What is Embodied Carbon - And Why it Matters for Your Home

When it comes to creating a more sustainable home, most of us think about things like insulation, solar panels, or switching to energy-efficient lighting. These changes help to reduce operational carbon - the emissions linked to heating, cooling, and powering your home. But there's another piece of the puzzle that's just as important. It's called embodied carbon, and it's hiding in the very bones of your house.

So, what is embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon is the CO² released when building materials are made, transported, and installed. From the moment that raw materials are extracted to the point they're used in your windows, doors, or walls - every step contributes to the carbon footprint of your home.

It might surprise you to learn that for new homes, embodied carbon can make up more than half the building's total carbon emissions over its lifetime. That's a huge impact, and it's often overlooked.

Why it's worth thinking about

As homeowners, we don't always get to choose how a building was made. But when renovating or building from scratch, the choices we make - especially about materials - really matter.

Some materials are simply more eco-friendly than others. For example, aluminium is commonly used in modern windows and doors. But there's a big difference between standard aluminium and recycled aluminium. Using high-quality recycled end-of-life aluminium can reduce your home's carbon footprint - without sacrificing quality, durability, performance, or style.

Our Aluminium. Your Impact.

At TECHNAL, we help homeowners create more sustainable homes by using Hydro CIRCAL® 75R. This is an advanced aluminium made from at least 75% recycled post-consumer material - things like old window frames or facades that have been removed from buildings and remelted into new aluminium products.

This gives it one of the lowest carbon footprints of any aluminium in the world. It releases around 85% less CO² than traditional aluminium made from scratch. That means when you choose TECHNAL windows, doors, or facades, you're making a low-carbon choice that lasts.

Built to Last. Made to be Recycled.

Our products are not only energy-efficient once installed, they're designed for disassembly and reuse. That means at the end of their long life, they can be recycled again and again. Nothing goes to waste.

Making Better Choices, Together.

Climate change can feel overwhelming. But it starts at home. By understanding embodied carbon and choosing low-impact products, you can be part of a bigger solution.

At TECHNAL, we're here to support you with products that don't just look good - they do good. For your home, and for the planet.