Benefits of wood

Wood is one of the most abundant, renewable, eco-friendly and sustainable materials available. Being carbon negative, it absorbs CO2 as it grows. It has a natural beauty and tangible quality that you can’t find in any man-made material. Another benefit is insulation: good thermal and sound insulation for windows and doors. Responsibly sourced timber from certified and well-managed forests, using a chain of custody system, keeps that supply sustainable.

Natural beauty

Batty Joinery is a certified supplier of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood products. The scope of the certification is the manufacture and supply of bespoke, assembled timber joinery products, including outsourcing of windows, doors, stairs, furniture and other joinery products ordered by customers. The certificate is listed on info.fsc.org.

Wood and wood-based materials have advantages in the renovation of period buildings. Apart from its look, wood can be tailored to each client. Its thermal insulation and humidity control make it comfortable to live with. Because of its relatively low cost and long durability, timber is cost-effective in both the long and short term.

Sustainability

The original page said specifying sustainable timber will:

• Avoid damaging the world’s forests, so this renewable resource continues
• Reduce chemicals released by the production and disposal of other window-frame materials
• Serve demand from clients who want that distinction
• Show environmental, social and economic responsibility
• Help fulfil corporate social responsibility policies
• Add value to the project

When specifying timber windows, ask for timber that can be shown to have come from a sustainably managed forest, preferably with FSC or PEFC certification, and a chain of custody back to the source forest.

The original downloads page also offered a BWF guide, a fact sheet on timber variability versus performance. That PDF was not recovered.