First up – an apology. It’s not often I say this, but I was wrong, mistaken, incorrect, erroneous, inaccurate, faulty. Make the most of this because you are unlikely ever to see me admit to being wrong again. And in writing, too. At least a verbal apology can be denied at a later date. However, …

I wrote a short time ago on the Green Guide and the rating that PVC-U windows were given. I was informed that they were given a B rating, but in fact that was only an interim rating while further data was being received and analysed. The Green Guide team from the Building Research Establishment have now announced that PVC-U windows have been given an A rating. I don’t know what the reason was for the change and frankly I don’t much care. Any spurious reasons for deselecting PVC-U windows should be, er, out the window. Perhaps this will put an end to the petty, sniping and downright, er, wrong campaigns produced by the timber industry in an attempt to get wood windows specified on environmental grounds. Shout it from the rooftops – windows should be selected on performance and value grounds.

It would be nice to think that the industry can work together on things that concern us all. Just look at a few of things coming our way.

The Code for Sustainable Homes – everybody who breathes in this country will be aware of this. All new homes have to be rated under the Code from 1st May this year and meet ever higher levels in it until 2016 when all new homes have to be zero carbon – that is zero CO2 emissions and zero overall use of power by domestic appliances. Obviously, windows and doors have a massive part to play in reducing CO2 emissions. The Code was recently revised to provide a static version suitable to support the legislation to make ratings under the Code mandatory. There was nothing in the changes that affected windows and doors. But, as I write this, I have just received a revised version of the Technical Guide to support the code. This is 302 pages long and is the meat of how to achieve code ratings. It needs to be closely examined to see if any of the changes affect windows and doors. As the document looks completely different, it is not just putting the two versions side by side and looking for additions or deletions. This will take a lot of time and effort.

The revisions to the Building Regulations – the process has just started on the revisions to the Building Regulations and one major aspect of the changes will be to Part L – Conservation of fuel and power. Windows and doors were left alone in the last revision in 2006 because we felt that we had worked hard at meeting the 2002 requirements. We were left alone on the promise that we would provide a big increase this time around to take effect in 2010. We are likely to see big reductions in maximum U values and a big increase in Window Energy Ratings. As an industry, we need to ensure that the U values are not chased so low that the overall energy performance of the window is impaired. Decreasing U values can lead to lower solar gain. Look at the BFRC web site and the windows that have achieved an A rating. They generally have a U value of around 1.4. Getting much below that, and the Department of Communities and Local Government has suggested 0.7 to 0.8 may be required, can mean triple glazing, fancy low e coatings and gas filling. We have to make sure that the authorities keep an eye on solar gain values as well as light transmission (less light being transmitted through the glass increases the need for artificial lighting). Triple glazing can also mean smaller opening lights because of the weight restrictions of the hardware. As soon as the 2010 amendments are finished, we will be starting on the 2013 amendments and, hard on the heels of that change, the amendments for 2016 when we will be energy efficiency utopia. We need to have a single industry voice on this.

Responsible Sourcing of Materials – this is a point-gainer in the Code for Sustainable Homes and is the new sexy topic for procurers. The timber industry has some schemes which can be applied but what about all the other materials used in windows, e.g. glass? The BRE’s initiative is designed to give the manufacturers of all construction materials and products the opportunity to demonstrate their credentials in responsible sourcing. But we have to make sure that the scheme is fair and equitable; that not just BRE can provide certification against it; that it is not too burdensome for smaller manufacturers and that it actually means something. BSI are writing a Draft for Development covering the same ground. This DD will available to all and any certification body could apply for accreditation from UKAS to certify manufacturers against it producing a free and competitive market in the certificates. We need to provide our input into the drafting process as an industry.

The credit crunch – today’s Times reports that Persimmon, the UK’s largest house builder, is not starting any new sites and expects to build a lot fewer homes this year. Sales by them so far this year are dramatically down as buyers find it difficult to get mortgages, and they will be laying off thousands of staff. Ditto for all the other builders. Fewer new homes means a smaller new build market for windows and doors. Margins will be tighter than ever with companies chasing business in an attempt to survive. Add in the contraction in the refurbishment market and it means there will be casualties in the coming months and years amongst companies throughout the supply chain. Those that survive are going to have to improve.

I could go on and I’m sure you can think of another dozen issues you will have to face, but you get the drift. None of the above are frame material specific, they affect the whole of our industry. We need to address them as an industry and not lose attention by concentrating on a ‘tis ‘tisn’t schoolyard row over environmental claims. By all means promote your own products on performance and price (if you must – value’s better), on the service you provide over what your competitors provide, and not on dodgy environmental claims (All our Windows are Dolphin-Friendly!), which will make you look foolish. Keep your attention on what matters, now and in the future, and hope that you are good enough to be one of the survivors in the lean times ahead. We owe it to ourselves as an industry to pull together.