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Our Steel Windows and the Environment
When considering the environmental impact of today’s fenestration it’s important to realise the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials used, whilst also bearing in mind their economic implications in terms of installation, efficiency, maintenance, renewal and legacy.
Below we briefly highlight some of these points.
Materials - Sustainable Resources and Recycling
The Steel Window Company operates a policy where all our windows are manufactured from 100% recycled steel, consisting of...
3% pre-consumer recycled content (or post industrial content or material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process)
97% post-consumer recycled content (or material generated by end uses of the product which can no longer be used for its intended purpose)
We also recycle any steel that is not longer needed or used in our facility.
Note: PVC Windows and Recycling
Steel recycling has a proven track record and its process is both economically viable and environmentally friendly, unfortunately the recycling of PVC windows and doors poses two major problems once their lifetime has expired. Firstly is cost, due to the advanced processes needed the cost for recycling significantly outweighs the cost of producing new PVC units and secondly it produces toxic and poisonous side products that also harm the environment. As a result this will leave an ever increasing amount of un-biodegradable PVC framing to be disposed of.
Lifetime
Steel windows offer an unrivalled life expectancy where the expected service life of a Steel Window is well in excess of 100 years with proper care and maintenance, whereas PVC windows offer a service life of around 15 years. In some instances we’ve encountered they have even needed replacing within 5 years.
Building Regulations Part L
With the requirements of Part L becoming increasingly stringent in regard to the thermal efficiency of windows in New and Existing buildings our steel windows are able to offer the same benefits in terms of its glazing and framing u-values that can offer whole window u-values that comply with Part L.
Therefore our steel windows achieve thermal and economic efficiencies comparable with those of double glazed PVC.
Another advantage of using steel when compared to PVC is the inherent strength that steel offers; this allows our frames to be elegantly slim and slender achieving greater glazing areas which in turn enhance any windows solar gain.
Maintenance and Renewal
Whereas PVC windows will require replacing within a short time steel windows, if properly maintained will last a lifetime. Galvanisation will protect the steel for up to 100 years and if powder coated will not need repainting for approximately 15-20 years highlighting that the installation of cheaper PVC windows in most buildings can sometimes be a false economy.
Summary
Our Steel Windows and Doors not only give an elegant and unique style to any property but offer a truly unrivalled service and performance that will benefit the environment and generations to come. |
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The Steel Window Company is a Trading style of Fabco Sanctuary Limited. Registered In England & Wales
No. 6552850. Vat No. 931 9093 17
© Fabco 2008 -- Unit 1, Hobbs New Barn, Climping, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5RE
--Tel: 01903 718 808 -- Fax: 01903 718 903 -- info@thesteelwindowcompany.com--
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