Promoting the highest industry standards
When homeowners use a GGF Member company to carry out windows, doors or conservatory work, they are investing in professional workmanship and service of the very highest standard. Companies requiring flat glass or glazing products from a GGF Member can also be assured they are dealing with the best companies in the industry. So if you are wanting to improve your home or property, or simply need a glass and glazing product or service, why not browse our directory and contact a GGF Member Company in your area.
Established in 1984 we are a local, family run business that specializes in the supply and fittting of pvcu and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories. Secondary glazing and composite doors.
Family owned and run since 1988, BJB Windows provides a wide range of quality PVCU, aluminium and timber windows, doors and conservatories throughout Surrey and Hampshire. Supply and installation, or supply only, at keen prices with top class service from experienced specialists.
The Glass and Glazing Industry has thousands of products and components as well as companies. Due to its size and diverse nature, it’s also full of jargon and terminology that quite often varies from region to region, country to country, sector to sector and even in some companies from colleague to colleague.
The GGF Glossary is here to help anyone who needs help in understanding it all. It is by no means exhaustive and the GGF is aiming to update this page regularly. If you have and addition or feel something is missing then please contact the GGF and we’ll include it in the GGF Glossary.
| Term | Definition |
| Acoustic Glass : | Glass that has been treated to improve it’s soundproofing qualities |
| Annealed Glass : | Annealing is a process of slowly cooling hot glass after it’s been formed, to relieve residual internal stresses that could cause breakage during manufacture. Annealing glass improves it’s durability |
| Approved Documents : | The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publishes guidance called ‘Approved Documents’ on ways to meet building regulations. These contain: – general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply with the building regulations – practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common building situations |
| Argon gas : | Double and triple glazed windows, commonly have argon gas between the panes to improve insulation and soundproofing. Argon gas is put into the glazing units because it is denser than air and therefore has greater insulating values than air. |
| Astrigal bars : | These are thin wooden moudlings placed on glass to create a period look. They are often used to create the traditional Georgian window look. |
| Awning windows : | These are casement windows that are hinged at the top of the frame. |
| Building Regulations : | Building regulations in the United Kingdom are statutory instruments or statutory regulations that seek to ensure that the policies set out in the relevant legislation are carried out. Building regulations approval is required for most building work in the UK. Building regulations that apply across England and Wales are set out in the Building Act 1984 while those that apply across Scotland are set out in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003. |
| British Standards : | British Standards are the standards produced by the BSI Group which is incorporated under a royal charter (and which is formally designated as the national standards body (NSB) for the UK). The BSI Group produces British Standards under the authority of the charter with the key objective being to set up national standards of quality for goods and services. |
| Casement window : | A casement is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side. They are used singly or in pairs within a common frame, in which case they are hinged on the outside. Casement windows are often held open using a casement stay. Windows hinged at the top are referred to as awning windows, and ones hinged at the bottom are called hoppers. |
| Construction Products Regulation : | Often abbreviated to CPR, the Construction Products Regulation was started in 2013 under the EU but was fully integrated into UK legislation in 2019. This guidance is about placing construction products on the GB market. The GB market refers to England, Wales and Scotland. There is a separate Construction Products Regulation for Northern Ireland. Also in the Republic of Ireland, the CPR is under the EU. The CPR is the legislation that underpins CE Marking and UKCA marking of constrcution products. |
| Composite doors : | Composite doors are made of a selection of materials often including core products such as timber and uPVC. Each material is chosen for its specific properties with the aim being that when combined they will make doors stronger and more durable. |
| Curtain wall : | A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, it’s purpose being to keep the weather out and the occupants in. Since the curtain wall is non-structural, it can be made of lightweight materials, thereby reducing construction costs. Glass is commonly used as the curtain wall this offers the advantage of increased natural light. In some cases glass curtain walling can also be used to describe full floor to ceiling glass panels installed in an building’s interior. This is common in office spaces and commercial buildings. |
| Double glazing : | Windows which have two layers of glass with a space between them, designed to reduce loss of heat and exclude noise. |
| Double hung : | Often used to describe a sash window that has two vertical sliding sashes within the larger window frame. Each sliding sash closes/opens a different part of the opening and usually has counterweight on each side. |
| Emergency glazing : | This is a common description when a window or door has been broken or damaged and requires an emergency glazing company to make safe, either by replacement or boarding up until a replacement can be installed. The GGF criteria for emergency glazing companies is that they operate at all times (24/7, every day of the year). |
| Emissivity : | The emissivity of a glass surface is its effectiveness in emitting energy as thermal radiation. Many glass manufacturers reduce emissivity by coating glass, allowing heat to remain inside the house and also to prevent solar heat coming into a property and causing overheating. |
| Energy ratings : | These are used to assess the total energy performance of products such as windows and doors in the same way that household goods like fridges are energy rated using the rainbow label system. A window or door energy rating will not only measure the total energy loss, as a U-value does, but also the energy gain and the air leakage through the window or door. In the UK British Fenstration Rating Council are the leading company when it comes to window and door energy ratings. |
| Fabrication : | Fabrication is the manufacturing process of cutting and assembling the window profiles (frames) together and adding hardware (handles, hinges, locks) along with weatherseals and gaskets to make a finished window (or door) |
| Fan lights : | A fan light is a glazed opening above a doorframe or above the lintel in a doorframe. It is usually designed to allow natural light into a hallway or darker area of a building. |
| Fenestration : | This is the process of positioning, installing and fixing a window, door or skylight in an opening in any type of building. |
| Fire-resistant glazing : | Fire Rated Glass (also known as Fire Resistant Glass) is specialist glass that has been proven to provide a period protection against fire during a Fire Resistance Test. Fire resistant glass is used in Fire Resistant Glazing systems (with special fire resistant seals and components). Fire resistant glazing systems will only work to maximum performance if installed correctly. Certain types of fire rated glass will also provide a degree of protection (insulation) against the heat of a fire. |
| Float glass | Float glass is a sheet of glass made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin, although lead and other various low-melting-point alloys have been used in this process. This method gives the sheet uniform thickness and very flat surfaces. Float glass is the most commonly used glass in modern glazing (windows/doors/conservatories and curtain walling) |
| Glazier : | A tradesman responsible for cutting, installing, and removing glass. They also refer to blueprints to figure out the size, shape, and location of the glass in the building. Glaziers may work with glass in various surfaces and settings, such as cutting and installing windows, doors, shower doors, skylights, storefronts, display cases, mirrors, facades, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops. |
| Heat soaking : | Heat soaking. The process involves placing the tempered glass inside a chamber and raising the temperature to approximately 290ºC to accelerate nickel sulfide expansion. The process reduces the risk of spontaneous breakage. |
| Heritage windows : | A heritage window is a type of window that has been manufactured specifically to be installed in a heritage building or building within a conservation area. These type of windows are made with modern materials and used as replica or close to replica replacements for the original windows in historic (usually 100 years or older) buildings |
| Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) : | An insulating glass unit (IGU) consists of two or more glass panes separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space to reduce heat transfer in and out of a building. A window with insulating glass is commonly known as double glazing or a double-paned window, triple glazing or a triple-paned window, or even quadruple glazing or a quadruple-paned window, depending upon how many panes of glass are used in its construction. IGUs are often referred to as “sealed units”. |
| Krypton gas : | An inert gas commonly used to fill small air spaces (cavities) between glass panes, resulting in improved year-round thermal performance. Krypton gas is sometimes mixed with Argon gas to fill the vacuum between glass panes in the production of insulated glass units. |
| Laminated Glass : | This type of safety glass holds together when shattered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), between its two or more layers of glass. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. This produces a characteristic “spider web” cracking pattern when the impact is not enough to completely pierce the glass. |
| Lantern (roof lantern) : | Architectural lanterns are part of a larger roof and provide natural light into the space or room below. In relation to glass and glazing these are products that have a similar affect as skylights (roof windows) |
| Lightwell : | a lightwell, sky-well, or air shaft is an unroofed external space provided within a large building to allow light and air to reach what would otherwise be a dark or unventilated area. Lightwells may be lined with glazed bricks to increase the reflection of sunlight within the space |
| Low E Glass : | Low E stands for Low Emissivity. This is where glass has been treated to reduced energy being emitted from a building or into a building through panes of glass. |
| Mullion | A mullion is a vertical element that forms a division between units of a window or screen, or is used decoratively. When dividing adjacent window units its primary purpose is a rigid support to the glazing of the window. Its secondary purpose is to provide structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Horizontal elements separating the head of a door from a window above are both a head jamb and horizontal mullion and are called transoms. |
| Processors (Glass) | Companies that buy flat glass and then put it through a process to make it perform differently. For example, to make it toughened glass through thermally heating.) |
| Profiles | These are the lengths of framing created by systems houses and framing manufacturers and are supplied to fabricators to trim and develop into window frames. |
| R-value : | the R-value is the term used for thermal resistance in a material. It is a measure of how well a two-dimensional barrier, such as a layer of insulation, a window or a complete wall or ceiling, resists the conductive flow of heat. R-value is the temperature difference per unit of heat flux needed to sustain one unit heat flux between the warmer surface and colder surface of a barrier under steady-state conditions. |
| Rooflight : | A window built into a roof and sometimes referred to as a sky light. These are usually installed to increase natural light into an area (such as a loft) where there may not be much natural daylight. |
| Roofline : | This is a generic description for the products that are installed at the edges of roofs and include fascia boards, soffits, bargeboards, antefixes and cladding that forms the frontage immediately below the roof and the eaves of many homes and building. |
| Sash windows : | A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels, or “sashes”. The individual sashes are traditionally paned windows but can now contain an individual insulated glass unit to create a double glazed sash window. |
| Security glass : | This is a specialist type of glass that prevents easy breakage and makes it difficult for burglars or intruders to enter a property. Security glass can be toughened glass (sometimes known as tempered glass), laminated glass or wire mesh glass (glass with wire mesh inside sometimes known as Georgian wire glass – not so common today). |
| Secondary glazing : | This is a glazing system that is installed inside a property when there are restrictions to replace the exterior windows. Secondary glazing often installed in historic buildings and is fixed to the sill inside the building. It |
| Self-cleaning glass : | Self-cleaning glass is a specific type of glass with a coated external surface that keeps itself free of dirt and grime. The field of self-cleaning coatings on glass is divided into two categories: hydrophobic and hydrophyllic. These two types of coating both clean themselves through the action of water, the former by rolling droplets and the latter by sheeting water that carries away dirt. Hydrophilic coatings based on titania (titanium dioxide), however, have an additional property: they can chemically break down absorbed dirt in sunlight. This is often an option for hard to access windows. |
| Sight line : | The perimeter of a window opening that admits daylight into living and work areas. |
