VT Industries Examines Certified Wood Doors

HOLSTEIN, IA — VT Industries examines the growing demand for architectural wood doors manufactured from certified lumber in a new special report. “Going ‘Green’ With Architectural Certified Wood Doors,” an eight-page white paper, examines the technology and procedures required to deliver architectural wood doors that meet Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guidelines. The report features information on various woods and building certification programs including the FSC, wood door products and specification guidelines.

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Goodwin Provides CD-ROM Seminar on Reclaimed Wood Flooring

MICANOPY, FL — Goodwin Heart Pine Co., a manufacturer of original-growth heart pine and heart cypress flooring, has compiled a CD-ROM seminar for designers, architects and builders about the rapidly growing field of reclaimed antique wood flooring. The course takes about two hours and is available in PC and Mac formats.

Upon completion, two continuing education credits can be earned from most major professional organizations by completing a form online or faxing it to Goodwin. The viewer will learn about antique woods, specifically heart pine and heart cypress, as well as how to: evaluate variations in grades and know what to anticipate when specifying antique woods; compare characteristics of antique woods with more available standing timbers; analyze manufacturing variations to insure that specifications simplify installation; and ensure you receive true original growth woods.

Goodwin Heart Pine Co. specializes in recovering antique heart pine and heart cypress logs from Southern rivers, which they manufacture it into flooring, stairparts and millwork.

Circle No. 75

Lyptus Hardwood is Environmentally Maintained

FEDERAL WAY, WA — Weyerhaeuser Building Materials has introduced Lyptus, a premium hardwood for furniture, flooring (shown), cabinets and architectural millwork in commercial and residential applications. Lyptus results from carefully selected natural hybrids (Eucalyptus) from sustainable forest plantations in Brazil.

Lyptus can be produced 30 times the volume of wood per acre compared to other forests, according to the company. It can also be harvested in just 14 to 16 years. The end product is currently available in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses and a variety of finishes to look like cherry, alder, mahogany, lenga or jatoba. End-matched tongue and groove flooring is available in random lengths in both 2-inch and 3-inch widths.

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Marshfield Wood DoorSystems are Certified

MARSHFIELD, WI — Marshfield DoorSystems offers Environmental Class wood door products including a non-rated and 20-minute-rated particleboard core door certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Plus, at least 70 percent of all door volumes are composed of Forest Stewardship Council-certified material.

Oak, birch, cherry, walnut, ash and maple make up most of Marshfield’s door face veneers. These woods are North American hardwoods procured from managed forest resources. Material components such as door cores and crossbands are made from North American hardwoods. Some non-visible construction components are made from Laminated Strand Lumber – a strong, durable, engineered lumber product that utilizes fast-growing, renewable hardwood species such as aspen and poplar. Marshfield stresses that their commitment to the environment carries through to the finish, with the use of water-based stains and coatings, cured under UV lighting.

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WOODSTALK Made From Renewable Resource

MIDLAND, MI — WOODSTALK Machinable Fiberboard MR is an environmentally sensible and cost-saving solution, according to Dow BioProducts Ltd. The agrifiber-based product is made from wheat straw fiber, a sustainable, annually renewable resource. It is also made with a formaldehyde-free polyurethane resin that provides exceptional strength and moisture resistance for interior applications, while addressing emissions and odor concerns associated with particleboard and MDF products that contain urea formaldehyde (UF), the company says.

Dow also says it is consistent, machinable and economical for many applications, and it is lighter than most MDF and particleboard panels. WOODSTALK Machinable Fiberboard MR can be used for applications including cabinets, furniture, millwork and moldings, and wall paneling. It is available in thicknesses ranging from 1/4 inch to 1 1/8 inches.

Circle No. 78

Hardwood Council Offers Free Building Guide

OAKMONT, PA — The Hardwood Council offers “Finishing Touch” specifying guides for building professionals. The 32-page booklet and interactive CD-ROM provide tips and tools for specifying wood products. In addition to a stain selector, physical and working properties, and a finishing guide, a “Smart Specifying Guide” is included. This illustrated primer identifies the most cost-effective ways to specify hardwood.

Circle No. 79

Trex Expands Railing Components Line

WINCHESTER, VA — TrexR decking and railing continues to expand its range of railing components with a new, thinner baluster profile, new style of Chamfered handrail, a pyramid-style post cap and post skirt (which is shown at the bottom of the Trex RailPost). Trex products are made primarily with recycled and reclaimed plastic and waste wood.

Trex decking and railing is splinter-free and durable, and it resists moisture, rot and insects. Available in five colors, it needs no stains or sealants for protection. The company says it is also a safe and environmentally responsible alternative to Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)-treated lumber. The sale of CCA, a common chemical mix used to treat exterior wood against insects, will be banned for residential use because it contains arsenic.

