Rethink Wood
New Wood: Composite decking technology (above) has been applied to wood window frames (below) to garner the same performance and environmental benefits.
Credit: Courtesy Timbertech
Make no mistake: composite decking materials—which combine recycled or waste-wood fibers and reclaimed plastics to form planks and other components—are the Cadillacs of low-maintenance exterior wood products.
Installed over a properly engineered structural frame, the planks don’t absorb moisture, fade only slightly (depending on the original hue), and maintain their dimensional integrity and stability without water-seal treatments or other care requirements.
Credit: Courtesy Andersen Corp.
A lesser-known but perhaps even more effective use of the same technology has been applied to window and door frames since the mid-1990s—though most builders wouldn’t know it because it is most often concealed in vinyl or aluminum cladding.
With such a long track record and integration into manufacturing processes, a window or door with an engineered-wood frame is not likely to carry a significant cost premium compared to other wood-clad units, though they are slightly higher in price than all-vinyl alternatives. And yet, they out-perform other window frame materials in almost every way.
In addition to being a natural insulator, the denser wood-based material better resists the effects of changing climate conditions. A composite frame won’t shrink or swell depending on the season, significantly reducing the potential for air leaks through its connection to the wall studs and header, a thermal and indoor air quality benefit, while preserving smooth sash operation (and higher homeowner satisfaction).
Add to that the fact that composite wood frames are made from pre- and post-consumer recycled material and can be recycled themselves, and you have a solid environmental story to sell, as well.