Product category:
Windows - Timber
News Release from: JELD-WEN | Subject: Why choose timber building products
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 February 2008
12 reasons to choose timber building
products
JELD-WEN list 12 good reasons why we should choose timber building products, including sustainability, longevity, flexibility in design, and much more.
1] Timber is the only truly sustainable material Choosing timber for a build project means that you are helping to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 27 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Growing trees absorb Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate of one tonne for every metre cubed of growth and convert it into carbohydrates through photosynthesis, releasing the oxygen we breathe.
Experts have worked out that for every m3 of wood used instead of other building materials, 0.8 tonne of CO2 is saved from the atmosphere.
Europe's forests are growing by 3,500 square miles per year.
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A typical tree absorbs 0.9 tonnes of carbon for every cubic metre of growth.
It also produces 727kgs of oxygen.
Trees are essential in the fight against climate change.
Most of the timber used in construction in Britain is sourced from European forests.
The best way to use forests as carbon sinks is to harvest the timber and convert it into products (which continue to store the carbon) while replanting more trees than before.
When a tree is harvested, it continues to store carbon for the remainder of its life keeping more CO locked away, out of the atmosphere.
Sustainable forestry also means more trees are planted.
2] Sustainable timber is easily recognisible by the FSC or PEFC logos.
To make sure the timber products you are working with are from sustainable sources, look out for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes.
JELD-WEN prides itself on its environmental policy and all the timber used for softwood windows is Chain of Custody certified, with all its new ranges of timber doors FSC certified.
3] Timber adds value to the home.
Whether it is being used for windows, stairs or doors, cladding or roof tiles (shingles), timber really does add value to a home.
As developers and homeowner seek more sustainable building materials, timber is proving to be the material of choice - inside and out.
It has a perceived higher value and therefore gives homeowners a better chance of maximising their re-sale value.
4] Timber is long lasting.
Timber when properly maintained lasts in excess of 60 years.
It is an extremely reliable material, offering longevity and performance, unlike any other building material.
Timber doors and windows are manufactured from highly engineered components and are built to meet demanding thermal and security standards.
Good quality timber windows are an investment that can last a lifetime.
High performance is now guaranteed with many wood products and, when combined with modern factory applied Hi-Build paints and stains, offers some of the best performances in the market.
At JELD-WEN we offer a 30 year warranty against rot and fungal attack on all external timber components.
In addition, we are so confident of our factory finishes that we offer guarantees of six years on stain and ten years on paint finishes.
For windows and doors this means they can be quickly and easily installed on site without the need for on-site decoration.
5] Timber has an aesthetically pleasing look and feel.
Trends are moving towards more natural looking products for the home and what better way to complement this than building using timber products.
Timber windows and doors, for example, have been used for hundreds of years and modern engineered construction methods mean they now offer much better performance than ever before.
6] Timber helps to meet the latest building regulations.
Timber is a naturally good insulator and so can help towards meeting Part L Building Regulations.
Timber when used in window frames helps to retain the heat within a building, keeping a property at a more constant temperature, all the year round.
Timber windows that are supplied factory glazed with 24mm insulated Low-E glass offer even better performance.
Low-E is a surface coating which substantially improves its energy efficiency by allowing the sun's rays into the property whilst preventing build up of heat through solar gain during the summer.
In the winter months Low-E reflects heat from the central heating back into the room.
Nowadays, a window's thermal efficiency is a key part of reducing any home's overall energy needs, meeting building regulations and complying with the Code for Sustainable Homes.
7] Timber offers flexibility in design.
Timber offers huge design opportunities as it is such a versatile material.
Timber is available in a vast range of construction products, from studwork to roofing, joists to I-beams, timber frame to solid timber structures, glulam to plywood, flooring cassettes to parquet, doors and windows to stairs and decking.
All are available without depleting the earth's resources.
Timber is flexible and sympathetic for use in historic renovations but also can be shaped and crafted to meet the design aspirations for contemporary homes.
Often in conservation areas, choosing timber windows helps to secure planning, especially when sliding sash styles are chosen which provide a classic look and feel.
8] Timber windows let more light into the home.
Homeowners are keen to introduce as much natural light into the home as possible and timber windows have the advantage of offering better sight lines than other materials.
This means that the glazed area is larger, letting in more light than alternative materials.
JELD-WEN's range of timber windows and patio doors feature innovative ways of making the best use of light, making a home into a lighter and airier living space.
9] Timber can easily be recycled.
Waste wood products are highly sought after as waste material that can be used either for animal bedding or, like JELD-WEN's millworking plant in Lowestoft, it can be used to produce biomass fuels.
When produced in the form of pellets, chips or logs for stoves, this can be used to heat the offices and factory in a completely sustainable 360 degree recycling solution.
10] Wood is healthy.
Wood has natural anti-bacterial properties that can combat bacteria and micro organisms that exist on material surfaces.
Wood when used in the home not only adds to its natural beauty and warmth, it is also easy to keep clean and does not harbour dust mites, making it ideal for asthma and other allergy sufferers.
11] Timber is a great material to work with.
It is no wonder that builders and other craftsmen like to work in timber.
It is an easy material to mould and craft and modifications can be made on site, so it is flexible to suit their needs.
It is also less dense and therefore easier to transport than many materials.
12] Timber means less energy use.
Timber products require very little non renewable energy in their manufacture as over 75 per cent of energy used in wood manufacturing comes from wood residues and recovered wood.
By choosing timber, you are opting for a material that is less likely to use up the earth's limited fuel resources.
For more information or a copy of the JELD-WEN catalogue, contact the sales office on 0845 122 2890 or visit the website.
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