Timber - PVC - Aluminium - Windows, Doors & Conservatories in Hampshire
Recycled uPVC Windows
Recycled uPVC Windows
In the race for a greener home, the answer might already be hidden in your frames. While timber often receives the environmental glory, modern recycled uPVC is the true, silent sustainability champion. Through advanced “closed-loop” technology, your old window frames are transformed into high-performance glazing with a cumulative lifespan of up to 400 years—without sacrificing style, strength, or security.
🔑 Key Takeaway: What is Closed Loop Recycling?
Don’t confuse “Recycled” with “Weaker”.
Closed loop recycling is the process of using recovered material to manufacture new products in the exact same category. We work closely with leading manufacturers (Emplas Window Systems, Epwin Group, and Poly-Pure) to place your old windows directly into this cycle. Every piece of PVC-U collected is carefully evaluated, refined to 99% purity, and remade in Britain into A++ rated windows containing up to 45% recycled content.
💰 Can Recycled Windows Save Me Money?
Sustainability extends far beyond simply reducing your carbon footprint; it drastically impacts your home’s thermal efficiency. Interestingly, modern recycled profiles often perform better at trapping heat than older, traditional virgin profiles.
Our recycled frames utilise advanced multi-chambered technology. The honeycomb structure inside the frame creates pockets of dead air, acting as an incredibly effective natural insulator. This physical barrier stops central heating from escaping your home while preventing cold draughts from entering.
By upgrading to KJM’s recycled specification, you are doing more than closing the loop on plastic waste. You are automatically securing an A or A++ Energy Rated window, which the Energy Saving Trust highlights as one of the most effective ways to permanently lower your domestic energy bills.
💡 Pro Tip: For the ultimate energy-saving performance and acoustic sound reduction, consider pairing these eco-friendly frames with our Triple Glazing options.
♻️ Sustainability Showdown: Recycled uPVC vs. Rivals
How does recycled uPVC truly compare to timber and aluminium over a 40-year period?
| Feature | Recycled uPVC | Timber | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan Potential | 400 Years (10x Recycled) | 50-60 Years (Rot Prone) | 40-50 Years |
| Maintenance | Low (Wipe Clean) | High (Paint/Varnish) | Medium (Oxidisation risk) |
| Recycling Energy | Lowest (Low melt point) | Low (Biomass/Chip) | High (High melt temp) |
| Thermal Efficiency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (A++) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ (Conductive) |
⚙️ How Are Old uPVC Windows Recycled?
We follow a strict “Closed-Loop” process right here in the UK to guarantee zero waste. From the moment we step onto your property to the final remanufacture, every stage is fully accountable and processed in Britain.
- 1. Removal & Collection: Old windows and doors, including the glass and hardware, are carefully removed and transported to specialist processing facilities across the UK.
- 2. Processing & Separation: The materials undergo intensive refinement. Advanced machinery and airflow systems safely recover other materials like rubber seals and metals (handles/hinges) for separate recycling streams.
- 3. 99% Purity Refinement: Aligned with European sustainability standards like Recovinyl, the recovered PVC-U is ground down and refined to an incredible 99% purity level.
- 4. Remanufacture: These highly purified recycled PVC-U pellets are melted and extruded into brand new lengths of window frame, achieving up to 45% recycled content.
- 5. Fabrication: Finally, brand new window frames are cut, machined, welded, and glazed to your exact bespoke order.
🎨 Does Recycled uPVC Look Different?
One of the biggest consumer misconceptions is that recycled uPVC windows look off-white, grey, or “grainy.” This is entirely a myth.
Because the recycled material can occasionally carry an off-white tint, it is strictly used to manufacture the strong interior core of the frame. The external surface—the “skin” of the window that faces your street and living room—is always co-extruded from virgin, high-grade uPVC.
The Result? You receive the exact same pristine finish, structural strength, and UV durability as a brand-new window. This ensures you still have access to KJM’s full aesthetic range, including:
- Pristine Gloss White
- Realistic Woodgrain Foils (Rosewood, Oak, Irish Oak)
- Modern Architectural Colours (Anthracite Grey, Chartreuse, Black)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recycled uPVC refers to Polyvinyl Chloride that has been un-plasticised and successfully recovered from old window frames, door panels, or factory off-cuts. This waste material is processed, cleaned to 99% purity, and remelted to create the hidden structural core of new window profiles (a process known as closed-loop recycling).
No. Leading manufacturing systems guarantee that the recycled uPVC exclusively forms the inner core of the profile, while a seamless layer of virgin (new) uPVC is extruded onto the exterior. This ensures the structural integrity, thermal efficiency, and pristine surface finish are completely identical to 100% virgin material.
According to the Building Research Establishment (BRE), PVC-U can be reused, reground, melted, and remoulded over 10 times while maintaining peak performance. With an average window lifespan of 30 to 40 years, this grants the material a phenomenal cumulative lifetime of up to 400 years.
uPVC is exceptionally sustainable due to its 400-year potential longevity and closed-loop recyclability. Furthermore, it offers the fastest financial payback on heating bills due to superior thermal insulation when compared to standard aluminium or timber, directly lowering your domestic carbon emissions.
We are totally committed to minimising landfill waste. Working closely with Emplas Window Systems, the Epwin Group, and Poly-Pure, we separate and recycle every component. The uPVC is directed to specialist UK recycling facilities to re-enter the manufacturing stream, creating new frames boasting up to 45% recycled content.
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
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