Sustainability

Sustainability covers a number of issues, from materials sourcing to carbon emissions, life expectancy and waste reduction. Wood windows score the highest overall scores of A or A+ in the new BRE Green Guide which uses Life Cycle Assessment to measure sustainability. Notably wood windows were the only windows to score an A in the Climate Change Category.

Naturally renewable

Wood is the only naturally renewable material for windows. Windows carrying the Wood Window Alliance mark are made from certified timber, so you can be sure that the wood harvested has been replaced by even more new trees, adding to the carbon sink effect of our forests, and that other aspects of sustainability have also been respected. Wood windows are the only material that can demonstrate responsible sourcing by 3rd party certification.

Energy efficient in manufacture

Because of the carbon sink effect of the forests, windows made from wood use less energy to make than those made from any other material – and therefore contribute least carbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Energy efficient in use

And because of modern double or triple glazing and good energy efficiency, you can be confident that a Wood Window Alliance window will continue to save energy and carbon emissions throughout its long life.

Long lasting

A long life is also key to a window's sustainability. Members offer extensive service life warranties on windows carrying the mark. With proper care and maintenance, quality wood windows can last a lifetime.

Unlike other types of window, wood windows can be repaired easily and inexpensively, extending their life (and their carbon store) still further, meaning even less impact on the environment than replacements.

Recyclable

At the end of their life, wood windows can be recycled, or used as a biomass fuel. And if they do end up in landfill, they are fully bio-degradable.

Life Cycle Assessment

The Wood Window Alliance, through BRE Environmental Profiling, has Life Cycle Assessment data and service life information to support the sustainability credentials of wood windows.