Windows manufactured by Wood Window Alliance manufacturers provide a unique solution for architects and specifiers in meeting the demands of modern construction.

By specifying our wood windows, you can provide clients with modern windows which meet or exceed their expectations of design and performance targets whilst, at the same time be assured that the material they are made from is renewable and sourced responsibly, a fact that is unmatched by any other window material.

The brandmark is your guarantee that a window meets the quality criteria of the Wood Window Alliance - standards that are independently audited.

Click each box to see how Wood Window Alliance windows tick the boxes that are important to you.

Energy energy efficient

Responsible Purchasing

Sustainable

35 year service life

Repairable

Fully warrantied

     All windows carrying the Wood Window Alliance quality mark come double or triple-glazed and are effectively designed and sealed to be weather-proof.

      They are independently audited to ensure they meet the performance standards for wind and weather resistance of BS 6375 Part 1, the minimum performance standards for operational aspects of BS 6375 Part 2, or equivalent standards from other countries, and meet or better the UK Building Regulations recommendations for energy efficiency.

      There is little difference between the thermal performance of wood windows and PVC-U windows when glazed with the same double glazing units, although softwood windows have the benefit of better thermal conductivity and can achieve very low overall U-values in a more cost-effective way, particular if triple-glazing is to be considered, because of their strength.

      Wood Window Alliance members can provide windows with a BFRC ‘A’ rating, or with the U-values to suit the specifier’s or client’s requirements.

      Members of the Wood Window Alliance are required to manufacture windows from legal and sustainable timber derived from managed forests.

      They provide evidence in accordance with the UK Government’s timber procurement policy requirements for wood-derived products, as laid down by CPET, the Government’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement.

      Chain-of-custody certification provides evidence that the wood used in the window is traceable right to the forest source and is independently assessed by 3rd party auditing of their materials and processing.

      Usually, evidence is provided by licensed use of FSC or PEFC certification and labelling, demonstrating the impact of forest management on social, economic and environmental platforms.

      FSC and PEFC timber certification applies to hardwoods as well as softwoods.

Further information

CPET - http://www.proforest.net/cpet

      Wood windows score well in all LCA studies, and are rated A+ or A overall in the BRE Green Guide.

      BRE’s Climate Change Indicator rates wood windows A+ or A compared to D for all other window materials.

      The Wood Window Alliance requires all members to have responsible sourcing via 3rd party and chain-of-custody certification.

      Wood windows help create energy-efficient buildings and can be manufactured across a range of U-values or window energy ratings, many of which exceed current building regulation requirements.

      Prolonging the life of wood windows by planned maintenance lengthens the window’s service life and the carbon storage effect.

      Tropical deforestation is a major contributor to CO₂ emissions and global warming. However, timber from tropical forests is rarely, if ever, used by UK wood window manufacturers, which uses timber from European forests, currently growing at a rate of 661,000 ha every year^[1] – an area equivalent to three football pitches every hour of the night and day

      Wood’s natural ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere ensures wood products offer a more sustainable alternative to materials such as concrete or steel, plastic or aluminium, many of which require large amounts of energy to produce. On average every cubic metre of wood used instead of other construction materials saves almost one tonne CO₂.^[2]

¹ FAO, State of the World’s Forests, 2007

² Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management

      BRE’s service life predictions suggest a minimum service life of 35 years for TWA Scheme or similar specification windows. Windows carrying the WWA quality brandmark are made to similar or higher standards.

      Further case study evidence predicts a minimum life of 40 years, and there is no reason why, with the correct maintenance and appropriate repairs, a wood window will not last for the life of a building. There are many examples of wood windows remaining in service after 100 years and more.

      Windows bearing the Wood Window Alliance quality mark carry warranties that demonstrate confidence in the performance of the products. They vary by manufacturer, but are typically:

• A minimum of 30 years on the life of the timber
• 10 years on the glazing and ironmongery
• 8 years on the paint finish (for factory-finished windows)

      Wood windows are more easily repaired than other window materials. Handles and other ironmongery are easily replaced, and new wood sections can be let in where necessary by simple joinery and carpentry methods.

      Wood windows can be upgraded to improve weather performance, reduce drafts and help reduce energy loss, even if single-glazed.

      Although replacing single-glazed windows with new double-glazed energy-efficient units will help reduce heat loss and the efficiency of the building, the pay-back period for new windows can extend over many years. Other energy saving measures can be more cost-effective.

      By maintaining and repairing a wood window you reduce environmental impacts and extend service life. There’s no reason why a modern wood window cannot meet the entire service life of the building. In many cases wood windows do.

      Wood products store the carbon sequestered from the atmosphere by the tree. Prolonging the life of the window reduces the environmental impacts and locks up the storage of carbon in the wood frame.

      All windows bearing the Wood Window Alliance quality mark are accredited by an independent third party UK or European body and are warrantied to:

      Meet the minimum standards set out in BS 644, the main British Standard for wood windows, or equivalent standards from other countries

      Meet the performance standards for wind and weather resistance of BS 6375 Part 1

      Meet the minimum performance standards for operational aspects of BS 6375 Part 2, or equivalent standards from other countries

      Have service life warranties for durability, paint life, ironmongery and insulated glass units*

      Meet or better the UK Building Regulations recommendations for energy efficiency

      Be manufactured from timber, sourced legally from sustainably managed forests usually to FSC or PEFC independent certification.

*Warranties vary by manufacturer, but are typically

• 30 years minimum on the life of the timber,
• 10 years on the glazing and ironmongery and
• 8 years on the paint finish (for factory-finished windows).