eight reasons why special-lite doors are sustainable brochure

8/14/2019 Eight Reasons Why Special-Lite Doors Are Sustainable Brochure

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8 Reasons Why Special-Lite Entrancesare the More Sustainable Choice


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GREENGUARD Certification ensures better indoor air quality.

Special-Lites products were the first exterior entrance products to earnGREENGUARD Certification, including the stringent Children & Schools Standard.The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) criteria are the toughest in theindustry, involving tests for formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs),phthalates and hundreds of other pollutant emissions using scientific environmentalchamber protocols. GREENGUARD Certification is your independent assurancethat no aspect of the materials we use or our method of construction willcompromise indoor air quality (IAQ).

Modern materials and durableconstruction prolong service life.

Special-Lite doors are specially engineered andmanufactured to provide the longest possible servicelife, even in the most abusive locations. Corrosion-resistant materials and durable finishes ensure lastingbeauty with minimal maintenance, and deliver thelowest lifecycle cost.

To prove their durability, we were the first to test ourFRP doors to the ANSI A250.4 standard to 25 millionopen and close cycles, as well as to the NWWDA

T.M. 7-90 cycle-slam test through 5 million cycles.In both cases, our SL-17 doors were still performingbeautifully and ready for more at the conclusion ofthe testing. Thats why we confidently offer a limitedlifetime warranty on our flush doors, and a 10-year,100% parts and labor warranty on all our otherentrance products.

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The GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED Markis a registered certification mark used under license throughthe GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. To view ourGREENGUARD certificate online, visit www.greenguard.org.

8 Reasons Why Special-Lite Entrancesare the More Sustainable Choice:

Air Quality Sciences chamber testiverifies that Special-Lite products mGREENGUARD Certification criteri


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Lightweight doors extend the life of the entire entrance system.

Our design philosophy is unique in the industry. Contrary to conventional wisdom,we make our heavy-duty doors lightweight and flexible, because less door massmeans less wear and tear on hardware and framing components, and flexibilityprovides resiliency. This makes the entire entrance system last longer, whichconserves material, energy, and economic resources. And since our doorsweigh about half as much as hollow metal doors, less energy is required totransport our doors to the job site as well.

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Easy cleaning with green cleanersprotects indoor air quality.

Routine cleaning and stain removal can bea significant source of VOC emissions thatdegrade IAQ. The durable, easy-care factoryfinishes on Special-Lite doors not only stay newlooking for many years with only occasionalcleaning, but even tough stains like graffiti canbe removed using green cleaners, instead oftoxic solvents.

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Durable finishes reduce maintenance

costs and health risks.Because Special-Lite products leave our factory pre-finished, theydont need to be painted at installation. The durability of our non-corroding materials and factory finishes also eliminate the regularrefinishing required to delay the decay of hollow metal or wooddoors and frames. Not only are facility maintenance costs reduced,but maintenance staff and building occupants are not exposedto the airborne particulates, VOCs and irritating fumescreated by sanding and refinishing.


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All Special-Lite extrusions are madefrom reprocessed aluminum

Special-Lite sources aluminum extrusions made from prime-equivalent billet which is produced from 100% reprocessed 6063-T5alloy recovered from industrial processes. The extrusions producedfrom this prime-equivalent secondary billet are equal in all respectsto those made from virgin material, but have a smaller environmentalfootprint. Aluminum recycling requires only 5% of the energynecessary to produce virgin aluminum, so our use of post-industrialreprocessed material helps to reduce the embodied energy inherentin our family of entrance products.

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U-value R-value CRF

Special-Lite FRP Door Components

1.5" Urethane foam only .11 9.1 88

1" FRP and urethane foam panel .23 4.3 81

1.75" FRP and urethane foam panel .10 10.0 87Special-Lite FRP Door Assembly .29 3.4 55

Thermal Properties:Special-Lite FRP Door Components, Panels, and Doors

Tests conducted by Architectural Testing, Inc. Detailed test results are available on the Special-Litewebsite, www.special-lite.com. For more complete recommendations on how to improve the thermalperformance of an entire exterior entrance, visit this page on the Special-Lite web site:www.special-lite.com/thermal.

Better thermal performance helps reduce energy usage.

The thermal efficiency of the building envelope has never beenmore important. Special-Lite flush doors can help reduce heatingand cooling loads by providing superior thermal performanceversus hollow metal doors. Compare our independent lab resultswith those for hollow metal doors, if you can find any.

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Aluminum is a sustainable material choice.

At Special-Lite, we manufacture our entrance products from aluminum because its uniquematerial properties make it a better choice than steel for exterior doors and framing. Its highstrength-to-weight ratio, natural corrosion resistance, excellent workability, and ability toaccept a wide range of finishes make it an excellent choice for architectural products.

Aluminum is also an excellent material choice for sustainable construction. Its the mostabundant metallic element in the earths crust, and can be infinitely recycled withoutdegradation of properties. Aluminums high scrap value and well-established recyclinginfrastructure make it the most frequently recycled metal, so much so that 73% of thealuminum ever produced is still in use today.


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Choose the Entrances withMore LifeFor Better Quality of Life


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Recycling our products

Our aluminum framing and monumental doors are easily dis-assembled with hand tools and are fully recyclable after use.

The fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) face sheets, acrylicmodified polyester (AMP) face sheets, and urethane foam corematerial in our flush doors are thermoset plastics and as suchare not recyclable. These materials are essentially inert, sothey can be safely disposed of at the end of their service lifewithout adverse impacts on water, soil, or air quality.

Improve Entrance Performance by SpecifyingSpecial-Lite Doors, the Doors with More Life

Special-Lite pioneered the FRP door in 1981 to meet theextreme demands of the school market, and weve beenmaking them the same way ever since because thats what

works. Their extended service life, better thermal efficiency,and reduced maintenance requirements help to conservematerial resources and energy, while contributing to the safety,security, and well being of building users.

Contact your sales representative or Special-Lite formore information, including detailed independentlab test results, or visit www.special-lite.com.

Special-Lite, Inc.P.O. Box 6, Decatur, MI 49045Ph: 800.821.6531 Fx: 800.423.7610 www.special-lite.com

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eight reasons why special-lite doors are sustainable brochure

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