A-Rating is Much More than Recycling

Dear Richard,

I have been reading with interest letters and comments since the BRE Green Guide published its environmental ratings. The Green Guide takes into account 12 factors, from climate change to toxicity and waste disposal. So for Roy Wakeman (The Gl@zine, 20th May) to claim that PVC-U achieved an A rating on the sole basis that more windows are being recycled is nonsense!

It's now common practice to recycle PVC-U factory waste and off-cuts from window fabrication, as Masterframe has done for many years. And we recycle post-consumer waste, ie any PVC-U frames that do get replaced. The Recovinyl scheme has developed an infrastructure of over 100 collectors and 20 recyclers of PVC construction materials in the UK.

Realistically though, who recycles timber? Forget what can be done: how much IS recycled? At best the timber is burnt to keep factories warm.

There is no infrastructure, as there is with PVC, to strip the products of their hardware, glass, gaskets, paints and preservatives. What hasn't rotted is usually just dumped in a skip or burned, along with the glass, hardware etc. We've all seen it.

Most of the top 'A' to 'C' energy rated windows are made from PVC-U. Despite preconceptions, few timber windows have made the grade. When I last looked, the BFRC had just four timber window companies listed who have produced an 'A' rated window, as opposed to around 65 for PVC-U.

When PVC-U is used and installed in harmony with a property it can add value and character. There are now many cases of planners not being able to tell the difference between PVC-U sash windows and timber windows for period properties. Many Masterframe sashes have been fitted in conservation areas too - including Grade II and Article 4 directive, listed buildings.

What's being overlooked - and what matters most to end users - is the effect windows have on the value of their homes; how appropriate the designs are for their properties; the ongoing decoration costs etc etc. Then (and only then) sustainability, energy efficiency and security come into the equation.

I'm not against timber. In fact, we've just launched a wooden version of our flagship 'Bygone Collection' sash, because we know for some properties and some homeowners, it's the right choice. But I am tired of anti-PVC tirades.

Every material has its pros and cons. If only we'd argue the strengths of each and focus less on the weakness of others, we'd all be more productive.

Yours sincerely

Alan Burgess
Managing Director
Masterframe Windows