More than 60 people attended the first ever seminar on timber windows and the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Timber Windows Accreditation Scheme to be staged in Northern Ireland last month.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) and the BWF, the joint seminar was aimed at raising the standard and quality of timber windows manufactured locally.

Maurice Brooks, chairman of NITTA, said: ‘It is imperative that we continue to promote timber in what is now a highly competitive market. Not only is timber a natural resource, it is also the only truly renewable resource and its use has positive environmental implications unlike most of its competitiors.’

Former BWF director Kevin Cubbage said his organisation wanted to encourage all timber manufacturers to become part of the Timber Window Accreditation Scheme to help them combat fierce competition from plastic window manufacturers and to dispel any myths of substandard quality where timber windows are concerned.

&#8220It is imperative that we continue to promote timber in what is now a highly competitive market. Not only is timber a natural resource, it is also the only truly renewable resource and its use has positive environmental implications unlike most of its competitiors.”

Maurice Brooks, chairman of NITTA,

Clyve Perkin, ex-managing director of Bennett Windows, said the BWF had been instrumental in saving the UK timber window industry – and improving his own company’s profitability – and Geoff Taylor of Akzo Nobel Woodcare explained the importance of fully factory finished windows and the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of maintenance and installation.