March 2012
Source: The Toronto Sun - by Dr. Charles Moore
For Building, Vinyl is Green
Architects and home builders across Canada are increasingly interested in green building. Yet green building must not only be environmentally friendly - it must also be affordable.
Green products that are out of reach for the average consumer will remain niche products that have little change to make a positive impact on the environment.
Moving green building beyond niche status and into the mainstream requires the use of affordable, widely available and environmentally friendly products. We know how to measure affordability and availability, but how do we determine what's environmentally friendly?
Fortunately, tools are being refined that help builders and consumers choose. Lifecycle analysis (LCA) is the science of examining a product's entire life from extraction of raw materials and manufacturing to transportation and installation to final disposal or recycling. Another tool is risk analysis. All activities, including making and using products of various materials, carry risks.
LCA shows that two of the most important environmental features of products are renewability and durability. Renewable materials and energy sources are green by nature. Durable materials last longer and require less frequent replacement and upkeep.
So, which materials perform well in life-cycle and risk assessments? Wood, of course, is abundant, renewable, requires far less energy to make than either steel or concrete, soaks up carbon dioxide and has diverse applications. It has a strongly positive life-cycle impact.
ENERGY EFFICIENT
So does vinyl. More than half derived from common salt, vinyl is one of the most energy-efficient materials to make. Vinyl's energy efficiency attributes are highlighted in the performance of products like windows. Vinyl is durable and lasts for decades with relatively little maintenance compared to other materials. At the end of life, it can be managed in the same fashion as other building materials. There continues to be increased recycling of vinyl building products at the installation and even end-of-life stages.
Yet vinyl gets targeted by environmental activists.
The fact is vinyl's environmental issues have been thoroughly studied and answered.
Vinyl scores well in life cycle tests. The U.S. Green Building Council, European Commission and the state of California all looked comprehensively at vinyl's prod and cons and concluded the overall impacts were in line with those of other materials - and that vinyl could do better than the competition in some applications.
CONSTANTLY IMPROVED
Vinyl products are constantly being improved and new products are being certified as environmentally sound by third parties under programs such as TerraChoice Eco-Logo, FloorScore, Green Label Plus, and GREENGUARD® standards.
The best way to deliver affordable, safe drinking water is through a vinyl pipe. Drain waste and vent pipe made from vinyl has significantly displaced old cast iron pipes in the marketplace due to its lighter weight, easier installation and superior longevity.
The best way to insulate electrical wiring is with a vinyl coating. In hospitals, vinyl is used widely for floors and wall coverings because it is easily cleaned and disinfected. Vinyl is a durable, cost-effective siding for buildings because of its low maintenance and long life. Building with vinyl saves on energy and material costs.
And, in case you don't think affordability has a place in this discussion, don't forget the money saved up-front on energy-efficient materials like vinyl can be spent on other environmental add-ons, such as a ground-source heat pump that uses clean geothermal energy to make a home even more sustainable.
Dr. Charles Moore is a co-founder and former leader of Greenpeace and Chair and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit Strategies Ltd.
March 2012
Eclipse Shutters Canada will be fundraising for the Sick Kids Foundation
In 2012, our goal is to raise $50,000.00 for Sick Kids by entering The Eclipse Shutters Canada Team in The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge on Sunday October 14th, 2012. The Eclipse Shutters Team consists of staff and our business partners who are entered in the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon Charity Challenge. All Eclipse Shutters employees will be working with the runners to ensure that their pledges are achieved. Would you like to be part of the Eclipse Shutters Team? By making a donation on-line, you can become an integral part of our fund raising effort. All monies will be donated directly to the Sick Kids Foundation.
April 2009
Eclipse Shutters Launches Their Award-Winning Eclipse Arch
We are proud to announce the launch of our newest innovation: The Eclipse Arch. Engineered to provide a cohesive look from top to bottom, our arch has all of the same components and attributes of our standard shutter. The design has just been named Best New Technical Innovation by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association Awards! The WCMA Awards recognizes significant product advancements in the window covering industry, and we are honored to have won this coveted distinction. We will receive the award at the IWCE Show in May. We look forward to providing our customers with this award-winning product. The Eclipse Arch is available in half-circle, quarter-circle, eyebrow, elliptical and tunnel. Please contact your current fabricator for more information.
March 2008
Eclipse Unveils New Product Sample Portfolio
Eclipse Shutters unveils its new Product Sample Portfolio in March of 2008! Custom designed by the Eclipse Shutters Marketing Team, this product portfolio is full color, easy to carry, and fits into the current Eclipse Sample Kit. Included are product samples to show louver and color options in a unique track system for easy removal and/or updating of samples. The sample portfolio includes a beautiful 10-page brochure showcasing design and style options with stunning photography. Contact your local fabricator today to find out how you can order our newest innovation!
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