Let’s face it, as celebrations go, the entry into 2023 has been somewhat muted, and for good reason. The cost of living crisis is still with us, and with fuel prices set to rise even further, there seems no end to higher energy costs.
In all, we have a way to go before economic conditions stabilise. That said, adversity often brings positive change, and as a result, we’re seeing sustainability coming to the fore.
This, coupled with the need for governments to act now to invest in renewable energy and reduce the effects of climate change, means that at a domestic level, there has never been a better time to reduce our energy consumption and look at home improvement renovation in a more sustainable way. There is a lot we can do to reduce our carbon footprint, from installing solar panels to making sure that lofts are insulated efficiently.
Given the scope and range of eco-friendly home improvements on the market now, where should we begin when considering our own property? As a guide, let’s use some of the products we offer at Global Windows to highlight affordable and energy-saving choices.
Why is uPVC environmentally friendly?
There was a time when uPVC was the poor relation in terms of window frames. But not anymore. As technology has advanced and improved, so has uPVC, becoming a good design choice for anyone considering replacing their windows with budget and efficiency in mind.
uPVC needs little maintenance and can be recycled up to ten times without losing quality. Compared to traditional wooden frames – at least those installed more than 20 years ago – uPVC can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an astonishing 40%. In fact, uPVC can achieve some of the highest window energy ratings around.
For example, let’s look at our casement windows. These are among our most popular choices for a wide range of homes, and are available in various bespoke designs. Importantly, our casement windows are ‘A’ rated for energy efficiency, and are often installed to help upgrade thermal output, save a lot of energy, and reduce heat loss.
Our uPVC sliding sash windows are particularly suitable for more traditional properties which may previously have had wooden sliders. Again, they’re ‘A’ rated for energy efficiency and designed to provide ventilation while also retaining as much heat as possible without any compromise on their good looks and overall useability.
How sustainable are aluminium windows?
Aluminium is one of the most energy-efficient building materials out today. It has an excellent recycling rateability – in fact, it is said that one tonne of recycled aluminium saves nine tonnes of emissions. Recycling aluminium saves around 95% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing the raw product, so recycling it makes perfect sense.
In this context, let’s consider our range of aluminium bi-fold doors. As well as being energy-efficient, aluminium is superbly strong, which means that a minimal amount of aluminium can be employed to hold large sections of glazing.
The lack of an obstructive frame allows in much more natural light, warming your home naturally as well as retaining heat inside. At Global Windows, we have a range of styles and colours available, as well as a choice of handles and finishes for our homeowner customers to choose from.
Are composite doors energy efficient?
Doors made out of composite material were historically never particularly sustainable due to the nature of the materials involved, but this is no longer the case. Again, improvements in technology and increased customer demand for ‘green’ products have led to much better composite elements, so that a typical composite door will now feature a thermally efficient uPVC door frame which provides first class insulation, preventing heat from escaping while keeping out the cold.
A foam core also benefits from thermal efficiency while acting as an efficient sound barrier – important if you live on a busy road.
At Global Windows, we’ve switched from foam to timbercore composite doors – timber is a strong, more sustainable and naturally warm product, making our range of composite doors of a much better quality.
The timber core is then wrapped in revolutionary, high-performance CoolSkin technology, engineered to withstand extreme temperature changes and maintain optimum impact performance, with a colour protective layer so that it won’t get worn away or chipped.
At Global Windows, our composite doors are available in more than 20 styles, suiting a wide range of properties. We also offer a choice of premium colours and glazing options, from clear glass that optimises natural light to bespoke styles including bevelled, coloured, patterned or textured.
You can also opt for a solid-panelled composite door with no glazing, thereby maximizing privacy and security. Regardless of the style you choose, you can rest assured that all our composite doors are highly energy efficient, helping you keep that thermostat – and your heating bills – down.
How can I save money on my energy bills?
These are just a few ways of reducing your energy use at a time when we’re all looking to make savings. Investing in sustainable windows and doors for your home renovation now will undoubtedly save you money in the long term, and you’ll very quickly notice how up-to-the-minute technology is keeping your home warm and dry.
In the face of mounting calls to tackle the climate crisis, even small energy savings mean a lot, and can make a significant difference to ever-climbing fuel costs.
We owe it to ourselves to take responsibility for our environment and use less energy, so if you’re thinking about making sustainably-led home improvements, get in touch with us for excellent advice and an equally superb range of products.
Need some inspiration? Read up all about this year’s home improvement trends, learn which is the best style of window for energy efficiency, discover how much energy is being lost through your old windows, and get up to date with our long-term home energy saving hacks to help lower your bills.
To start your journey towards a more energy efficient home, get in touch with a member of our expert team today and we’ll be able to book you a consultation or offer you a free, no-obligation quote. You can contact us by either giving us a call on 0800 610 1234, or by completing our contact form.
