The Environmental Concerns Of Windows
Interior designers should consider maximizing the use of natural light versus artificial light within their designs. For example, full retracting blinds instead of large draping curtains which, cover half of a window and block out much sunlight. This type of consideration can reduce the use of electricity year on year as well as benefiting the occupant’s health, as natural sunlight provides important vitamins. Interior designers should also consider the efficient use of construction materials for windows. Ever advancing consumer awareness of environmental issues is vastly increasing the perimeter of the interior designer’s remit and in turn, is further cementing the necessity and purpose of the profession.
Window designers are entrusted with environmental responsibility in all aspects of their work and have the scope to spread knowledge and solutions to all of their clients. This is applicable during the selection of frame and glass products, installation and even in the advice given for after-care. Some clients may choose not to follow all environmental recommendations made, and as the paying customer, it is their decision to make. However, some firms may promote themselves as ecological designers.
When choosing window products, people should be aware that plastic resin is made from non-renewable materials such as petroleum oil; the production of plastic also uses a high level of energy and further non-renewable fossil fuels. Once the product is complete, it begins a life of releasing polluting emissions into the air including Volatile Organic Compounds.
As consumers, most of us are surrounded by these products at home, in the car and at work. Even when we throw these products away, they continue to exist in landfills and continue to emit pollutants. Plastic frames take thousands of years to degrade and with daily manufacturing we are reducing the quality of our air every second.
Society is currently choosing to use up its valuable and non-renewable resources on products that are non-essential and are bad for our health. This is a lifestyle that interior designers should advise their clients to opt out of. The use of plastics within window designs should be avoided and replaced with natural and low impact products such as wood.
Wood is often used throughout the household and in its natural state it is a healthy product to have in the home. Sustainability should be considered before purchase as hardwoods such as mahogany take hundreds of years to grow and should therefore be used sparingly so that resources are not depleted. New wood should be purchased from certified suppliers and timber yards which, replace all wood that is fell.
Time should also be taken to find out whether a supplier plants timber promptly after it is fell, as wood takes time to grow and the quicker it is replaced the better it is for the planet. People can make contact with their local timber suppliers and find out the types of timber sourced locally. Local produce is far environmentally superior to imported or exotic woods due to the low transportation required.
Windows are an important part of the home as they provide light and a feeling of space due to the increased visual lines that they supply. People can speak to their local window suppliers for more information on environmental solutions for the home.