PVCu Facts Column

The report on the ban of illegal timber imports got me in the mood for some more timber bashing and plugging of the PVCu industry. So, I've taken 15 facts from the http://www.fightingbackwithfacts.co.uk/ website and put them in a column down the right hand side at the bottom.

I feel it's important to make this information as visible and accessible as possible. The more people see it, hopefully the more it will get spread around.

How To Solve A Problem Like Timber

The PVCu may have just received a bit of a boost today. A story broken on the BBC News website explains that the EU plans to ban illegally imported timber. Apparently it has taken a number of years to get round legal loop holes etc, which to me, taking into account the rapid deforestation, is absolutely disgusting.

So, how does this help the PVCu industry? Well, firstly I have reason to believe that up to 60% of timber windows in this country are made from illegally imported timber. So, take that timber away, and the timber industry suddenly has a shortage of material. Either that, or timber traders abide by EU laws and prove that their wood has been sourced legally, but that probably isn't likely. So, the wood window industry will have to start sourcing their materials 100% legally, which will probably push prices of timer windows and doors up further.

A second reason why this helps the PVCu industry, is that it helps prove that the PVCu industry is one which is more sustainable than the timber one. For a long time the PVCu industry has been under fire from timber lobbyists, spreading unfounded, completely biased and inaccurate 'facts'. So for the last few years, sites like http://www.fightingbackwithfacts.co.uk/ have been putting these lies right. So reports like this help to bolster the PVCu industry, and help prove that the timber industry has been peddling rotten information about our vital sector.

This is all due to become law in 2012, which isn't that long away. So, with the timber industry on the back foot, what are they going to do to make sure their industry stays alive, especially during these tough economic conditions.

You can view the report from the BBC at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10341925.stm

We Are Running Out Of Steam

It might just be me, but when I place myself on the outside of this industry and look in, we all seem to be a bunch of people with good intentions but no energy to go forth and carry out the actions we say we want to. And I mean that in the broadest sense of the meaning. First example would be the Fighting Back With Facts campaign, we don't hear anything of that anymore. There was such a big worry that timber was going to make a comeback and our industry could be under threat. Yet only after a few months the energy out of that has drained away.

Another example is the Part L changes that are going to say we need to buy BFRC licenses in order to comply with the new regulations. We all know that it’s just a money making exercise, but what are we doing about it? Nothing! In fact I think I'm the only one to really have mentioned anything about it at all. But, as usual, we won't do anything about it. The GGF is going to make countless unnecessary millions out of our industry when we need it more.

Third example: WER's. Why is it that only under a third of double glazing companies are selling energy rated windows? Why is it that when one of the best selling opportunities comes our way, our industry is too bone idol and lazy to take advantage of it?!

Fourth example: exhibitions. Glassex, the true national exhibition for our industry has petered out into such a sub-event that it had to be partnered with Interbuild just so it could have a show this year. Pathetic! At least were trying something new with GlassTalk.

Fifth example: the internet. I still don't believe our industry has really taken the internet bull by the horns and put it to good use. By this I mean internally. We have so much to offer each other, yet there are only a few blogs like this one knocking about. And on top of that, people should be leaving more comments. The more feedback on the issues we talk about the better. That way we can make and shape our future decisions better. I always try and make a point of commenting on industry related blogs, RCG will know that!

I could think of more but I'm sure you all get the point. If were going to talk about injustices in our industry or talk about changing the industry as a whole, we need to stop talking about it and start actually doing it and follow it through to the end!

P.S. The windows scrappage scheme petition was going to be another example but I think we all know that fell on its arse!

Yet More Crap From English Heritage

Good old English Heritage has released yet another of their wonderful reports into how PVCu is destroying the fabric of English housing.


Their latest report, included in the latest Glass and Glazing magazine, goes on to explain that installing PVCu to replace old timber windows does not offer 'a dramatic boost in performance'. I'm sorry English Heritage, but you lot, as well as us in the PVCu industry both know how prone to draughts timber is. It's a cold material, especially the older timber, and the glass in original timber frames and new timber frames being installed now isn't too great either, so in terms of energy efficiency it's poor. PVCu can boast the best A+ energy efficient ratings, using well insulated and reinforced frames and sealed unit technology wood frames cannot utilize properly. Now I would say that would offer quite a difference in performance!

