Sustainability & Renewal Sourcing

Sustainability & Renewal Sourcing

Our timber windows are manufacture using timber source from managed forests, ensuring that planting exceeds felling. Timber is supplied from forest close to the Arctic Circle, which are managed in accordance to the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Guidelines. Not only does this ensure that these forest will always be replenished, but it guarantees that the staff who work in them will be paid properly and receive all the necessary training and safety equipment.
As trees become older their ability to absorb carbon dioxide reduces significantly. It is therefore essential to harvest these trees and replace them with younger ones.

Timber is the only renewal material used for window frames.

Energy Saving

If you wish to choose energy efficient windows for your home, whether it is refurbishment or new build you will receive the following benefits:

savings on the heating bill
reduced CO2 omissions
a better indoor climate

Timber is a natural insulator, warm to touch, not transferring cold to the inside or warmth to the outside. It is due to this natural insulator that timber is a better option than any other product when it comes to conserving heat.
Energy efficient windows let more heat into your home than they let out. They can retain heat up to three times better than old windows. New and air tight windows also give you a healthier indoor climate. There is no draughts or damp which cause condensation on the inside of the window.

Environmental Protection

All preservers, stains and paints are biodegradable and therefore cause no damage to the environment.

We also ensure that the timber used in our windows is sourced form regulated forests to ensure that planting exceeds felling.

As trees become older their ability to absorb carbon dioxide reduces significantly. It is therefore essential to harvest these trees and replace them with younger ones.

Timber is the only renewal material used for window frames.

Timber windows require many times less energy than PVCu, aluminum or steel to convert the raw material into the finished product and therefore it is one of the most energy efficient materials avail
Choosing different types of windows for your home, depending which way they face, will help you reduce your heating bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
When building a new home is it important to take the orientation of the house into consideration. This is not just about the specific window’s ability to retain heat but also about utilising the free energy from the sun.

The North facing Elevation receives limited sun light. For this reason we would always recommend that you use maximum insulation here and use windows that have as low a U-value as possible. Senator Timber Products offers a triple-glazed window with a typical U-value 0.9 W/m²*k.

The South facing Elevation receives the most direct sun light so it is important to use windows here which will capitalize on the available solar energy to heat the house. For this window you should choose modern double-glazed energy windows with a good U-value and a high g-value. The g-value is the window’s ability capitalizes the use of solar gain. However, it is worth noting that too much glass can result in overheating during the summer months so ventilation should be strongly consider in south facing rooms.

The East and West facing Elevation of your home also receives a lot of sunlight so they too can contribute to solar heating. For the windows on these elevations you should choose modern double-glazed energy windows with a good U-value and a high g-value

Why Choose Timber?
There are many reasons why people choose timber for their project, the compelling environmental arguments, the long term value afforded by an easily-maintained material, the superior look and feel of real timber, the thermal performance or local planning regulations. Here at Senator Timber Products we are committed to helping our customers find the windows and doors to meet all their requirements.

Timber is the most sustainable of building materials. Our timber is harvested from managed forests where the growing period is measured in decades. On average two trees are planted for every one harvested. This has resulted in more area of forest in Europe than there was one hundred years ago.

Timber is very good value in the long term. The maintenance and repair of timber windows and doors is both cost effective and easy. Modern timber treatments ensure that products have a life expectancy of 30 years whilst good paint systems should need no attention other than cleaning for 5 years. Repainted timber windows look as good as new and lift the appearance of any property. If damage occurs to a timber window or door it can be easily repaired leaving no sign of the repair. It is not surprising therefore that timber is increasingly seen as the material of choice for long-term value.

Timber for natural Quality. Few materials can compare when it comes to the look and feel of a good quality timber window or door. Warm to the touch and pleasing to the eye, real wood gives a sense of natural quality and durability.

Scandinavian Pine V’s Hardwood

The choice of Hardwood Windows flies in the face of all that Europe is trying to do with regard to Environmental Issues.
Set out below is our case for Redwood (or Scandinavian Pine as it is known) v’s Hardwood.