| Single glazing : | A window that has one pane of glass. This type of glazing is usually found in older windows and is the least energy efficient glazing option. |
| Skylights : | A description often used for roof windows or rooflights |
| Solar gain : | Solar gain (also known as solar heat gain or passive solar gain) is the increase in thermal energy in a building as the glass (in a window) absorbs solar radiation via sunlight. This can cause overheating in a building. |
| Spacer bar : | A spacer bar is the thin hollow aluminium frame that separates the two glass panes in a double glazed window. The spacer bar is bonded to the glass panes via a primary and secondary seal, creating an airtight cavity enabling it to be filled with air or gas to reduce heat and sound transfer. |
| Tilt and turn : | Tilt and turn windows can be opened fully like a casement window (inwards) or they can be tilted from the bottom so that the top of the window is angled into the room, giving a smaller opening for ventilation. The tilted opening also has the added benefit of increased security and safety as no one can fit through the gap. |
| Trickle ventilator : | A trickle ventilator (sometimes called trickle vent) is a very small opening in a window that allows small amounts of ventilation in spaces intended to be naturally ventilated when major elements of the design – windows, doors, etc., are otherwise closed. Trickle vents are used extensively in the UK and Europe and are integrated into window frames to provide minimum ventilation requirements for naturally ventilated spaces. |
| Toughened glass : | Tempered or toughened glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. |
| Triple glazing : | A insulated glass unit or window that has three panes of glass with two spaces (vacuums) separating the panes. The vacuums are usually filled with argon gas to reduce heat loss. Triple glazing can offer great security and can be more effective for thermal performance. |
| UPVC : | UPVC is an abbreviation or Unplasticized PolyVinyl Chloride and is a rigid, chemically resistant form of PVC used for pipework, window frames, and other structures. UPVC is sometimes referred to as PVC-U or plastic or PVC when describing double glazing. |
| U-Value : | U-values measure how effective a material is an insulator. The lower the U-value is, the better the material is as a heat insulator. U-values are generally used to describe the thermal performance glazing/windows. |
| Vertical sliders : | Another name for a double hung sash window |
| Warm edge : | A warm edge spacer is a type of spacer bar used in insulated glazing. It separates the panes of glass in double or triple glazing, or curtain walling and seals off the air cavity between each. Recent warm edge spacers are generally made from plastics, although stainless steel can meet the definition. |
| WER (Window Energy Rating) : | A rating systems led by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), that reviews the whole energy performance of a window, including all of its components. Ratings can go from highest triple A to lowest F and is presented in the rainbow labelling style often seen in white goods such as refrigerators |
| Window Film : | Window film is a thin laminate film that can be installed to the interior or exterior of glass surfaces in the interior or exterior in homes and buildings. It’s often used to increase privacy, solar control, safety and security or to block out strong sunlight. Window film should be installed by professional service companies to ensure best performance. |
As the temperature dips, the leaves fall and Christmas lights go up, don’t forget to get your home ready for the cold winter months.
Here are some helpful tips to get your home winter ready.
1) Keep the warmth in (and the cold out)
First off be sure to check that your heating system is in good working order.
Next, make sure that once heat is generated it doesn’t get lost straight away. Check the seals on your windows and doors and if they are broken, we recommend you have these repaired as soon as possible.
A lot of heat can be lost through single glazing and even double-glazed windows installed before 2006. If you believe this is happening in your home, contact a glazing professional to discuss installing or replacing your old windows with modern thermally efficient glazing. Secondary glazing and/or applied window film should also be considered as an option.
It is important to ensure your home has sufficient ventilation to keep living areas healthy and prevent the build-up of moisture. Without adequate ventilation, moisture in the air may lead to condensation, which can cause mould on walls and damp that can damage interior surfaces and impair the quality of vision of your windows.
2) Keep energy use under control
It’s normal for fuel bills to rise over the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to reduce your energy use at this time of year.
Your home’s windows could be a potential energy saver. If you live in a semi-detached house with single glazed timber windows and electric heating, upgrading to A+ rated energy efficient windows could potentially save you up to £446 a year in energy costs, based on the average window area for this home type.
Find out how much you could potentially save: GGF Energy Savings Calculator
3) Prepare your home’s exterior
Winter can bring all sorts of extreme weather to your doorstep, so preparing the exterior of your home for what nature could throw its way is a good idea.
– clear out gutters and downpipes.
– check roof tiles and rooflights and have leaks repaired now before the worst of the weather arrives
– check the exterior of all windows and doors for damage that needs repairing
Why shiver this winter? Prepare your home, stay warm and think about the measures you can take to improve your energy efficiency.
Need a glazing professional? Find a GGF Member company near you
Reaching your 50th anniversary is a notable achievement for any company, and in light of this, Stevenage Glass is using this momentous year to blend the old with the new to show just how far they’ve come since 1966.
Owner and managing director Kim King commented:
“Throughout the last 50 years, we’ve seen many changes as the company has flourished and expanded, including moving to larger premises on Cavendish Road after we outgrew our starter premises on Argyle Way, and we haven’t looked back since! Even after the move, we’ve already made a couple of extensions to keep up with the demands of the growth of our business even more.”
Stevenage Glass began to extend their product range further to better accommodate for the needs of their ever-growing customer base, with their range now including a wide selection of glass products for interior home improvement for bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.
These new additions complement their core services, such as emergency glazing, secondary glazing, window repair and glass cutting, all of which have grown and developed over the last five decades.
As a founding member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), Stevenage Glass offer an impeccable standard of work, consistently meeting all industry standards across the board, and their affiliation with GGF further serves as an example of their commitment to the industry and the standard of work they do.
