Thu 1 Nov 2007
A window on style
As essential to a development as bricks and mortar, your choice of windows and doors has a major impact on a project's success. Linda Grabham looks at the latest trends and reveals a clear vision for the future.
The demand for replacement windows and doors may be taking a battering in today's saturated market - with installations made during the double glazing boom of the late 90s yet to need replacing - but the new-build industry is more than making up for it. Indeed, market analyst AMA Research estimates volume sales of more than two million windows and external doors during 2007, with that number predicted to have risen 20 per cent since 2004. Add internal and patio doors to the mix and the profits go through the roof (in the case of skylights and sun tunnels, quite literally!).One of the main causes of this is the current prevalence of apartments and three-storey properties in the UK. Using precious building land as efficiently as possible has been part of the government's new-build development strategy since its Planning Policy Guidance 3 document was published in March 2000 (updated in April of this year and now called Planning Policy Statement 3, or PPS3). As a result, 46 per cent of all new-builds are apartments (compared to 15 per cent in 1997/98) and two-bedroom properties have replaced four-bedroom homes as the most common type of new build, according to the Office for National Statistics. While this may mean that the number of rear and patio doors have decreased, the need for more front doors and more internal doors - especially with the growth of en suites - has counterbalanced the issue and you don't have to be a genius to calculate that a three-storey home or multi-storey apartment block requires more windows than a regular two-storey dwelling. "The growth of apartments and the number of new-build properties in general has had a positive impact on the windows and doors industry, which is helping it survive tough times in terms of replacement trade," says Andrew Hartley, director of AMA Research.
Historically, the window and door industry has experienced a great deal of conflict between manufacturers of timber and uPVC products and with the current interest in all things environmentally friendly that situation hasn't changed. As the primary societal trend effecting window and door specification, few can afford to ignore the environmental credentials of their products and it is the obvious sustainability of timber that is seeing a revival of this material. "The environmental impact and sustainability are the main driving forces for the resurgence in timber windows - people are becoming more environmentally aware and timber meets these requirements, when compared to uPVC or aluminium," claims Julia Berrie, marketing manager at Scotts of Thrapston.Traditionally, timber-framed windows and doors were rejected by potential homebuyers because of their long-term maintenance demands, but today's products are excelling in that field and improvements within protective finishes and wood treatments are helping to reduce the maintenance required. Furthermore, many developers are also finding success with engineered timbers that offer greater durability, stability and a knot-free surface with less waste. "A lot of work is being done by various companies to produce super wood products. These products will not need any treatment, offer little or no movement due to moisture ingress, perhaps incorporate insulation within the lamination and above all be environmentally friendly," explains Chris Wood, sales and marketing director at Mumford & Wood.
However, while wood is undoubtedly a sound choice in terms of its original sourcing and manufacture, PVC has its own benefits in the long term and is also playing a major role in helping developers build greener homes. This includes the move towards windows that can demonstrate high ratings under the recently introduced British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) Domestic Window Energy Rating (DWER) scheme. Although still not a compulsory scheme for housebuilders, companies such as LB Plastics has seen a growing demand for A- and B-rated windows as developers strive towards creating more energy-efficient homes. "We are also seeing a greater requirement for windows with improved U-values and PVC is perfectly placed to help builders reach the six-star rating required by the Code for Sustainable Homes because its thermal performance in use far outweighs any benefit of opting for timber windows simply for the perceived renewable properties," argues Mike Butterick, head of the new-build windows and doors team at LB Plastics. The importance of the environmental credentials of windows and doors - in terms of their carbon footprint, sustainability and ongoing performance can surely only gain momentum as we race towards the government's goal that all homes be carbon-neutral by 2016.Stepping down from the eco-soapbox to consider the more superficial but no less relevant topic of design trends, and it would seem that there's no escaping the influence of the environment - at least within internal doors, which are currently experiencing a revival in natural timber-style finishes. In line with the interior design trend for rich woods such as wenge and dark oak in the kitchen and bathroom, many of the smartest developers are seeking American black walnut and other dramatically dark stains to add impact to their show homes.
"There has certainly been a shift by designers and specifiers to installing premium doors built using American black walnut and with feature-grooved faces. As a material, American black walnut is easy to work with and provides a high-class finish; delivering a real statement to a home or development project," says Julia Berrie at Scotts of Thrapston. Linden Homes has also recently chosen Vicaima's oak-veneered Ecodors to add a sophisticated, natural design statement to its 256-home Market Quarter development in Chippenham, Wiltshire. While, externally, Deceuninck reports that foiled woodgrain finishes in both rosewood and golden oak remain very popular choices. Looking to the future trends within windows and doors, there is a general consensus that developers will become more adventurous with colours as PVC and foil-wrap manufacturers offer brighter and more exciting hues and it is also predicted that composite doors will see strong signs of growth. "This has been slower than expected over the last few years but now seems to be gathering pace with the sales of composite doors up by 15 to 20 per cent," says Paul Gerrard, managing director of Gretsch-Unitas.
Finally, environmental credentials will no doubt continue to keep manufacturers on their toes with regards to zero emissions and various eco-ratings. "The government has legislated that all homes should become carbon-free by 2016. It is therefore only natural that windows and doors will become more energy efficient and factors such as triple glazing and argon-filled glass will be viewed as the norm. Manufacturers are already well advanced in the production of new and sustainable materials for windows and doors and these are certain to gain momentum as we approach the 2016 deadline," concludes Paul Owen, technical manager for Chase Homes.
First published in Show House Magazine November 2007.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Linda Grabham
in Andersen, Deceuninck Ltd, Eurocell, Green Building Store, Inside Out, Jeld-Wen, L B Plastics, Mumford & Wood, Scotts of Thrapston, Velux, Vicaima on Thu 1 Nov 2007
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