Windows

If you are planning any serious remodeling, such as adding a room addition to your house, there are several environmental factors to consider. Two basic ways of analyzing the environmental impact of construction materials: 1) are they healthy for the planet? and 2) are they healthy for people? Of course, these two issues aren't mutually exclusive. For example, if the planet's health is damaged, then people will suffer the consequences. On the other hand, planetary health loses its immediate importance to someone who is made ill because they chose the wrong building products.

When selecting construction or remodeling materials it would be nice if we had products to chose from that were benign from both a planetary and a human health standpoint. However, in our complex industrialized society, our choices are rarely simple, so we must usually make compromises. This article will discuss the various ways in which windows affect our environment.

For hypersensitive individuals, windows are not usually a major consideration. At least they do not have the same degree of negative impact on indoor air quality as significant polluters like particle board. However, there are several factors to consider. For example, a window frame can outgas a variety of pollutants into the air, depending on what kind of material it is made of. Also, rubber and plastic seals can bother some people, but they usually aren't as bad as the more odorous glazing putty. Finally, if a window requires periodic painting, the occupants will be exposed to various volatile gases until the paint fully cures.

From the standpoint of planetary health, a window should be made of materials that are renewable, materials that do not result in environmental pollution during their manufacture, or materials that to not consume a great deal of energy to produce.

Energy efficient windows are important because, by helping to lower heating and air conditioning bills, they reduce our overall dependence on energy. Also, an airtight window will result in less infiltration , therefore when it is shut outdoor pollution can be more easily kept out of the living space. While it is certainly possible to find cheaply made loose fitting windows, most of the windows being made today are far tighter than the ones our grandparents had to put up with. (An important point to keep in mind is the fact that the tighter the house, the more important a mechanical ventilation system becomes. I feel that all modern houses are tight enough to require such systems.)

Vinyl window frames are quite popular today, but they also have a fairly negative impact on the environment. Most plastic materials are made from petroleum or natural gas, both non-renewable resources. We recently fought a war in the Mid-East over, among other things, petroleum. That war resulted in tremendous environmental damage, not to mention loss of human life. All around the world, oil spills have...