Reynaers window systems meet Bre green guide 'A' rating

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

In the drive to develop and implement more environmentally friendly new builds, the concern is about the environmental impact of materials used within a building. The guide is part of an accredited environmental rating scheme for buildings which, when used as part of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), aids designers and specifiers in the selection of materials that have a relatively low environmental impact.

“Our Eco and CS window systems offer both innovative and sustainable advantages over other options and gaining an ‘A’ rating in the ‘BRE Green Guide’, is a major achievement,” explained Mark Jones, Reynaers Technical Director.

“This has significant benefits for architects and specifiers when they are looking to select a system that not only offers design and operational advantages, but also affords a BRE guide ‘A’ rating for a building.  Windows are one of the nine elements covered in the guide that when added together give the building its overall rating.”

Used to describe a building’s environmental performance, BREEAM assesses the collective impact of all the materials used and promotes best practice in sustainable design. In achieving the A rating Reynaers have realised the highest possible grade for an aluminium window.

The guide examines the relative environmental impacts of materials commonly used in six different generic building types, including: commercial, such as offices; educational; healthcare; retail; residential and industrial. Its use allows architects and specifiers to select materials on the basis of personal or organisational preferences or priorities, or take decisions based on the performance of a material against a particular environmental impact.