Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

A-Class Environment Rating for Window Profile

WINDOW PROFILE HAS LOW IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT

Pultruded profiles, used in the construction of Samson windows, have exceptionally low lifetime environmental impact says Octaveward director Trevor Williams. He explained, “There are three critical tests in assessing lifetime environmental impact, the effects of manufacture, the benefits that are derived from use of the product and the eventual impact on the environment of disposing of the product at the end of its useful life. Samson windows score highly in all three categories.

The manufacture of some building components can effect the environment if the process consumes high levels of energy, results in the emission of toxic or ozone depleting gasses, or generates other harmful waste streams.

The key elements in making pultruded profile are thermoset resins derived from petrochemicals, glass fibre and energy required to extrude and set the material. While petrochemical compounds and energy are finite resources, their use can be environmentally justified where this results in products that have a long and productive life. In the case of pultruded profiles, this is certainly true with the added bonus that the manufacture produces negligible air pollution and no significant stream of waste.

In use, Samson windows make a positive contribution to the environment. Whilst the latest building regulations require windows to reduce heat loss to no more than two Watts per square metre for each degree of temperature variation between inside and outside, Samson windows can achieve loss rates as low as 1.1W/square metre per degree centigrade. Moreover, because of their strength and durability the product promises long term savings, with minimal maintenance.

The window system has a guaranteed life of 35 five years and a projected life of 60 years. When the window does reach the end of its useful life, not only is the glazing unit almost totally recyclable, but the frame sections themselves can be ground down to provide a high grade filler for plastics.

More info: Trevor Williams, Octaveward Ltd, Telephone 01254 773300 Fax. 01254 773950 info@octaveward.com Web: www.octaveward.com

High/low resolution images are on the web at www.ainsmag.co.uk/oc222/3961oc1a.htm