BRE recognises wood’s green credentials with top ratings for WWA windows in the latest green guide

For the first time, BRE has recognised Wood Window Alliance (WWA) specifications in the BRE Green Guide.

The WWA has achieved category leadership, not just in timber, but in aluminium-clad timber windows too, providing confirmation that the WWA is setting industry standards for sustainability. Now, by choosing WWA windows, specifiers can get A+ ratings in timber and alu-clad; in both domestic and commercial projects.

The Green Guide includes WWA specification ratings for eight timber and aluminium-clad timber frames offered by its members:

All WWA standard timber windows for commercial and domestic buildings are rated A+
– Commercial windows: Preservative pre-treated softwood timber, double-glazed, water-based translucent or opaque coating internally and externally
– Domestic windows: Preservative pre-treated softwood timber, double-glazed, water-based translucent or opaque coating internally and externally.

All WWA alu-clad timber windows for commercial and domestic buildings are rated A+ or A
– A+ for powder coated aluminium-clad softwood, double-glazed, water-based translucent coating internally
– A for powder coated aluminium-clad softwood, double-glazed, water based opaque coating internally.

The WWA specification for aluminium-clad frames uses a timber frame with a long-life low-maintenance clip-on aluminium profile.

The inclusion of WWA ratings within the BRE’s Green Guide to Specification underpin WWA specification windows’ environmental credentials and builds on the Whole Life Analysis study previously commissioned by the WWA.

Conducted by Dr Gillian Menzies at Heriot Watt University, this study shows that WWA specification timber-based window frame materials, including aluminium-clad, are more environmentally-friendly, offer a longer planned service life and lower whole life costs than PVC-U alternatives. The study, which develops earlier work by Imperial College London, ensures the industry can use authoritative data to compare the durability, value and environmental impacts of different window frame materials.

These ratings in BRE’s Green Guide mean specifiers can be sure they are choosing the most environmentally-friendly windows when they choose the WWA specification and that the windows will make a positive contribution to a building’s BREEAM rating or Code for Sustainable Homes level.