Kolbe provides sustainable design support for architects, builders and owners to achieve their green building goals and navigate certification programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System™ and the California Green Building Standards (CALGreen) Code.

“Understanding green building standards and practices can be challenging,” acknowledges Kolbe’s product and market analyst, Lance Premeau, LEED Green Associate. “There are several organizations that have developed rating systems to help guide the green building processes for both residential and commercial properties. Now, some of these guidelines are being adopted into code requirements for cities, counties, states and federal building projects. While their criteria vary, they share similar goals.”

Helping customers meet the criteria of these organizations and jurisdictions, Premeau and his colleagues at Kolbe answer green building technical questions and serve as liaisons to the company’s manufacturing team. Kolbe’s staff demonstrates its commitment the environment through its practices and initiatives – from the sourcing and recycled content of its materials, to the crafting and finishing of the durable products.

Kolbe’s window and door products also contribute to green building projects: Daylighting, outside views and natural ventilation are complemented by energy efficient performance, sustainable wood species, and eco-friendly finishes.

Kolbe earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody Certification: No. SCS-COC 002040. FSC-certified wood is an option on many Kolbe window and door products. Kolbe’s selection of interior wood species also includes Lamboo®, an engineered, laminated veneer bamboo (LVB) product. As a rapidly renewable material, Lamboo allows a four- to six-year harvest cycle, about half of the harvest cycle allowable under LEED.

Kolbe’s products are finished with sensitivity to environmental air quality and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), enhancing these long-lasting, low-maintenance window and doors. Kolbe’s broad palette of finishes protect the products’ exteriors, which includes cladding manufactured from recycled aluminum.

Standard glass used in Kolbe’s products contains 25-30% recycled content. High performance glass options are available for quiet interiors, thermal comfort and utility cost savings. To meet the new ENERGY STAR® criteria for U.S. and Canadian climate zones, Kolbe’s triple pane glass windows come standard with insulating glass and LoE coatings designed to achieve low U-factors. Kolbe’s Windquest EP vinyl windows and Ultra EP aluminum clad wood windows can achieve U-factors as low as 0.19 (approximately 1.00 in metric).

“We stand behind the durability and performance of all Kolbe products, which is evident by our extensive transferable warranties,” adds Premeau. “By choosing high quality products that will last for decades, our customers have taken important steps toward reducing their carbon footprints.”

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Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., USGBC