Why timber?

Joe Trueman, Shareholder at Glyngary Joinery, discusses why timber windows and doors are making a comeback in the UK.

Sustainability

Did you know that 43% of PVC-U is derived from petroleum, a finite resource that contributes significantly to the world’s carbon dioxide emissions?

In the face of a climate emergency, the need for sustainable, renewable, and fully recyclable building materials has never been more urgent. By choosing windows and doors crafted from FSC-certified timber, you’re supporting responsibly managed forests that maintain a constant, renewable cycle of supply. Trees naturally absorb around 25% of the carbon emissions produced by human activity.

However, as they age, their ability to capture carbon decreases, so at this point, they’re transformed into Accoya, making room for new, fast-growing trees that can take up the carbon-absorbing role. Accoya is not just an environmentally friendly choice—it’s a groundbreaking one.

Accredited by the FSC, it’s the only construction material worldwide to earn Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Platinum certification for Material Health. With its low carbon footprint, choosing Accoya windows and doors means your family is actively helping to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.

We at Glyngary Joinery are committed to sustainability in every step of our process. In 2016, we invested in a biomass boiler heating system, which heats our workshop and paint drying booths using our own timber offcuts rather than gas. This is just one example of how we’re reducing our environmental impact.

With a lifespan of over 70 years and fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, our hand-crafted windows and doors offer an unparalleled level of sustainability. From the sourcing of materials to production and delivery, they are the ideal choice for families looking to make a positive difference in the face of today’s environmental challenges.

Durability

Our windows and doors offer outstanding resistance to insect attacks and damage.

Thanks to Accoya’s unique properties, it’s indigestible to a wide range of pests, including termites, creating a natural, highly effective barrier against infestations. Plus, Accoya’s exceptional stability means there’s minimal risk of issues during assembly, installation, or in the years to come.

Accoya sets a new standard for timber reliability. After undergoing the advanced acetylation process, it is rigorously checked and trusted not to swell, shrink, or distort. With only minimal movement, it remains highly durable, enduring the harshest climates for an impressive lifespan of 70+ years.

Our windows and doors are crafted to be structurally sound, using traditional joinery techniques honed over four decades. Combined with our dedication to sourcing only the finest materials, we create hand-finished products that are designed to perform seamlessly through both winter and summer, year after year.

Energy efficiency

With rising costs and a growing energy crisis, energy efficiency has become a top priority for homeowners choosing new windows and doors. Whilst PVC-U and aluminium systems are constantly being modified and adapted just to meet the UK’s increasingly stringent energy performance regulations, timber stands apart as a natural insulator, boasting low thermal transmittance and helping to retain warmth whilst keeping the cold out.

By combining Accoya timber with high-performance, energy-efficient glass, our Signature range achieves industry-leading U-values. Our double-glazed windows and doors deliver a U-value of 1.2 W/m²K, outperforming current UK regulations by 15%.

With triple glazing, the U-value can be as low as 0.68 W/m²k – an impressive 52% better than current standards. All our U-value testing and declarations adhere to BR442 guidelines and the EN 14351-1 standard, ensuring exceptional energy performance.

Longevity

Hand-crafted wooden windows and doors are the result of skilled craftsmanship, not mass production.

Each piece is meticulously created by professional, time-served joiners. Every mortice and tenon joint, coat of paint, and decorative moulding requires time and expertise to perfect.

As a result, the initial cost of wooden windows and doors may be higher than PVC-U or aluminium alternatives.

However, the true value of our windows and doors lies in their longevity. With a life expectancy of over 70 years, they far outlast alternatives like PVC-U, which typically last just 15–20 years. Unlike PVC-U or aluminium, which can start to look worn out over time with no easy way to refresh them, our timber windows and doors can be repainted to look like new.

As trends evolve, children grow up, and homes are redecorated, your windows and doors can evolve with you. Repainting not only restores your windows and doors to their original beauty but also allows them to blend seamlessly with new decor styles. From the moment they’re installed, our Accoya high-performance windows and doors start paying for themselves—delivering long-lasting value, timeless appeal, and unmatched durability.

http://www.glyngary.co.uk/