Therma-Tru Doors extends Canadian market presence with innovative fibreglass doors that can withstand extreme climate conditions Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature A presence in the U.S. for 50 years, Therma-Tru® Doors changed the market 30 years ago with the devel- opment of the first fibreglass entry door. Now, the man- ufacturer has expanded to serve Canada with unique styles and accessories. “We started in 1962 as Lakeshore Industries as a manufacturer of paneling, evolved into steel doors and then in 1983 launched the first line of fibreglass doors known as Fiber-Classic ® ,” said product management di- rector Derek Fielding. The company patented technology to manufacture smooth finish fibreglass doors in 1999. “We offer select door styles with a smooth finish that are pre-finished white so they can stand alone, but we know people want to paint them and make them part of their exterior décor and our technology allows this to be done easily,” he says. Noting that Therma-Tru’s fibreglass doors perform as well as steel, are Energy Star rated and are designed and engineered to prevent thermal bowing, the move to serv- ing the Canadian market, with its extreme weather con- ditions, was a given. While some door manufacturers only warrant the door, Therma-Tru is unique in offering a limited lifetime warranty for the full system, including the fibreglass slab, glass, hinges and hardware. “With our doors you get a true lifetime warranty on the whole door system, not just parts,” says Fielding. Fielding says a variety of design and styles, developed through research and consultation with consumer and 56 – Spring 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report focus groups ensures Therma-Tru is meeting market de- mands. “Our goal is to convert people from wood and steel to fibreglass so we want to be sure we have the variety and the options homeowners and designers are looking for.” The company produces a complete line of standard, premium, and fire, STC (sound transmission class) and impact-rated products. The company’s premium line in- cludes five unique Classic-Craft® collections with what it says are authentic details, realistic wood grains and crisp embossments that are deeper than standard fibre- glass doors. “These door collections also feature solid hardwood square edges for a more authentic look and they are heavier so the door feels and swings like wood,” says Fielding. The doors are rated as a ‘Consumers Di- gest Best Buy,’ he said. An extensive decorative glass collection allows home owners to further customize their look and a sidelite fea- ture (vented sidelites, set on hinges to open for air or ad- ditional light access) make systems even more personal. “We launch something new every year,” says Fielding. “Some options, like our flush-glazed glass built directly into our doors, rather than inset as a separate piece, offer a premium aesthetic and become more than just trending styles.” Therma-Tru uses a program called Picture PerfectTM 2.0 Virtual Designer to allow design and builder clients to work with homeowners, selecting from the many product offerings, to choose the option that best suits them. For more information, visit www.thermatru.ca.