Advancements in the manufacture of wood windows and doors

This course is no longer active
[ Page 4 of 7 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 next page
Advertorial course provided by Eagle Window & Door, Inc.

Application methods

Dipping is among the accepted methods for applying water repellent preservative formulations under WDMA I.S. 4. Treatment normally consists of a 30 second submersion of the material in a tank, followed by 12 hours of drying under elevated temperatures. One window and door manufacturer requires its treated LVL and irregular shaped wood products to set for an additional 60 hours before they're sent on to the assembly line. The same manufacturer also uses a new automated dip system that submerges, treats and dries its solid wood products under 14 feet in length, in as little as 15 minutes.

Factory-applied finishes are of extremely high quality and consistency. Every exposed edge of the wood is stained and sealed prior to the window being assembled.

Other methods approved by WDMA for applying preservative formulations are spraying, flooding and vacuuming.

Under WDMA I.S.-4, "Individual manufacturers must show evidence that the substrate, treatment process, and treatment formulation demonstrate long-term performance against product decay and other moisture- related problems. The convincing evidence shall be demonstrated through completion and presentation of third-party test results to the WDMA Treatments and Coatings Technical Review Sub-committee..."

Conformance is determined by in-plant inspection of the treating facilities and by the testing of water-repellent preservative formulations. Frequent unannounced inspections and periodic laboratory tests are also conducted throughout the year to insure continued compliance with the program's requirements.

Manufacturers meeting this standard qualify for the WDMA Water-Repellent Preservative Non-Pressure Treatment for Millwork Hallmark. Architects, builders, distributors, and other consumers who desire assurance of standard water-repellent preservative treatment may include a requirement that exterior window and door millwork be treated in accordance with WDMA I.S.-4 and that it be certified or labeled with the Hallmark.

The finished product

When aesthetic beauty is required, solid wood edge strips or decorative veneers may be bonded to certain surfaces of the LVL. This results in a component that has the look and feel of high-quality, solid wood but exhibits the dimensional and strength attributes of LVL.

Additionally, the manufacturer may apply a stain or paint to coat the wood product as another protective measure.

Since aesthetics are primarily controlled by species, window and door manufacturers offer a variety of soft and hard wood options to choose from for interiors including cherry, fir, walnut, oak, mahogany, maple, alder and pine.

 

[ Page 4 of 7 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 next page
Originally published in Architectural Record.
Originally published in June 2006

Notice

Academies