This section is dedicated to Planning Authorities, because we recognise that this is relatively new technology for the manufacture of windows, which understandably, not everyone has encountered previously.

Many Town Planning Departments across the country are responding to the availability of a new technology window material, which claims to be more sustainable, has a higher performance and is longer lasting than traditional materials. These claims are supported by the BRE, no less - and are substantiated by independent test data.

The material is Pultruded Fibreglass, which is a continuous manufacturing process for fibreglass, developed in North America in 1980s/90s for making window frame profiles - and is now available in UK through licensed manufacturer, Pultec Limited, in Bristol.

Windows made with fibreglass frames have been proved to provide far better thermal insulation with much lower U values for the same glass specification as other materials (1.1 – 1.6 W/m2K), longer life (50 – 75 years), better acoustic performance (Rw 38 – 41) and can potentially achieve 3.5 additional credits in a BREEAM and CfSH assessment.

Rapidly changing legislation to combat Global Warming and Climate Change, calls for continuing improvements in the built environment, including window performance, which must sometimes be met by innovative, superior technology. PVC and aluminium were, themselves, once innovative, in 1980’s – but since then, significant further advances in material engineering have been achieved – and fully recommended by BRE.

Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is a material that is strongly recommended by the BRE, through its specialist sub-divisions of NetComposites and NGCC. Their recommendations are down to the unique advantages and astonishing strength and durability of FRP. Pultec® windows have been fully assessed and certified by BRE Certification and have been installed most successfully on a great many prestigious buildings in UK over the past 10 years, the earliest application being the magnificent 5 star luxury Celtic Manor Hotel, Newport in 1999. The appearance and performance remain the same today as when they were installed, which has impressed the Management and their maintenance staff, especially due to the exposed location facing south west, overlooking the Bristol Channel.

Innovative new technology, provided that it has been independently assessed and proven, clearly needs to be understood and supported by Planning Authorities so that planning applications from architects who wish to take advantage of such products, will not be dismissed for lack of understanding of their benefits – thus impoverishing the original design and sustainability advantages that had been proposed.

The Achilles’ heel of innovative products is that they are, by definition, ‘new’ – and therefore subject to caution. We must rightly be wary about new products, of course, but hopefully with an open mind, whilst considering the weight of evidence, historical facts and the informed support by many independent industry professionals, like BRE, sustainability consultants, etc, who all speak and report highly about this revolutionary new technological break-through.

Please contact us for copies of any of our UKAS test reports, BRE certification and other independent support documentation.