WERs simplified
The big news in the window industry at present is the new Window Energy Rating scheme, which offers homeowners greater information about the thermal efficiency (and therefore the environmental impact) of windows. Windows are now labelled in a similar way to household electrical goods, with a rating on a scale from A to G, A offering the greatest thermal efficiency, and products rated D or less have been outlawed .
All windows sold from 1st October 2010 must comply with the new Building Regulations, and we have ensured that our slimline Benenden range achieves full compliance. Thermal efficiency is not the only consideration when choosing replacement windows – aesthetic considerations should be equally important, particularly as an inappropriate frame choice can easily decrease the value of a property.
These two pictures show the “before” and “after” shots of a property whose windows were recently installed by The Heritage Window Company.
BEFORE 
AFTER
In the first picture, a previous owner had chosen PVCu as the cheapest option, and no doubt this met their needs – but it had an adverse effect on the appearance of the house. In the second picture, our Benenden range has been installed, replicating the design of the house’s original windows (using patterns taken from an unrenovated house in the same street). I think this demonstrates that taking one’s time to select the right window system is always worthwhile, and will pay dividends in the long run.
What are the benefits of removing windows and replacing them with WER rated period-appropriate aluminium ones? The Glass & Glazing Federation’s carbon calculator at http://www.ggfmembers.com//public/calculator.aspx will help to answer this question. Energy savings do add up over the years but the difference between A and C ratings are minimal as the carbon calculator will show, and I would treat with caution some of the figures currently being given out by PVCu companies.
I believe that, when placing a house on the market, one is likely to attract many more buyers when the windows of the property are sympathetic to its character. While most homebuyers nowadays want modern standards of comfort and efficiency, there are many who are “turned off” by PVCu windows, or windows made from other materials if they detract from the character of the property. In my opinion, choosing a product which offers comfort and efficiency is a great idea, and being able to source a product which also maintains the integrity of a property, such as The Benenden Range, is an even better one.
