Although PVC-U windows had been initially specified, the long-term durability and whole life carbon-saving benefits of NorDan alu-clad timber windows ended up making these the natural choice across the project.
Winner of the Small Affordable Housing Development of the Year award at the Scottish Home Awards 2023, Scotland’s largest Passivhaus social housing development is in Drymen, Stirlingshire. Passivhaus, developed in Germany in the 1990s, is a low-energy building standard that can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%.
The Drymen project includes 15 affordable homes for 44 Hanover residents, significantly advancing efforts against fuel poverty and climate change by reducing operational carbon emissions. Hanover worked with NorDan, specifying aluminium-clad NTech StormGuard windows to meet Passivhaus criteria. ECD Architects designed the development for optimal solar gain, energy efficiency, and airtightness, consistent with Passivhaus standards.
Triple-glazed NorDan windows meet the U-value requirement of 0.8W/m²K, supporting the depth and weight of triple-glazed units. Scottish contractor Cruden Building selected NorDan solutions due to their reliability. Keith Barclay, Pre-Construction Manager at Cruden, emphasized the importance of quality materials for this pioneering project.
NorDan’s alu-clad timber StormGuard windows deliver low U-values, high air tightness, and durability with minimal maintenance. Cruden’s relationship with NorDan ensures the windows’ performance at Drymen, providing aesthetic and functional benefits.
Using Passivhaus methods, each home in Drymen will need up to 90% less energy for heating, reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions. NorDan’s windows, made from sustainably harvested timber, offer low whole-life carbon impact and will benefit future Passivhaus projects across Scotland and the UK.
