BUILDING ENVELOPE


SPONSORED FEATURE


Choosing windows for sustainable homes


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ow energy bills, more daylight, impressive insulation balanced by effective ventilation - when it comes to eco-friendly selfbuilding, choosing the right window system can make all the difference to comfort and performance. Which is why VELFAC windows and doors are installed in some of the UK’s landmark environmentally conscious homes:


FOUR OAKS, SOMERSET


Built to Passivhaus principles, Four Oaks is a stylish, ultra-low energy three bedroom family home which achieves impressive thermal efficiency and air tightness. Large VELFAC window walls are vital to Four Oaks’ performance and are combined with moving external screens to ensure every room is comfortable to live in all year round. When designing Four Oaks, architect Michael Williams, of MJW Architects, worked to a rigorous, low energy brief without compromising architectural vision – one reason why he chose VELFAC: ‘The system delivers excellent thermal performance with a slim frame design,’ he says. ‘Many Passivhaus- certified window systems are chunky’ in appearance whereas VELFAC windows maintain sleek and minimal sightlines even when units are triple-glazed. The system is also very cost-effective and comes with a warranty that other suppliers cannot match,’ he adds.


PAVILION HOUSE, SUFFOLK


Pavilion House is a beautiful, minimalist ‘inside out’ home designed by renowned Danish architect Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, founding partner of Norm Architects. The extensive front elevation, and the narrow sides, are entirely glazed in a combination of VAC fixed triple glaed units and large sliding doors, all fronting elegant kitchen, dining and living spaces. On the rear elevation large sliding doors are set between walls clad in local larch, providing bedrooms with access to a stylish terrace. avilion House was first conceived in 2013 when the previous owners asked Bjerre-Poulsen - then at the start of his career - to create a long, low building with minimal walls and maximum glass, where ‘the


46 www.sbhonline.co.uk SBH09_Velfac_FPAdv.indd 1 MJW Architects


countryside could be the star’. Bjerre- oulsen immediately specified VAC windows, both to sustain the minimalist aesthetic and deliver the insulation and air tightness required to ensure a ‘glass house’ would be both comfortable to live in and energy efficient.


TEN OAKS, HERTFORDSHIRE Architects Kirkland Fraser Moor worked with owner Ian Mays (one of the founders and now retired CEO of RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company) to create a ‘climate restorative’ zero carbon home with minimal visual impact on the surrounding countryside. The highly distinctive circular building – with an additional circular annexe – features VELFAC composite glazing throughout, specified for its low-U values and slim- framed, contemporary and sustainable design. ‘VELFAC triple glazed units met our thermal targets while the narrow frame design increased visibility from within the house and brought more daylight inside,’ says Ian. ‘We considered installing locally-made curved windows, but VELFAC was more cost effective and delivered the performance we needed. The


sustainability of the VELFAC aluminium / timber frame was also important,’ adds Ian: ‘Every unit is almost entirely recyclable and it’s also very low maintenance, which again supports our zero carbon ambitions.’


WHY VELFAC IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR ECO- FRIENDLY HOMES • Aluminium / timber composite frame - we only use SC-certified timber, and aluminium which is 2/3 manufactured using renewable energy and 40% from recycled sources.


• Slim frame profiles only mm - brings up to 1 more daylight into the interior


• Low U-values - triple glazing U-values as low as 0.8W/m2


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means excellent insulation and a real difference to energy bills


• Low maintenance design - our windows are virtually maintenance free for their expected lifetime, a minimum of 40 years


• 93% re-usable at end of life - thanks to our careful choice of raw materials


01480 759 510 velfac.co.uk


12/09/2023 14:36 sep/oct 2023


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