Why and how we’re taking a stand

Today there is an area of our lives where sustainability is more crucial than ever before. And that’s the construction of the buildings in which we live. Heavily reliant on natural resources, the construction industry has no choice but to sit up and take notice of sustainability.

After all, according to the UN Environment’s Global Status Report of 2017, buildings and construction account for more than 35% of global final energy use and nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions.

So it is no longer enough for sustainable building practices to be added on as an afterthought; instead they must be embedded into every aspect of the design process. The end user demands it – and so does the planet.

The healing impact of ‘going green’

It turns out that healthy buildings promote healthy lives. Occupants of eco-friendly buildings typically experience better overall health due to improved air and water quality.

And the benefits of being around sustainable, natural materials, such as FSC certified timber, have been shown to increase feelings of wellbeing.

Sustainable building practices can also help to increase the longevity of built structures, while also reducing energy costs.

Equipping architects to make a difference

To achieve and maximise such benefits, architects and builders need to take a 360º approach to environmental considerations… and to do so throughout the design and construction process.

Thankfully, a growing number of architects recognise that they have a responsibility to the future.

Through our RIBA-accredited CPD training, we are equipping architects to bring into being sustainable solutions that have rich benefits for their occupants, as well as for future generations.

Embedded in our business

We are wholly committed to sustainable design; it’s embedded in every aspect of our business – from how we source products to the footprint we leave behind us. That’s why we are taking a number of different steps, including these:

We’re committed to following the Kyoto protocol

We refuse UVPC products in the construction of our windows and doors

We source raw materials with accreditations such as FSC and Fensa

We reduce our Carbon Footprint via energy efficient practices

We actively engage with stakeholders to raise awareness of best practices

We limit the impacts of our manufacturing by creating products that are both biodegradable and renewable

It’s also why, for every sale we make, we plant a tree with Trees for Life. As a result, hundreds of trees have been planted by the business for the projects completed. Also, the conservation of forests and natural areas of beauty is something that’s very close to our hearts at Hugo Carter.

Crossing borders – in more ways than one

North of the border in Scotland, many homeowners value the way that the benefits of our windows go far beyond noise reduction. As well as being able to withstand rain, wind and snow, our Silent Windows have an exceptional capacity for preventing heat loss; this is seen as a particularly valuable asset.

Of course, it makes perfect sense that our windows – by being measured to the millimetre to fit snugly into any property – will also allow less heat to escape, as a result. And… there’s another element to this story.

We have embraced the concept and principles of ‘Passive House’, as they represent the pinnacle of energy efficiency. In creating our award-winning windows, we have adapted the German methods typically used in these houses – and improved them by incorporating noise reduction features and capabilities.

It’s just one of the ways in which we are continuing to cross borders and set new standards.