BWF and WWA slam Which? magazine for failing to recognise timber windows

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and Wood Window Alliance (WWA) have written to consumer magazine Which? following a report published on double-glazing companies that completely omits timber from the company comparisons.

The report, in May’s edition of the magazine, presents PVC-U as the sole material for use in the replacement window market.

BWF President, Roy Wakeman OBE, and WWA Chairman, Sean Parnaby, wrote letters to Which?’s editor expressing their dismay and concern at the misleading consumer report.

The PVC-U double-glazing has a bad reputation, according to the Which? report, that surveyed over £2.5K consumers, with just 7% trusting these companies, but rated smaller independent companies to be better in service, quality and price.

In his letter, Mr Wakeman OBE, said “[the] report outlines the high quality of product and service of SME companies operating in the market place, and we are confident that our SME members would be scored just as highly by your readers. But in contrast to your report, we would be just as confident that our larger members would score higher than their PVC-U competitors, as all our companies are focused on providing excellent service and long-lasting and high quality products”.

Wakeman went on to call on Which? to commission a follow-up report to challenge timber window companies to the same criteria.
Both letters also outlined the clear environmental benefits that timber windows present to the consumer, with Mr Parnaby highlighting, “When replacement windows are such a major item of expense for the home-owner, it would be useful for your readers to know that today’s high performance wood windows are greener, longer-lasting and better long-term value than PVC-U equivalents. And, of course, that they come double or triple-glazed”.

It was also raised that consumers needed to be in possession of all the facts and options for double-glazing replacement, with the Government’s Green Deal likely to prompt an increase in demand for windows.

Iain McIlwee, BWF Chief Executive, said, “It was clear the timber industry needed to respond to the myth that this article perpetrates: PVC-U is clearly not the only option for window replacement.  The PVC-U industry has spun and marketed itself well over the years – this article underpins that a better more joined up approach is needed by the wood industry to ensure that our voice is heard."

The Which? report will be available to their subscribers in their latest (May) edition, or some limited information is available on Which? website. You can read the letters sent by the BWF and WWA in full on the BWF website.