Timber’s in the frame

Timber windows and doors are increasingly being specified for both residential and commercial developments, and new product launches and investment in manufacturing technology are continuing apace.

For example, window, door and stair manufacturer JELD-WEN has just launched Elegance - a range of made-to-measure windows the company is flagging up as a premium product for trade professionals. "As demand for sustainable products rises, trade professionals are increasingly replacing old PVCu with timber windows," said Tony Pell, JELD-WEN's senior product manager for windows.

The Elegance range has a profile designed to mirror the traditional flush casement window style, has several bar options available and is offered in various different cill solutions, rather than just the standard 91mm.

Available in factory-finished white or with a bespoke RAL finish, the range meets Part E and L legislation and has a U-value range of 1.3-1.5W/m²K.

Its performance credentials, along with its traditional styling, make it a good fit for conservation areas, said Mr Pell.

"This range is a versatile solution for finding the balance between remaining sensitive to the neighbourhood and providing optimum energy performance," he said. "We've even included national park colours as a finish option."

From traditional to ultra-modern and Lomax + Wood's new Contemporary range, which includes high-performance, made-tomeasure windows and doors.

The engineered timber Contemporary range encompasses tilt-and-turn windows, aluminium-clad windows and co-ordinating bi-fold doors, sliding doors and entrance doors, as well as a triple-glazed option that, with an impressive U-value of 0.78W/m²K, meets Passivhaus standards.

"We've introduced the Contemporary collection as our existing clients wanted us to supply not only their period property developments but also those with more modern sightlines," said managing director Chris Wood.

On the doors front, Vicaima has introduced the real wood veneered Hi-Line range.

The fully-finished collection features a choice of Crown Line, with its pronounced grain pattern in FSC-certified oak and walnut veneers, or Straight Line, which has a more regular grain configuration and is available in a variety of veneer options, from ebony to ash.

Both vertical and horizontal grain patterns are available throughout the range and a full range of performance and glazing specifications can be accommodated, including FD30 and FD60 fire rated, Secured by Design and acoustic options. New launches aside, homeowners and developers are installing timber windows and doors in new build and restoration projects alike.

Windows and doors from Mumford & Wood's Conservation range have been installed as part of the restoration of a 16th century home in Norfolk.

Double-glazed box sash windows have been installed in a new extension and sidehung casement windows are a feature of the first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms, while a French doorset with fixed glazed side panels has been added to the hall.

Just over the county border, builder Brian Sabberton Ltd has opted for Black Millwork's Andersen windows for an eight-home development in Suffolk.

The Andersen windows have a chip, rot and fade-resistant Perma-Shield finish on the exterior, while the knot-free pine on the interior can be stained, varnished or painted to suit any interior.

The Suffolk development included Andersen 400 Series casement windows and Woodwright windows, both of which are manufactured using Low E-4 self-cleaning glass, making them even more low maintenance.

Maintenance was also an issue for the Western Harbour development built for Leigh Housing Association in Edinburgh - as was the requirement for good acoustic performance.

The eight-storey development comprises 58 social and 53 mid-market flats and here the client chose aluminium-clad timber windows and doorsets from Norwegian company NorDan.

Thermal efficiency was also key to the development and the 1.2W/m_K U-value achieved by NorDan's Ntech windows and doorsets helped make this possible.