[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: GBlist: environmental windows



John: Sorry, we avoid the use of aluminum at ALL POSSIBLE cost due to its
caustic effect on the environment during manufacturing.Instead we use Willguard
prepainted finish that gives a 10-12 year waranty against maintenance. We
have investigated the specific fungicides used to preserve the wood,
amounts used, outgassing characteristics and their effect on
health and have determined this is NOT to be a serious issue. If we were
to wait for the perfect world, no project would be built or nothing would
get done. This applies to every concept, feature, idea, product,
specification and person.
___________________________________________________________________________
On Mon, 22 Sep 1997, John Salmen wrote:

> 
> Willmar makes a wood (hemlock) window with an aluminum exterior
> cladding. I'm not sure about their choice of base material as it would
> be primarily old growth from west coast forest and does not perform well
> with excessive moisture and does not have the same insulative cell
> structure as pine which most other manuf. use - however like other
> manuf. of alum. clad windows their wood stock is soaked in both a
> fungicide and insecticide (essentially dursban). Unlike other manuf.
> they are willing to eliminate this treatment on an order - however they
> will void warranties. The question remains as to the function of the
> treatment and what happens to the wood under the aluminum that
> necessitates such treatment. In other words a fungicide/pesticide
> treatment will maintain the existence of the wood under aluminum for the
> period of the warranty. In other words the wood rots under the aluminum.
> I think it is a poor design concept the life of which is marginally
> extended through the use of chemicals - not a bad analogy for
> contemporary medicine (couldn't resist). 
> I'm not sure about the use of wood windows for a
> commercial/instituational purpose primarily because of the maintenance
> issues involved and the fact that there is so little control over the
> usage maintenance materials (finishes, cleaners, etc.) A commercial
> steel window with an appropriate finish might be the least
> environmentally destructive and most healthy finish for patients to live
> with in the long term.
> 
> John Salmen
> TERRAIN E.D.S.
> 
> Jorg D. Ostrowski wrote:
> > 
> > Robyn: In our applied research on environmental windows we chose wood
> > windows.
> > >From an indoor air quality perspective, we investigated the numerous
> > treatments
> > that such a window undergoes. Using our criteria,one of the most
> > progressive
> > manufacturer is Willmar Windows out of Winnipeg Manitoba in Canada.If
> > interested,
> > please let me know and I can get you contact information.
> > _________________________________________________________
> > Jorg Ostrowski,  M. Arch. A.S. (MIT), B. Arch. (Toronto), Ecotect
> > -  in full-time professional practice since 1976 (Straw Bale since
> > 1978),
> >    environmental/architectural design, ecological planning,
> > consulting
> >    on sustainable  buildings/communities. Lectures, seminars,
> > workshops.
> >    3 demonstration projects in Canada, +80,000 visitors
> >  - living a conserver lifestyle & working in a sustainable home and
> > office
> > ACE, ARE, ACT, ASH-Incs., Phone: (403) 239-1882, Fax: (403) 547-2671
> > Web Site [under construction]:
> > http://www.ucalgary.ca/~jdo/ecotecture.htm
> > e-mail: <jdo@acs.ucalgary.ca>
> > ______________________________________________________
> > On Mon, 22 Sep 1997
> > healthyp@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> > >
> > > I just received a phone call from a hospital asking if I knew of any
> > companies
> > > that made environmentally safe window treatments. I would really
> > appreciate
> > > any information, so that the hospital can finish remodeling in an
> > > environmentally safe manner. Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > --Robyn Heller
> > > EcoSmart Healthy Properties, LLC
> > >
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > > This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
> > > Environmental Building News <www.ebuild.com> and Oikos
> > <www.oikos.com>
> > > For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > >
> > 
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
> > Environmental Building News <www.ebuild.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
> > For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
> Environmental Building News <www.ebuild.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
> For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
> ______________________________________________________________________
> 

______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
Environmental Building News <www.ebuild.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
______________________________________________________________________


Follow-Ups: References: