Life cycle assessment of multi-glazed windows

In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development proposed a reduction in per capita energy consumption of 50%. Increasing demands, and initiatives of this nature, produce a need for more reliable assessment methods, measurement tools and improvement regimes. Since the late 1960's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has become an increasingly important tool for engineers, technologists, scientists, designers, managers and environmentalists alike. LCA enables the effects which products, processes and activities have on local, regional or global environments to be assessed, adopting a holistic, or whole life approach to design methodologies. The design of window systems has a large impact upon LCA results…