Production of windows and doors is going through a powerful transition. As energy becomes a crucial consideration in almost everything, energy efficiency is assuming a key role. This only increases the need for quality timber.
Danish window and door manufacturers have always relied on Nordic timber as the backbone of their operations. “Our members only use Nordic pine, since it is of high quality and easy to work on,” says Director Johny H. Jensen of the Association of Danish Window Manufacturers (Vinduesindustrien). “They source mainly from Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Germany and also from Norway to smaller extent.” The association, formerly known as VSO, was founded in 1977 to unite manufacturers and also to protect Danish facade architecture. The same year it launched the Danish Window Verification (DVV) system, which would gradually become a mark of quality recognised all over Europe. “Back in 1977, Danish manufacturers felt that quality needed a lift and DVV was their response”, says Jensen.
Raising the bar
Today, products marked with the DVV label must meet specific technical requirements, and the companies producing DVV labelled windows and exterior doors are subject to independent auditors. All Association members are certified under the DVV scheme. “They all give a five-year warranty and are also members of a guarantee scheme that protects the consumer if some manufacturer does not live up to its warranty promises,” explains Jensen. Barrus AS, an Estonian producer of finger-jointed and laminated timber, is a member of the Association and a proud believer in DVV. Its Sales Director Morten Glinvad says that DVV has a long tradition for guaranteeing the best possible windows and doors for the consumer. “The DVV specifications are a result of decades of knowhow and the experience of all members of the industry. The specifications are reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure that they represent the best practice in the industry,” says Glinvad.
Eye on wood
For the wood material used for DVV products, there are numerous demands, such as specific density, the size of growth rings, the amount of heartwood and where it must be in the product. “There are also specific rules for moisture content and permissible defects. The specifications for the raw material play a fundamental role in allowing manufacturers to provide consumers with a warranty that can be as long as 10 years,” says Glinvad. He points out that pine of precisely defined, high quality also allows paint suppliers to develop very specific paint systems, leading to extended lifetime. “If the raw material is not specified, no one can properly study the product’s lifecycle. Decades of experience have shown that pine of the right quality has excellent durability. We know that it will last longer than most other window materials.”
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