Home Improvements & Repairs

Timber Windows UK

Assuming you possess a historic or era-based UK residence, it’s undoubtedly made of wood. And if you have contemplated replacement windows, more than likely you’ve considered less pricey options like PVC windows. Here’s some information about why wooden windows provide the best solution.

Types of Lumber to Select from with Timber Replacement Windows

To choose wisely about wood windows for your dwelling, it’s important to recognize that there are two kinds of lumber out there: softwood and hardwood. Spruce, pine, and cedar are illustrations of softwood. Since it’s cheap and easy to find, builders use it extensively. In contrast, deciduous hardwood (angiosperm) materials are known for shed their foliage once the summer is over. Birch, maple, oak, and mahogany are all types of hardwood.]

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

The amount of “embedded energy” burned up by wood as a construction material is very low. This means that the energy required for both manufacturing a product and supplying it to the end consumer or point of use is much lower than other materials like PVC or aluminum. 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

Those who are concerned about the ecosystem while installing timber windows and doors, the fact is that 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 restore two trees for each one they utilize.

It’s obvious that there’s just no reason to wait for installing timber windows in your UK home, because most of it derives from areas that emphasize forest management. 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.

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