Lewis Long House is the first home in the Western Isles to achieve “AA” EPC rating for sustainability, thanks in part to the windows from NorDan.

The client commissioned a local architect, Gordon Anderson, to help develop their dream home which was built on land owned by the family for generations. This spot was previously the site of a croft which would have grown its own potatoes, corn and vegetables, and hay for the animals.

Natural light fills the house. And the extensive use of natural materials throughout the building complements the landscape in which it sits. The main entrance door (from our factory in Bordorren) is in a sheltered entrance space protective in bad weather. A vast amount of glazing gives the owners and their visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy amazing vistas of the open seas, rainbows, total night light at the Hebridean summer solstice, and generally appreciate the views in what is also a self catering property available for holiday lets.

“I’ve sat and watched the glass bending when we have had bad weather in the winter days, and it’s an idyllic place in which to sit and watch the world go by,” says client Linda MacLeod Brown.

The house is apparently known by locals as the Eco house. “We did not set out to have eco credentials. Our intention was to be environmentally efficient only if it was economically viable to do so. But our Longhouse looks pretty much how we imagined in the original design drawings. It is light filled whatever the weather.”

Former oil industry man, Tim Kemp and his wife Brigitte, had a dream to build a zero carbon luxury holiday retreat in Cornwall – and this dream came true when as “eco warriors” they opened The Emerald for business.

This is luxury accommodation close to Falmouth, Truro, and The Eden Project and has an indoor swimming pool as well as hot tubs for the adults’ accommodation, and private grounds to relax in. The suites are self-catering with sliding patio doors opening on to private balconies and patios. The buildings are timber clad, with the interiors offering the ultimate in finishes and facilities.

NorDan supplied the low u-value high performance timber windows from their Ntech 0.7 range, through their distributor CG Facades Ltd, in Exeter. The windows helped the buildings to achieve Code 6 in the Code for Sustainable Homes. The patio doors have a u value of 0.9 w/m2k, and have the accreditation - Secured by Design.

Tim was contractor on his own project, working with an architect and project manager. His development company The Emerald Project won a Bronze Award in April as a Considerate Contractor, an achievement he is understandably proud of, given the size of his business.

Says Tim: “We generate our own electricity, produce our own water, and have very high levels of insulation achieved through choice of building materials including our NorDan windows and patio and French doors. We used recycled materials, we recycle waste, have planted over 100 native trees, all reducing the energy consumption of the Emerald by over 90%.”

Lauchlan and Charlotte Maclean-Bristol converted a ruined 19th century farm workers building with a bright orange roof, on the Scottish west coast island of Coll into an impressive high spec four bedroomed home.

They retained the raw stone exterior finish and added an extension. The couple were very fortunate that Coll, despite a population of just 200, has so many skilled tradesmen. They chose an underfloor heating system driven by electricity using an air source heat pump. The seven openings in the road facing façade, were retained to meet planning requirements. The only existing door opening in the sea facing side was then enlarged into patio door, with picture window added, to take advantage of the stunning sea views. Historically the farm workers would have faced the land and their fields.

NorDan aluminium clad windows were specified for all the windows and patio doors and the solid front door as well as the glazed kitchen door. These are very high spec products to endure the challenging weather on a Scottish west coast island surrounded by sea, and with few trees to protect against stormy winter weather. The couple haven’t used curtains as the house is remote with stunning views, and so cosy with low u value windows and underfloor heating.

White House Lodge has top of the range windows and glazed doors with a u value of 1.2w/m2k from NorDan’s NTech range and includes top swing, outward opening windows which are aluminium clad.