L Windows/Doors/Stairs

Contents

L1 WINDOWS/ROOFLIGHTS/SCREENS/LOUVRES
L10 Windows Rooflights Screens Louvres
L15 External Solar Shading
L19 Ventilation Louvres
L2 DOORS/SHUTTERS/HATCHES
L20 Timber Doors Shutters Hatches
L212 Aluminium Doors Shutters Hatches
L3 STAIRS/WALKWAYS/BALUSTRADES
L30 Timber Stairs/Walkways/Balustrades
L31 Metal Stairs/Walkways/Balustrades
L4 GLAZING
L40 General Glazing
L42 Infill Panels/Sheets

L10 Windows

CONSIDER:
• High performance windows to reduce energy demand.
• Scandanavian manufacturers traditionally produce superior performing units.
• Build tight - Ventilate right
• Trickle vents controllable by occupant, visible and easy to use without risk of jamming.
• Double and Triple glazing.
• U Values of 1.0 W/m²K are achievable.
• Use Double Glazed Sealed Units to BS 5713 and BSI Kitemarked.
• Use Low E glass generally.
• Use Argon, Pentane or CO₂ in cavities.
• Exclusion of UV light, using PVB interlayer in laminated glass.
• Co-ordinate window and door opening with brick sizes and blocks modules.
• FSC approved timber sources and timber based materials See Z10.
- Timber: hardwood, heartwood of softwood, slow grown timber, recycled timber
• Uncoated recycled aluminium (but no coating reduces component life)

AVOID:
• Indonesian Hardwood.
• Single glazing.
• Condensation on inner face.
• Excessive glazing on north face (heat loss in winter.
• Excessive glazing on south face (heat gains in summer unless it is managed and exploited).
• PVC see Z50S.
• Virgin plastics See Z50.
• Powder coated or painted aluminium (less likely to be recycled).
• CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenic) treated softwood, See Z12.
• Double glazed sealed units only offering U Value 2.0 W/mm²K.

L15 External Solar Shading

CONSIDER:
• Solar shading that shades in summer and permits passage of light in winter.
• Insulated moveable blinds.
• Exclusion of UV light, using PVB interlayer in laminated glass.

RECYCLE:
• Use recycled aluminium.
• Design for recycling: avoid coatings as they discourage recycling.

AVOID:
• Frippery which plays no useful function in terms of solar control.

L19 Ventilation Louvres

CONSIDER:
• Heat recovery on all exhausts and ventilation.

RECYCLE:
• Use recycled aluminium.
• Design for recycling: avoid coatings as they discourage recycling.

AVOID:
• Exhaust ventilation without heat recovery.

L2 Doors/Shutters/Hatches

CONSIDER:
• Vertical sliding or rolling doors in external envelope of tall spaces - they can prevent heat from escaping from high up in a space if the doors do not open fully.
• Fast acting vertical sheet curtains inside of secure doors in external envelope, to rise for vehicle or pedestrian passages and lower after their passing - this will minimise heat loss over a short period.
• Interlocks between external doors and heating which prevent heating being on if doors are open..

AVOID:
• Horizontal sliding or concertina doors in external envelope- they loose heat from the warmest part of tall spaces, as soon as the door is open.

L20 Timber Doors Shutters Hatches

CONSIDER:
• High performance doors to reduce energy demand.
• Double and Triple glazing.
• U Values of 1.0 W/m²K are achievable.
• Use Double Glazed Sealed Units to BS 5713 and BSI Kitemarked.
• Use Low E glass generally.
• Use Argon, Pentane or CO₂ in cavities.
• Exclusion of UV light, using PVB interlayer in laminated glass.
• Co-ordinate window and door opening with brick sizes and blocks modules.
• FSC approved timber sources and timber based materials See Z10.
- Timber: hardwood, heartwood of softwood, slow grown timber, recycled timber
• Uncoated recycled aluminium (but no coating reduces component life)

AVOID:
• Indonesian Hardwood.
• Single glazing.
• Condensation on inner face.
• Excessive glazing on north face (heat loss in winter.
• Excessive glazing on south face (heat gains in summer unless it is managed and exploited).
• PVC see Z50S.
• Virgin plastics See Z50.
• Powder coated or painted aluminium (less likely to be recycled).
• CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenic) treated softwood, See Z12.
• Double glazed sealed units only offering U Value 2.0 W/mm²K.

L212 Aluminium Doors Shutters Hatches

CONSIDER:
• Acoustic isolation rubber matting to minimise impact noise transmission from above to below.

RECYCLE:
• Use recycled aluminium.
• Design for recycling: avoid coatings as they discourage recycling.

L30 Timber Stairs/Walkways/Balustrades

CONSIDER:
• Timber, local hardwood, heartwood of softwood.
FSC approved timber sources and timber based materials. See Z10.

AVOID:
• Tropical hardwood, See Z10.
• Indonesian Hardwood, See Z10.
- Most is illegally logged, destroys forests, communities and habitat.

L31 Metal Stairs/Walkways/Balustrades

RECYCLE:
• Use recycled aluminium in preference to virgin aluminium, significant reduction in CO₂ generated.
• Design for recycling: avoid coatings as they discourage recycling due to the high levels of purity required in aluminium, PPC and PVF2 are more difficult anodizing is an alloy of aluminium and is more readily recycled, mill finish is best but not everybody likes the oxides that form on aluminium.

L40 General Glazing

CONSIDER:
• Exclusion of UV light, use PVB Interlayers in laminated glass
• U Values of 1.0 W/m²K are achievable.
• Use Double Glazed Sealed Units to BS 5713 and BSI Kitemarked
• Use Low E glass generally.
• Use Argon, Pentane or CO₂ in cavities.

L42 Infill Panels/Sheets

CONSIDER:
• Cement and aggregate substitution in concrete elements. See E10.
• Recycled glass substitute for aggregate.
• Natural plant extract binder.

RECYCLE:
• Use recycled aluminium in preference to virgin aluminium, significant reduction in CO₂ generated.
• Design for recycling: avoid coatings as they discourage recycling due to the high levels of purity required in aluminium, PPC and PVF2 are more difficult anodizing is an alloy of aluminium and is more readily recycled, mill finish is best but not everybody likes the oxides that form on aluminium.