Whether you are an architect, a builder or a homeowner, you know of a buzz that has been circulating the past few years about “going green” and incorporating environment-friendly building practices into your projects. One way to do this is by choosing energy-efficient, long-lasting windows that will endure the elements and provide the many other benefits that can come from choosing durable windows. At Sun Windows Incorporated, our Green Window Initiative means we are committed to providing our customers with new products and technology that are required for manufacturing energy-efficient products.

While using our resources responsibly, we also maximize recycling to the best of our ability, minimize waste and encourage our employees and customers to make the most efficient use of materials and resources that go into making Sun Windows. By following these simple guidelines and remaining environment-friendly, Sun continually changes with the times and ensures that our products are built to last, while remaining responsible toward the environment. Our products are designed to accomplish the task of providing optimal energy performance and to be extremely long-lasting. So whether you’re starting a new project or remodeling an old one, Sun can provide windows and doors that will remain energy-efficient and can even help lower your energy bills.

Sun’s insulated glass is manufactured to provide energy-efficient windows that will keep your home comfortable throughout the entire year. Sun uses a Duralite spacer system developed by Truseal Technologies that contains no metal, meaning your home will be cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter months. Sun has partnered with Truseal Technologies and their “Envirosealed windows” program, which guarantees lower energy costs, a lower effect on the environment, and can even save up to an annual $200 on your energy costs. For more information on Envirosealed windows, please see their web site at www.envirosealedwindows.com.

Sun also provides an array of glass options. Our Low-Emissivity, or Low-E, glass with argon gas is an upgrade from the standard clear glass that Sun provides. Hi-performance Low-E II glass with argon gas is built to increase the thermal efficiency of the window and to keep heat where you want it, while saving you money. When combined with Low-E glass and argon gas, ClimaGuard SPF glass can offer superior comfort and energy savings. The unique difference about ClimaGuard SPF is that it has a fade protection factor, or FPF. FPF blocks 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation, which over time will protect your home furnishings.

Sun Windows is always seeking ways to reuse and eliminate waste products. We know it is essential to practice recycling and maximize our commitment to helping protect the environment and participate in the green build phenomenon. Sun has an extensive recycling process for many different materials, and these materials can be recycled and sold for reuse or simply recycled for waste reduction.

When glass scraps are discarded, Sun takes many steps to make sure the glass is recycled and not left to sit in a landfill. One way our glass is reused is that it can be recycled into traffic paint. This not only provides a necessity for the community, it also helps reduce waste. Our glass can also be recycled and used in fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is a man-made product with ingredients such as sand and recycled products, like glass. These products are melted and spun, and this creates a strand of fiberglass that can be used to warm a home. Unused glass can also be melted and made into window glass, serving its original purpose but only in a recycled manner.

Sun also recycles cardboard. Most items are shipped in cardboard boxes and in order to eliminate waste and remain friendly toward the environment, Sun deemed it necessary to recycle. With the help of new technology, Sun obtained a machine that compacts the cardboard, making it easier to transport and easier to recycle.

Wood products are a major part of Sun Windows so it is very important that these wood scraps are recycled as well. Sun purchased a new saw dust collector and these unused wood products can be turned into wood shavings and resold to companies. It is also important for the green consumer to know that the wood Sun uses is clear, Ponderosa pine and for every tree that is harvested, seven more are planted in its place.

Sun also recycles leftover vinyl materials. All unused vinyl pieces go into a dust collector and recently, vinyl has become popular for being recycled and used as debit or credit cards. So when customers purchase our energy-efficient products, they can use their recycled credit card to do so.

Aluminum is a valuable and recyclable material and Sun does not falter at recycling leftover aluminum that is used in our products. Since aluminum scraps can be sold for a decent amount, Sun collects the scraps in a large bin and sells them to be recycled, serving two purposes: protecting the environment and bringing in profit while doing so.

Sun’s environmental stewardship is nationally recognized and we are involved with several certification programs that are a part of our Green Window Initiative. The certification programs Sun Windows is in partnership with include Energy Star, the NFRC, WDMA, SIGMA and AAMA. These certification programs show our customers that not only are Sun’s products consistently manufactured within the required standards, we are also kept up-to-date about the newest requirements set for window manufacturing companies.

Our Energy Star partnership shows our customers that the windows they purchase are not only energy-efficient, they were manufactured with the newest and most advanced technologies. Sun is also certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC. The NFRC is a nonprofit organization created by the window, door and skylight industry and they provide ratings for these products. We are also a member of the Window and Door Manufacturing Association. The WDMA Hallmark Certification Program is considered elite within the industry and Sun lives up to their specific and high standards. SIGMA is the Sealed Insulated Glass Manufacturer’s Association and they promote the highest quality standards by requiring its members to produce certified sealed insulated glass products to “CBA” level, which is the industry’s highest. Sun is also in partnership with AAMA, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. Products that have earned the right to display this label have passed vigorous lab tests, meeting standards for both air and water infiltration.

Sun strives everyday to keep up the effort of producing quality products in an environmentally knowledgeable manner. We believe this effort is extremely important and not only for our customers, but for our environment and future generations as well. We plan to continue these efforts while staying up-to-date on newer, environment-friendly products and technology and making the most of the products that we use by recycling for other use or waste management.

So if you are an architect, builder or homeowner, we hope you follow the buzz of protecting our world and to help do this, incorporate Sun Windows and green building practices into your project. It will be the greenest decision you have ever made.

For more information concerning environment-friendly products or to learn more about different programs Sun is involved with concerning the green movement, please check out these web sites:

www.envirosealedwindows.com
www.truseal.com
www.energystar.gov
www.nfrc.org
www.wdma.com