Structural Elements
Tony Pell, windows product manager at JELD-WEN comments on the battle for sustainability 1
Home grown sustainability 2
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Housebuilders and manufacturers have never been under more pressure to hit sustainability targets. While housing associations have an array of building performance and aesthetic cri- teria to meet, tenants battling rising utility bills are also demanding attractive properties that are economical to heat and, ultimately, more energy efficient. With increasingly stringent Code for Sustainable Homes requirements and the gov- ernment’s deadline for ‘zero carbon’ properties also on the horizon, the need for innovation and collaboration within the building sector has become paramount.
Chasing the U-value The Code for Sustainable Homes rates a proper- ty on its entire energy efficiency and carbon emis- sions, rather than focussing on its individual ele- ments, so for housing associations to understand how they can develop the most energy efficient properties, they need to appreciate that every
stage of the construction process is critical to the whole building‘s performance. Historically, the industry has focussed on the distinct elements of a property but understanding how these compo- nents work together can have a huge impact on a property’s overall U-value performance. From selecting the doors and windows to
considering the glass and thresholds that operate alongside these, developers need to be aware that the arrangement of these separate compo- nents is essential in meeting performance targets. The junction between a window’s frame and external fabric, a crucial element when striv- ing for higher performance standards, is often overlooked but considering this relationship at design and specification stage can drastically improve a property’s energy efficiency. Housing associations are now recognising that timber windows are manufactured from the only truly sustainable material, so specifying these along- side the latest triple glazing technology can
Housebuilders and manufacturers have never been under more pressure to hit sustainability targets
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achieve the very lowest U values. As the thermal performance they are capable of achieving is also equal and, in some cases better, than many other materials, they can even reach extra low U-value specifications of zero carbon properties. A common misconception in the industry is
that, as walls have a significantly lower U-Value than windows, developers need to choose between energy efficiency and natural light. However, the latest developments within timber window manufacturing have produced ultra slim frame, resulting in lower U-values and greater light transmittance, therefore achieving a harmo- nious balance between natural light levels, insu- lation and cost.
A beautiful future In the current climate, cost is a primary consider- ation in any buying decision but the lower tooling costs associated with timber windows means they can remain competitive while still achieving a high thermal performance. As the high cost of an energy efficient window is down to the price of premium performance glass, the differential reduces between timber and other materials, particularly when considering the life expectancy of a window. Evolution in the manu- facturing process means that premium suppliers also offer life-long guarantees to meet the needs of the industry,
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