Product News

  • Authentic Swiss Bearings: We have recently posted a homegrown video of a small boy opening and closing a Fleetwood sliding door. (4/2012)
  • NEW Hinged Screen Samples: Small samples of our new hinged screen (Westwood 250 casement/awning) are ready for ordering. (4/2012)
  • Flush Stack Option: Fleetwood offers a "flush stack" option on all sliding doors. Thre are a few methods to accomplish this appearance so consult with your dealer. (3/2012)
  • Concept Drawings: In the online product page CAD Details, we also offer specialty drawings. These are configurations that have been created for specific custom applications. Most recently we added one for the Kona wherein a 90 degree corner has butt joined glass on the top half and awning inserts in the bottom half. (3/2012)
  • ADA Requirements for Sliding Doors: Recent code changes have prompted us to update our ADA documents. With the introduction of our new Sub Sillpan for the Norwood 3070-EX and 3070-CR, the issue of true weather performance with handicap access has been addressed completely. (2/2012)
  • New Energy (NFRC) Test Results: We are now able to label the Series 3050 and Series 1050 "Hidden Track" products with NFRC labels. The results only include SHGC, U-Value, and VLT. The design team is looking into fabrication changes that might allow a successful air infiltration test result. (2/2012)
  • Westwood Hinged Screen: We have redesigned the hinges so that the screen can now be removed. The new hinges are scheduled for orders being produced late February. They can be successfully retrofitted on the main frame and screen frame. (2/2012)
  • HVHZ Impact Testing: High Velocity Hurricane Zone has become synonymous with "hurricane" and "small/large impact testing." It is a more compact expression of the testing that involves shooting a wood missile at the product glazing so it is severely fractured and THEN running thousands of high wind pressure cycles to make this fracture large enough to push a golf ball through. Recently we successfully passed HVHZ testing on our Everest window. For more information, visit the Florida Building Code Online and either select Fleetwood as the Product Manufacturer or enter the FL# based on those listed below:
    • Pacific 3500 FL# 13960 - Hinged Doors
    • Kona 3800 FL# 13946 - Fixed Windows
    • Everest 850 FL# 14904 - Casement/Fixed Windows
    • Everest 850 FL# 14907 - Awning/Fixed Windows
  • "Wicket Screen" Improved: The new screen is intended to be austere in appearance. The magnets, which are located near the top and base of the screen and jamb, hold the screen firmly while at the same time allowing easy opening.
  • Greener Boxing: Fleetwood has applied new processes during the packaging stage to reduce the amount of waste at the jobsite. Specifically, the perimeter cardboard will now be isolated from the spray foam. The change will allow the cardboard to be recycled.
  • 3070-EX Flush Installation: We want to draw your attention to a new feature noted on page 6 of our brochure. The feature is a sub floor pan that allows the 3070-EX to be installed flush with the finished floor. This custom installation offers more water performance than the standard threshold.
  • New Pacific Option: Coming soon - The Pacific hinged door will be offered with a hopper insert. It will be offered for inside or outside swing configurations and is limited to six square feet. The only hardware we are offering is the spring loaded latch.
  • Adding More Hinges: Orders placed after May 31st for the Pacific 3500 series doors that exceed 72" in height will be made with four hinges.

  • Bulb Vinyl Upgrade: We often tout "the little tings" because we believe you cannot have an authentic quality product unless the details are exceptional. In keeping with our relentless pursuit to "build it better, not cheaper" we are upgrading all bulb vinyl from PVC to Santoprene.

  • Thermally Broken Hinged Door: A thermally broken hinged door, in the quality range of the Pacific 3500, should be ready by summer 2011. The Design Committee is incorporating several changes that have been suggested by dealers, builders, architects, and homeowners. For example, the same exceptional hinges and operating hardware will be used, but sightlines will be reduced; the standard sill will be shorter and the corners will be butt joined instead of miter joined. We are excited about this design and we are working diligently to present this product as soon as possible.

  • Bottom Rail/Top Rail: We are now offering the option to use the bottom rail extrusion as the top rail. This is only being offered on the 3070-EX, 3070-CR and 3050 product series.

  • Black Fin-Seal: Within four weeks, all products provided with fin-seal weather-stripping will undergo a cosmetic improvement. The translucent "fin" is now going to be black. We know this will greatly improve the look of the door/window by not drawing undo attention.
  • New Product: Pivot Door: We have started to softly promote our latest new product, which is an aluminum framed pivot door. The Phoenix 3400-P will formally be introduced in our new brochure, which should be ready in June. Contact your Region Manager or Inside Sales for cross section details and more information.
  • Bi-Folding Door Product Page: Fleetwood is now offering an aluminum bi-fold door with panel sizes as large as 39" X 120". We are preparing a brochure but during the meantime, customers can gather information from the new product page online: Terrace 3600 .
  • Series 3050 Fixed Panels: We are now offering fixed panels on the Series 3050 in all three sill options. The fixed panel will be made with rollers instead of blocks, typical bottom rail, top rail and interlocker. However, the jamb side vertical will be a lead stile extrusion instead of the typical fixed stile. A head closer will be provided to secure the top of the panel and security screws.
  • Bent Sliding Doors: Until recently, the tightest radius we could produce was 12' (=24' diameter). With custom modification to our Mammoth Roller, we are able to make systems as tight as 10' radius (=20' diameter). This is available in the Series 3050 (all three sill options) and in the Series 3070-EX (no sill pans).
  • Frost/Condensation: Aluminum has been the product of choice for extreme climates because of its strength and longevity. Over fifty years ago the window industry began using thermal break as a means of bridging the exterior half and interior half with polyurethane or other non-conductive material. Despite the addition of "thermal break", condensation and frost can occur. We interviewed an energy consultant and offer some of his suggestions below:
    1. New homes are notorious for condensation problems since they are filled with components that are still "drying out" and thus outgassing moisture into the home. It typically takes a few years to dry out.
    2. HVAC considerations are playing a major part in reducing or adding to the product propensity toward frost and condensation.
    3. Airflow around the product is helpful.
    4. Thresholds are typical places for collecting moisture in that cold air "falls" onto the lowest surface.
    5. Metal straps on the building structure, which have not been isolated, can cross over the thermal break bridge from inside the wall.
    6. Locating forced heat ducts near the window/door is helpful. Hydronic or radiant heat does not have the same affect.
    7. Humidity control devices can keep the room below the dew point.
    8. A new technology called ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) removes moisture from the dwelling and replaces it with fresh air. Approximate cost: $1,500.
    9. Other technologies exist and in all cases, a professional energy consultant should be hired BEFORE the dwelling is completed.

