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Second time around for these windows
Lloyd Alter
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Wood Window Basics
Why we like it
Wood is a renewable resource, sequesters carbon for the life of its use, looks good and lasts a long time if properly maintained; Some windows in historic houses are hundreds of years old. It has good insulating value.
I took the windows in the picture out of a 100 year old house I was renovating (I didn't know any better at the time) and stored them for ten years until I built my cottage, where they have worked perfectly for another ten years.
What we worry about
It isn't all sustainably harvested, and some are made of woods that come from rainforests where lumbering is causing deforestation. It requires more maintenance than other materials, although are available in vinyl or aluminum cladding to make them maintenance free.
Eco-factor of Wood Windows
If made from sustainably harvested timber, it is probably the greenest window you can get. See our information on FSC wood:
- Buying FSC Lumber is a Responsible Choice : Planet Green
- A Picture Is Worth: FSC vs SFI Forests : TreeHugger
More on Green Windows
7 Great Ways to Insulate Your Windows
Planet Green Archives: Windows
Why Old Windows are Green Windows
Green Your Home, Get a Tax Break
How to Reclaim a Window
Low Tech Tips: Get Working Shutters
Low-Tech Tips: Tune Your Windows
