The Triple Glazing Question: Part 2

Edgetech has announced that it will be hosting a new ‘Triple Glazing Question’ on March 27, 2024 at the CBS Arena (formerly Ricoh), almost 10 years after the original conference, as the industry prepares itself for the introduction of stricter energy efficiency requirements with the incoming Future Homes Standard (FHS).

I attended a warmup event to the Triple Glazing Question in Birmingham last week, again hosted by Edgetech, and attended by a number of IGU manufacturers, glass companies and the GGF.

There was some really interesting discussion about the likely increase in demand for triple glazing in order to meet the criteria for FHS – which is still yet to be officially announced – but which we assume, will introduce U value requirements of around 0.8, a figure that is beyond the performance of regular double glazing.

The new standard will apply to the new build sector initially, but again there is an assumption that it will filter into the replacement market in due course.

Much of the challenges that apply to manufacturing and handling triple glazing compared to double are the same now as they were 10 years ago.

It has a larger carbon footprint, it is more expensive, it takes up more space in the factory and to transport and with some larger units, it may take an extra body or two to install it.

For IGU manufacturers in particular, it brings with it a considerable investment in machinery, introduces additional complexity in production and much longer production times.

The conclusion at the end of the original Triple Glazing Question in April 2014, was that we can do just fine with double glazed units, thanks very much.

But the introduction of the FHS means that triple glazing will likely be a requirement and not an option, so the industry needs to be ready for that change – Triple Glazing Question Part 2 in March next year, will be designed to help communicate these changes, and not simply debate whether we need them or not.

In fact, triple glazing should really be seen now as a big opportunity for the industry. Housebuilders are already asking for it – there is one in the south west that is already fitting triple as standard – and for that matter, so are homeowners.

According to one of the guests at the roundtable event last week, demand is strong for triple glazing, underlining the impact that high energy prices have had on household finances. It makes sense. If you’ve got the money to upgrade your windows, in order to save money on the heating bills, then you want the best possible solution to help with that.

There will be more discussion on triple glazing and the FHS at this year’s Glazing Summit next week – but in the meantime, make a date in your diary for March 27 next year…

UK Window and Doors Group in administration

As this week’s newsletter goes to press, it has been announced that UK Windows & Doors Group has been placed into administration, with the loss of over 500 jobs.

According to the reports, the majority of these will be at the Treorchy, Llwynypia, Williamstown and Taff’s Well sites. Another 67 are said to be lost at Tewkesbury and Biggleswade, including the Evolution factory.

UKWG brand, Sevenday Windows, has reportedly been sold, with 91 jobs saved.

To read the BBC report, click here.