CE Delft was commissioned by Repair Care International B.V. to study the difference in climate impact (CO2-eq.) between the repair of damaged wooden window frames with Repair Care repair paste on the one hand and the replacement of damaged wooden window frames on the other hand.
The analysis shows that the climate impact of repairing wooden window frames is 2 to 5 times lower compared to replacing window frames. Even if a window frame needs extensive repair in several places, repair is the best choice. If repair also avoids replacing the glass in the window frame, the climate impact of repair is as much as 9 to 27 times lower.
In this analysis, we examined the entire life cycle of repairs and replacement, i.e. from the creation of the product until it is either discarded or disposed of (excluding disposal of the original window frame, which is identical in all scenarios). We analysed four types of repair, from simple repair to major repair of damaged wooden window frames. We used the repair resins DRY FLEX® 4 or BIO FLEX™ ALLROUND of Repair Care for all repairs. Our analysis also included DRY FIX® UNI primer of Repair Care. In our analysis of the replacement of the window frames, we considered replacing them with window frames made of softwood, hardwood, aluminium or PVC, taking into account their expected lifespan.