From structural loading and thermal performance to fire ratings and hardware—a practical guide for architects, engineers, and specifiers navigating garage door selection.
All in Exteriors & Interiors
Get Ready for Summer with Pool and Patio Design Files
Summer build season is here, and outdoor living is at the top of every client's list. This season, the dominant shift is toward full integration — fewer "pool dropped in the yard" layouts and more engineered transitions between the pool, patio, and surrounding living areas, where the entire backyard functions as one cohesive architectural environment.
The Art of Sitting Down: Top Seating Products You Need to See
The best outdoor spaces don’t happen by accident. Research in urban design and public life has consistently shown that seating plays a critical role in how people experience a landscape—shaping where they gather, how long they stay, and whether a space feels welcoming or overlooked.
Designing a Luxurious Pool House: Top Tips for Architects
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key considerations to keep in mind when designing your pool house. Plus, we’ll share 4 tips to help you create a space that beautifully balances both function and style and makes any backyard a true oasis.
Trending Landscape Products for Your Next Project
Explore trending landscape products shaping today’s outdoor environments, from durable site furnishings and lightweight resin planters to advanced irrigation systems and rooftop decking solutions. Discover how leading manufacturers like Maglin, DIG Corporation, TerraCast Products, and Archatrak are helping architects and designers create high-performance, visually cohesive spaces.
How 3D Product Viewers Are Changing the Way Architects Specify FF&E Products
Specifying FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) has always carried a degree of uncertainty. A manufacturer's catalog provides dimensions and finish options. A static product photograph shows one angle under controlled lighting. A showroom visit is time-consuming and logistically impractical for every product on a specification list. For decades, design professionals have worked around these limitations, accepting that the gap between what a product looks like in a brochure and how it performs in context is simply part of the process.
Exterior Rendering in the Architect’s Workflow: More Than a Pretty Picture
This post looks at what that shift involves practically, where exterior visualization delivers the most value for AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) teams, and why certain project types—rooftop schemes in particular—demand a different approach to what most standard rendering briefs provide.
Make an Entrance: High-Performance Doors & Entrance Systems for Your Design
In today’s projects, entry systems are expected to carry a lot of weight, both literally and figuratively. Beyond aesthetics, specifiers have to consider performance requirements like thermal efficiency, wind load, acoustics, accessibility, and fire ratings, all while ensuring the system integrates cleanly with the surrounding façade.
Create an Eco-Friendly Haven with These Top Products
Climate-resilient design is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. Today’s design professionals are seeking innovative, sustainable products that help mitigate climate change and support long-term environmental health. These solutions not only lower carbon footprints but also enhance durability and efficiency across a wide range of project types.
Innovative Products Revolutionizing Public Traffic Control and Urban Landscape Design
As cities and urban spaces evolve, design approaches are increasingly centered on managing traffic more effectively, improving pedestrian safety, and creating environments that support safe, efficient movement.
Why Solar-Powered Lighting Is Becoming the Go-To Choice for Design & Construction Pros
Solar-powered lighting has long been considered a technology of the future—but today, it’s already illuminating streets, parks, gardens, and public spaces around the world. As demand grows for sustainable, cost-effective, and grid-independent lighting solutions, solar lighting is quickly becoming a top choice for many communities.
Autumn Upgrades: Best Products for Your Fall Projects
This month’s article highlights a selection of products designed to inspire fall renovation projects, offering both performance and design-driven solutions. Energy-efficient windows help boost comfort indoors, while advanced moisture control systems safeguard structures against seasonal changes. Outdoors, fire pits create a welcoming focal point for gathering, and infrared heating extends the usability of patios and communal spaces well into cooler months. Together, these upgrades not only prepare projects for the demands of autumn but also open opportunities to design resilient, inviting environments that clients can enjoy year-round.
Have It Made in the Shade With These Pergola & Canopy Designs
As temperatures rise, pergolas and canopies are stepping up as both architectural design features and practical additions to living spaces. They not only enhance style and comfort indoors and out, but also provide essential sun protection, fostering healthier environments for relaxation and gathering.
Bulk Up Your Designs with These Outdoor Fitness Products
As outdoor spaces evolve into dynamic environments for health and wellness, designers and builders are increasingly looking to incorporate elements that inspire movement and community engagement. Outdoor fitness products offer an ideal solution—combining durable materials, innovative design, and universal accessibility to meet the needs of diverse communities.
From Classic to Contemporary: Door and Window Products to Spark Your Inspiration
When it comes to architectural design, the right doors and windows can transform a space—enhancing aesthetics, improving functionality, and optimizing energy efficiency. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or builder, having access to high-quality CAD and BIM models of door and window products is essential for bringing your projects to life with precision.
Why ADA Compliance Is Essential for Inclusive Bathroom Design
As a design professional, one of your superpowers is creating spaces that are functional, accessible, and welcoming to everyone—including those with disabilities. When it comes to designing bathrooms in US-based public and commercial buildings, making sure your designs meet the standards of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is key.
Your Quick Guide to Folding Doors
When it comes to designing spaces that are both functional and stylish, folding doors have emerged as a top choice for design professionals. Offering flexibility, aesthetic appeal, and space-saving benefits, folding doors are an ideal solution for a wide range of projects.
The Renaissance of Wooden Doors in Modern Interior Design
The return to wood doors in contemporary interior design marks a significant shift from the minimalist metal and glass trends of the past decade. Wood, with its timeless appeal and versatility, has reemerged as a key element in interior design, offering a more organic, inviting alternative to the cool, industrial materials of the past. By combining warmth with sleek, clean lines and sophisticated design modern wood doors have successfully evolved to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of today’s living spaces.
Trending Products for Creating Exceptional Commercial and Residential Interiors
When it comes to shaping the spaces where we live, work, and connect, every detail matters. Architects, engineers, and the construction community rely on cutting-edge interior products to bring their visions to life. This blog explores the latest trends, innovations, and solutions in interior design, providing the tools and insights you need to elevate your next project. Whether you're specifying materials, choosing finishes, or looking for inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Let’s build something extraordinary together!
Top Siding Products for Your Upcoming Projects
Westlake Siding Products offers an extensive selection of exterior siding solutions designed to enhance the beauty and durability of residential and commercial buildings. With a focus on quality and innovation, their products are engineered to withstand the elements while providing a stylish finish. Available in various colors, textures, and materials, Westlake Siding Products ensure a custom fit for any architectural style.