Eco-Minded or Economics: 2009 Brings Balance of Both Mainstream and Green
Companies like JELD-WEN are touting choices that make environmental and economic sense

. February 25, 2009 — The strong interest in reducing the impact on the environment is not a new phenomenon for homeowners.

This year, the latest focus is on how to better balance environmental concerns with current economic realities. Yet as economic pressures continue to grow, environmental priorities don’t have to pay the price, according to manufacturers such as JELD-WEN. This leading windows and doors company is emphasizing solid options that help homeowners and builders continue to “go green” without feeling a pinch in the pocketbook.

According to JELD-WEN experts, what’s new this year is the evolution of sustainable products from being a specialty upgrade option (that also tends to cost more) to becoming mainstream and more affordable to a much broader audience. Consumers’ understanding about what defines sustainable choices is also increasing, which is helping better inform their buying decisions.

“It’s an exciting time in the market,” said Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager at JELD-WEN. “Selecting products that help lessen the impact on the environment is an idea that’s time has definitely come, but only if people can afford it. We’re witnessing a market transformation where environmentally sound products are now within reach of more people. The mainstream is becoming green and most importantly, consumers are finding the long-term value in it.”
 
Personal priorities are also helping drive demand for products that lessen environmental impact.  For some homeowners, that may include products that last longer and reduce waste, are made from recycled content, help eliminate toxins or are energy efficient. When it comes to balancing economics and sustainability, energy efficiency continues to be a top priority not only because it has major environmental implications but also because homeowners can realize the immediate benefit of lower utility bills. According to JELD-WEN 2008 Consumer Purchasing Behavior research, keeping out cold and heat is now the number one reason for window replacement.

Product standouts that deliver strong environmental benefits along with good value include JELD-WEN wood windows and patio doors made with solid pine AuraLast wood. These windows and doors come standard with dual-pane, Low-E glass and are ENERY STAR qualified. AuraLast wood is JELD-WEN’s proprietary, water-based, vacuum-pressure process that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it more environmentally friendly than the industry standard “dip treatment” method. This protection is supported by JELD-WEN’s exclusive 20-year warranty, which meets another important sustainability benchmark, yet it does not cost additional.

For those in the custom wood door market, JELD-WEN is touting another first with the innovative use of Western Juniper, which is considered a harmful, environmentally invasive species in some areas of the U.S. While definitely a luxury item, the JELD-WEN Juniper doors cost no more than doors made of other wood species in the company’s top-of-the-line collection, yet they deliver great environmental advantages as well as distinctive style.

From the affordable environmental point of view, JELD-WEN Molded interior doors and JELD-WEN Wood Composite garage doors also deserve a place in the sustainability spotlight this year. Made of recycled content, these product lines deliver great style for a mid-range price. In fact, JELD-WEN garage doors recently earned a top rating from a leading consumer buying guide for strong value and style that comes close to the look of real wood without the high price.

For those willing to pay a bit more to achieve even greater environmental benefits, JELD-WEN also offers Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) certified wood windows and patio doors as part of its Custom Wood window line. The company has achieved Chain of Custody plant certification from SFI Inc., based on third-party independent audits that ensure facilities meet SFI’s high standards of forest products stewardship. Products with the SFI label cost 10 percent more and also feature JELD-WEN’s revolutionary AuraLast wood as standard.

“Even in today’s economy, many people are willing to pay a little more to ensure they are doing as much as possible to help protect the environment. Our goal is to offer great sustainable options and a variety of choices so that consumers can make the selection that is right for them and their home,” said Hedlund.

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. Today the company manufactures a full breadth of windows, doors and garage doors, and has earned numerous awards and endorsements for reliability, innovation and excellence. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.

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