    We have provided a link to our website that might also assist you: Condensation

  • Finish Upgrade: Several months ago we began the process of upgrading our clear anodized stock to Class I material. This project is now complete. Not to be overlooked in this upgrade is an additional proprietary process. This new sequence helps matte the aluminum cooling lines and defects for a more homogeneous finish. This new process accentuates the natural character and beauty of aluminum, providing our customers a higher quality and more uniform finish.
  • FSB Sliding Door Pulls: We are now offering optional pulls for our sliding doors. We have chosen FSB because of the product quality and the number of contemporary styles. These pulls can be seen in the Hardware link on each product page, just like the Pacific 3500 lever choices.
  • Little Things: Consider for a moment your favorite luxury automobile. What makes that car better than the other choices? More than likely, your reasoning is not limited to one thing but rather several little things. We therefore encourage our dealers to know the little things about each product we make. Here are a few of the little things:
    • Fleetwood uses the best aluminum extruders: This assures a reliable alloy and fewer cooling lines that are especially visible in clear anodizing.
    • Fleetwood uses the best aluminum finishers: This is an area where copycat products save money but the longevity of their product is under suspicion.
    • Fleetwood owns the best history: We have earned 50-years of experience in manufacturing sliding doors. We owe much of our success to listening to our dealers as well as design and building professionals. Copycat products might boast "in business for many years" but is their experience in making the products they are promoting equal to Fleetwood?
    • Fleetwood uses the best weather-stripping: It costs more to use the best but it lasts a lifetime. Competitors will skimp here too since it saves thousands of dollars with inventory.
    • Fleetwood uses the best locking hardware: The industry continues to marvel at the exceptional Archetype Hardware.
    • Fleetwood uses the best rollers and track system: These two components are engineered to work together in ideal harmony. Fleetwood is the only manufacturer that assembles these in the USA and uses authentic Swiss precision bearings.
    • Fleetwood uses the best glass: We have partnered with the cream of the crop in the industry to assure the best-looking and performing product. This is another area the posers will pocket money that should have gone toward a better component.
  • High Performance: Most of our products are manufactured for basic weather performance, but we offer options for extreme weather performance needs. For example, the standard 3/4" sill pan height for the Norwood 3070-EX should not be used in high-rise applications. We would recommend a taller sill pan, e.g. 3", as well as HP verticals. Additionally, we would recommend that same door in a configuration that allowed sill and head closers on all tracks to minimize water and air infiltration, e.g. OXXX instead of XXXX.
  • Westwood & Newport Block Frames: For the past several years we have only stocked nail fin frames in the projected window products. With the increase in orders for block frames, we have cut new dies and are now stocking nail fin and block frames.
  • Screen Mesh Improved: Beginning on all screens shipped in November, we are making Ultra Vue screen mesh our standard mesh. We have selected this product because of its high quality and improved vision characteristics. We continue to believe that there are consumers who see value in improvements such as this and we therefore continue to make our products better, not cheaper.
  • Optional Hardware: All of our products come with a standard hardware style and this is noted in the respective brochures and product pages online. Optional hardware will be noted in the "options" section of the printed quote where as standard hardware will not.
  • Stainless Steel Roto Option: Fleetwood is now offering stainless steel roto hardware arms for the Westwood and Newport windows. This is just another example of how Fleetwood is distancing itself from the copycat products. We are stocking this hardware so lead-times will not be affected.
  • Quality Control: Most of our customers are unaware of the QC procedures that take place in our factory. Every production day is filled with periodic testing to make sure each department is producing the highest quality product possible. The tests include; frame corner fit; sill corner fit; sill corner seal integrity; glass defects & overall esthetic appearance.
  • Ease Of Rolling: Our precision sliding door rollers work MUCH better than other products on the market because we have not cut corners. When we state 'precision' bearings we mean the bearings are authentic precision bearings, not cheap knock-offs making a similar claim. The proof is in the operation. We have added a new link to each door product page for one of our technical sheets. It is titled "Mammoth Roller Tech Sheet". In this document you can read that a 300 lb panel only takes 2 pounds of pressure to move it.
  • Are You Green or Sustainable:  There is much buzz these days about being 'green' but what does that really mean? Producing a 'green' product is easy to do because most companies can claim some basic benefits such as some energy efficiency or some reduction in pollution. However, according to John D. Wagner (Green Editor-Qualified Remodeler) the construction industry is more keenly interested in products that are "sustainable" because by definition these products lower pressures on the environment through the use of source materials that are renewable. In our industry, aluminum products combine for some of the most sustainable and green building products available in the world. We invite you to read more about our features in Green & Sustainable.
  • Upgrading Casement Strikes:  We are now providing stainless steel strikes for all casement windows. In the past the standard was painted steel but we think the quality of the stainless steel is better in the long run. This is another example of Fleetwood's desire to do things 'better not cheaper'.