New energy saving features mean you don't have to feel guilty about replacing old double glazing

A few months ago, we wrote about how homeowners could identify the hinges, opening stays and locks & handles that had broken on their old double glazing, in order to start tracking down a replacement part.

This produced a flurry of responses from homeowners, who despite their best efforts were unable to source 1st generation Upvc window parts and had been left with little alternative but to get a quote for replacing some or all of their old windows.

Upvc double glazing has been with us for over 25 years now, with some units still performing well today.

It's worth remembering that window and glass technology has also moved on. The latest frame designs will keep your home warmer than ever before, minimalising heat loss and draughts with their multi-chamber thermally efficient designs, whilst new glass technology encompasses everything from special heat reflective coatings to self cleaning, not to mention gas filled cavities meaning 'a' rated energy efficient glazing is now a popular option for buyers.

Homeowners replacing old Upvc double glazing were also worried about the environmental aspects of old frames being sent to landfill or worse, them being responsible for getting rid of the old windows.

It's worth pointing out that Upvc windows and doors can actual be re-cycled. Modern production methods where the frame extrusion is first manufactured mean that Upvc can be recycled many times before it becomes unsuitable for re-use.

There's been several high-profile extrusion and window companies campaigning for a national scheme to cover the collection and reclamation of old windows and this has had considerable success.

So when your choosing a new window company, you can rest assured that many will be recycling the old windows they'll remove.

You see, there really is no need to feel guilty anymore about replacing old 1st generation upvc double glazing.

Have you got old double glazed windows in poor condition or are you interested in replacing your old windows and doors with a new 'a' rated energy efficient installation? Then visit WindowQuoter and get your instant online quote. You can easily specify the style and number of openers using the drag n' drop interface before getting your instant online price guide.

Recycle old UPVc Double Glazing - it's possible.

Recycling used uPVC windows, doors and other glazing products is not the stuff of science fiction - the technology is there and commercially available, so you should make sure you ask your supplier what they will do with the old units they're replacing.

Most homes in Britain now have recycling bins alongside their normal waste collection, and most people have become used to the idea of recycling their household waste wherever possible. But what about old upvc double glazing? Do you think to ask about recycling that?

Sadly, large amounts of uPVC from window frames still ends up going in to landfill, where it can pollute and damage the environment.

There's no longer a serious technological barrier to recycling the PVC used in windows - technology has progressed to the point where PVC can be recycled not just once, but many times over before it becomes unusable. The process itself is also remarkably efficient and the chemicals used in recycling can be used many times over without losing their effectiveness.

*Over 50,000 tonnes of recovered PVC was recycled in 2008, 8,000 more than in 2007. Whilst this is great progress, and indeed puts Britain ahead of the rest of Europe in terms of the amount of PVC we recycle, it is still estimated to represent less than 10% of the PVC wastage created in Britain.

This is why it's important to ask your window supplier, indeed all of the three window suppliers Window Quoter can help you get in touch with, what they will be doing with the windows they remove from your house; whether they are part of a PVC recycling scheme; and - even more importantly - whether the new frames they are install will be at least partially constructed from recycled PVC.

When you buy recycled products, you're helping to reduce the amount of landfill sites we need, reduce the amount of pollution we cause, and lessen the impact of our species on the planet. Don't forget to check.

*an abridged version of an article first appearing on Home Improvement Quotes Blog earlier this year.

photo credit: crobj