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I would like to know the pro's and con's of using uPVC for window frames. Last time I posted this topic it was lost before I had a change to see the abuse!
I understand that the uPVC manufactoring process is toxic with high emboded energy, but does the final product with it's long life span and excellent energy efficient properties out way the manufactoring?
Is there a suitable alternative, here in New Zealand aluminium is industrial standard (more embodied energy and poor energy performance)worse I think! Is the there enough suitable timber to meet new housing and replacment demand? If so which timber?
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I think the thread got lost because of a techie-glitch rather than upvc-related abuse so we'll have to have another go: ************
There, that's better.
Aluminium is not so bad if the energy used is renewable hydro-generated electricity and aluminium can be indefinately recycled.
upvc does not last long - a few decades at best. We have plent of timber windows that are over 200 years old.
There is plenty of timber and in NZ Leylandii will be quite suitable for window frames.
Pvc looks horrid.
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What leads you to believe that uPVC windows have a long lifespan Jeff? All the evidence points to a fairly short un-maintainable lifespan (just like uPVC guttering) with fading colours and, with overlarge sections - ugly (especially uPVC doors) and completly destroying the character of any traditional building they are fitted to.
Luckily, trends are now swinging back to timber which is maintainable by any competent tradesperson or diy enthusiast. remember - the lower tech the window then the easier it will be to maintain over a longer period.
There are two important things to keep in mind with timber windows, if I have convinced you to use them - durability of the species and choice of glazing. Also considder unfinished timber as they have been known to last longer than painted or stained windows because they can breathe.
Regards Keith
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Good points, Keith. The poor performance of many timber windows installed since about 1960 is the combination of not very durable timber painted with alkyd resin paints that have a much lower vapour permeability than the traditional linseed oil paint.
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I just maintained my wood windows by changing the window locks. The original ones weren't locking any more and so weren't very secure. We just unscrewed the old ones and screwed in new ones. We'd probably have had to get new windows if they were PVC!
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The Ecology Building Society at Crosshlls, West Yorkshire, fitted upvc windows when they refurbished their headquarters. As a timber loving Joiner, I was horrified by that!
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