If you are trying to reduce carbon, save energy and make money, then you will know that there is more to consider than first meets the eye. In our special Aluminium Day blog, we consider how small changes can make a big difference.
From the latest changes to Part L, to the planned introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025, everyone is talking about the thermal-efficiency of aluminium windows and doors and how the whole industry needs to make more sustainable choices.
But what does this really mean? Is sustainability just about the greater use of thermally-efficient and recyclable products? What if these ‘green’ products are ultra-efficient when in use but are carbon-intensive during the manufacturing process? Will customers be able to get hold of these products when they need them and how does changing to a more advanced window or door system affect their bottom line?
Anticipating questions like these, alongside the desire to provide transparent and trusted answers, has played a key part in the development of our own environmental policies and has hopefully made it easier for our customers to put make sustainability a tangible part of their own business operations.
So, what are some of the first steps to take to reduce your carbon footprint?
1) Choose a local supplier
Transportation is one of the biggest generators of pollution so it makes sense to limit the distance that your products will need to travel. Choosing a UK-based supplier is a simple but effective way to reduce the environmental impact of your project and it also offers the additional benefits of shorter lead times.
From our main manufacturing facilities in South Yorkshire and our distribution centre in Scotland, we deliver our aluminium fenestration systems to sites across the country and to reduce the impact even more, we invested in our delivery fleet to use larger trucks with lower emission engines.
2) Choose products that offer long-term value
With so many new products on the market making bold claims, it’s important to choose your aluminium doors and windows based not only on the quoted U-value but on the long-term value they offer.
As the biggest privately owned aluminium systems house in the UK, we understand the importance of making it easier and more cost-effective for fabricators and installers to choose compliant products and see them as a truly sustainable solution rather than a niche product.
This is why we developed our patented thermally-enhanced PURe® system to be simple to fabricate and install without the need for special tooling.
We’ve also ensured it is competitively priced, low maintenance and available with a range of slimline, stylish design options to appeal to both the commercial and domestic customer.
3) Consider whole life cycle carbon
Just as it’s important to view a product’s environmental claims in the context of how operationally efficient it is, you must look behind the scenes and consider how sustainable a product really is terms of embodied carbon. Working with suppliers that are BES 6001 accredited provides the reassurance that their products are manufactured using sustainably and ethically sourced recycled materials.
Cradle-to-cradle recyclability is another major benefit of choosing aluminium fenestration products but not all systems houses operate in the same way so it can be well worth asking your local sales contact for more information or even arranging a visit to see the manufacturing facilities first hand.
We’re continuously looking at ways to increase efficiencies and reduce our carbon footprint and have implemented a number environmental policies in our sites in South Yorkshire including our in-house, waste reducing powder coating facility which is one of the most efficient of its kind.
And with our new Thermal Improvement manufacturing facility in Rotherham soon to be fully operational, a warm welcome from Senior is always guaranteed so if you want to know more, just ask!
We are passionate about the ongoing development of sustainable aluminium fenestration products and believe that supply chain collaboration is key to progress. Share your stories and join the conversation throughout Monday 13th March by using the #AluminiumDay hashtag.
