An innovative glazing solution for green timber frame buildings, developed by specialist carpenter Black Pig Frame Finishing and GLASSOLUTIONS, has triumphed in the ‘Best Use of Glass in the Home’ category at the 2013 NHIC (National Home Improvement Council) Awards Luncheon.

The prestigious GGF (Glass & Glazing Federation) sponsored award, which recognises excellence in the use of glass in a domestic project, was awarded to Black Pig and GLASSOLUTIONS for its technical innovation and ability to improve the energy efficiency of homes.

The glazing solution by the two firms is a way of attaching thermally superior, weather-tight windows in green oak buildings which overcomes common glazing problems caused by the natural shrinkage of newly felled timber. As an improved method of face applied glazing, problems including water ingress, heat loss caused by draughts and unsightly cracking around windows are eliminated.

Receiving the award at the recent event in central London, Black Pig MD Simon Ely said: “Winning this award was both a surprise and a pleasure. Our solution is proving very popular and we have now installed glazing in more than 300 buildings across the UK. Working closely with GLASSOLUTIONS, we can offer architects a proven system that moves with the building without compromise.”

GLASSOLUTIONS marketing director Mike Butterick added: “It is very pleasing for our development work with business partners and our cutting edge products to be recognised in this way by both GGF and NHIC. It’s a perfect example of how collaborative working delivers technically superior windows and doors, with a good understanding allowing fabricators and installers to get the most out of today’s glazing technology.”

Green oak is newly felled timber which has a high moisture content and takes up to five years to dry out. During this time, the cut timbers will shrink so any structure created using green oak will naturally experience movement. That means elements such as windows and doors must accommodate this movement.

Black Pig’s face applied glazing solution involves cladding the entire structural glazing frame to offer protection and provide a continuous waterproof seal. Sealed units then ‘float’ to allow for movement of the frame and all weather seals are EPDM rubber to provide longevity. No silicone or other mastics, which are prone to degradation, are used and drainage is built into the system to extend the life of the sealed units.

GLASSOLUTIONS’ sealed units, with a Swisspacer spacer bar and argon-fill using SGG COOL-LITE SKN 174, delivers a sealed unit with high light transmission and a very low g-value, which reduces solar gain by as much as 30% compared to standard thermally insulating glass. Importantly, this is combined with an excellent U-value of 1.1W/m2K and a high degree of neutrality both in transmission and exterior reflection. This ensures balanced thermal performance with solar control and helps green oak building architects manage the drying process over time.