The report's next major flaw is how it explains PVCu will 'detract from the charm and character of the property and its surroundings'. What English Heritage are still doing, is focusing on the poor PVCu windows and doors that were installed in the 80's and 90's. Since then, PVCu has come such a long way to improving the aesthetics and the authenticity of the product. The new PVCu sliding sash windows we install to homes look just like the original timber ones we take out, and that’s not us saying that because we install them, that’s the feedback we get from our customers. As with any home, with any material, if you choose the wrong style of window, be it made of timber or PVCu, it can ruin the charm of any home, any material is liable to that problem.


Next they complain about PVCu not being a sustainable material. Well timber isn't exactly friendly to the earth. You've still got to fell trees that have been growing for decades, they don't grow back quickly you know! Also, PVCu is completely recyclable and can be done so an infinite number of times. When timber is shot and cannot be repaired, what happens? It get's chucked. Timber doesn't have a recycling life span like PVCu does! Their next point within this gripe is how PVCu is a strain on oil supplies, something which eventually will run out. Now there's no denying oil will run out, but PVCu windows and doors don't necessarily have to be made from oil. If some of you ignorant English Heritage representatives come across this blog, visit this page: www.fightingbackwithfacts.com/facts_and_fibs/. On it you fill find that 43% of PVCu is produced from ethylene, something which can be produced from renewable vegetable oil crops, with a tiny carbon footprint. See, not so dependable on oil!


Then there's the impact on the environment which they are all worried about. Again, referring back to www.fightingbackwithfacts.com/facts_and_fibs/, a PVC manufacturing plant would have to operate for 30,000 years to produce the same amount of harmful emissions during one bonfire night. Now I would say that there are more harmful factories out there than one that produces PVC.


English Heritage has to also realize that if PVCu was available at the time when these original timber frames were installed, builders would have always used PVCu. It's easier to maintain, easier to install, customers will always prefer something that doesn't need so much maintenance, and they are much more energy efficient than timber windows will ever be. And now with the introduction of dozens of different colours and wood grained effects, customers now have the double advantage of maintenance free PVCu with authentic timber effects.


What we have here is a case of a bunch of old men and the last of the traditional joiners, do-gooders probably, who still remember the day when you could still get good quality timber frames, installed by a good quality joiner. Times have now changed beyond the point of return. As with everything, evolution takes place and older materials and methods fall by the wayside. It's time to stop seeing everything with timber tinted spectacles English Heritage, and realize that with the many improvements PVCu has gone through, it is now the ideal material choice for all home owners. And a word of caution, the PVCu industry will not take much more of your biased, narrow minded crap!

What Are You Doing To Help!

It's all gone a bit quiet in the window industry in the last couple of weeks, most notably in the efforts to get PVCu back at the forefront of the replacement window market. I still don't think the bigger PVCu installers and fabricators are doing enough. The Fighting Back With Facts campaign doesn't seem to have brought the major players together, it is they who will have the most influence to make changes in this industry i.e. preventing unjustified price increases and getting a 5% VAT rate for WER products campaign going. Instead of holding pally networking events for those who just know each other in the industry, we need a single industry event that will focus on one common goal, to try and galvanise the efforts of everyone who cares about their industry.

Fighting Back With Facts

Fighting Back With Facts is something that has been organised by Martin Randall, director of manufacturing company Crystal Direct. He has spearheaded the campaign to unite the PVC-U industry in fighting back against the myths and prejudices that surround the PVC-U double glazing industry. We have recently registered our company on his website www.fightingbackwithfacts.co.uk to show our support, were not the biggest company in the world, but we see it as vital that every PVC-U company, whether big or small, installer or manufacturer, register with this campaign to fight the PVC-U corner, especially with times as challenging as they are.