Kolbe windows & doors

Environmental Commitment
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Energy Data for Kolbe Products

At Kolbe, we are dedicated to environmental stewardship. Besides working diligently to make energy efficient products, we address recycling and environmental issues that arise in the manufacturing process.

Recycling is an important part of the corporate culture at Kolbe. Many of the materials that might otherwise be disposed of – such as glass, wood, and vinyl scraps – are recycled for use as raw materials by others. What's more, our recycling program is self-sustaining even after paying landfill costs for solid waste disposal. We have earned several local and state awards for recycling efforts and environmental programs.

We comply with environmental regulations established by the state and federal governments. Kolbe has formal programs in place to address air quality issues, hazardous waste, storm and waste water, and pollution prevention. To effect longevity in our wood products, the exterior wood components are treated for protection against water, insects and fungus. The exterior of Ultra Series products are finished with a 70% PVDF fluoropoymer finish. There is a full capture rate for these preservative and exterior finish processes, so volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not released into the atmosphere. Plus, to protect the health of our employees and the environment, our interior wood prefinishes are water-based stains and paint which are applied in a controlled, low VOC environment. An added benefit to factory prefinishing is a healthier interior with no need to paint or stain on the jobsite.

As standard we use pine – a renewable resource. Kolbe has received Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody certification. Therefore, we offer the option of ordering products with the FSC label, which verifies that the products meet the FSC chain-of-custody standards. Also, the majority of the lumber used in our wood products comes from managed forests. Some of the mills are certified by the Sustainable Forest Initiative®. Plus, we've aligned ourselves with suppliers who adhere to sound environmental practices, and most of our product components are sourced from within 500 miles of our factory.

Besides using renewable resources, it is important to use those resources efficiently. That's why vinyl products have a place in sustainable design as well. Vinyl windows require 1/3 less energy to produce than aluminum and steel windows, and require less maintenance. Additionally, we maximize the use of lumber in our wood products using sophisticated computer measuring and cutting methods. Recycled content is also used in some products, such as:

• Ultra Series extruded aluminum billet consists of 50-75% recycled material
• Roll-formed clad for Classic & Magnum products contains 65-70% recycled aluminum
• Standard glass used in our products contains 25-30% recycled content
• Recycled content is used in the manufacturing of some of our interior doors

Kolbe also has an Environmental, Health & Safety Department devoted to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees and the planet. They go beyond the duties of managing formal and regulated programs to arrange for on-site flu shots and blood drives to benefit employees and the community. Plus, our Training Department regularly offers on-site seminars to educate employees about preventive care and common health issues.

At Kolbe, we value people and the planet while manufacturing and marketing our superior windows and doors.