Low U-value Windows Specified By Gentoo
Eurocell Zero Carbon Solution Specified by Gentoo
Eurocell windows with a U-value of 0.8W/m²K have been specified by Gentoo for its Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 development in the North East.
Achieving such a low U-value means these homes situated in Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, meet both the carbon reduction requirements of UK Building Regulations to 2016 and the sustainable design criteria of the Code for Sustainable Homes up to Level 6, zero carbon – all in one product.
The architects at Sunderland-based Gentoo specified windows fabricated by Sidey Ltd using the Eurocell Eurologik profile system with 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U Thermal Inserts for the two Level 6 properties on the development.
PVC-U Thermal Inserts enable lower U-values and higher Energy Index Ratings to be achieved. They can also remove the need for more expensive low iron glass, making the highest energy-rated windows more cost effective and therefore accessible for even more construction projects.
As well as maximising thermal performance, the use of post-consumer recycled PVC-U enhanced the development’s sustainability. Eurocell is investing £2.5m in closed loop, post-consumer PVC-U recycling, increasing its processing capabilities to more than 10,500 end-of-life PVC-U window frames per week, or more than half a million frames per year.
As part of its comprehensive zero-carbon solution, Eurocell supplied Gentoo with an innovative new Cavalok cavity closer alongside the 0.8 U-value windows, based on the proven BigBlok system. Made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U, it allows the window to be structurally fixed over the wider cavities required on low carbon build programmes, whilst avoiding the need for strapping back over large spans to inner structures.
Walls on the Gentoo Level 6 properties have an overall thickness of 502mm, with 300mm EPS bead filled cavity, which achieve a U-value of 0.10W/m²K. Cavalok cavity closers support the triple-glazed windows over a 300mm cavity.
“We were extremely impressed with the ease in which we were able to specify a zero-carbon window and structural cavity closer solution from Eurocell,” says Verity Moss, Project Architect at Gentoo. “It is pleasing to know that both ranges use post-consumer recycled PVC-U to maximise thermal performance, particularly as creating a sustainable zero carbon development was our main priority.”
PVC-U has been awarded an 'A' rating for sustainability in residential and 'A+' for commercial developments in the BRE Green Guide to Specification, principally because of the work that has gone into recycling.
PVC-U achieves a Reference Service Life (RSL) rating of at least 35 years and can be recycled up to ten times without degradation in quality – giving the raw material a life expectancy of 350 years.
The Eurocell windows were fabricated and installed by Sidey. Securiframe supplied and installed the cavity closers.
To find out how Eurocell can help you deliver low carbon homes, call 0800 988 3049.