Campaign for triple glazing
Dated: 31/05/2009
Award-winning sustainable building products supplier Green Building Store believes triple glazing should become the standard choice for windows and doors in the UK to help combat climate change. Windows and doors installed in 2009 should still be around long after 2030, so it is important that they are as thermally efficient as possible. Green Building Store argues that only triple glazed windows and doors will be the correct specification to complement the necessary super insulation measures (The Great British Refurb 1) which the existing housing stock needs to address the threat of climate change. Building regulations for new build are likely to move over the next few years towards triple glazing, with 2013 regulations likely to stipulate triple glazing for windows and doors.
As part of Green Building Store's commitment to promoting ultra low energy building design, the company has switched its own Yorkshire based Ecoplus window production to focus on triple glazing and, from 1st June 2009, will be making argon filled triple glazing more affordable by offering it at the same price as double glazing2. Currently, buildings can lose 10-25% of their heat through windows but this can be considerably reduced by using energy efficient glazing. Ecoplus argon triple glazed windows have a window U value of 1.0 W/m2/K, which is 50% better than the requirements of current building regulations. They are also Forestry Stewardship Council certified (FSC Pure) in redwood or oak, as well as being hand finished using natural pant oil based paints and finishes .
Already commonplace in regions with colder climates, such as Scandinavia, triple glazed windows are also popular in countries such as Germany and Austria where low energy buildings and Passivhaus3 design are encouraged. Chris Herring, Director at the Green Building Store said, "In order to fight climate change we urgently need to improve energy efficiency standards in UK buildings - but necessary energy saving measures also need to be made affordable. By increasing our production capacity and absorbing the extra costs of triple glazing we hope that this will allow more people to consider ultra efficient windows and doors as a viable option when designing and refurbishing buildings."
Green Building Store has just won a Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2009 for providing 'cutting edge sustainable products' and for its 'pioneering approach to sustainability'. As well as making ultra efficient timber windows and doors, the company supplies: water-saving sanitaryware (toilets, taps, showerheads etc); Passivhaus products (windows, ventilation, airtightness products etc); and natural building materials (sheep's wool insulation, natural paints and finishes etc). For more information, go to www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk or ring 01484 461705.
Notes for the Editor
1. To address the urgent threat of climate change, the UK Government has announced its intention of undertaking a comprehensive refurbishment of existing housing stock ('The Great British Refurb') so that all UK homes produce near zero carbon emissions by 2050. Put out to consultation early in 2009, the new 'heat and energy saving strategy' is aiming for "all homes to have received by 2030 a whole house' package including all cost-effective energy saving measures, plus renewable heat and electricity measures as appropriate. All lofts and cavity walls will be insulated where practical by 2015." Green Building Store argues that only triple glazed windows and doors will be the correct specification to complement the necessary super insulation measures which the existing housing stock needs to address the threat of climate change.
2. Green Building Store is committed to supporting the uptake of triple glazing in the UK and has increased production efficiency and reduced the cost of its Ecoplus triple glazed windows and doors to help consumers go down this route. The cost reductions have brought the cost of triple glazing in line with that of double glazing (based on Ecoplus double glazing prices which remain unchanged from 2008 to the present). Does not apply to solar spaces and conservatories.
3. The term 'Passivhaus' refers to a specific construction standard for buildings which have excellent comfort conditions in both winter and summer. By using the simple 'tea cosy' effect of super-efficient insulation and excellent airtightness coupled with a 'comfort ventilation' system, Passivhaus design can create healthy and comfortable homes that require minimal heating. Heat generated from the sun through windows, occupants' body heat and cooking and showering activities are often all that are needed to warm a Passivhaus home. Passivhaus dwellings typically achieve an energy saving of 90% compared to existing housing. Earlier this year, Green Building Store launched a range of Passivhaus products to help facilitate the uptake of Passivhaus design in the UK. For more information go to: www.passivhausproducts.co.uk
Also available
Photographic images
High-res images of Ecoplus windows and Green Building Store are available to download from: www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/green-building-press-photos.html
Feature articles
Available on many topics relating to sustainable building including: Passivhaus design, water-saving technologies; FSC timber. Pre-written feature on Green Building Store also available. Generic/ non-advertorial - can be tailored to any audience and word length requirements.
About Green Building Store
Established in 1995, Green Building Store is a specialist manufacturer/ supplier of: FSC timber windows and doors; water-efficient toilets and sanitaryware; Passivhaus products; and natural building materials. Founded by three experienced building professionals Bill Butcher, Chris Herring and Steve Slator, the company grew out of their frustration with the poor availability of ecological building products. The company is committed to doing all it can to help tackle climate change and to champion best practice in low carbon and sustainable construction. Green Building Store is based in Heath House Mill, Bolster Moor, Golcar in the hills above Huddersfield.
www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk, Tel: 01484 461705