Each of Acker Millwork Company's windows and doors are made-to-order. They are manufactured in house by our trusted craftsmen to meet exact architectural specifications while still incorporating the unique needs and tastes of our clients. This careful attention to detail demonstrates our genuine passion for the industry, as well as for your finished product.
In embracing the long-held craftsmanship traditions passed down through generations, we use only the finest materials and joinery in the manufacturing of our wood windows and doors. From the premium grade wood species to our steadfast techniques such as: mortise and tenon glued joints, water repellent wood preservative treatments, and hand sanding, our windows and doors are sure to stand the test of time.
When properly cared for, our well-constructed wood products will last the lifetime of any establishment!
Unit Restoration
After years of withstanding adverse weather conditions, historical wood millwork will begin to show wear due to its constant exposure and regular handling. At Acker Millwork Co. we are committed to restoring these units to what they once were.
Whether it be the replacement of an old side stile, bottom rail, raised panel, alternative hardware, or a simple unit refinishing, we strive to utilize as much of the original components as possible while replacing only what is necessary. Acker has the knowledge and ability to guarantee you a successful restoration project no matter the level of intricacy. Through our personalized service, high level of expertise, attention to detail and solutions-driven approach, we stay devoted to every aspect of your project from start to finish.
Why Wood
With Acker products, not only is the customer assured of superior quality and expert workmanship, but also built into all of
our products are the many energy saving qualities and environmentally responsible advantages of wood:
It is reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable.
Nearly 4.5 million trees are planted every day. As a result, more wood is grown each year in the United States than is
harvested or lost to disease, insects, or fire.
In turn, growth exceeds harvest by 37%.
"Vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and composite windows are manufactured as a unit and are maintenance-free only because the components cannot be repaired. When a part fails, or the insulated glass seal breaks, the entire unit must be replaced. By comparison, wood windows are composed of interlocking parts made from natural materials, and any part can be repaired or replaced.”
- Natianal Trust for Historic Preservation 2010
Benefits of Wood
Wood is the best insulator of all structural materials. The millions of tiny air cells trapped within its cellular structure provide a barrier against the heat and cold. Just an inch of wood is 15 times as efficient an insulator as concrete, 400 times as efficient as steel, and 1,770 times as efficient as aluminum. Therefore, a home that utilizes wood units requires far less energy to heat in the winter and cool in the summer.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has performed numerous studies comparing the insulating properties of wood and aluminum. Their findings provide proof that wood is superior to aluminum in terms of insulating a home:
Below are two of their test results:
Test #1: WOOD vs. ALUMINUM
Insulating properties measured in British Thermal Units
(BTU: the amount of heat energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree)
With an outside temperature of 32ºF lower than inside the home, heat loss per hour through aluminum is 45,312 BTU’s. As an incredible contrast, wood of the same thickness loses just 25 BTU’s. Translated, that means a wood frame is 1,770 times more effective as an insulator than one made with aluminum, and therefore:
Aluminum frames on doors and windows can help to refrigerate rooms in the winter.
Test #2: WOOD SASH vs. ALUMINUM SASH
Conductivity of Heat measured in degrees
With an outside temperature of 20ºF and an indoor temperature of 70ºF, the sample wood sash is 59ºF whereas the aluminum sash is 32ºF. That makes the aluminum sash 27º colder than the wood sash. Heating engineers refer to this as metal’s “excessive thermal conductivity,” meaning aluminum or metal can literally conduct heat right out of the room.
Wood Options
Acker Millwork has the ability to produce each of our products in any species of wood that you desire. Though the decision is yours, we will give you our professional opinion on what will work best with your particular product and situation. The woods listed below are among the most common species we use, however we have created countless doors and millwork in other specialty species for an awe-inspiring end result.
Birch is moderately heavy, hard and strong. The heartwood is reddish brown, with the sapwood being yellowish white with a trace of pink. This wood is diffuse porous with well-defined annual growth, even though there is little contrast between spring and summer wood. It has excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Uses include furniture, fixtures, fine cabinets, doors and interior trim.
