This is always an issue that stirs up contention, however I do think it’s high time we all started to face the facts that PVC windows and doors being allowed to be installed in conservation areas is going to happen more and more, and that’s its NOT a bad things.
Let me set my stall out on this one. I am very much for PVC windows being installed into listed buildings and conservation areas IF they are sympathetic to the building and do not take anything away from the structure in terms of character and design. I am AGAINST PVC in heritage buildings if they stand to negatively impact the structure.
There is a current crop of timber alternative products which do an extremely good job of mimicking the aesthetics of timber. The old crop of woodgrain PVC when compared to timber was poor, I think most would agree on that. But there is a real energy behind this timber alternative movement which is spawning some incredibly good looking PVC that clients are now finding it hard to tell what is wood and what is PVC. And for this reason, I do believe all councils should consider timber alternative PVC when it comes to having new windows and doors.
The aesthetics are as good as wood, and so are the green credentials. Energy efficiency is as good with timber alternative PVC as it is wood, and in some cases better. And when it comes to recycling, yes some timber products have a lifespan longer than PVC, however PVC can be just as easily recycled over and over again, reducing the long-life carbon footprint of the product.
I’m not saying one product is better than another, although there are advantages to timber alternative PVC over wood. What I am saying is that in my opinion, timber alternative PVC should be considered as the same quality of product as timber, and should therefore be as fairly looked at to replace old windows and doors in conservation areas. The current arguments against PVC are outdated versus products such as Evolution, Residence 9 and Prestige by Aztec. The anti-PVC brigade need to just take a step back, look objectively at the products I’ve just mentioned. If councils and planners are now accepting timber alternative PVC in conservation areas, then perhaps it’s time for the negative propaganda to stop.
Agree? Disagree?
Depends how far you want to go.Some of the sashes look great.But its not the same story with leaded designs.Stick on lead doesn’t look the same.How can it all on the same piece of flat glass instead of individual panes catching the light from different facets.Maybe if they are cleaned and fitted in side the unit is the closest match.
But its not the same.
There is a place for the new type of PVC windows especially at the premium prices that are allowing installers to make reasonable margins. There are a number of buts. Modern timber windows do have a much longer life span. Better quality wood is being used with microporous paints meaning that 30 year warranties are the norm against rot or decay, 10 year no painting guarantees are also common and they are the material if the original fabric. With the cost of the new PVC coming out very close or sometimes more expensive, why would you want to go for… Read more »
So what so green about wooden windows, apart from the leaves they produce when growing and the carbon they absorb. To use wood for a window it has to be treated with preservatives and toxics, the coating also have more toxics. At the end of its life what do you do with the wood, burn it and release carbon and toxics or bury it and allow it to leach into the ground and water systems. What do with Upvc , recycle 5 times over. There is a arguement both ways , but I believe upvc is as green as wood… Read more »