GARDEN DESIGN
“Historically, uPVC conservatories
have always been bad for the
environment, with an unsustainable
manufacturing process. They also
required huge amounts of energy
throughout their lifetime, as it has
always been notoriously difficult to
control the internal temperatures.
“Modern manufacturing processes
mean that today’s timber
orangeries, garden rooms and
even conservatories have sound
environmental credentials that
minimise the homeowner’s carbon
footprint throughout their whole
lifecycle, as they can easily be
recycled.”
About Accoya ®
• the desire to specify controllable
heating and ventilation
technologies, including the use of
ground source heat pumps and
biomass boilers
And specifically, Westbury has seen:
• an increase in visits to its Essex-
based factory with a view to
understanding the impact of the
in-house manufacturing process
• an increase in visits to the
company’s environmental policy
website page
Hey continued: “A homeowner
chooses a glazed extension because
they want to invite the great
outdoors into their home – a garden
room or orangery is a transitional
space that can be used in all seasons.
Therefore it makes sense that
due care and attention is paid to
the environment when their new
extension is being planned.
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Westbury uses Accoya ® (a modified
wood) to the furthest extent
possible. Not only does the latter
outperform traditional solid
hardwood but it is created from fast-
growing, abundantly available, FSC ®
or PEFC™ certified tree species such
as Radiata pine, which eliminates
the need to use hardwoods sourced
from the rainforests of South
America or Africa.
Before it is used in the construction
of Westbury’s orangeries and garden
rooms, it undergoes a non-toxic,
environmentally-friendly chemical
process which makes it a super-
strength version of its original form,
which coincidentally also improves
its paint retention. The wood is
guaranteed to last for 50 years and
is extremely stable, even when used
in coastal properties or at altitude,
where there is more moisture. This
paired with its thermal insulation
properties means it is a win-win for
any homeowner with noble green
intentions.
Westbury applies three coats of
Teknos paint to all of its Accoya ®
windows and doors. Teknos
paint results in long-lasting, low-
maintenance joinery that will not
require repainting for at least 12
years. Additionally, unlike other
products on the market, Teknos
paints have extremely low levels
of Volatile Organic Compounds
(toxins that are released into the
atmosphere), making them kinder
on the environment.
Understanding ‘green’
Hey concluded: “Every glazed
extension manufacturer will have
an environmental story to tell but
homeowners who are really serious
about environmental issues need to
fully understand the manufacturing
process from start to finish. It’s one
thing for a manufacturer to say they
want to use sustainable wood but if
the factory doesn’t recycle or reuse
offcuts, or if it’s halfway around the
world, then the benefits in one area
will be outweighed by pitfalls in
another.”
“In more ways than one, going green
is very much on trend for 2020.”
For more information please visit
www.westburygardenrooms.com
or call 01245 326500
www.landud.co.uk
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