This article was published on April 4, 2025
Making eco-friendly efforts is becoming increasingly more important in the modern day, even when choosing your windows and doors, that’s why we’re exploring the environmental benefits of choosing timber over uPVC! With the Earth’s rising climate, and the UK’s push for Net Zero by 2050, it’s important to be environmentally conscious when making home renovations.
When replacing windows and doors, many homeowners won’t heavily consider the environmental impact that comes with their decision. However, making greener choices won’t just benefit the planet, it will benefit you too. Aside from the environmental benefits of choosing timber over uPVC, there’s plenty of personal perks that you’ll discover when opting for wooden windows and doors.
But what are the benefits? Keep reading as we explore the perks of making a greener choice when it comes to choosing your windows and doors – for you, your home, and the planet.
A major environmental advantage that timber has over uPVC is that trees that naturally grow, plastic does not. Timber, when harvested from sustainably managed forests, is a renewable resource, meaning that there is a permanent supply of wood as long as the trees are replanted.
On the other hand, uPVC is manufactured using petroleum, a finite resource that will likely be faded out in the coming years. When it comes to renovating your home, installing timber windows and doors will ensure that your home utilises renewability, contributing to a sustainable planet.
Timber is an excellent thermal insulator, making for excellent energy efficiency! When you install timber windows and doors, as opposed to uPVC, you’ll experience the benefits of energy efficiency, something that homeowners are increasingly desiring. If you’re looking to find out more about energy efficiency, and what it is, read our previous article here.
When you implement energy efficient timber windows and doors into your home, you’re increasing your property’s heat retention. This means that your home will remain warm in the winter, and cooler in the summer, regulating temperature all year round! As a result, you’re able to save on your energy bills, as a result of a reduced reliance on central heating!
At ERW, we craft the most energy efficient timber windows – specialising in thermal performance. View our range here.
If you’re looking to replace the windows of a listed property, we’ve got you covered. Introducing vacuum glazing, the latest window technology bringing revolutionary window performance to any property.
Despite its ultra-slim profile, vacuum glazing brings outstanding energy efficiency, reinventing modern day living. If you’re looking to learn more about the quality of vacuum glazing, click here!
Even in production, the manufacturing of timber windows and doors brings a lower carbon footprint. The production of uPVC takes a significant amount of energy, therefore releasing harmful greenhouse gases into the environment.
Another environmental benefit of choosing timber over uPVC for timber windows and doors is that through sustainable harvesting, timber trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth. In doing so, the trees contribute to a greener planet, reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
Supporting both the environment, and your own personal benefit, is the long-lasting lifespan of timber as opposed to uPVC. Timber windows and doors are known to last much longer than those made from uPVC plastic, subsequently benefitting you as a homeowner, and the environment, as you won’t need to replace them as often.
Through proper care and maintenance, your timber windows and doors may last 60-80 years on average, compared to the 20-30 year lifespan of uPVC. When you invest in our quality timber windows and doors, you’re ensuring excellent performance for the long run, remaining energy efficient for decades to come.
Even when it’s eventually time to replace your new windows and doors at the end of their lifespan, timber is far more biodegradable. Timber can very easily be recycled, or restored, and for windows, you may not even need to replace them as you can simply restore the wooden frame, retaining the beauty and quality of your window – often a perfect solution for listed properties where planning permission is required for home renovations.
uPVC, however, can contribute to plastic pollution and will not decompose within our lifetime, likely taking centuries unless properly recycled. Plastic pollution is a major issue in the modern day, further emphasising the environmental benefits of choosing timber over uPVC.
When it comes to environmental benefits, timber is a clear winner as opposed to uPVC, bringing a high-quality solution to implementing sustainability into your home. We understand the importance of taking care of our planet, and utilising renewable energy, which is why we craft our timber windows and doors with industry leading energy efficiency measures – with kerb appeal to match!
Understand the level of craftsmanship that goes into crafting our timber windows and doors when you visit our Middlesbrough showroom! A member of our team will be able to show you around, and explain the quality of our windows and doors, and the level of performance that they will bring to your property.
If you’re looking to arrange your visit, please call 01642 456167 or email sales@erwltd.co.uk, and a member of our team will be in touch. Please note that you must make your booking before visiting our premises.
Outdated doors can often bring properties down without you realising, with new, bespoke doors, you can completely enhance your home’s entrance. Your front door is an excellent opportunity to make a great first impression, and allow your home to stand out as one of greater quality. Your home should be something that you’re proud of […]
New planning application fees could make improving your heritage home more expensive- but at ERW, we’re offering expert support at no extra cost. Understanding the New Planning Fees As of 1 April 2025, planning application fees in England have undergone a significant rise. These adjustments are part of a government initiative to help local planning […]
With the longer days and lighter nights upon us, now is the perfect time to reap the benefits of natural light for your home! While you may not realise it, there are plenty of advantages to utilising natural light within your home, and with summer upon us, now is the perfect time to learn about […]
A superb job! We’re really delighted with all our new windows. We’d like to thank ERW very much.
The installation team of Craig, Aarron and Joe were very professional, worked well together and got on with the job efficiently to complete everything ahead of time. They were very polite and communicated well with us about the job in hand and the time scale, and we were impressed that they cleared up so well each day before leaving. We would like to thank them for all their workmanship, advice, help and good humour.
The quality of the items made off-site was very high. The 7 windows look really good, they operate well and the finish is excellent. Hopefully, next winter’s gas and electricity bills will show the benefit.
From our initial contact with Stuart and our visit to the showroom, through the technical survey by Andy and the co-ordination by Sophie and Jeff, to the final installation, we’re more than happy with the whole process. We’re so pleased that we chose ERW for our continuing efforts at improving our 115-year-old home. We will certainly come back for the final stage of work on our windows in due course.
Mr and Mrs C, Darlington
Our whole experience with ERW joiners has been absolutely first class. Our first meeting was a showroom appointment with Stuart Wall, I personally loved the showroom straightaway, the colours of the sample doors blew me away.
To the skilled craftsmen of joiners who made our front door, who we have not met, but who we will forever be grateful too – their craftsmanship is beyond compare – thank you so very much.
Mrs Lister
We were very happy with the quality of the workmanship, workforce were excellent, working non stop until job was finished. All were friendly and helpful too.
Mr & Mrs B, Middlesbrough
We had our door fitted yesterday and we are thrilled with it!!
Thank you so much for all your help with the design process. We felt very well supported with this major purchase. You guided us sensitively and listened to what we wanted. And now we have our design and are very happy indeed
Mr & Mrs Robinson, Stockton
Brochure Download
We're not able to carry out installations in your postcode area, however, we can still design and create your door, and you can liaise with a local fitter in your area to install it.
Close