March 2022

News Roundup
SUSTAINABILITY VERSUS
COSTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Research asking 2,000 UK homeowners
showed that although they care about
sustainable windows and doors, they don’t
care enough to pay more – or even have
the conversation with their installer.
The findings of the 2022 OnePoll survey,
commissioned by VEKA plc, found that when
it comes to home improvements, consumers
feel that sustainability should be a given.
This marks a dramatic shift in attitude when
compared to research carried out by VEKA in
2018.
Just four years ago, homeowners didn’t feel
passionately about the eco-credentials of
their new windows, but VEKA says what
has remained consistent is that 77% of
respondents want to see their old windows
recycled, not end up in landfill.
VEKA carries out regular surveys, 2022
being its 7th consecutive year, on behalf of
customers to capture homeowners’ attitudes
around key areas and identify opportunities.
The results show that while more than three
quarters (77%) of respondents found the
issue of sustainability to be an important
one, only 31% would be willing to pay more
for recycled windows and doors, and the
majority would only pay an extra 10%.
Over half of the people surveyed had had
their windows changed in the past five years.
Interestingly 71% stated that they never even
discussed sustainability with their installer.
This was backed up by the fact that price,
quality and looks were all considered to
be of higher importance than a product’s
environmental credentials.
In fact, 59% of respondents admitted they
wouldn’t be put off carrying out their planned
home improvements through fears of them
not being ‘eco-friendly'.
www.veka.co.uk
CEO HITS OUT AT TRICKLE VENT LEGISLATION
The boss of window and door fabricator
Conservatory Outlet has hit out at new
Government legislation due to come into play
in June that will see trickle vents become
mandatory on all refurbishment/replacement
projects.
CEO Greg Kane believes the ‘ADF1’ regulation
contravenes the demand for houses to be
more energy efficient and could instead lead to
homeowners facing up to a £500 increase in
energy costs.
Greg is now calling for Ministers to rethink and
make the introduction advisory rather than
mandatory.
This proposed solution would mean that a double
glazed, double sealed PVC-U window is replaced
with the same type of window that carries product
test certificates showing that the airtightness has
not been made worse. The decision is then down
to the homeowner if they want to introduce trickle
vents or not.
“ADF1 makes no sense whatsoever, it is just going
to cause more financial pressures for the end
consumer at a time when fuel bills are already set
The Glass and Glazing Federation
(GGF) has expressed its concern
that two government guidance
documents, due to come into
effect in June 2022, contradict
each other and will increase the
cost of heating to homeowners.
The GGF says the changes, which require
the majority of replacement windows and
doors to be fitted with trickle vents, contradict
regulations which will come into force at the
same time that require such products to be
more energy efficient.
Chris Beedel (pictured), Head of Government
Advocacy at the GGF. said: “From the 15th June
2022, Approved Document L requires the majority
of replacement windows and doors to be more
energy efficient, which will help keep people warm
Above: Greg Kane, Conservatory Outlet CEO
to go through the roof,” explained Greg
The ADF1 legislation, which will go live on June
15th, comes at a hugely pressurised time for the
fenestration sector with unprecedented demand
being delivered against the backdrop of supply
chain disruption and rising material prices.
This latest potential change could exacerbate
production difficulties, with new tooling required
for the volume of products that will require trickle
vents as standard.
He concluded: “We’re hoping most of the glazing
industry will put pressure on the Government to
rethink before this comes into play. It’s not a case
of being against trickle vents, it’s just a case
of giving homeowners the choice of doing what
is best for their homes and their own personal
situations.” www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk
GGF EXPRESSES APPROVED DOC CONCERNS
by ensuring less heat escapes their
home.
“But in a cruel twist, Approved
Document F will require that holes
are punched into the new windows
and doors in order for them to
provide sufficient additional ventilation
to meet the government’s new standards.”
GGF Group Managing Director John Agnew
concluded: “Clearly we would like to see the
introduction of Approved Document F deferred
until such time as these issues have been
properly addressed.
“Once again it will be the average working family
that will be impacted through additional heating
costs, which could cost up to £500 per year.”
www.ggf.org.uk/
6 TI MARCH 2022 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST