Gowercroft Joinery picks up BWF Sustainability award

In the first of two awards received on the night, Gowercroft Joinery has won the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Sustainability Award for 2024.

This achievement is said to highlight Gowercroft’s dedication to sustainable practices in producing eco timber windows and doors. The award celebrates the company’s innovative sustainability strategies, such as Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), and its focus on creating sustainable wooden windows that minimise environmental impact while maintaining exceptional quality.

At Gowercroft, sustainability drives every step of its operations, from design to disposal. Its LCA, developed in partnership with the University of Derby, assesses the environmental impact of each product. These assessments cover the entire lifecycle, including sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal. This comprehensive approach ensures Gowercrofts’ sustainable timber windows meet and exceed industry standards.

Key Highlights of Gowercroft’s Sustainability Practices

• Carbon Negative at Raw Material Stage: Gowercroft’s Hardwick Red Grandis windows achieves carbon-negative status at the raw material stage. The timber sequesters more carbon during growth than is emitted during harvesting and production.
• Net Negative Emissions Over Their Lifetime: All Gowercroft windows and doors, including those made from Accoya and Red Grandis, achieve net negative emissions across their entire lifecycle. This is due to a combination of carbon sequestration, energy-efficient use, and sustainable end-of-life disposal practices.
• Responsibly Sourced Timber: Gowercroft exclusively uses FSC-certified timber, including Accoya and Red Grandis, which are both durable and environmentally friendly. Accoya lasts over 60 years with proper maintenance, while Red Grandis offers a 50+ year lifespan. These long lifespans help reduce the need for frequent replacements, minimising long-term environmental impacts.

Benefit to customers

Gowercroft’s focus on sustainability directly benefits customers who are seeking eco timber windows for both heritage and modern properties. Through the company’s Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), customers receive transparent data about the environmental impact of their products, enabling them to make informed, responsible choices.

Additionally, by choosing Gowercroft’s sustainable wooden windows, property owners contribute to reducing their carbon footprint while enjoying windows and doors that are built to last. These products also align with evolving planning regulations that prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability in construction.

Driving Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Winning the BWF Sustainability Award underscores Gowercroft’s commitment to pushing boundaries in sustainable manufacturing. Over the years, it has implemented initiatives including:

• Biomass Heating Systems: Transforming wood waste into energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Compressor System Upgrades: Cutting energy consumption, saving an estimated 20,474 kg of CO₂ annually.
• Lifecycle Studies: Identifying areas for improvement and refining processes to reduce emissions further.

Future projects include solar panel installations, rewilding initiatives, and continued enhancements to our manufacturing processes to support the company’s journey toward Net Zero.