August 2014
Commitment
Partnership
Featured Customer: A big thank you to Johnson Hughes from the entire ABSI team! ABSi is proud to say we’ve been doing business together for over 20 years. Based out of Malibu California, since 1976, Johnson Hughes Inc. has specialized in high integrity design and high quality construction utilizing exotic and stylish materials that range from teak to slate, copper to concrete, and steel to stucco for some of the most elite real estate in Southern California.
The Mann Residence is just another example of their industry leading design capabilities, attention to detail, and high quality construction practices. Johnson Hughes, Inc.’s role as a General Contractor is to select and organize all persons and/or organizations necessary to build and complete a specific construction project. This involves coordinating dozens of independent contractors and suppliers like Associated Building Supply Inc. toward a common goal, and demanding quality in their workmanship and materials. In doing so, they provide a buffer between the Owner and the mechanics of the project allowing the Owner to address any project concerns directly with them.
Johnson Hughes, Inc. has elected to specialize in residential construction because it is more personal and service oriented than commercial work. They enjoy the direct interaction with the people who will ultimately live in the home they are building. They know how hard it is for most homeowners to visualize their house from a set of plans and specifications. They do their best to help the Owner understand what he is buying before quoting him a firm price, often with the assistance of an architect and/or interior designer. While under construction, they encourage the Owner to walk through the project as it develops to make sure that he/she is comfortable with their previous decisions. If a change is desirable, Johnson Hughes, Inc. is flexible and fair, fully documenting the change and fee before work begins.
Their elite team of professionals considers no task to be too outrageous or humble, making it a point to turn each client’s vision into a reality. Jon Hughes, Vice President of Johnson Hughes says; “When I have projects like this it’s really important to have people on my side who understand the way things work and I can honestly say that about Associated Building Supply President Chris Cole and the guys at ABSi. I’ve been working with them for 20 years and we’ve all become great friends. I always bring Chris into a project because he really knows what he’s doing and he’s always really great with customers.” Hughes adds; “If I’m looking to have a window & door project handled in the most efficient and practical way, the guys over at Associated Building Supply are the first I call.” To learn more about Johnson Hughes, click on this link.
Featured Project: The Johnson Hughes built Featured Project is The Mann Residence which made the front cover of July’s edition of Window & Door magazine. The inspiration for the aluminum window & door package was derived from the look of steel windows so the design required clean, consistent lines and very narrow profiles. The architect and owners also wanted the profile of the stationary panels to match the profile of the sliding door panels.
The look and the requirement to withstand a high wind load on an ocean facing property created some challenges. “We had to create a system that was strong enough to withstand the wind load requirements while maintaining a very narrow profile and create operable panels and stationary panels that look the same”, says Rich Mathieu. The design solutions were produced synergistically by Associated Building Supply Inc. (ABSi) Sales Consultant Rich Mathieu and Western Window Systems (WWS) Todd Hayhurst with input from the homeowner.
“Together, we created 3 brand new extrusions that allowed us to achieve the look and meet the wind load. The new parts included a new threshold and a reinforced narrow door stile”, ads Mathieu. It was the technical expertise off the ABSi - WWS relationship and a willingness to listen to our customer’s needs that turned a dream into reality. Associated Building Supply is Western Window Systems largest volume specialty dealer in the Nation.
Innovation
Featured Vendor: Since opening in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1959, Western Window Systems has been dedicated to designing and manufacturing custom door and window systems that change the way people live in their homes. And thanks to record sales, a hiring boom, and accolades from the industry, this year is proving to be one of the best for the fifty-five-year-old company.
With a focus on indoor/outdoor living, Western’s product line of Multi-Slide, Bi-Fold, Sliding Glass, Pocket and Pivot Doors, Windows, and Window Walls is available in a wide selection of styles for residential, prefab, retail, commercial, and educational projects. Specialized sizes, standardized sets, and massive dimensions exceeding twelve feet in height allow customers to transform space in whatever ways they wish.
Core values of excellence, innovation, and partnership make up the foundation for everything Western Window Systems does. From superior craftsmanship to new product and process ideas to exceptional customer service, they’re what make Western a preferred choice of architects, builders, dealers, and homeowners throughout North America. “Like ABSi, we try to go above and beyond what other companies would do,” says Western Window Systems vice president and general manager Scott Gates. “That’s what makes them such a great partner – we think alike.”
Western Window Systems has received several awards from the building and remodeling industry, including Best Metal Window Brand from Builder and Developer magazine; Product of the Year from USGlass magazine; and Best in Customer Satisfaction from Houzz.com. To learn more about Western Window Systems, visit their website. We continue to have tremendous success with Western Window Systems total package which includes product innovation and quality, customer service, and vendor partnership. “I couldn’t ask for a stronger vendor partnership than what we have with WWS”, says ABSi VP Scott Thurber.
Featured Product: You must check out Western Window Systems Multi Slide Door systems. Their fantastic! You can see them at most ABSi Showrooms. Western’s 600 Series Multi-Slide Doors are the epitome of design and functionality. While in the closed position, their multi-slide systems are aesthetically pleasing with their narrow sight lines and enormous expanses of glass. Customers love the bold vertical lines and massive panel size options. No stacking door system is better for capturing a custom view. However, we know the real reason you will love our Multi-Slide products…they disappear. Every panel can slide and stack to the side or completely vanish into a pocket, opening up entire rooms to the gorgeous weather while you entertain. Go ahead, impress your friends and let Western’s moving walls of glass open your world. View a video
For harsher environments they offer “Thermal Break” on both the frame and panels. Thermal break lowers u-factors, limits condensation, increases energy performance, and most of all reduces thermal conductivity. High humidity and extreme hot or cold temperatures are not an issue when choosing a Western Multiple Sliding Bi-Fold Door or Window. Smooth, quiet, and long lasting operation is assured by Western’s heavy duty steel ball bearing tandem roller assemblies which are capable of handling more than twice the weight of the largest panel available.
The stainless steel sliding door multi-point lock is a fully mortised hook lock that engages at multiple points in the lock jamb or panel. These hook locks provide additional strength, security, and protection. Western’s custom designed “Flush Handle” is hugely popular with architects and homeowners for its sleek design and user comfort. Customers can also choose to use the Sliding Glass Door “Premium Handle”, which has an elegant look and a C-shaped handle that feels great in your hand and allows for a strong grip. A stainless steel hardware package is optional, and strongly recommended for coastal applications.
FEATURE BREAK DOWN:
•Unlimited configurations and widths. Multi-Slide Stacking Doors can be built as wide as your project needs. Dream big.
•Rolling panels can be stored in pockets or stacked at one or both ends of the opening.
•Panels can bi-part at 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or any angle in between.
•Panels are available up to a 12’ height, and width and heights can be mixed and matched to create a massive 60 square foot panel.
•Multi Slide Doors or windows that are stored in pockets are designed to be totally flush with adjacent wall finishes, providing an unobstructed view of your patio, pool, or landscape.
•Door panels open with ease with the option of Western’s 3” heavy duty steel ball bearing “Monster Roller”.
•The modular frame design of our stacking system allows you to configure any number of rolling or fixed glass panels to meet your design.
•True to design intent, everything from handle hardware to track details are clean, minimal, and deliberately disappear.
•Head and threshold assemblies of pocket doors are prepared to precisely locate field applied interior and exterior post interlock members to ensure a full interlock and clean installation.
•Western’s Medium Stile has a 2.5” interlock that provides additional rigidity and strength while maintaining a clean, modern look and minimal sightline.
•Multi-slide Doors and Windows can be prepped for motorization to allow customers to close and open the doors with the touch of a button.