the system relevant where appearance, controlled closing, and operational monitoring are priorities. A current specification should identify panel mass, track length, sensor or control interfaces, accessibility provisions, and whether the intended connection is supported by the project’s building-management platform.
9. NanaWall Cero sills
The Cero large-panel sliding glass wall was listed with four sill choices: Higher Weather Performance, Flush, Low Profile Saddle, and Low Profile Saddle Hybrid. BD+C explained that the hybrid combines the saddle sill, recessed 7/16 inch, with the flush sill. Sill selection affects drainage, weather exposure, threshold height, accessibility, and finish transitions. Select it with the slab edge and exterior-water-management details, not as an isolated appearance choice.
10. Weather Shield Oversized Direct Set Windows
These floor-to-ceiling, direct-glaze windows were reported as expanding from 60 to 70 square feet. BD+C also noted multiple color and finish choices. The larger area can support expansive fixed glazing, but the allowable size still depends on glass make-up, wind pressure, deflection limits, anchorage, thermal movement, and local code. Confirm current maximum sizes and required framing before drawing a 70-square-foot lite.
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11. MagLev Glide door system
MagLev Glide was described as a customizable magnetic-levitation sliding door system for commercial, shower, barn, pocket, and patio-door applications. The article used distinctive “world’s first” language, but that market-first wording is not independently established here and should not be repeated as a verified fact. For a current project, ask for load limits, power and control requirements, safety behavior, maintenance procedures, and tested configurations for the intended use.
12. Modernfold ComfortDrive
ComfortDrive is a motorized, self-driving panel system for movable partitions. BD+C reported speeds up to 30 feet per minute, tracks 3.875 inches wide and up to 164 feet long, capacity for up to 30 panels, and panels weighing up to 325 pounds. It also described obstacle monitoring and manual operation during a power failure. These are useful planning values, but the current control package, emergency behavior, panel arrangement, electrical service, and accessibility interfaces should be confirmed in the submittal.
13. Sierra Pacific Windows FeelSafe
FeelSafe includes impact-resistant windows and doors, including a bifold door and casement products. BD+C described Zone III or Zone IV hurricane-force wind and water resistance. Wind-borne-debris zones and required approvals vary by jurisdiction and opening location. Verify current approvals, glass and frame combinations, installation details, and the project’s wind-speed and exposure criteria before relying on the 2019 zone description.
14. The Bilco Company roof hatches at Buchanan Park
BD+C used a project example at Buchanan Park, a 32-townhome development in Washington, D.C. The thermally broken roof hatches were reported to provide R-20-plus insulation and rooftop access. The project count and insulation value describe that published example; they are not a promise that every hatch configuration reaches the same rating. Confirm the current thermal calculation, curb dimensions, fall protection, ladder interface, waterproofing, and access requirements.
15. ASSA ABLOY IN100 Aperio Wireless Lock
The IN100 Aperio is a wireless lock described as compatible with multiple credential types. BD+C reported remote locking and unlocking in under 10 seconds, with more than 50 lever styles and 14 finishes. Response time depends on the wireless architecture, credential system, network, and operating conditions. Confirm supported credentials, encryption and integration, battery life, fire-rating requirements, egress compliance, and the exact current lever and finish schedule.
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16. Ross Technology High-Security Steel Doors
Ross Technology’s pre-hung steel assemblies were reported with two security levels: model 05 resisted a simulated mob attack for five minutes, while model 15R resisted for 15 minutes and specified rifle rounds. Those are article-era claims tied to particular models and test conditions. Require current certifications, the tested rifle calibers and ammunition, hardware configuration, frame anchorage, glazing (if any), and installation instructions before assigning a security rating to a different opening.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reported figures at a glance
The following values are the numbers BD+C published in January 2019. They are included for orientation and must not be treated as current independent test results.
| Product or project | Reported figure | What must be confirmed today |
|---|---|---|
| Hufcor InVista | 38 STC | Current acoustic test, wall assembly, seals, and field conditions |
| Western Window Systems Series 7000 | Panels up to 96 sq. ft. with the described 8 mm/1.3-inch insulated glazing; 60 sq. ft. with the traditional configuration | Glass make-up, wind loads, panel weight, and current size limits |
| Weather Shield direct-set windows | Offering expanded from 60 to 70 sq. ft. | Current maximum lite, structural limits, and approvals |
| Modernfold ComfortDrive | Up to 30 ft/min; tracks 3.875 in. wide and up to 164 ft long; up to 30 panels; panels up to 325 lb | Current drive, controls, electrical, safety, and layout limits |
| CornellCookson ControlGard | 3½ in. side clearance | Operator model, door weight, mounting, and service clearance |
| Buchanan Park roof hatches | 32 townhomes; R-20-plus thermally broken hatches | Current thermal calculation, curb, waterproofing, and safety details |
How to use the roundup in a real specification
Start with the opening’s job
Classify the opening before choosing a product: exterior weather barrier, interior acoustic separation, forced-entry or ballistic protection, hurricane resistance, large-panel daylighting, movable space division, controlled access, or roof access. A sliding glass wall and a bullet-resistant door solve fundamentally different problems even though both may appear in a “windows and doors” search.
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- Record clear opening, panel or lite area, frame depth, sill height, headroom, and adjacent construction.
- Set structural, thermal, water, air, acoustic, fire, impact, security, and accessibility requirements that apply to the location.
- Identify operation: manual, assisted, motorized, wireless, monitored, fail-safe, or fail-secure.
- List finishes, hardware, credential types, glazing, screens, sensors, and building-management interfaces.
- State the jurisdiction, design wind speed, exposure, occupancy, egress path, and any owner security standard.
Demand evidence for the complete assembly
Ask for current technical sheets, test reports, listings, installation manuals, structural calculations, and maintenance requirements. A rating for a pane, lock body, or door leaf does not automatically transfer to a different frame, mullion, threshold, hinge, operator, glass thickness, or field installation.
Coordinate trades and interfaces
Large glazed openings require structural and waterproofing coordination. Wireless locks require identity, network, fire, and egress coordination. Motorized partitions require electrical power, controls, obstacle protection, and a manual-release plan. Roof hatches require curb, membrane, ladder, fall-protection, and roof-access coordination. Resolve these interfaces in shop drawings rather than leaving them to installation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling the list a ranking: BD+C selected products for editorial coverage; it did not publish a controlled comparison or winner.
- Using a 2019 number as a current approval: confirm that the product, model, test, and certification remain current.
- Transferring a rating to another configuration: UL 752, hurricane, acoustic, ballistic, and attack-resistance results are assembly-specific.
- Ignoring local code: egress, accessibility, fire, wind, water, glazing safety, and security rules vary by jurisdiction and occupancy.
- Specifying from a product name alone: identify series, size, glass, hardware, finish, controls, anchorage, and installation details.
- Assuming availability: the 2019 article does not establish present stock, lead time, price, or geographic distribution.
What the article can—and cannot—tell a project team
The roundup is valuable as a map of commercial opening technologies: ergonomic hardware, ballistic and attack-resistant assemblies, operable and sliding glass walls, oversized glazing, reinforced window-wall mulls, overhead-door operation, automated partitions, impact products, roof hatches, and wireless access control. It is not sufficient by itself to select a product, prove compliance, or compare total cost. The defensible workflow is to use the list to identify candidates, then compare current evidence on the same criteria: required performance, tested assembly, dimensions, operation, accessibility, integration, maintenance, installation, and jurisdictional approval.
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