While reducing the number of plastic bags and the amount of plastic packaging may be a good start, there are several decisions you can make when refurbishing your home which will have a large impact on the environment. One of these decisions is the choice of the materials for any windows or doors.
Benefits of Sustainable Timber
Did you know that timber from sustainable forests is the most environmentally friendly material for replacement windows and doors? In fact, a total of 160kg of CO2 is saved for every wood window installed instead of a plastic window (source – WWA infographic).
Unlike timber windows, plastic windows and doors are non-biodegradable and often not recyclable, with only 15% of plastic windows recycled in the UK in 2013 (source – WWA infographic). PVC-u is made from Vinyl Chloride Monomer, a Class 1 human carcinogen, and during manufacture plastic windows and doors produce several toxic chemicals that are damaging to the environment.
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At The Sash Window Workshop we are fully FSC certified, meaning that our timber comes from sustainable sources. Having FSC certification certifies that the timber is taken from a forest that is managed against strict standards in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable manner.
Sustainability at The Sash Window Workshop
As members of The Wood Window Alliance (WWA), we are audited on our environmental policies, and the WWA also review our energy consumption, waste management and recycling policies.
At The Sash Window Workshop, timber shavings and dust waste from our workshop and machines are burned in our wood waste furnace. The resultant heat is then used to provide central heating to our workshop and office.
We recycle as much as we can. Iron and lead sash weights, paint tins and ironmongery metal are all collected and sent for recycling. Office waste, ranging from paper to bottles, is sorted into the correct recycling bins for collection. Any other waste is disposed of in the most environmentally efficient way possible.
We use water based paint for our standard white finish on new windows and doors, rather than oil based paint, as it more environmentally friendly.
Our vans are replaced every three to four years to ensure that we operate up to date vehicles with the latest fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions technology.
Where we can, and provided that the customer is content, we also aim to use technology to reduce the volume of paper that we generate to do our work.
Replacement or Repair
An advantage of timber windows and doors is that they can often be repaired, rather than requiring complete replacement. This not only saves you money and reduces the disruption to your home, but it also reduces any environmental impact from manufacturing and disposing of the windows and doors.
At The Sash Window Workshop our sales surveyors will always recommend the most appropriate service to suit your individual requirements. If the window sashes or frame are still in a good condition, we will aim to repair the existing windows rather than replace them.
To obtain a free, no obligation quotation to replace or repair your windows and doors, contact The Sash Window Workshop on 01344 868 668.
