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Advertising supplement provided Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors

Continuing Education Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s ARCHITECTURAL RECORD / AIA Continuing Education article. Learning Objective: After reading this article, you will be able to: 1. Understand the various causes of wood rot. 2. Become aware of alternate treatment practices, the history of wood preventatives, and the long-term benefits of preventative treatment. 3. Develop an understanding of a new highly effective wood treatment process.

John and Shirley Reynolds custom-built their two-story home in early 1991. Windows are wood, manufactured in accordance with the Window & Door Manufacturer’s Association (WDMA) IS-4 Industry Standard for Water Repellent Preservative Non-Pressure Treatment for Millwork. The windows are painted. The roof design includes minimal overhang. The automatic sprinkler system sits directly beneath lower level windows.

In winter, the Reynolds’ home is subject to near-constant rainfall.

In summer, windows are kept moist by the sprinklers. The home is still in relatively good repair, and the Reynolds did not find it necessary to repaint the exterior.

They recently sold the home, however, and new owners contend that lower level windows show evidence of wood decay. A call to the manufacturer reveals that, despite representations when sold that the windows would not experience defects for “at least” 10 years, there is no warranty coverage.

Because most common wood species have little resistance to decay, some form of chemical preservative is necessary to protect lumber from rot and from the attack of insects and fungi.

Window and door manufacturers for a half-century have employed various chemicals and a variety of methods to treat window and door components to repel insects, fungi and moisture.