Nigel Rees, GGF Chief Executive, commented:
“Congratulations to Stevenage Glass on their 50th Anniversary. They have been with the GGF since the very beginning of the Federation and their attention to high quality and service has obviously been an integral part of their success. This year is a special year for all at the company and the GGF wishes them all the best with their celebrations.”
Part of Stevenage’s celebrations include the launch of updated branding. As a testament to the company’s hard work and the quality of their products and services that have carried them through the last five decades, the company worked with fellow GGF Member Adtrak Ltd to create a style that celebrated their past and incorporated a glass element to symbolise their expertise in the product.
Stevenage Glass decided to resist the temptation to modernise as much as possible to make the brand feel completely new, feeling that this would be missing the point – after all, reaching their 50th anniversary is an impressive achievement! And here is the finished product:
The final look is minimal and modern while also echoing the way things used to be, combining a new, technologically advanced feel with the timeless quality of an old, experienced business. Simple lines are used to make glass pane-like shapes, and a light, understated colour scheme creates a theme that runs throughout the company’s branding.
Owner Kim King spoke on the company’s future:
“After an extremely successful first 50 years, Stevenage Glass is setting the bar high to make the next 50 even better with further progression and plans for the future – so watch this space!
One thing is for sure: we will always remain Stevenage’s original glass manufacturers and heritage glaziers. On behalf of the company I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our staff and customers who have remained loyal and supported us throughout the years; we wouldn’t be here celebrating our success today if it weren’t for you!”
We’re sure that over the years you’ll be hearing more about the brand, as well as more about how they got to become one of the industry’s leading experts.
To learn more about our company’s history, please visit their timeline.
THE VICTORIAN GRADE II LISTED ‘ELEPHANT HOUSE’
Selectaglaze secondary glazing helped create a more comfortable working environment for Grade II Elephant house which started life bottle store and has now been transformed into offices. …
MANN MCGOWAN SEALS IN CORN EXCHANGE
The Corn Exchange, is the impressive Grade II listed building situated in the heart of Manchester’s city centre. The building stands on Exchange Square and boasts an impressive facade overlooking the bustling city…
-54b68e55a1f85.jpg)
It may seem obvious, but the new publication defines exactly what noise is and how it materialises in its many forms. The new leaflet, explains how for example how having replacement or secondary glazing windows installed can potentially reduce airborne noise.
The Acoustics booklet also emphasizes that simply replacing or upgrading the glazed elements of a property may not provide a single solution to noise. The leaflet explains that reducing noise levels is often dependent on how noise is entering the home, the source of the noise and the type of property it is affecting.
The publication also outlines key factors to be considered when installing glazing to reduce noise such as; the types and thicknesses of glass, the size of air gaps between the panes of either a double or triple glazed window or secondary glazing system as well as covering the importance of good installation.
Giles Willson, GGF Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Technical Affairs comments “It is pleasing to see this publication released after all the hard work and expertise the GGF Technical team and our Members have contributed to its production. This new information booklet is designed not just to educate homeowners but also to help our Members handle homeowners’ perceptions and expectations on glazing and how it can help noise reduction. It is a worthy addition to the GGF Technical Library.”
A printed copy of this publication has been sent to all GGF Members and an electronic PDF version is now available for download from the GGF website publications section.
1. Do you agree with government’s preferred position of using new alternative Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) metrics following EPC reform as the basis for higher Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for privately rented homes?
We agree with this approach as it would be consistent with the proposed EPC reforms.
2. Government would welcome views on options for setting future MEES against a combination of new EPC metrics. Do you agree with government’s preferred approach of having a requirement to meet a primary standard set against the fabric performance metric and then a secondary standard set against either the smart readiness metric or heating system metric, with landlord discretion on which secondary metric their property meets?
We agree with the preferred approach that landlords should be required to meet a standard set against the fabric performance metric as a primary standard.
It is important that a ‘fabric-first’ approach is undertaken as a primary measure, before considering any secondary measures such as changing the heating systems or the introduction of smart-readiness.
Windows and doors must be considered as a Fabric measure as this will be an opportunity to replace those that are an early generation and poorly performing. Older double-glazed windows allow three times as much heat loss compared to modern high-performance double or triple-glazed windows.
It is estimated by the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) that there are over 80 million double-glazed windows in the UK housing stock that do not comply with current Building Regulation standards. It is imperative that these windows are upgraded to improve the fabric performance of homes and prevent energy being wasted through poor insulation.
Simple checks can be undertaken to determine the age of windows and doors and the corresponding thermal performance. The FENSA (Competent Persons Schemes) database holds information on over 16 million replacement window and door installations in England and Wales. In addition, the presence of energy efficient low-emissivity glass can be detected using low-cost hand-held ‘matchbox sized’ glass coating detectors. Both of these methods can easily be used by EPC Assessors without adding significant complexity or time.
Effective windows and doors are more important than ever as we transition to low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps to retain the heat from radiators working at a lower temperature compared to conventional heating systems. If windows and doors are not upgraded at the same time as the installation of a heat pump, then the running costs can become high compared to current conventional heating systems which will lead to tenant and homeowner dissatisfaction and resistance to change.
Fabric improvements including replacing windows and doors will benefit tenants by lowering energy costs and could maximise future rental opportunities for landlords as potential tenants increasingly search for more energy efficient properties.
We have a thriving UK based window and door industry the majority of which are based in North of England. Over 100,000 skilled jobs are supported in the industry, the supply chain is reliable and secure and is an important contributor to the UK economy.
