Formerly known as the Defra Windows Roadmap, this is the result of work undertaken across all material sectors involved in window manufacture, working with Government and other construction colleagues to examine the environmental impacts made by windows.
Windows make an important contribution to the energy-efficiency of buildings, but can cause other impacts from the materials that are used in their production, or during maintenance, replacement and at end-of-life.
The Action Plan outlines the challenges faced collectively by the window industry, whether a supplier, manufacturer, distributor, fabricator or installer.
In the case of timber windows, there are a number of areas where best practice methods can be used which will improve our sustainability credentials. Some of these are already undertaken my manufacturers such as those in the Timber Window Accreditation Scheme and the Wood Window Alliance.
These include the use of certified timber, water based treatments and paints, increased use of engineered timber sections, service life warranties and energy-efficient windows.
The Windows Sustainability Action Plan is available here.
