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Free guide to alternatives to uPVC windows

Posted: 23/05/2008

Sustainable Homes in conjunction with Hastoe Housing Association has produced a residents guide on alternatives to uPVC windows. Sustainable Homes, a training and advisory consultancy operating in the field of sustainable housing, specialises in providing training on environmental standards, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and EcoHomes for new build and existing buildings (XB).

Since 1998, Hastoe HA has been committed to an environmental policy which includes reducing its dependence on nonrenewable resources, promoting the re-use and re-cycling of materials, and avoiding the use of potentially toxic and environmentally damaging materials and
processes.

Hastoe have decided that the use of uPVC windows in its properties is not consistent with this environmental policy or with promoting sustainability.

The guide outlines the reasons behind Hastoe’s decision and the alternatives available to residents which are preferable to uPVC both in terms of their environmental implications and their practical benefits. For example...

The manufacture of uPVC is an energy intensive process with associated environmental risks of oil extraction and global transportation. The manufacturing process requires the use of highly toxic chemicals,which have demonstrable hazards to health.

Unlike timber, it is impossible to repair uPVC window frames, and even slight damage requires the whole unit to be replaced. It is also difficult to repair or replace catches and locks, or to add restrictors.

Removing a window is difficult without damaging the unit, and so there is little possibility for reuse or recyling, uPVC is very difficult to recycle, and the chemical process involved in doing so is
environmentally damaging, so most uPVC in use will end up incinerated or sent to landfill, either of these options is also likely to cause further pollution.

The guide makes the various cases for alternatives, especially timber and goes into the different aspects of each one in terms of environmental impact and energy efficiency. It is simply written and well illustrated, and can be downloaded free from Sustainable Homes website - www.sustainablehomes.co.uk.

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