3. What are your views on the alternative approaches of:
Alternative 1: A requirement to meet a standard set against dual metrics of equal weighting. The standard would be set against dual metrics including two of the following: fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness.
We do not agree that the proposed metrics for heating systems and smart readiness should have the same weighting as that of fabric performance.
If this were to the case it could lead to landlords making incorrect decisions such as replacing the heating system when the fabric is poor and would do little to address heat escaping from the property and the resulting increase in energy bills for occupants.
Occupants are very concerned about the cost-of-living, and the financial pressure of energy utility bills is especially concerning and urgent for many people living in rented accommodation; it is very important that measures are implemented wherever possible to alleviate this pressure for tenants.
Alternative 2: A requirement to meet an overarching standard set against all three metrics of fabric performance, heating system, and smart readiness, either through improvements across all standards or through landlords concentrating improvements against one or two standards.
We do not agree with this alternative because it is likely to result in landlords inadvertently addressing heat decarbonisation measures without any impact on fuel poverty alleviation.
4. Do you have any alternative suggestions for how government could utilise new EPC metrics as the basis for MEES, such as a single metric approach (e.g. fabric or cost based?) Please provide a rationale with your answer.
No.
5. Do you agree with government’s proposal to increase the maximum required investment for Private Rented Sector (PRS) MEES to £15,000 per property and for landlords to be able to register an exemption if expenditure would take them over this figure? If not, please set out whether you consider a cap should apply and how; and if so, what level you consider the cap should be set at and why (whether this is the 2020 proposal of £10,000 or another figure). Please explain your answer.
We agree with this proposal. A lower figure (e.g. the 2020 proposal of £10,000), would definitely limit a landlords ambition to improve the energy efficiency of their properties and stop them implementing several measures at the same time.
6. Should government extend the exemption period for the cost cap to ten years? If not, how long do you think the cost cap exemption should last? Please explain your answer.
No. We believe that ten years is too long to postpone further improvements to meet the minimum standards. We support the retention of the current exemption period of five years otherwise a huge opportunity to reduce carbon emissions associated with the property and energy bills for the tenants will be missed.
7. Do you agree with government’s preferred implementation timeline to require ‘new tenancies’ to meet the higher standard from 2028 and ‘all tenancies’ to meet the higher standard by 2030? If not, do you have alternative suggestions?
With reluctance, we recognise that the revised implementation timeline may be necessary to allow sufficient time for landlords to meet the new requirements. With the housing stock in the UK, widely recognised as being the worst in Western Europe we must seize the opportunity to introduce this key action to improve the energy performance of the existing housing stock.
8. Do you agree with government’s proposal that, as an EPC reform transition measure, landlords should be able to demonstrate their properties are compliant with the existing standard of EPC E using their past EPC?
We believe that it would make sense to upgrade old EPCs given the proposal to update the EPC assessment methodology to a more accurate system.
9. Do you agree properties that have an EPC rating of C against the EER on EPCs before 2026 should be recognised as compliant with the future standard until their EPC expires or is replaced?
We believe that it would make sense to upgrade old EPCs given the proposal to update the EPC assessment methodology to a more accurate system.
10. Do you agree with government’s proposal to require landlords to commission a new EPC before taking action to comply with higher MEES?
Yes
10.1. Should the cost of this new EPC be included within the cost cap?
Yes
10.2. Should landlords still be required to commission post-improvement EPCs? If yes, should the cost of the post-improvement EPC also be included within the cost cap?
Yes
11. Should government develop an affordability exemption? If yes, what eligibility criteria would be the most appropriate for an affordability exemption? Please indicate which, if any, of the proposed approaches you support or otherwise provide alternative suggestions.
We do not agree that exemptions should be necessary, provided that a sensible timeframe is proposed.
12. Should government apply the PRS MEES Regulations to short-term lets? Please explain your answer.
If because of the outcome of the consultation on ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regime’, short-term lets are required to have an EPC, then we agree that they should be included in the scope of the PRS Regulations. Short term lets should be subject to the same energy performance requirements as longer term rental properties to address the below par UK building stock.
13. What actions could government take, including changes to the law to encourage or require smart meters in properties undergoing efficiency upgrades, to increase the number of smart meters installed in the PRS? Please provide your rationale and evidence for any suggestions for actions you have.
No comment
14. Do you think the current MEES exemptions available to landlords are suitable? 14.1. Are there other circumstances, not covered by the current MEES exemptions regime, where you think government should consider making exemptions for?
By raising the cost cap to £15,000 more properties will be captured compared to the current requirements. Any exemptions should be last resort otherwise we will fail to address the serious challenge of improving the existing building stock.
15. Do you agree with government’s preferred position to keep a potential requirement on lettings agents and online property platforms under review whilst the PRS Database is being developed for properties in England?
Yes.
16. Do you have any new evidence to submit regarding the topics as summarised in Chapter 2 of this consultation? Please specify which topic you are providing new evidence for.
No comment
17. Is there any additional information or evidence you would like to provide on either the effectiveness of the existing PRS regulations 2015 and guidance, or interactions with other policies?
No comment
Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has received further support for its campaign to take the industry to the education sector as the starting point for creating a workforce of tomorrow.
John Agnew, Group Managing Director of the GGF, has committed the support of the organisation to the ‘Inspiring The Future’ campaign being promoted by Building Our Skills alongside the Education and Employers Charity.
