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The regeneration of Sydney Road in Watford has become a milestone project for the construction industry — not just for the new homes it is delivering, but for being the first development in the UK to specify low-carbon glass. At Crystal Units, we are proud to be part of this story, supplying the expertise and glazing capability that makes such a pioneering specification possible.
Why Sydney Road Matters
This scheme is part of Watford’s wider drive to deliver modern, efficient homes that meet today’s expectations for comfort and sustainability. What makes it stand out is its glazing: instead of standard insulating glass, the project has chosen Pilkington Mirai™ low-carbon glass.
This new product reduces the embodied carbon of each pane by up to 50%, without compromising performance or aesthetics. It marks a crucial step for the built environment — helping developers, architects, and contractors to cut emissions not only during operation, but across the full lifecycle of a building.
Crystal Units’ Input
Crystal Units was instrumental in delivering the glazing package for Sydney Road. Our role went beyond supply — we worked closely with the project team to ensure:
- Integration with modern IGU technology – combining low-carbon substrates with high-performance insulating glass units (IGUs).
- Thermal and acoustic performance – delivering the efficiency needed to support homes that are cheaper to run and quieter inside.
- Sustainability in practice – aligning with our own commitment to glass sheet optimisation, recycling, and reduced energy use in manufacturing.
By specifying Crystal Units, the Sydney Road development benefits from a partner that understands both heritage craftsmanship and cutting-edge sustainability goals.
Setting a Benchmark for the Industry
The decision to specify low-carbon glass at Sydney Road is more than just a one-off. It shows that regeneration projects can be ambitious in reducing embodied carbon while maintaining cost-effective construction.
It also reinforces Crystal Units’ position as a trusted glazing partner for forward-thinking developers. With innovations like C.U.in™ ultra-insulating glazing and NUCLR™ heated glass, and now with early adoption of low-carbon substrates, we continue to help projects exceed performance expectations while reducing their environmental footprint.
Looking Ahead
As the first UK residential development to embrace low-carbon glass, Sydney Road sets a precedent we expect others to follow. For us at Crystal Units, it demonstrates what collaboration can achieve when sustainability is placed at the centre of design and delivery.
From reducing operational energy bills with advanced glazing systems, to lowering embodied carbon at the manufacturing stage, we are committed to creating glass solutions that meet today’s climate challenge while enabling beautiful, resilient architecture.
also published in:
Glass & Glazing Products Magazine
