Background

Founded in 1995 by three experienced building professionals, Bill Butcher, Chris Herring and Steve Slator, the company (then trading as Environmental Construction Products Ltd and later as Green Building Store) grew out of their frustration with the poor availability of ecological building products.

The company began by developing and manufacturing its own range of timber windows and doors – the Ecoplus system.. Thermal efficiency was a major priority together with the use of ecologically responsible materials and finishing. The Company pioneered the use of advanced double and triple glazing and the use of responsibly sourced FSC certified timber. The current window ranges continue these commitments, with FSC timber throughout, triple glazing as standard and the highest levels of thermal performance including windows and doors suitable for Passivhaus buildings. 

Before founding the company, Bill Butcher and Steve Slator had also undertaken the design and build of the ‘Longwood low energy house’ in Huddersfield, which was at the time described as “one of the most energy efficient houses to have been built in the UK”. It remains an exemplar for low carbon construction even now, and is believed to be at a similar performance level to  the AECB Building standard which was developed later.

During the early 2000s the company developed a key focus on the Passivhaus standard and methodology, as the exemplar of what can be achieved in energy-efficiency and comfort in buildings. The buildings division, then trading as the Green Building Company, completed one of the very first Passivhaus homes, in Denby Dale near Huddersfield, in 2010 and went on to build a number of certified Passivhaus homes as well as refurbishing traditional buildings to exemplary levels of energy-efficiency. The award-winning Cre8 Barn, refurbished for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Stirley Farm in 2013, pioneered the Passivhaus retrofit standard.

In parallel with the building division’s work, the company developed the key supply chain for Passivhaus and energy-efficient buildings, with current departments offering advanced performance windows, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and specialist airtightness and insulation materials. A combination of advanced products and excellent technical knowledge and support have combined to make the company well known and respected across the UK.

In 2024, Green Building Store rebranded to become 21°. The new brand reflects our aspiration for a wider reach as the company matures, building on the legacy of almost 30 years.