‘Inspiring The Future’ has been designed to connect young people with the world of work by engaging volunteers from industry to visit schools and share details of the specific sectors they work in, including career opportunities. It is seen by Building Our Skills as key in helping to acquaint school age children and their teachers with the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry, and to communicate to them the broad range of job roles and career paths it offers.
The campaign connects volunteers to state primary and secondary schools via the Education and Employers match-making platform. Volunteers are asked to give just one hour a year to the programme, although they can choose to do more if they wish to help inspire children. The first step is for them to register their interest on the Building Our Skills website and complete a very simple application form. Teachers who have signed their schools up to the programme can see details of volunteers local to them and then invite them to talk to their school about the job they do and the industry they do it in.
Speaking about the GGF’s commitment, John Agnew said: “At the GGF we are not only fully aware of the skills shortages afflicting our industry, but the implications of it at a very local level for our members, and the wider industry. While we recognise that it is a long term journey, the work that Building Our Skills has started in trying to raise awareness of the industry amongst school age children is something we want to be fully supportive of, and that is why we have committed the energy of the GGF to get behind it. We will be working with Building Our Skills at all levels, nationally and regionally, to give the fullest support, and we will be encouraging our membership to get involved as volunteers where they can.”
Mark Handley, Building Our Skills’ Partnerships Manager, said: “I want to say a big thank you to John and the team at the GGF for committing their support to the Inspiring the Future campaign. It is great to have an organisation of the size and standing of the GGF alongside us. We’re now well on the way to achieving our primary objective of securing 50 industry volunteers and the support of the GGF and its membership will help accelerate that process. I’m very pleased with the response to the call for volunteers to date, but I would like to encourage the whole industry to fully acknowledge the need for us all to do something to help raise awareness of the industry amongst those who may become the workforce of tomorrow.”
“Working with Building Our Skills on the Inspiring The Future campaign is the perfect opportunity, and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved.”
Anybody interested in finding out more information about the Inspiring The Future campaign, or anybody thinking about volunteering can do so by Clicking Here.
The GGF welcomes four companies into Membership this month.
AluFold Direct fabricates and delivers ‘everything aluminium,’ direct to site on fast lead times.
The AluFold Direct product range and service has been developed to help installers, builders and architects make the most of aluminium glazing. Their dedicated aluminium fabrication facility in Blackburn covers 35,000 sq. ft. and features the Aluminium Glazing Design Centre. It’s the only showroom and advice centre dedicated to aluminium glazing outside of London.
Unit 13, Philips Road
Whitebirk Industrial Estate
Blackburn, BB1 5AQ
https://www.alufolddirect.co.uk/
Adept Glaziers are a small highly skilled team of friendly, time served glaziers have a vast knowledge within the glazing industry and work to the highest standards.
Unit F2, Fiveways Business Units
Ponsanooth, TR3 7JQ
http://www.adeptglaziers.co.uk/
RRS Improvements Ltd has grown from being a small family run business to a large established company, carrying out roofing, building work and home improvements throughout Glasgow and all over Scotland. With over 69 years’ experience within the industry they offer quality advice and work to the highest standards.
Maritime House, 143 Woodville Street
Glasgow, G51 2RQ
http://www.rrsimprovements.co.uk/
Grown from a single North East operation, CNC Recycling is a Nationwide UPVC window recycling specialist company committed to offering a sustainable alternative to landfill for old windows and doors for the Fenestration Industry.
They collect thousands of tonnes across the UK every year saving Installers and Fabricators money on landfill charges. This enables recycled materials to be fed back into the supply chain as a valuable secondary raw material to produce new, recycled windows and doors. CNC currently runs the GGF, FENSA and BFRC UPVC recycling schemes.
2 Vulcan Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1AD
We are Oz Windows Ltd, leading the way in affordable and reliable double glazing companies in Exeter. All aspects of double glazing work undertaken at competitive prices. Providing fitting for Fascias, Soffits, Guttering, Garage Doors, Secondary Windows, Replacement Units, Handles and Locks.
Oz Windows Ltd have been providing the people of Exeter with a wide range of customer focused double glazing services for many years!
Oz Windows Ltd have many satisfied and returning customers because we provide the best and most comprehensive double glazing services in and around Exeter, with a friendly service from start to completion, and a time served and highly skilled team, you can rest assured that you are getting both excellent value for money and a personal service at each and every job we attend.
Firstly, I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Stephen Byers, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. I knew Stephen very well and shared many GGF meetings and social occasions with both Stephen and his wife Karen. In this issue of GLASSi, we pay full tribute to Stephen, who was a very popular and respected GGF Member for over three decades. He will be sorely missed.
As we enter the new season, we sincerely hope that the UK is on the road to recovery from the huge disruption and restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last 12 months, the future has at times looked very bleak for business and society as a whole. The future though is now looking a lot brighter with the Government’s roadmap to recovery, the easing of restrictions combined with the success of the Government vaccination programme. This is as result of the rates of infection, cases and fatalities decreasing.
As the situation has evolved the GGF has worked closely with Governments, local authority partnerships and health and safety experts to ensure you receive the latest information and guidance. We will continue to work with all the relevant bodies to ensure you and your staff are protected with the most up to date and best possible guidance.
Though there is much optimism, there is still no room for complacency and we should all continue to follow the guidance, protect the NHS and save lives.
Brexit
Since the last edition of GLASSi, the transition period for the UK to leave the EU ended on 31st December 2020.
