Are we green?
The question of green practices and products has become more and more important to the American public in recent times. This has also caused us to ask ourselves, “are we green?”
We recently had a team come through our shop including architects and historic advisers. All of them had a mind for being environmentally responsible.
We asked them the question that was on all of our minds, “Are we a green company?” and “What do we have to do to get there?”
The answer we got was that we were already there. The nature of our operation caused us to have been practicing “green” business for years. We are green, both because of our small business size and the product that we turn out. We will also continue to get better at this as our budget allows.
Award Winning "Net Zero" Residence
Please review this list to see what makes us green:
- We utilize short material whenever possible
- We buy FSC lumber when possible and upon request
- Much of our material can be considered “naturally fallen” from windstorms and is salvaged timber
- We have a cut down system, when a larger piece is rejected it gets cut down over and over until it can be used. Much of our stops have gone through this process
- We buy from “cut plants” material too short for most of their other customers
- Wood is naturally produced and puts out the least amount of pollution in the rendering process of all other window types
- Our wood chips are used by the local community for animal and flower bedding
- Low-E glass is easily substituted for upon request
- Our smaller business size means a smaller footprint for the environment
- Properly cared for wood windows have been known to last for over a century, talk about sustainability
- Everything is made to be repaired, minimizing the amount that goes into a landfill when repair is necessary
- Cedar is naturally a bad heat conductor making it a great insulator, and is one of the better woods
- Cedar is also naturally higher in oils and acids, making it very rot and insect resistant
Still want more proof? Please review the Nathan Good/Elstrom “Net Zero House” in our projects page. This house has won numerous awards for its ground breaking use of materials and energy. Using FSC approved lumber, Bergerson Windows were chosen for this environmentally responsible residence.