Redwood (Scandinavian Pine):

The lifespan of appropriately maintained Redwood should exceeds Hardwood by a ratio of 2:1
Redwood was the Timber of choice for Window Manufacturers 100 - 150 years ago, and these windows can still be seen today in many of the older buldings in our town and cities (i.e. Leinster House)
Pine originates from the most northern Nordic forests, where the harsh climate slows down growth resulting in a high density and premium quality wood
Our Timber is from managed forests where the rate of planting is greater than the rate of felling (FSC Certified)
The previous negative issues with regards to Pine are eliminated by using the Opti Wood process which removes all knots, crack & residue pockets, resulting in premium quality timber
The pure Timber is then comb-jointed, resulting in greater stability & strength and therefore it is not prone to warp or twist.
All windows are treated with water based environmentally friendly impregnation system and water based micro porous paint finish, allowing the timber to breath.
We adhere to a strict criteria when sourcing all raw materials as follows:
- Scandinavian Pine with a Heartwood content of 90% is used
- Moisture Content of 12% ± 2%
- Density of 500kgs/m²
Our products have been supplied and fitted in Ireland for the last 15 years. Over that time we have continuously worked with Tecknos to enhance and improve the quality and life span of their finishes, taking into account Irish weather conditions.
Tecknos use a micro porous Opaque Paint (factory finished), which allows the timber to breath naturally.
Paint / stain finish is guaranteed for 5 years with an expected maintenance intervals or 6 – 8 years depending on location.

Hardwood:

Hardwood windows increase our Global Footprint
Rain forests are felled to provide raw materials, resulting in deforestation and adding to Global Warming
The majority of Hardwoods imported into Ireland are non-certified. Oak & Ash being the exception and these are generally only used internally.
Hardwood is Kiln dried to lower its moisture content and then placed in an external environment where it will absorb moisture, making it prone to warp & twist resulting in difficulty with closing mechanisms and putting pressure on glass.
All the major window-manufacturing nations of the world are not using hardwood due to the above issues.
Hardwood suppliers generally offer a limited guarantee due to the above issues.
Natural Oils in Hardwood also means that suppliers cannot guarantee paint/stain finishes, resulting in shorter maintenance intervals.
Hardwood should be maintained every year
Traditionally people used Oil based paint on Hardwood Windows, which sealed the timber trapping moisture. During the winter months Timber naturally absorbs moisture and releases this moisture during the summer months, therefore the oil based paint will crack as the timber expands and contract

The use of Hardwood is outdated for the above mention reasons, however if customers do insist on hardwood it is available. It will cost 20 - 30% above Scandinavian Pine Timber Windows.

FSC CERTIFICATION

FSC Certified Windows Now it is possible to have windows and doors of wood from FSC certified forests.
More and more consumers choose to buy sustainable products. Therefore, we have introduced that the majority of the manufactured windows and doors are now in wood coming from FSC certified forests which have obtained the mark of responsible forestry.
The FSC label means that we live up to internationally accepted standards to ensure socially and environmentally responsible and economically sound forestry. Thus, the consumers can make sure that the windows do not come from illegal forestry, and thus contribute to the protection of the world’s forests.
Wood is a renewable resource. To ensure the renewal the replanting of trees must be put in system and this is ensured by a FSC forest. Here, all harvested trees are replaced and they are allowed to regenerate. At the same time, FSC is a guarantee that the people who work in the forest are guaranteed a decent salary, training and safety equipment.

We only use quality pine in the production, which originates form the Nordic Forests. This is because the harsh climate in the north ensures a slow growth, resulting in a high quantity of heartwood in the tree. It is precisely this heartwood which is used to produce our windows and doors, as it is the best quality.
We also take our environmental responsibilities seriously in relation to the impregnation of the tree. Instead of the usual vacuum impregnation we use environmentally friendly treatment name 2ØKO. Moreover. We only use environmentally friendly water based paint on all our products.

For more information about FSC Certified windows please contact Senator Timber Product at Tel: 0035353 9155300

Timber