Practical ramifications of sustainable development

A mix of potentially conflicting advice!

The green agenda seems to be on every housebuilder and building products maufacturer’s mind, but the practical ramifications of how sustainable development is actually going to be implemented are still unclear, writes Jim Lawrie, chief executive of Black Millwork, UK and Ireland distributor for Andersen Windows.

At the moment we have a mix of potentially conflicting advice but no clear defining official standard incorporated into the Building Regulations.

For example, the government is encouraging the building industry – primarlily in the public sector – to follow its ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ (CSH).  The British Research Establishment (BRE) has also brought out a ‘Green Guide’ with its A, B, C star rating system for products and materials which can earn points towards Eco Homes

Of the common traditional window materials so far assessed, the only summary rating ‘A’ given is for pre-treated softwood frames, double glazed, and painted inside and out. Surprisingly, hardwoods are not rated as highly – maybe because sensitivities may still remain relating to the sustainability of their managed sources. Other commonly used window materials like PVC-u, powder aluminium and aluminium faced timber composites also receive a lower summary rating.

Based on eco points alone, we could be looking at a return to softwood frames, but there are also other performance factors to consider when specifying windows, such as strength, low mainenance and aesthetics, for which other materials may be better suited.

There is clearly a need for new sustainable materials that will meet both the environmental and practical requirements of house builders and the end user.

At present, the only option of this kind on the market is Fibrex®, an entirely new composite materal from Andersen Windows.  Currently incorporated into the Woodwright™ range of sliding sash windows, it is made from recycled wood fibre coated with a specially formulated thermoplastic polymer, which provides the strength and appearance of wood and the low maintenance properties of PVC-u.

As the wood is harvested from renewable sources and 50% of the overall material is  made from recycled waste materials, once assessed for its rating by the BRE as every new material has to be, Fibrex® could well prove to be a highly popular option.

Until incorporated into the Building Regulations,  sustainable development is still a matter for the moral conscience and so, whilst the green agenda is clearly important, maybe we should be careful not  become too diverted from the fundamentals of creating safe, affordable and desirable homes with ‘kerb appeal’.

With Andersen’s system of modular construction, and its range of over 200,000 different shapes sizes and colours of windows and patio doors – plus made to measure options -  virtually any glazing configuration can be created cost-effectivley, from a small feature window to an expansive wall of light.

More information: www.blackmillwork.co.uk