Let’s Talk Honestly: Cheap Materials Come at a Cost
It’s World Environment Day — a time to reflect on how our everyday decisions impact the planet. In the world of windows and doors, one of the most overlooked but important choices you can make is: what’s your frame made of?
The UK produces over 12 million plastic doors and window frames annually. Laid end to end, this uPVC trail would be enough to circle the Earth.
PVC might seem like a "cheap and easy" option, but that low price tag hides a high environmental cost. It’s one of the most wasteful materials in the construction industry, with most of it ending up in landfills or being burned, contributing to pollution and climate change.
Meanwhile, timber—especially sustainably sourced timber like NorDan uses - tells a different story. It’s durable, beautiful, low-carbon, and recyclable. And when properly protected with aluminium cladding (aluclad), it can outlast plastic by decades.
Let the stats talk for themselves:
♻️ PVC windows generate 43% more waste than timber.
🗑️ 82% of PVC waste ends up in landfill, where it won’t biodegrade.
🔥 15% of PVC waste is incinerated, releasing harmful emissions.
🔄 Only 3% of PVC is actually recycled.
🌲 In contrast, over 97% of UK waste timber is processed and reused.
🛠️ Timber windows last over 60 years — 3x the lifespan of typical PVC alternatives.
🔧 Timber frames can be repaired, reused, and repurposed, supporting a circular economy.
As we observe World Environment Day , it's crucial to recognize the impact of our choices. By opting for NorDan UK's timber windows, you're not only investing in quality and durability but also contributing to a more sustainable future.
Our commitment is backed by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that transparently detail the lifecycle impacts of our timber products — proving their lower carbon footprint compared to uPVC alternatives.
For over 100 years, our windows and doors have been crafted using sustainably sourced timber, designed to last for decades, and built with low embodied carbon in mind. We’re proud to be part of a cleaner, circular construction future.
Our aluminium-clad timber windows last over 60 years, outliving standard PVC windows by decades. With U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²K, our windows contribute to significant energy savings. Find out more : NorDan | Sustainability
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Sources and References;
LIfe Cycle Aseessment of Recycling PVC Window Frames : Science Direct.
PVC Waste Statistics: “PVC Waste Management in the UK”, Construction Waste Review, 2023.
Timber Recycling Data: 2023 report: https://woodrecyclers.org. Lifespan and Repairability:
British Woodworking Federation and GAI Guidance on Timber Windows, 2023.
Environmental Impact of PVC vs. Timber: → WWF – Building Materials Report, “Timber: A Sustainable Building Material”, https://www.wwf.org.uk/resources/timber-sustainable-building-material.
PVC Environmental Harm: Greenpeace International Report – “PVC: The Poison Plastic”.
Circular Economy Data: Community Wood Recycling, “Over 97% of UK Waste Wood Processed in 2023” https://communitywoodrecycling.org.uk.
NorDan Product Performance: Internal product specifications and sustainability reports – NorDan | Environmental Agenda
