DOORS & WINDOWS  WITH LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Impregnation and painting have a very high environmental impact during the manufacture of exterior doors and windows. Many windows and doors manufactured in Sweden (2020 01 25) are still impregnated and painted with products that contain hazardous substances and solvents. It is possible to obtain leading ecolabels for a product even when this sort of wood protection has been used. The reason is that these products are fast-drying and are the easiest to use in industrial processes. Ekstrands uses only water-based paint, which is more environmentally friendly. Our impregnation products are also water-based and contain linseed oil. We introduced these systems more than 30 years ago, mainly for health and safety reasons.

All water drainage and surplus paint from  the paint department is collected and put through a separator. The water is purified and recycled. Surplus pigment is separated and sent for incineration.

One of the most important warranties for doors and windows is the warranty on the finish. Effective wood protection ensures that the paint does not crack and there is no risk of rot. And if the products last longer, this is also good for the environment. Many manufacturers offer  warranties, but then backtrack in the care instructions by saying that customers must repair any cracks during the warranty period. This is not our style. Ekstrands is alone in providing a warranty of up to 10 years against cracks forming in the paint and we make no such reservations.

How much difference in climate impact is there between a wooden window without aluminum cladding compared to a wooden window that is clad with aluminum. The aluminum cladding means that the window is "maintenance-free" and does not need any repainting, while wooden windows from Ekstrands without aluminum need to be ironed approximately every 10 years. Regardless of the origin of the aluminum, an aluminum-clad window always has a significantly greater climate impact than a painted wooden window.

A wooden window without aluminum cladding is up to 48 times better in this respect. The reason is simply that aluminum has a higher climate footprint than paint, and that relatively little paint is needed to repaint a window.

All exterior doors in Sweden incorporate sheet metal, which is glued in to ensure structural stability. This has been the case since the early 80s and no better manufacturing method has yet been found (information correct as of 25 January 2020). It is difficult to separate the sheet metal from the wood and insulation, which means that  external doors that are no longer needed are sent to landfill. Ekstrands’ solution to this problem is to make exterior doors that last for a long time. Ekstrands provides unique, long-term warranties for the paint and structural stability, which guarantees long-term sustainability. Ekstrands does not mass-produce anything. Everything is made to order.

If you choose products with a low u-value, you save energy. It is also important that the door or window frame is tightly sealed if it is to deliver what it promises. In addition to leading thermal insulation properties, Ekstrands has also tested the airtightness of its double doors and windows. Whichever product you choose from Ekstrands, you can be sure that the product delivers what it promises.

The majority of energy-efficient windows marketed in Sweden have a u-value of around 0.9-1.2 W/(m²K) (information correct as of 25 January 2020). Often you need to order a special option to get below 1.0. EC/90 Wood from Ekstrands has a standard u-value of 0.77. 

The majority of exterior doors marketed in Sweden have a u-value of 0.9-1.0 W/(m²K) (information correct as of 25 January 2020). A few manufacturers offer values down to 0.76. Ekstrands has a standard u-value of 0.70. Our Passiv91 construction has a u-value of 0.49. This is thermal insulation in a class of its own.

Ekstrands works to actively minimize its impact on the climate and the environment. The environment and sustainability have long been a factor in our internal quality and development work. Since 2005, Ekstrands has been separating metal, paper, hazardous waste, plastic, etc. at source. Since 2013, we have been pressing/packing all residual materials in bales to minimize transport volumes.

Our production plant in Osby is heated using an internal cycle in which packaging and wood waste from production is collected and used as biofuel, which is then used to heat our properties.

Ekstrands is a family-owned company that is firmly established in Skåne. We are not subject to strict profitability requirements and we can, therefore, think and act in the long term. This applies to our staff policy, our local social responsibilities and our environmental work. However, it applies above all to our approach to our customers and our products. Customer benefit is and will always be what drives our organization. We have proved that it is possible to combine quality and high performance, while also taking responsibility for our environment. Our products reflect the Ekstrand family’s own values and we are proud to put our name to them.