Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN Windows & Doors.
Nothing beats the beauty of traditional wood windows. But over the years we have turned to materials such as aluminum cladding and vinyl to avoid one of the key pitfalls – rotting wood. Unfortunately we have also discovered some of the negative effects of these materials. Aluminum cladding pits over time and vinyl can look pretty ugly at edges and seams no matter how hard you try to clean. With both, you are generally stuck with the same paint color for years and you are unable to change trim detailing as trends evolve. There are also the environmental effects. The process to produce aluminum is well documented as a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
So how can we comfortably choose a wood window? Well, simply it’s a treatment process called AuraLast Wood, a proprietary vacuum-pressure process that was developed by JELD-WEN Windows. The process is designed to distribute the protective ingredients deep into the core of the wood for virtually 100% surface-to-core protection against wood rot. The product also protects against termites and water saturation which are important factors when choosing new windows and doors.
In The Greenwich House we chose wood windows from JELD-WEN specifically because of this AuraLast Wood treatment. We know it’ll stand the test of time as JELD-WEN has met the highest performance standards from the Window & Door Manufacturing Association (WDMA) for wood rot, termite damage, and water saturation. No more need to spray toxic chemicals around your house to prevent termite infestations and your window and doors won’t stick due to swelling that occurs when moisture penetrates the wood. JELD-WEN feels strongly about its AuraLast Wood protection and offers a lifelong warranty.
JELD-WEN goes even further which is why we knew right away these windows and doors would be right at home on our project. They have a commitment to creating products that are environmentally friendly as well with 96% fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released during the manufacturing process than conventional methods. They are also committed to creating durable, long-lasting products which translates to mean less waste, fewer replacements, and more efficient use of our natural resources.
This environmental stewardship element is important and shows through JELD-WEN’s board level membership in the Green Building Initiative (GBI) and also as a voting member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
So if you thought you couldn’t have long-lasting wood windows in your home, think again. Here is a line of windows and doors you can feel confident installing in your home.
