A Guide to Sustainable Windows and Doors to Achieve RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes

RIBA-Approved CPD by Freedom Bespoke

Windows and doors are often seen as one of the most challenging elements of a building project—balancing design, performance, regulation, and sustainability. This RIBA-approved CPD provides architects with the knowledge and tools to specify glazing systems that not only meet design aspirations but also deliver on the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This seminar is designed to help architects and specifiers navigate the complexity of sustainable window and door design, from material choice and performance standards to installation detailing and lifecycle impact.

What You Will Learn

The CPD addresses sustainability through both operational performance (energy efficiency, airtightness, thermal bridging) and embodied carbon (material sourcing, manufacturing, end-of-life recyclability). Architects will gain practical insight into how window and door specification influences building outcomes across the full lifecycle.

Key topics include:

RIBA Sustainable Outcomes
- Alignment with the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide
- How glazing design contributes to Net Zero, social value, and wellbeing

Operational Carbon and Energy Performance
- The fabric-first approach to reduce energy demand before adding systems
- Optimising airtightness, solar gain control, and natural ventilation
- The importance of correct installation detailing (thermal bridging, Ψ-values, airtightness strategies)

Embodied Carbon and Materials
- Comparative assessment of uPVC, aluminium, timber, and composite frames
- Use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and whole-life carbon analysis (example study)
- Responsible sourcing, including FSC-certified timber and recycled aluminium
- Design for disassembly and the circular economy

Retrofit vs. New Build
- Why “the greenest building is the one that already exists” (Carl Elefante)
- Relevant standards such as PAS 2035:2023 and EnerPHit
- Balancing performance upgrades with heritage and aesthetic considerations

Health, Wellbeing, and Comfort
- Daylighting and glare control
- Indoor air quality and ventilation strategies (MVHR vs. trickle vents)
- Acoustic comfort—performance comparison of double and triple glazing
- Inclusive design: accessibility, usability, and lifetime occupation

Regulations and Standards
- UK Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part E (Acoustics)
- Future Homes Standard

Biodiversity and Social Value

- Designing glazing and accessories to minimise light pollution
- Meeting requirements for 10% biodiversity net gain in major projects
- Creating healthy, inclusive spaces that enhance community value

Why This CPD Matters

Around 30% of UK carbon emissions come from buildings, with homes responsible for 35% of all energy use (UKGBC).
19 million UK homes have an EPC rating below C, highlighting the urgent need for deep retrofit.
Choosing the wrong window or door system can compromise performance, increase operational carbon, and add long-term costs.
Correct specification can improve energy efficiency, reduce embodied carbon, support occupant wellbeing, and future-proof designs against climate change.

Who Should Attend?

Architects and specifiers working on residential or mixed-use projects
Practices seeking to strengthen their sustainability credentials
Professionals engaged in retrofit, Passivhaus, or Net Zero projects
Anyone aiming to deliver projects aligned with RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge targets

Outcomes

By the end of this CPD, participants will be able to:

Identify how windows and doors directly impact RIBA Sustainable Outcomes
Make informed choices between materials based on whole-life carbon and performance
Apply fabric-first principles to achieve Net Zero operational carbon
Specify products that enhance wellbeing, resilience, and social value
Navigate evolving regulations and sustainability standards with confidence

Book a Session

The CPD is available through the NBS Partner Platform and can be booked directly by RIBA Chartered Practices and architects.

For more information or to arrange a seminar, visit Freedom Bespoke.

Freedom Bi-Folds Limited

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