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Architectural Glasses From PPG Offer Solar Efficiency

PITTSBURGH — PPG Industries introduces two new architectural glasses that feature aqua-green aesthetics and notable solar control efficiencies. Caribia glass and Solarcool Caribia glass, for commercial or residential applications, provide high visible light transmittance while lowering solar heat loads and UV transmission, according to the company, therefore reducing reliance on artificial cooling systems.

In response to architects preferences (as a result of a PPG study), the company offers Caribia glass. Caribia glass provides an expanded color option as well as solar control properties. According to the company, single-pane Caribia glass meets the energy efficiency guidelines of the Federal Energy Management Program by maintaining a Light to Solar Gain ratio of 1.34. With 6-mm glass in a 1-inch insulating unit with low-E glass, Caribia’s solar heat gain coefficient is improved.

Solarcool Caribia glass adds the soft reflectivity of PPG’s Solarcool coated glass, which can be installed on exterior or interior surfaces. This creates a more reflective, stronger green hue. PPG also offers Solex, Solargreen and Azurlite glasses.

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Norandex/Reynolds Announce Energy Efficient Window System

CLEVELAND — A new window system from Norandex/Reynolds Distribution Co. provides energy efficiency and a variety of other features including sound dampening and strength, for residential applications. The WhisperGlass vinyl windows feature a SuperSpacers system that flexes with temperature variations to protect a weather-tight seal. This system also increases sound control, according to the company. In addition, the window provides UV filtering properties and shatter-resistant safety features.

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Two Window Lines from Andersen Offer Energy Efficiency

BAYPORT, MN æ Andersen windows and patio doors are an ideal choice for a broader range of building and home remodeling projects, according to the company, with the introduction of two distinct product portfolios – the Andersen 400 Series and 200 Series.

The 400 Series is Andersen’s classic product line that includes a complete range of Andersen windows and patio doors – tilt-wash double-hung windows, Perma-Shield casement windows, feature windows, and Frenchwood hinged and gliding patio doors. Each product comes standard with energy-efficient, High-Performance low-E glass (which is, on average, 41 percent more energy efficient in summer and 35 percent more energy efficient in winter than standard dual-pane glazings, according to Andersen). The company’s new 200 Series concentrates on the most popular sizes, styles and options in a more affordable offering.

In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named Andersen its 1999 Outstanding Energy Star Homes Manufacturer Ally of the Year and the U.S. Department of Energy named Andersen its 1999 Energy Star National Window Manufacturer Partner of the Year.

Circle No. 83

Vistawall Skylights, Curtain Walls Provide Daylighting Solutions

TERRELL, TX — The Vistawall Group offers a variety of products to enhance daylighting, including Vistawall Architectural Products. They provide medium stile doors and the FG 3000 Flush Glaze storefront system, as shown in Walker Elementary School in McKinney, Texas. The school is part of a pilot project to create a sustainable model that incorporates daylighting. According to Vistawall, by using daylighting techniques, the students are benefited by natural light and the schools will see a financial payback within three years that will continue throughout the life of the building.

Naturalite Skylight Systems, part of the Vistawall group, can also engineer and install Continuous Vault acrylic skylights, as displayed over a large carousel in the center of the Plymouth Meeting Mall (Plymouth, Penn.). According to Naturalite, retail sales are higher in areas that feature natural lighting versus artificial light. Plus, Vistawall’s Skywall Translucent Systems supplies curtain walls, such as the SW-400 with crystal/crystal fiberglass panels.

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SPD-Smart Dimmable Windows, Skylights Reduce Energy

WOODBURY, NY — SPD-Smart technology developed by Research Frontiers allows a user to regulate the amount of sunlight and glare entering a room without having to adjust blinds or shades, while lowering heating and cooling costs. These benefits are available for windows and sky-lights in residential homes and commercial buildings.

With SPD-Smart film, users can instantly “tint” their windows and skylights to select the amount of sunlight they want to let in – from clear to dark, or any shade in between. Controlled electrically, these smart windows are operated manually with a dimmer switch or automatically using a photocell. Power consumption is minimal, according to the company. For example, a homeowner can operate 15 large SPD-Smart windows for less electricity than it takes to operate a night-light, and benefit additionally by reducing heating and cooling costs from the windows’ energy saving properties.

Circle No. 85

Spectralight Infinity Transfers More Daylight

VISTA, CA — Solatube International has launched a new reflective tubing material in daylighting design innovation, Spectralight Infinity. Spectralight Infinity can transfer up to 500 percent more daylight than other materials currently used in the industry, according to the company. With this product, the light and color loss is not significant as the sun’s rays are transferred through the tubing. The result is the brightest, cleanest and whitest natural light possible.

The distinction offered by Spectralight Infinity is particularly significant in low-angle light conditions, such as during the early morning, late afternoon and in the winter months when the sun is low on the horizon. Additionally, the material directs as much light as possible all the way down the tubing, allowing for optimum performance, even on longer tube runs (up to 30 or 40 feet).

Spectralight Infinity is now standard on extension tubes for all Solatubes, including the 10-, 14- and 21-inch skylights.

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