The “patchy” availability of windows and doors — key elements used to build residential and commercial high-rises as well as single-family homes — is contributing to local construction backlogs, an expert says.
The wood shortage has already been identified as an impact of the severe global supply chain problem created in large part by COVID-19.
But while the effect of wood was felt fairly evenly across the construction industry, shortages of supplies like windows and doors, also related to supply chain issues and increased consumer demand, are being experienced. differently in different segments of the construction industry, experts say.
Bruno Giancola, vice president of project management for the Tridel group of companies, a major Toronto-based developer, says the company has seen delays in sourcing windows.
“Large commercial glazers (window suppliers) in Canada source some materials, not all of them, but some from China. It seems that they are experiencing some manufacturing and transportation problems,” explains Giancola.
“You are missing a widget that is used in the assembly or fabrication of a commercial window and it can stop you in your tracks,” says Giancola, adding that these delays are happening more on the commercial construction side than residential developments.
Giancola went on to say that the situation has had some effect on the scheduling of work at the Well, a massive mixed-use project near Spadina Avenue and Front Street West that Tridel is involved with with other major developers.
“We’re seeing a little bit of that (delay) in the commercial section of The Well,” says Giancola.
“But we are working with our vendors to schedule things to minimize scheduling delays.”
Delays are a problem in the industry, but the problem is irregular and not common across the board, he adds.
“In some cases where you have buildings that have typical floors, some of the window manufacturers have prefabricated a lot of those things. If you work with them properly and organize yourself properly, things seem to be going well,” adds Giancola.
In the US, after appliances and lumber, the next hardest-to-find building elements are doors and windows, according to a study last May by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). .
According to the survey, 57 percent of builders noted a “serious shortage” of appliances. A total of 47 reported a severe shortage of framing lumber, while 54 percent noted a severe shortage of oriented strand board and 48 percent said there was a severe shortage of plywood.
Some 38 percent said there was a serious shortage of windows and doors, while 49 percent noted some shortage of those items.
Back in Canada, Milad Tousi, owner of Graystone, a luxury custom home builder in the GTA, said there is a shortage of windows and doors, but he feels it’s “not serious” for his company and is resulting in only one or two. -One week delay beyond normal waiting times.
Valérie Gonzalo, a spokeswoman for Lowes Canada, says that while the company sees no stock shortage of standard doors and windows, special-order doors and windows, for which lead times are longer, are experiencing delays.
“Suppliers have longer delivery delays due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of employees, increased demand for renovation and new construction products, and challenges in sourcing the various components/parts from their suppliers,” says Gonzalo.
Reference-www.thestar.com