BREEAM Certification & Sustainable Aluminium Systems
Understand how high-performance aluminium windows, doors and façades — supported by verified environmental and technical documentation — can contribute to the sustainability objectives of a BREEAM-assessed building.
A holistic sustainability assessment for buildings.
BREEAM is an internationally recognised framework for assessing and certifying sustainability performance across the built environment.
The methodology considers the building as a whole, evaluating environmental and performance factors across its design, construction, operation or refurbishment, depending on the applicable BREEAM scheme.
Rather than focusing on one product or one performance value, BREEAM assesses how multiple design decisions, construction methods, materials and building systems work together to create a more sustainable asset.
BREEAM certifies buildings — not individual windows.
There is no such thing as a “BREEAM-certified aluminium window”. Windows, doors, curtain walls and other construction products may provide performance data and environmental documentation that contribute to specific assessment criteria, but the final BREEAM rating belongs to the assessed building or asset.
Sustainability is evaluated from multiple perspectives.
BREEAM standards examine a broad range of sustainability issues. The exact criteria and available credits depend on the applicable scheme, project type, location and version of the standard.
Energy
Building energy demand, efficiency and strategies for reducing operational environmental impact.
Health & Wellbeing
Indoor comfort, daylight, thermal conditions, acoustics and other factors affecting occupants.
Materials
Life-cycle impacts, environmental documentation and responsible material selection.
Pollution
Strategies designed to limit environmental pollution associated with buildings and their operation.
Waste & Circularity
Efficient use of resources, waste reduction and consideration of materials throughout their lifecycle.
Innovation
Selected BREEAM schemes can recognise exemplary or innovative sustainability strategies.
How aluminium building systems can support BREEAM objectives.
The contribution of a window or façade depends on the complete building design and the specific BREEAM criteria being assessed. Relevant areas can include energy performance, occupant comfort and documented material impacts.
Thermal Performance
Highly insulated aluminium systems, appropriate glazing and correctly engineered building-envelope interfaces can contribute to reducing heating and cooling demand.
Daylight & Visual Comfort
Window design, glazing areas and façade configuration influence natural daylight, external views and the quality of occupied interior spaces.
Thermal & Acoustic Comfort
Appropriate window systems and glazing configurations can help support indoor thermal conditions and acoustic performance within the complete building design.
EPD & Lifecycle Information
Verified Environmental Product Declarations provide transparent lifecycle information that can be used by project teams when evaluating material impacts.
Durable Building Components
Long service life, repairability, material efficiency and appropriate specification can support broader whole-life sustainability objectives.
Recyclable Aluminium
Aluminium can remain a valuable material at end-of-life when properly separated, recovered and returned to suitable recycling streams.
Technical transparency for sustainable building design.
Reynaers Aluminium supports architects, consultants and project teams with technical and environmental information that can be relevant when preparing sustainability assessments.
Documentation availability depends on the selected system, project configuration and market, and should always be reviewed against the requirements of the project's BREEAM assessor.
Why EPD documentation matters.
An Environmental Product Declaration presents quantified environmental information for a product based on lifecycle assessment methodology and established standards.
For architects, sustainability consultants and BREEAM assessors, EPDs can provide transparent data that supports evaluation of the environmental impact of selected construction products.
Supporting the aluminium package with technical documentation.
For commercial, hospitality and international projects, the aluminium package may require detailed documentation for consultants, contractors, architects and sustainability assessors. The exact documentation depends on the selected system and project specification.
System Documentation
Relevant technical data sheets and system information can be compiled for the selected aluminium solutions.
Performance Information
Thermal, air permeability, watertightness, wind resistance and acoustic documentation can be provided where applicable.
CE & Project Documentation
CE-related documentation, declarations and project-specific information can support the wider technical project file.
BREEAM requirements should be considered early.
Sustainability targets are most effective when they are integrated into system selection and façade design from the beginning of the project rather than addressed only after procurement.
Define Project Requirements
Identify the applicable BREEAM scheme, target rating and project-specific sustainability requirements.
Select Appropriate Systems
Evaluate aluminium systems and glazing according to architectural, thermal, acoustic and environmental needs.
Compile Documentation
Gather available EPDs, performance reports, technical data and other relevant project information.
Assessor Verification
Final eligibility for BREEAM credits is determined within the complete building assessment by the project's qualified assessment team.
BREEAM & aluminium systems.
Can an aluminium window be BREEAM certified?
No. BREEAM certification applies to buildings and assets rather than individual construction products. A window can provide technical or environmental information that supports relevant assessment criteria.
Can Reynaers aluminium systems contribute to BREEAM?
Depending on the building design and applicable BREEAM criteria, Reynaers solutions and their supporting documentation may contribute to areas such as energy performance, occupant comfort and material environmental information.
Does using Reynaers guarantee a BREEAM rating?
No. The final rating is based on the overall performance of the assessed building across multiple categories. No individual window, façade or supplier can guarantee a BREEAM certification level.
What documentation may be useful?
Depending on the project, relevant information may include EPDs, technical data sheets, thermal and acoustic reports, performance classifications, CE documentation and project-specific specifications.
When should BREEAM requirements be discussed?
Ideally during the design and specification phase. Early coordination makes it easier to select appropriate systems and ensure that required supporting documentation is available before procurement and construction.
Let’s evaluate the aluminium package early.
Send us your architectural drawings, window schedule and technical requirements. Our team can assist with aluminium system selection and the available technical documentation required for your project team.