The UK glass sector is ready for a large-scale shift to triple glazing, that was the consensus of attendees of Edgetech’s roundtable debate on triple glazing, which took place in Birmingham on 28 September. Further, with implementation of the Future Home Standard 18 months away, the sector may be required to meet ever-tightening performance requirements.
In Birmingham, senior figures from trade bodies, glass suppliers and insulated glass unit manufacturers discussed the industry’s ability to adapt to higher performance requirements. Through a mixture of open, free-flowing discussion and anonymous polling, the event gauged attendees’ opinions on a range of important topics.
Participants were asked whether they favoured a mandatory shift to triple glazing for new-build, and about the industry’s ability to cope if that were to come into force. The discussion also covered current demand for triple glazing, and whether making it the norm for new-build would generate greater consumer interest.
The mood in the room was extremely optimistic, as Chris Alderson, Edgetech’s managing director, explained. “We had a great day of discussion and debate in Birmingham, and the results were hugely encouraging.
“We all know that the Future Homes Standard will have a major impact on the sector but the exact nature of that impact is still unclear. At the moment, we don’t know if it will make triple glazing mandatory for all new-build properties.
“However, those in the room were resoundingly in favour of that option, and were very confident the industry could quickly adapt to it. It was yet another demonstration of our sector’s resilience and ability to deal with change, and left me more confident than ever that the industry has a very bright future ahead of it.”
At the end of the discussion, Chris revealed Edgetech’s plans to hold a fuller ‘Triple Glazing Question’ event at Coventry’s CBS Arena next March, bringing together hundreds of industry leaders to discuss the issue in more depth (see our earlier report on this.) For more information about Edgetech, call 02476 639 931 or visit the business’ website.
