The ‘green' scene

The use of water-based coatings in wood primers, topcoats and polyurethane coatings is only one of the environmental considerations involving today's window and door industry. According to WDMA, "Wood is the most environmentally friendly of the major materials used in today's building industry."

Wood windows and doors manufactured of LVL and finger-jointed lumber is a highly efficient utilization of a natural resource. These products consist of recycled content materials, thereby reducing the impacts resulting from extraction and process of virgin materials.

Many window and door manufacturers have initiated extensive internal recycling programs for waste products including paints and solvents, sawdust, scrap aluminum and office paper.

The use of low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and composite wood products are all recognized in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, along with recycled content.

Efforts are also underway by one LVL manufacturer to achieve certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Policy on Percentage-Based Claims, which permits manufactured products containing less than 100 percent certified wood material to be certified. The Policy states: "So long as 70 percent of the overall total of virgin raw materials used in its manufacture are FSC-endorsed, the final product may use FSC trademarks on products."

All of these initiatives represent a commitment by the window and door industry to safeguard the environment by being good stewards of the nation's limited natural resources. By using engineered wood products made with timber harvested from managed forests, prefinished at the factory where waste is minimized, window and door manufacturers are able to deliver environmentally responsible products with enhanced performance characteristics.

The following material may be accessed with Adobe Reader.

• Softwoods of North America[PDF]
• Glossary[PDF]

SUPPLEMENTAL READING

For more reading on windows and doors, please go to the Window & Door Manufacturers Association Web site at www.wdma.com. From their Information drop down menu, go to WDMA Magazine Articles. Under Doors & Hardware magazine click on the article July 20, 2002 "Doors for the Real World." Under Window and Door magazine, click on the article Sept. 20, 2001 "Composite Materials Pique Window and Door Manufacturer Interest." Additional supplemental reading is available at the following Web sites:

• http://www.am-wood.com/wood/woodlist.html
• http://www.hardwoodcouncil.com/cat_index.asp?ID=10
• http://www.wdma.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3674
• http://www.wdma.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3685
  

ABOUT EAGLE WINDOW & DOOR, INC. Eagle Window & Door, Inc., manufactures a complete line of high quality aluminum-clad wood windows and doors. Eagle focuses exclusively on high-end residential (new and remodel) and commercial construction. Eagle distributes their premium product line almost exclusively through one-step window and door specialty entities operated by window professionals. Eagle has been making premium windows and doors for 30 years. Recent innovations include the Eagle Axiomâ„¢ Casement window and Eagle Ascentâ„¢ hinged French and sliding doors. Eagle offers six Class 1 anodized finishes, along with 50 standard exterior clad colors. Their 390,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution plant is located in Dubuque, IA. For more information on Eagle Window & Door, Inc., visit their Web site atwww.EagleWindow.com. Eagle Window & Door, Inc. An Andersen Window and Door Company 2045 Kerper Blvd. Dubuque, Iowa 52004-1072 800-324-5354 www.EagleWindow.com