Building Contract

Some Facts about the Wood that Comprises Timber Windows

Timber Windows UK

Assuming you possess a historic or era-based UK residence, there’s no doubt that its windows are made from wood. That said, if your agenda includes getting replacement windows, more than likely you’ve considered less pricey options like PVC windows. Let’s look at why wooden windows provide the best solution.

Types of Lumber to Select from with Timber Replacement Windows

To come to an intelligent decision about wood windows for your residence, you must realize there are two choices when it comes to types of lumber: softwood and hardwood. Spruce, pine, and cedar are illustrations of softwood. Manufacturers use softwood extensively because it’s both affordable and available. In contrast, the hardwoods or “angiosperms” are deciduous, meaning that they shed their leaves in the fall. Different kinds of hardwood include maple, oak, mahogany, and birch.]

Timber Windows

Environmental Concerns

First and foremost, quality timber windows should have an energy-saving design that’s environmentally sound. For example, if the panes are double-glazed, it’s better to fill the space between them with argon gas rather than air. The glass itself should be low E, which means that it has an ultra-thin metallic coating that reflects heated or cooled air back to its source, rather than allowing it to dissipate. Look for windows with a low u-value. U-value measures how much heat will escape through a material. In other words, the higher the U-value, the poorer an insulator a material is. Single glazed windows have a U-value that approaches 6.0 while double glazed windows have a U-value of about 3.0. In addition, some timber windows and doors receive accreditation from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and may be endorsed by organizations like Green Peace and/or the World Wildlife Fund.

More Beneficial Features of Wooden Windows

As a building material, wood has one of the lowest “embedded energy” values. In layman’s terms, the energy used to create wood and pass it along to consumers is considerably less than the competition (aluminum or PVC). When additional wood features like low conductivity to temperature and ability to insulate, wood becomes a clearly prize material for sash windows, casement windows, bow windows and bay windows.

UK Timber Windows

Final Thoughts on Wood Used in UK Timber Windows

If you worry about the environment when putting in timber windows and doors, In all honesty, the UK imports 85% of its wood from countries who have government regulated forest management programs. 45,000 people work in Britain on forestry or something similar—they make up 20% of the UK’s production of timber. They plant two trees per one used.

As you now realize, there’s no reason to hold back on installing timber windows in your UK home, as more wood than not originates from areas that make forest management a top priority. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Look for Accreditation

Many manufacturers of timber frame windows subscribe to trade associations and independent entities that test and certify their products. An example would be the TRADA Q-Mark High Performance Timber Window Scheme. In order to earn a TRADA Q-Mark certification, a window product undergoes stringent testing on an annual basis. There’s even a certification for window manufacturing plants available under ISO9001:2001. So, when considering a specific brand of uk timber windows, be sure to ascertain that they carry these or other certifications or accreditations.