3 Ways Steel Windows and Doors are Sustainable
3 Ways Steel Windows and Doors are Sustainable
Happy Earth Month! Started in 1970 by a United States Senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 20th to demonstrate national support for environmental protection efforts. Since 1970, Earth Day has expanded to celebrations throughout the month of April to raise awareness for environmental concerns.
Every industry is looking for ways to make its practices more earth friendly and sustainable, and construction and home design are no different. The recent synthesis report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in March 2023 has made it clear that action to reduce the effects of climate change in the coming years is very important. Thanks to innovations in the production process of building materials and energy efficiency in recent decades, the construction and home design industries are shaping up to be more friendly to the earth.
Proudly, here at All the Details, we believe in environmental awareness and contributing to green initiatives. All of our products are constructed with the earth in mind.
Read on to learn about the three ways steel windows and doors are sustainable.
Recyclability
One of the most important aspects of evaluating the sustainability of a product or material is to evaluate its product life cycle. This takes into account sourcing the resources required to create the material, its production, its use, and its disposal when it breaks or is otherwise no longer usable.
Recycling is the foundation of sustainability in the steel production process. A vast majority of steel is recycled, which reduces the need to extract new raw materials and gives new life for steel that is no longer usable. Additionally, technological advances have helped to reduce the carbon emissions during the production of steel.
Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world, according to the World Steel Association. It is an infinitely recyclable material. Other recyclable materials can degrade each time they are recycled. However, when steel is recycled, it does not lose any of its structural properties. Recycling of steel helps create a circular product life cycle and reduces the need to manufacture brand new steel.
We offer many steel window and door profiles from the manufacturer Ottostumm, which is based in Switzerland. Ottostumm is committed to sustainability, as its rolled steel profiles are made from 100% recycled steel scrap. In addition, at the end of their life, all the parts of steel windows are recycled, including the billets, rods, and strips. Even the glass used in the steel windows and doors is recycled, because, like steel, glass is an infinitely recyclable material.Durability
One of the hallmarks of any sustainable product is durability. A truly sustainable product should be able to last for years before it needs to be replaced. If you have a product that was made using sustainable production processes but it does not last beyond a few years, you will need to replace it more frequently, resulting in more manufacturing of that product. Therefore, making a product more durable inherently helps with reducing production and consumption.
The durability of steel windows and doors ensures they will bring beauty to a space for years to come.
A product that lasts not only helps reduce harm to the environment, but also ensures that the homeowner gets their money’s worth out of the product. The homeowner will also save on potentially expensive repairs and replacements.
Steel is an inherently durable material. It is an alloy made of iron and carbon. Compared to other forms of iron, steel has greater strength and fracture resistance. Steel is also resistant to corrosion and weathering. These properties of steel make it an ideal material for exterior windows and doors since it will not decay or warp due to weather conditions.Energy Efficiency
Figures from Energy.gov estimate that up to 30% of a home’s heating energy in colder months is lost through windows. To save energy, it is suggested to use windows with low-emissivity coatings and/or multi-layer glazing to improve thermal performance of windows.
Traditional steel and aluminum windows and doors can contribute to heat loss because metal is an excellent conductor of heat. Heat is attracted to the metal and is released to the outside instead of staying inside a building.
The above diagram shows how windows with a thermally broken design are very beneficial for energy efficiency in cold weather.
Luckily, our steel windows and doors are constructed with a thermally broken design. This design creates a thermal break between two panes of glass which provides a barrier that reduces the conductivity of steel to significantly reduce heat conduction through the metal. An inert gas, such as argon, is placed within the thermal break because it has low thermal conductivity and stops heat transfer. A low-emissivity coating is also placed on the glass to further improve the thermal performance of this technology.
A thermally broken design is just as effective in warmer months to keep the cool air produced by an HVAC system inside.
Sustainability in Design
Increasing environmental concerns means that demand for environmentally friendly structures will continue to grow in the coming years. Steel’s infinite recyclability and durability make it the material of choice for architects and builders for many sustainable new construction and renovation projects. Steel windows and doors made with a thermally broken design provide additional benefits for energy efficiency that help conserve valuable resources and reduce energy bills.
Investing in green initiatives in design and construction will help reduce negative impacts on the environment while ensuring structures last to be enjoyed for years to come.
Experts in Steel Windows and Doors
All the Details specializes in steel windows and doors for residential and commercial projects. With over 30 years of experience, we help guide you throughout the entire process from consult, to design, to installation. Check out our website to see our previous projects and contact us to start designing your dream space with our high quality steel windows and doors.