3 minute read
Meet the Building Regulations
Buyer beware
Building regulations are changing and house builders need to make sure their windows and doors comply. Now is the time to ask: what exactly is changing for fenestration and is your supplier ready, with the right paperwork in order?
As government directives come into force to help move the country to net zero, new homes and buildings in England will be required to produce nearly a third less carbon. The correlating and much discussed changes to building regs come into force in June, and will impact windows and doors supply for both new and existing homes, particularly Document F: Ventilation and Document L: Conservation of Fuel and Power.
Home builders, including self-builders, will be required to provide proof of compliance with the updated regulations, so it is crucial to choose a reputable fabricator who understands the standards and can provide the right paperwork.
“Quickslide takes on the responsibility of providing products that comply,” says Managing Director Ben Weber. “We’re ready and compliant but importantly, we also recognise that education is key. That’s why we’ve invested in a new digital tool that covers requirements for fire escapes, trickle vents, enhanced security (Document Q) and energy performance to help our customers get the specification right.”
Ventilation requirements
The revised Approved Document F on ventilation, with a requirement for trickle vents, is the most contentious change to the new building regs.
“This change is the toughest to address and to some suppliers the extent of the changes may have come as a surprise. At Quickslide we’ve teamed up with glazing accessories and injection mould specialists Glazpart to provide not only a vent solution but also consumer messages that will help homeowners understand the changes and overcome unfavourable perceptions of vents,” said Ben.
“On casement windows, with the introduction of the Link Vent Mk2 we’re able to offer a compact vent with a canopy that only extends a mere 25mm and is available in a range of colours to blend in with our most popular window finishes. And we continue to lead the way for vertical sliders by introducing a keenly anticipated bespoke vent solution for sliding sash windows that is unique to Quickslide.”
Thermal efficiency
The changes to Document L are all about conserving fuel and power, including increasing the thermal efficiency of homes through achieving lower U-values.
All windows and doors for replacements will need to be at least 1.4 U-value (a change from 1.6 U-value for windows and 1.8 U-value for doors) while, for new builds windows and doors must be at least 1.6 U-value but the target is 1.2.
That means if the U-value of the windows and doors is between 1.3 – 1.5 (higher than the target of 1.2), another element such as the external walls will need to achieve a better U-value than the target stated for that element for the dwelling to achieve the minimum standard of total energy performance.
But, says Ben, the message from Quickslide is clear: “Right now, with upgrades such as triple glazing and the inclusion of argon, U-values as low as 1.0 are already achievable across our product range and we’re constantly looking for ways to achieve better insulation values, so don’t let the new low U-values alarm you!
“Our advice is to make yourself aware of your suppliers’ product upgrades to not just energy performance but compliance in general. When questions start to arise, make sure you know what you can offer and the costs thereof.”
For all the upcoming changes to building regs however, one crucial thing remains the same: Make sure you choose a reputable supplier such as Quickslide who’s got the paperwork in order, so you can trust the products you are installing are fit for purpose and you can show evidence of compliance. Remember, inspectors will need proof. “Right now, with upgrades such as triple glazing and the inclusion of argon, U-values as low as 1.0 are already achievable across our product range and we’re constantly looking for ways to achieve better insulation values, so don’t let the new low U-values alarm you!”
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