GGF Leaps To The Defence Of PVC-U And Float Glass

The GGF has met with English Heritage following the organisation’s apparent attack on PVC-U windows, which was published on the BBC news website, among other places.
 
English Heritage had claimed that plastic windows are spoiling the look of the UK’s 9,000+ conservation areas, which encouraged news organisations to run features that appeared to attack plastic windows in general. In particular, English Heritage noted that replacement plastic windows contravened the Article 4 Directive.
 
Within in a week of the comments being made public, Ian Chisholm (deputy chief executive of the GGF) and Alan Burgess (managing director of GGF member, Masterframe and GGF Board member) met with Chris Wood of English Heritage to defend PVC-U as a building material. The pair wanted to persuade English Heritage that many good companies use PVC-U, and that it is possible to replicate traditional building products using non-traditional materials.
 
“We were able to explain to Chris that there was an understanding at industry level that some of the earlier designs of windows may have been inappropriate and did not enhance the overall appearance of the property,” Ian said. “We explained that we were working to develop a best practice guide and database of both individuals and organisations that met a benchmark and could undertake Heritage work”.   
 
“It was hoped that by working together we could help the consumer and the industry to meet the demands placed upon it by the various Government agencies and still achieve compliance with the requirements of the Conservation areas where required. We pointed out that we were aware of the benefits of historic designs and how they could assist with ventilation as well as meeting the health and safety requirements necessary in many situations. We also explained in detail about the demands of energy conservation as well as security which modern windows are designed to meet. We explained how modern framing materials could help to meet all these requirements and could meet the aesthetics requirements.”
 
Chris was reluctant at first – he has concerns that float glass was unacceptable in many situations, and that PVC-U and aluminium were unacceptable in most circumstances.  
 
Ian and Alan pointed out that members undertake historic repair and conservation, and that the GGF was an all embracing organisation with no specific company, material or activity that it wished to promote. “Chris’s attitude softened a little, at this point” Ian said, “and he began to have the opinion that there were areas that the Federation and its members could work with English Heritage on, e.g. the development of a database to list companies and employees who are trained and qualified to work on specific areas of conservation.”
 
A further meeting is being arranged.
 
“We feel it is extremely unlikely that there will ever be a situation where many of the materials that members use, including float glass, could not be used in listed buildings,” Ian concluded.
For further information contact:
 
Paul Godwin, VAST PR, 0845 0945 215; email