On 14 September one of the supplements in The Sunday Telegraph ran an article about the problems period property owners face when it comes to replacing old windows. The article can be read in full by clicking here.

The author of this article accepted without question the assertion that "plastic windows should never be installed" in period properties. It even never occurred to her to ask "why not?" Well, it occurred to us! So we wrote the following letter to the editor and asked.

Sir,

Writing in last week’s Life supplement, Sarah Lonsdale describes the difficulties faced by owners of period properties who want to replace their old, drafty original windows with thermally efficient modern ones. However, I was disappointed to read the all too predicable view of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings that “plastic windows should never be installed” in period properties. Why on earth not?

Windows made from PVC-U can look as good – and in many cases considerably better – than windows made from alternatives such as wood. Moreover the PVC-U industry has been at the forefront of the development of energy efficient window frames. More than a hundred PVC-U manufacturers now offer energy efficient windows with a BFRC rating of C or above. Only handful of timber manufacturers have so far achieved this standard.

Fitting C-rated windows in a typical property will reduce its carbon footprint by more than 850kg of CO2 per year and help to significantly reduce heating bills. For homeowners who are serious about saving energy, PVC-U represents a practical, affordable and attractive option. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings might want to think about changing their name to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Prejudices.

Faithfully,

Martin Randall
Chairman of Crystal Direct and Founder of http://www.fightingbackwithfacts.com