Building a Sustainable Future: FSC® Certified Windows & World Land Trust

• 15 January 2025|
• News

In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, the construction industry plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future. As the UK strives to meet its ambitious climate change targets, the choice of building materials and their sourcing has become increasingly significant.

At Lomax + Wood, we’re proud to lead the way in sustainable fenestration. Our made-to-order timber windows and doors are not only FSC® Chain of Custody certified, but we also partner with the World Land Trust to help protect valuable habitats worldwide.

Central to our ethos is the ability to offer architects, developers, and homeowners the opportunity to make environmentally responsible choices without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Below, we’ll explore the importance of proper certification, the impact our partnership with the WLT has had and what makes our range of bespoke timber solutions so special.

Sustainable construction: meeting UK climate targets

In 2019, the UK Government shared an ambitious plan to reach net zero by 2050[1]. While the plan to achieve this goal involves changes to many areas of modern life including transport, heating systems and transitioning to clean energy sources, the UK’s built environment will play a huge role in reducing emissions.

What role does sustainable construction play in reaching net zero by 2050?

The UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 demands a fundamental shift in construction practices. Buildings account for approximately 38% of the UK’s carbon footprint[2], making sustainable materials and responsible sourcing essential. Solutions made from natural, renewable materials, like responsibly-sourced timber windows, can help reduce the construction industry’s environmental impact.

The choice of sustainable timber windows for construction projects not only contributes to reducing carbon emissions but also supports biodiversity and forest conservation globally.

Understanding FSC certification and Chain of Custody

FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certification represents the gold standard in sustainable forestry practices.

At Lomax + Wood, we hold both FSC® Chain of Custody certification (licence number: FSC- C126169) and PEFC certification, ensuring complete transparency in our supply chain. This certification means every timber product can be traced from forest to finished window, and guarantees responsible sourcing and sustainable forest management.

Our commitment to these stringent standards ensures that our products contribute to forest conservation while still meeting the highest quality standards for construction projects.

The importance of complete chain of custody certification

While some manufacturers claim FSC certification, not all possess full chain of custody certification. This distinction is crucial.

At Lomax + Wood, our comprehensive certification covers the entire journey of our timber, from forest to manufacturing and installation.

To achieve FSC® forest management certification, forestry operations must comply with ten key principles. These principles address a wide spectrum of concerns, including the protection of significant conservation values, positive community engagement, workers’ rights, and ongoing monitoring of the environmental and social effects of forest management practices.

Each step the timber’s journey from the forest to our made-to-order timber windows is carefully monitored and documented, providing our clients with absolute confidence in the sustainability of their purchase. This level of accountability and transparency is particularly important for architects and developers working on sustainable building projects.

But that’s not the only way we’re making an impact in the world of sustainable fenestration.

World Land Trust partnership: making a global impact

The World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most important habitats. Through land purchase and protection, WLT works with local partners to create nature reserves and provide permanent protection for habitats and wildlife.

At Lomax + Wood, we’ve partnered with World Land Trust.

For every product sold, Lomax + Wood donates £1 to WLT’s Buy an Acre scheme. This initiative has already helped us secure over 85¼ acres of threatened habitat. Our contribution forms part of WLT’s broader success in protecting more than 2,835,984 acres of habitat across 20 different countries!

This programme allows our clients to participate directly in global conservation efforts simply by choosing our products for their projects.

Our partnership with WLT demonstrates our commitment to global conservation efforts beyond sustainable sourcing. The Trust’s work spans across continents, protecting vital ecosystems.

Sustainability for every project with Lomax + Wood

Our range of timber windows and doors aren’t just contributing towards conservation efforts and sustainable forestry practices – they also offer the perfect combination of style, thermal performance, acoustic insulation and security.

Our flush casement windows offer versatility for various architectural styles, while our range of wooden sash windows includes traditional weighted box sash windows and spring balance sash windows, and we even offer single-glazed options for projects in conservation areas.

Our commitment to sustainable manufacturing extends across our entire product range, but that doesn’t come at the cost of performance. Our timber windows can offer U-values as low as 1.0, while our acoustic range can offer noise reduction up to 42dB.

Each product reflects our commitment to quality craftsmanship while maintaining the highest environmental standards. Our made-to-order approach (complete with an extensive range of customisation options) ensures that every window and door perfectly matches the specific requirements of each project, from historic renovations to contemporary developments.

Moving forward together: get in touch to discuss your project

As a dedicated manufacturer of quality timber windows, we are proud to offer our customers premium solutions from sustainable sources. By choosing Lomax + Wood’s FSC® certified windows, architects, developers, and homeowners contribute to sustainable forest conservation and habitat protection.

Whether you’re an architect designing a sustainable development, a developer working on an eco-friendly new build, or a homeowner planning a renovation project, Lomax + Wood can help you achieve your sustainability goals without compromising on style or performance.

Our expert team understands the unique requirements of different projects and can provide tailored solutions that meet both environmental and aesthetic goals.

Contact us today for further information or to discuss your requirements. Call 01277 353857 or use our online contact form to find the perfect products for your project.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy (accessed 07/01/2025)

[2] [2] https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/built-for-the-environment-report (accessed 07/01/2025)