Architectural doors deliver GREEN.

THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF TODAY'S demanding customers are driving architectural door manufacturers down the road of innovation. The architectural door is the pinnacle of wood door manufacturing, and as part of a building's permanent furniture, durability and beauty cannot be over-stated. Performance

The number one initiative for many companies continues to be "GREEN" driven. The market wants products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, and that meet stringent new standards and regulations. Manufacturers are flooded with questions on compliance issues and point systems. "There is a lot of confusion in the marketplace," said Mike Miller, Quality Assurance Manager at Eggers Industries. "I am getting calls every day from people with questions because the specification standards are not fully developed. Finding the right materials is paramount."

Knowledge of programs such as the U. S. Green Building Council's LEED[R] (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the Green Globes[TM] System are now an essential part of doing business. In response to these new initiatives, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) has established the Environmental Stewardship Committee as a clearinghouse for environmental issues including government and regulatory requirements, certification, and standards development.

There are seven specific opportunities for wood door LEED[R] credits:

CREDIT NUMBER

4.1 10% RECYCLED CONTENT--Reduce impacts from extraction and processing of virgin materials.

4.2 20% RECYCLED CONTENT--Reduce impacts from extraction and processing of virgin materials.

4.4 LOW EMITTING MATERIALS--Elimination or reduction of formaldehyde emissions from composite wood and agri-fiber composites, adhesives, and other materials used in product construction.

5.1 10% REGIONAL MATERIALS--Use of materials that have been extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site, promoting use of indigenous resources and reducing environmental impacts of transportation.

5.2 20% REGIONAL MATERIALS--Use of materials that have been extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site, promoting use of indigenous resources and reducing environmental impacts of transportation.

6.0 RAPIDLY RENEWABLE MATERIALS--Reducing the use of finite or long cycle renewable resources in favor of rapidly renewable resources in favor of rapidly renewable resources

7.0 CERTIFIED WOOD--Encourage use of wood products from certified, managed forests.

Meeting these guidelines does not automatically grant a LEED[R] certification. In other words, these guidelines only contribute to the overall certification for an environmentally sound building upon completion.

Staying on top of regulations is becoming increasingly complex. New developments mean current practices need to adapt to ensure products meet the requirements of the building official. I.S. 1A includes a specification checklist and has shifted from a prescriptive design standard to performance-based. And the active versus passive fire prevention methods continue to alter current building codes requirements.

Another issue directly impacting architectural door manufacturers is the new formaldehyde regulations. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff members, charged with drafting regulations to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, recently presented their proposed regulations. The formaldehyde regulation, as proposed by CARB, contains exemptions for exterior doors and certain exterior windows, but architectural and residential interior door products are not exempt. The regulated products include hardwood plywood, medium density fiberboard, and particle board. WDMA has been actively engaged in the multi-year process that led up to the release of the latest regulation. There is no consensus on the actual health benefits of the proposed regulations, or of the economic impact. Stakeholders believe more time is necessary to study the issue and find a workable solution.

Architectural door manufacturers continue to explore product development in the quest to remain competitive. The variety of decorator styles is increasing, and requests to bring historically significant doors up to code are on the rise.

Function, performance and aesthetics are being combined for multi-duty door usage, and increasingly important security concerns also contribute to doors doing double and triple duty. It is important that architects, contractors and distributors are aware of the all of the requirements in their area so the appropriate type of door is supplied.

The Maiman Company entered the flush door market with an environmentally friendly Thermal Fused door. The door is composed of a 42-lb door core with a decorative laminate sheet, NEER VENEER[R], which is fused to the core through high heat and pressure. NEER VENEER[R] is environmentally friendly for a rain forest appearance without sacrificing the rain forest trees. "Environmental respect is a must for new door products. It's reflected in our design, material selection, and the manufacturing process", said David San Paolo, Technical Director.

VT Industries is also bringing environmentally responsible products to the market. VT architectural doors are GREENGUARD-certified, meeting acceptable GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GRI) indoor air criteria. The GRI certifies low emitting products for various industries.

In addition to regulatory requirements and new product development, customers also want and expect excellent customer service tailored to their specific needs. For the Oshkosh Door Company, customer demand for speed is vital. Time is money and getting products out the door is their number one priority. "Our new management team is working diligently to reduce the time it takes to get our products in the field," said Brad Parks, Marketing Manager. "We're utilizing "kaisen" (continuous improvement) events to offer industry leading turnaround times".

Architectural door manufacturers are gearing up to respond to their customer's need for secure, environmentally friendly, and stylish doors. WDMA is committed to advancing the door industry by promoting the benefits and value of superior performing products. Remaining competitive in today's exciting and fast changing business climate is a challenge for everyone.

About the Author: Patty Elliott is the manager of communications and public relations for WDMA. She can be reached at pelliott@wdma.com.