Summary
• This year the WWA has focused on the BRE‘s Green Guide and the WWA Specifiers’ Guide to Timber Windows.
• WWA is working with Defra to ensure wood windows’ benefits are recognised in future policy development.
• Defra is working on a road map to help the wood window industry understand the environmental impact of their products.
• In 2009 the WWA will increase its focus on consumers.
The 2007 launch of the Wood Window Alliance (WWA) by 34 companies was a real breakthrough for the UK market, marking the first time so many businesses had come together to create a promotional campaign for the sector. And since its formation, the WWA has forged ahead with its plans to highlight the thermal efficiency, durability, sustainability and beauty of 21st century wood windows, targeting professional, trade and consumer audiences.
There have been two main focuses in the WWA 2008 campaign: the results of the BRE Green Guide; and production of the new WWA Specifiers’ Guide in November.
In a world where sustainability is the new watchword, the numerous environmental benefits of wood windows were recognised this year in the new BRE Green Guide in which wood windows received the highest overall summary rating of A and A+. Wood windows were also top of the class for climate change, achieving an A rating, compared with far lower ratings for all other materials. The Climate Change Indicator within the overall rating measures the net amount of climate change gases released into the atmosphere over the full life cycle from the materials used within comparable building elements. Long life is one of the keys to a window’s sustainability and BRE gives wood windows a service life prediction of 30-35 years.
The Specifiers’ Guide to Timber Windows was published in response to increased demand from specifiers for up-to-date technical information. The Guide lays out the reasons why wood windows are easy to maintain, more durable and thermally efficient than ever before, as well as addressing issues of sustainability, legislation and the wide range of windows available. For the first time specifiers have a one-stop guide for all their window information needs. The Guide is available as a folder with easy-to-use fact cards or as a PDF on the WWA website www.woodwindowalliance.com.
WWA campaign chairman Nick Quinn said the guide was part of the WWA’s continuing drive to make up-to-date, relevant information about wood windows easily available to the industry. “Technical and legislative requirements for windows can be a minefield, but our new guide enables specifiers to specify wood windows carrying the WWA brandmark with complete confidence,” he said.
This year the WWA began to collaborate with Defra to ensure the sustainability, thermal efficiency and durability of 21st century wood windows are recognised in future policy development. Defra is working on a road-mapping project which will allow the wood window industry to better understand the environmental impact of their products, taking into account all the stages, from the acquisition of the raw materials all the way through to the disposal of the product at the end of its life. Using this information, the industry will now look at how to mitigate the environmental impact of wood windows, and the WWA will be working closely with Defra and with its members to ensure that any issues raised by the road-mapping scheme are addressed.
WWA marketing manager Ruth Odunuga is pleased with the WWA’s progress so far. “In 2009 we will continue to drive home the WWA’s messages to trade audiences as well as building our presence in the consumer arena,” she said.
