At TuffX, we recognise the need for change and have found new ways to steer the industry in the right direction, to meet the goal of Net Zero by 2050. That’s where our low-carbon glass for balustrades comes into play.
The manufacturing and construction industry is oversaturated with unsustainable and poor-quality materials, and recent studies show that it’s responsible for around 57% of global carbon emissions.
By introducing our major innovation of low-carbon glass, we can help small builders, specifiers, and large businesses continue to expand and benefit the growth of infrastructure and housing in the UK while appealing to eco-conscious customers.
Low-carbon glass balustrades: Innovations in sustainability
TuffX has taken immense steps to mitigate carbon emissions from building materials, starting with our low-carbon glass. By switching to low-carbon glass for balustrades, we’re redefining the glass building materials sector, minimising embodied carbon usage during production and the whole life cycle of a building.
Our low-carbon glass reduces the need for raw material extraction by incorporating recycled materials, such as rejected or broken glass, during production to create strong, durable products. Compared with common glass production, our low-carbon balustrades have a less than 42% carbon footprint and 6.64kg CO2 content.
Sustainability in building materials is still an urgent concern. While carbon emissions have reduced by 13% between 2018 and 2021, embodied carbon emissions only fell by 4%.
Embodied carbon makes up around 20% of the built environment’s emissions in the UK, which can be split into three parts:
- Upfront embodied carbon: the emissions caused by the production of the materials and construction of a building.
- In-use embodied carbon: the emissions released during the processes used to maintain and refurbish a building.
- End-of-life embodied carbon: the emissions associated with the demolition of a building and disposal of waste.
As balustrades continue to be a popular choice for commercial and residential projects, the glass industry has the opportunity to meet these demands while remaining responsible and eco-friendly with low-carbon glass.
The role of low-carbon glass balustrades in modern construction
We all know how versatile glass balustrades are, from being a popular choice for staircases and balconies to patios. As previously mentioned, traditional glass production contributes to high embodied carbon emissions, which is why it’s so crucial to start implementing low-carbon glass.
Besides using a much higher percentage of recycled materials than standard glass, the production process of low-carbon glass balustrades at TuffX uses renewable energy sources. This revolutionary innovation will help to limit negative environmental impacts, not only once the glass has been installed but from the moment it’s designed.
As construction processes start to shift towards environmentally responsible building practices, the industry will be on track to:
- Meet the UK government has set a legally binding target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. https://www.great.gov.uk/
- Reduce reliance on high-carbon materials that will become more restricted in the future.
- Increase property value for commercial and residential buildings, attracting investors and tenants.
- Lower operational costs by reducing maintenance and replacement expenses in the long term.
Our balustrades are designed to meet BS 6180:2011 balustrade safety standards by using toughened and laminated glass (up to 5x stronger than annealed glass!). You don’t need to compromise on beauty or safety when it comes to making smarter choices for your business and the planet.
How low-carbon glass can help ALL builders secure more contracts
Sustainable materials are now a requirement and a key selling point for most construction projects.
Whether you’re working on renovations, new builds, or commercial developments, there is growing pressure on small builders, contractors, and specifiers to use low-carbon materials that meet industry specifications and client demands.
But what exactly does this mean for builders? Besides the government net zero 2050 scheme, large developments must meet sustainability certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
By switching to low-carbon glass balustrades, small builders can enjoy all of the aesthetic benefits of normal glass balustrades while branding themselves as green-compliant, meeting the requirements for the LEED and BREEAM schemes.
This makes it more likely that builders will secure commercial contracts and appeal to eco-conscious homeowners. You can read more about the benefits of low-carbon glass for homes here.
At TuffX, we manufacture our low-carbon balustrades in-house, helping to meet the supply-demand for both small and large construction projects. Contact us today to enquire about our products.
Addressing common concerns: cost, installation, and availability
For many builders, investing in eco-friendly materials comes with concerns about additional costs, installation techniques, and supply reliability.
Are low-carbon glass balustrades more expensive?
While the initial cost of low-carbon glass balustrades may be higher than that of traditional glass balustrades, due to advances in production methods, the long-term cost savings make up for it.
By switching to low-carbon glass, you will avoid the need to retrofit old installations in the future as regulations around sustainable buildings begin to tighten.
Do low-carbon balustrades require different fixings or training?
The installation method for low-carbon balustrades is no different than that of traditional glass balustrades. Installers can use existing methods and frameworks to install low-carbon balustrades, meaning no additional training is required. With such a simple switch, it’s never been easier to implement greener building materials.
All of our eco-friendly balustrades at TuffX have been rigorously tested for impact resistance and load-bearing strength, meeting industry safety benchmarks.
Can low-carbon glass be sourced easily in the UK?
At TuffX, we’re proud to be a reliable manufacturer of low-carbon glass in the UK.
Our team is working tirelessly to ensure a consistent supply of low-carbon glass for trade. We’ve already started to assist specifiers and builders with sourcing low-carbon glass for commercial and residential projects.
As our toughened and or laminated glass balustrades are produced in-house, we have complete control over quality and lead times.
Final considerations for builders & developers
As a glass manufacturing company, we recognise our responsibility to lead sustainable improvements in glass production methods.
But we can only go so far in improving sustainability in modern construction without your help. Here’s a comparison summary of all the ways low-carbon balustrades can revolutionise the current industry.
| Factor | Traditional glass balustrades | Low-carbon glass balustrades |
| Compliance with regulations | May not meet future sustainability requirements | Aligns with building regulations and green building standards |
| Long-term cost savings | May require retrofitting for sustainability improvements | Reduces lifecycle costs and maintenance expenses |
| Property & project Value | Standard resale and rental value | Higher demand from eco-conscious buyers and developers with ESG goals |
| Impact on planning Approvals | Smaller amount of sustainability advantage | Faster approvals in eco-focused projects |
| Risk of carbon taxes | Likely to increase with future legislation | May help avoid future penalties on high-carbon materials |
Future-proof your projects with low-carbon glass balustrades
By switching to low-carbon glass today, you’re not only meeting industry demands for sustainability but also gaining a competitive edge in an evolving market.
With a variety of glass thicknesses and designs available, we provide bespoke low-carbon balustrades for large and small-scale commercial and residential projects.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can help you with the supply of low carbon glass for your balustrades.