With the UK no longer being part of the EU, there have been and still are difficulties for companies who import and export. Members have reported problems with administration at customs, delays in transportation, price increases in haulage generally and containers specifically. In addition, the industry has also seen a change to the regulations around CE Marking and the UK has now introduced a new UKCA Marking system which all companies will have to adhere to if their products fall within scope of the Construction Products Regulation. The GGF Technical Team are working with MHCLG (Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) and our fellow Trade Associations in making representations on behalf of members to try and make this process as straightforward as possible for companies who place products (within scope) on the market.
In this issue of GLASSi, David Borland, GGF Senior Technical Officer has produced an update on the current status regarding CE Marking and UKCA Marking.
Energy Efficiency
The Government recently announced that the Green Homes Grant Scheme launched last September has been cancelled. Since the launch of the scheme (which did not consult with huge parts of the construction and glass & glazing sector in advance of its launch), the GGF raised concerns to Government over the restrictive PAS 2030 accreditation gateway to becoming an approved installer to carry out measures and also the glazing element of the scheme which only allowed for single glazing to be replaced as a secondary measure. The GGF also made representations to Government that Competent Person Schemes should be used as an alternative or complimentary to PAS2030.
Though this scheme hasn’t worked for our industry, the GGF is continuing talks with Government over future schemes that will hopefully have more emphasis on glazing.
GGF Products and Services
In the first quarter of 2021, the GGF team have been extremely productive to increase and improve your benefits.
On the health and safety side, we have launched the new Health and Safety Webinar Programme which is freely available for all Members to attend. The next webinar is on “Managing Mental Health during COVID-19” and is on April 6th. You can book your place at this webinar here.
The GGF Digital Marketing Toolkit was launched recently and includes free access to 12 video webinars accompanied by PDF presentation files for free download. The digital marketing toolkit has a content value of over £1k, so I encourage all Members to take full advantage to grow their online audience, customers and business using digital technology.
Also on the marketing and PR front, the GGF is continuing its consumer campaign Stay Safe with MyGlazing.com following the success of the campaign in 2020 when over 200k consumers looking for advice through the pandemic visited the MyGlazing.com website for advice. The campaign was also publicised in over 100 consumer publications reaching millions of homeowners.
The GGF Technical team in that last 12 months has published 42 new technical publications and is continuing up review and update a further 26 as part of the ongoing technical documentation review process. In addition, the Team organised two exclusive Technical Forums in February and it was great to see over 100 GGF Members attend via video link, “The Ban on Laminated Glass in Facades and Balconies Forum” and then just a few days later attend the “Forum on the Government’s Future Homes Consultation” which will impact the Building Regulations approved documents L (energy efficiency) and F (ventilation).
Members Meetings
In the first few months of the year we have already seen an increase in Members meetings and particularly in the Regional meetings, Window Film Group and Heritage Window Group. With Member engagement increasing via video meetings, we are looking at returning to face to face meetings once the lockdown restrictions allow such gatherings. We will of course keep you updated on when this will happen and rest assured we will also be continuing with the video conferencing as well as face to face meetings, to enable all Members to engage regardless of distance and time.
An up to date list of GGF Members Meetings for 2021 can be see here. Please feel free to contact the assigned GGF Secretary if you want to find out more about our meetings and/or if you wish to attend any of the Members Regional or Technical meetings.
Finally, I was delighted to see all parts of the GGF membership represented at the Chairperson’s Forum (held on 18th March). With 33 Chairs/Representatives at the Forum it was an exceptional attendance and many of the points raised by Members have been fully taken on board and will be address by the GGF Board and Staff. A full report of this meeting will be issued to all who attended to cascade to all Members.
We look forward to working on your behalf to help your business through these trying times.
Enjoy GLASSi
John Agnew
Managing Director
The Prime Minister has announced a one-year extension to the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, until the end of March 2022. The announcement was made as part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution.
Homeowners across England will now have until the end of March 2022 to have energy efficiency upgrades to their homes completed through the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, helping up to 600,000 households save up to £600 on their energy bills.
The scheme funds up to two-thirds of the cost of green home improvements up to £5,000, or 100% of the cost for homeowners on low incomes, up to £10,000. Measures covered include insulation of walls, floors and roofs, double or triple glazing when replacing single glazing, and low-carbon heating like heat pumps.
The Prime Minister announced the extension of both the Green Homes Grant and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in his 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, designed to help the country build back greener and help reach the UK’s key target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
£1 billion will be available next year into making new and existing homes and public buildings more energy efficient, including through the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The GGF has persistently lobbied Government for an extension to the scheme and the additional 12 months, now gives companies a chance to register to the scheme and undertake the work.
John Agnew, GGF Managing Director, “We welcome the news of an extension to the scheme but we will continue discussions with government to change glazing from a secondary measure to a primary measure. In addition, we are also asking government to consider replacing inefficient double glazing as well as single glazing under the scheme.”
The GGF understands that over 40,000 vouchers have been issued in the first few months of the scheme. To find out more about the scheme and how you can register as an installer under the Green Home Grant Voucher Scheme please visit the government web page https://www.gov.uk/guidance/green-homes-grant-scheme-register-as-a-certified-tradesperson-or-business
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has seen an increase in questions being asked about the ability of some Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) to meet the requirements of BS EN 1279-5:2005 + A2:2010.
Evaluation of conformity, in particular their durability. The IGU design in question are those IGUs marketed as Thin, Slim, Heritage or similar names. These names do not refer to any specific component brand or tradename, and a more accurate description of the IGU would be ‘Narrow cavity IGU with reduced edgeseal sightline’. The main issue in relation to durability is not about the cavity width, the industry has successfully produced 6mm cavity IGUs for many years but whether IGUs constructed with an edge seal depth less than that usually seen in standard IGUs, can be manufactured in accordance with the harmonised European Standard (hEN) and be placed on the market in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), introduced as a legal requirement for manufacturers in the UK on 1st July 2013.
