DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
CSI Numbers
Division 8 – Doors & Windows
DEFINITION:
Composite materials use stable, durable materials, some of which are byproducts. Fingerjointed windows use small pieces of wood reducing the impact on large clear grained wood sources. Recycled windows can mean reuse of salvaged windows or windows of recycled content.
Recycled/reconstituted doors are typically molded hardboard materials. Domestic hardwood veneers use a stable resource and assist our national economy. Some hardwood veneers such as luaun are from tropical mahogany trees. Domestic hardwood panel doors use wood types which are a stable resource in our economy. The panel style reduces the need for potentially harmful adhesives. Recycled doors are reused doors salvaged from earlier projects.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Windows and doors are currently highly engineered in order to optimize energy performances. Windows and doors have significant roles in the energy profile of a home. Frame material issues, although important as part of an overall environmentally responsible approach, play only a small role due to their small size/area. Performance of these products is important in durability and maintenance, as well as energy.
Modern composite products are easy to care for, and their thermal performance is superior to wood. One door manufacturer has introduced recycled-content jambs using recycled plastic and cedar byproducts. Molded hardboard doors have become the preferred interior door and are a good use of lumber mill waste shavings.
The reuse of existing materials is the most resourceful building material option. Make certain that quality and durability are not compromised.
Make certain seals and gaskets are in good condition when selecting recycled windows.
Any windows using fingerjointed materials will need to be painted for aesthetic reasons. It is best to have the windows factory primed where the painting is done in controlled conditions.
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Implementation Issues |
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| T E C H N O L O G Y |
S U P P L I E R S |
C O S T |
F I N A N C I N G |
A C C E P T A N C E |
R E G U L A T O R Y |
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| Composite |  |
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| Fingerjointed | |
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| Recycled | |
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| Recycled/ Reconstituted |
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| Domestic Hardwood Veneer | |
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| Domestic Hardwood Panel | |
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Satisfactory |
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Satisfactory in most conditions |
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Satisfactory in Limited Conditions |
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Unsatisfactory or Difficult |
COMMERCIAL STATUS
TECHNOLOGY:
More composite window products can be expected soon. Important strides have been made in UV resistance. Other door and window products listed here use mature technologies.
SUPPLIERS:
Suppliers of recycled windows and doors can not guarantee that they have appropriate products for a specific project.
The range of composite window products is limited locally.
Hardwood veneer doors are less common than recycled/reconstituted-content doors and hardwood panel doors may have to be ordered.
COST:
Panel doors are costly. Recycled windows and doors may entail considerable labor expense to prepare for use.
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
FINANCING:
Recycled materials (reused) may be questioned unless they are shown to be of high quality.
PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:
Awareness of composite products is not high. Once convinced of maintenance-free qualities and durability, buyers should find them attractive. Recycled (reused) materials must be high quality and/or of architectural significance to gain acceptance.
REGULATORY:
Windows must be tested and certified and have air infiltration qualities of less than 0.50 CFM per lineal foot of crack. New window suppliers will offer certified test data to satisfy these requirements. This information can not be provided for reused windows, thereby limiting the applicability of reused windows.
GUIDELINES
Standard practices pertain to installing the listed window and door options.
>1.0 Windows
Windows are distinguished in two areas – glazing system and window style.
1.1 Glazing System
Single pane, double glazed, triple glazed, low-E, gas filled, etc. determine the R-value and light transmission characteristics of the window.
Glazing systems can be selected according to their placement and orientation of the house. For example, a west facing window that would experience heat gain in the summer could use a heat-rejecting glazing such as “southern” Low-E. The embodied energy in this glazing could be paid back quickly in cooling cost savings.
To decide whether a high R-value window is worth the added expense, conduct and compare heat and cooling load calculations of the building for the windows under consideration. The Energy Star Program can provide this analysis to enrolled building professionals of the Green Builder/Energy Star Programs.
1.2 Window style
Refers to double hung, casement, awning, etc. indicating the operating characteristics of the window.
Some window styles are more energy-efficient than others. For example, a casement window will close more tightly than a double hung or slider window. Check manufacturers data for infiltration ratings as well as R-value.
2.0 Doors
Interior doors should have adequate undercut to maintain balance in the HVAC system. Be sure the airspace from the undercut is still sufficient after carpeting has been laid since the carpenter will have hung the doors earlier and may not know the thickness of the pad and carpet.
Exterior doors with magnetic seals will offer superior air infiltration benefits.