Western Red Cedar is lightweight and remarkably durable under exposure to rain and sun, as well as heat and cold. The heartwood is reddish brown when freshly cut then oxidizes to a dull brown upon exposure. This wood stains well when used for exterior purposes. Uses include exterior millwork and exterior construction of all types where durability is more important than strength.
Cherry is heavy, hard and strong. The heartwood is reddish brown, sometimes with a greenish cast, with the sapwood having a yellow hue. This wood is diffuse porous with an attractive close grain, and may be identified by the appearance of occasional “gum spots.” It machines and sands to a lustrous, glassy smoothness, making it ideal for receiving all finishes. Uses include fine cabinetry, furniture and interior trim.
Douglas Fir is soft, coarse-textured, and is the strongest of all American woods in comparison to its weight. The heartwood varies with conditions of growth, from pinkish yellow to reddish brown, with the sapwood being lighter in tone. This wood is nonporous with distinct annual growth rings, usually with strong contrast in density of spring and summer wood. Uses include wood construction of all types including doors, sash, interior trim, and ceiling mouldings.
Genuine Mahogany is moderately dense and hard, and is extremely strong in comparison to its weight. It is highly durable and decay resistant. The overall color is medium reddish brown and darkens considerably with age. This wood is diffuse porous with even texture and visible annual growth. It has unsurpassed working and finishing characteristics, polishing to a high luster when desired. Uses include fine furniture, fixtures, interior trim, cabinetry and other objects created for both lasting beauty and utility.
Hard Maple is hard, heavy and strong, and is famous for its superior wearing quality and resistance to abrasive wear. The heartwood is very light brown or tan, sometimes with darker mineral streaks, while the sapwood is white or off-white. Though the annual growth is visible, it is inconspicuous. This wood is diffuse porous with very fine texture and a variety of grains. Instead of the common straight grain, some trees develop a figure of a special type such as curly grain, fiddleback, mottle and bird’s-eye. Uses include cutting boards, furniture and a variety of planing mill products such as trim.
The Oaks comprise the most important group of hardwood timber in the United States. None is better known or more widely used. Oak lumber is sold as either Red Oak or White Oak. Both are very hard, heavy and strong, yet are fairly easy to work considering their density. The sanding and finishing qualities as well as their stability are excellent. Overall the two are very similar in appearance but are distinguished by a few major characteristics:
Red Oak’s heartwood tends to have a red hue with the sapwood being whitish, sometimes with a blue tint, creating high contrast. The sapwood is very porous and the annual growth rings are usually widely separated, resulting in a coarser texture and a less durable wood under conditions favoring decay. It is not water resistant.
White Oak’s heartwood tends to be tan or brownish with the sapwood being very similar in color, with less noticeable annual growth. The sapwood is dense and the annual growth rings are usually compact, resulting in a finer, softer texture and more even color. It is quite durable under conditions favoring decay, and is water resistant.
Northern White Pine is a soft wood, lightweight and dimensionally stable and durable. The heartwood is very pale tan or off-white with the sapwood being white, creating very obvious growth rings. This wood is non-porous with straight grain and fine, even texture which makes for an exceptional finish surface. Commercially, the pines are the most valuable group of timber trees in the world being utilized in all facets of woodworking. Uses Include sashes, doors, trim, paneling, cabinetry, millwork and so on.
Manufacturing
Historic Reproduction
The goal of historic reproductions is to re-create and preserve the integrity of historical elements and landmarks that have captured the unique style and distinction of our early heritage. Acker Millwork Co. has attained a reputation for detailed historic reproductions that are remarkably accurate in both materials and construction.
Thanks to our years of experience we have familiarized ourselves with the unique styles of the past, generating a knowledge that only time and practice could cultivate. We are not only able to interpret your homes aesthetic (both past and present), the period in which it was built, its surrounding architectural elements, but with this we are able to give you a professional opinion of what will best suit your home as well as your needs. We take great pride in matching an existing unit no matter its age or level of difficulty. Whatever the project may entail, our unwavering commitment to quality shows though in our craftsmanship so that the final product is as close to the original piece as possible.
3300 West Pabst Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53215 Phone: (414) 672-2200 Fax: (414) 672-2203