Clause (24) of the CPR states;
(24) Except in the cases laid down in this Regulation, the placing on the market of a construction product which is covered by a harmonised standard or for which a European Technical Assessment has been issued should be accompanied by a Declaration of Performance in relation to the essential characteristics of the construction product in accordance with the relevant harmonised technical specifications.
As stated above, with the exception of IGUs that do not fall within the scope of EN 1279 series, e.g. vacuum units, manufacturers of IGUs must, when placing them on the market, make a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE mark the product. By making a DoP, the manufacturer is also confirming that the IGU is manufactured in conformity with the product standard.
The requirements of the CPR for IGUs are implemented through BS EN 1279-5:2005 + A2:2010 – Evaluation of conformity and this hEN states in clause 4.2:
4.2 Conformity with the definition of insulating glass units
Products shall conform to the definition and fulfil the requirements of insulating glass units as defined in EN 1279-1.
BS EN 1279-1:2004 states in clause 5.1:
5.1 Conformity with the definition of insulating glass units
Products intended to belong to the insulating glass system shall conform to the definition of insulating glass units.
Durability being ensured by the following:
The issue facing IGU manufacturers is caused by the growing demand being generated by their clients, often as the result of planning requirements, where specifiers require an IGU with a maximum cavity width of between 4-8mm, often based on the planners views relating to ‘double reflection’ and with low overall edge seal sightlines. This design of IGU is usually driven by the local authority planning policy that requires replacement glazing to fit into existing windows or for replacement windows to match the existing timber section sizes. This latter requirement often limits the glazing platform width and the glazing rebate upstand dimensions in window components such as glazing bars or through astragals. These limitations are of particular importance when replacing or re-glazing vertical sliding sash windows (known as sash and case in Scotland).
IGU manufacturers have responded to this growing demand by producing IGUs using a reduced height spacer bar and also reducing the amount of outer (secondary) sealant below that recommended by sealant manufacturers. Once these modifications to the edge seal are made, manufacturers cannot use their existing EN 1279-2, EN 1279-3 or EN 1279-4 test evidence to support their claim of compliance to the product standard when making a Declaration of Performance and CE marking these units. At present, the GGF has not been able to obtain copies of any IGU manufacturer’s test evidence for these ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edgeseal sightline’.
When manufacturing IGUs, it is the IGU manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure the products being placed on the market are manufactured in conformity with the product standard and have the necessary test evidence available. If this evidence is available, it is surprising that IGU manufacturers producing this type of IGU are reluctant to provide it.
The GGF has received a number of enquiries relating to these units and their durability. In some instances these units have shown evidence of failure of the edge seal construction through condensation developing in the cavity. This failure may be attributable to either the durability of this ‘reduced sightline’ edge seal design or the method of glazing. Given these units are used exclusively in timber frames and are generally glazed using a fully bedded method, both the IGU design and method(s) of glazing may be questionable. The cause of failure may be either of the above or a combination of both.
In summary, when manufacturing Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edgeseal sightline, existing test evidence based on an edge seal construction significantly different in terms of spacer bar dimensions and therefore possibly a reduced desiccant to cavity volume ratio and reduced sealant depth, cannot be used to show compliance of ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edge seal sightline’. The manufacturer of these IGUs must have EN 1279-2 and EN 1279-3 test evidence for these IGUs and be in possession of the sealant supplier’s EN 1279-4 test evidence showing the sealant is suitable for an edge seal of this construction. Test evidence based on a ‘standard’ construction cannot be used to show conformity to BS EN 1279-5:2005+A2:2010 and any Declaration of Performance produced and CE mark applied, has been completed outside the legal requirements of the Construction Products Regulation.
When glazing IGUs into timber frames, the recommendations contained in BS 8000-7, the GGF’s Data Sheet 4.2, the recommendations of glazing material suppliers and of course, the requirements of the IGU manufacturer, should be followed.
The GGF cannot support any IGU manufacturer producing ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edge seal sightline’ without specific test evidence being made available by the IGU manufacturer.
The Glass and Glazing Federation welcomed today the publication of the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation Consultation, in the expectation that it will provide clarity regarding a number of issues of vital importance to the glass and glazing industry.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is seeking views from industry and stakeholders on all aspects of the schemes, which have been published alongside an impact assessment, draft secondary legislation and a draft code of practice. Responses are due by 18th January.
Since the outset of Green Deal, the GGF has been lobbying government on a number of issues that could have a significant impact on glass and glazing manufacturers and installers, and the Federation has been working alongside a wide range of stakeholders to promote the interests of its members.
The GGF would like to invite its members to contribute to its formal response to the government consultation.
Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of the GGF, said: “The GGF has been lobbying hard on a number of aspects of the Green Deal that are of importance to our members. It is important that we maintain momentum, and continue to highlight our concerns to DECC through a response to the consultation. The GGF calls on its members to help us produce a thorough and compelling response. The consultation documents span over 700 pages altogether, and with an eight week deadline for responses, it’s vital that we act quickly. I urge members to get in touch and work with us to ensure the best possible outcome.”
Read the full consultation here: https://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx
To contribute to the formal GGF response to the Green Deal Consultation, please contact technical@ggf.org.uk for further information.
Emergency Glaziers
GGF Shop
MyGlazing.com
Find a GGF Member
