New Building REGULATIONS
New Building Regulations Come Into Force June 2022
Here’s what you need to know
The Building Regulations change in June this year and the updates to both Part L and Part F in particular, have great significance to homeowners, when looking to purchase new window and doors, whether in your main property or a new conservatory or extension. These regulations apply to all materials, whether you choose to have PVCu, steel, aluminium, timber or hybrid products.
If you are looking to build a new extension or have your windows or doors replaced, you need to
be aware of these new regulations. The release of these documents form part of the government’s Future Homes strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from new homes.
However, many parts of the new building regulations also refer to existing dwellings, so it is imperative to choose a supplier who is competent and compliant with the new regulations. Ensure you always obtain a Completion Certificate for any extension work, replacement windows & doors and for works around the home. You can read more about Completion Certificate’s here.
SO, LET’S START WITH DOCUMENT L
Approved Document L sets a new U-Value/ WER limits, which requires the majority of replacement windows and doors to be more energy efficient, which will keep people warm by ensuring less heat escapes your home.
Installing double or triple glazing might cost you more initially but energy efficient windows will save you money in the long term, plus you’ll get other benefits such as reduced external noise and better protection from the outside elements.
Building regs approval is required for replacement windows and doors and must comply with the new Approved Document L.
External windows are classed as ‘controlled fittings’ in the Building Regulations and need to meet certain standards when being installed or replaced.
You won’t need to apply for building control approval if your windows are fitted by an installer registered with a Competent Person Scheme. Once the job is done they can issue you a certificate of compliance with the building regs.
You can read the full Approved Document L PDF here.
WHAT IS A U-VALUE?
The energy performance of a window or door is measured
by its U value. In simple terms, if its colder outside than inside, the U value is a measurement of how quickly the
heat from the inside leaks through the window. The U value
is measured in W/m^2K, which indicates how much heat transfers across the window through 1 m^2 when there is a temperature difference of 1 degree centigrade between inside and outside. The lower the U value, the better the insulation of your window/door unit.
The changes to Part L is an initial reduction in maximum U-Values for windows in new build homes from 1.4 to 1.2 W/m^2K, moving towards a more radical target of 0.8W/ m^2K for new build over the next five years. In existing homes, a reduction from 1.6 to 1.4 W/m^2K in windows and from 1.8 to 1.4 W/m^2K for doors.
WER – WINDOW ENERGY R A T I N G S
Similar to the rainbow labels found on quality household appliances, white goods and lightbulbs, windows that contain the WER rainbow label show they’ve been independently verified by experts for thermal efficiency.
When choosing your new windows and doors, look for the best thermal efficiency as well as aesthetics.
DOCUMENT F
Approved Document F covers the need for ventilation in increasingly airtight homes, to ensure airflow is delivered efficiently and quietly. The most common approach to meeting the Building Regulations Part F is intermittent extract fans with background vents, more commonly referred to as trickle vents for windows, air bricks for walls.
Approved Document F provides guidance on building ventilation, including building air quality and preventing condensation in a domestic or non-domestic structure.
In a domestic property, ventilation must be circulated continuously throughout the whole building, extract ventilation must be used within an area of increased humidity or pollution, for example an extractor fan over an oven. Approved Document F will require that a trickle vent is inserted into your new windows and doors
for them to provide sufficient ventilation to meet the government’s new standards.
If you put a trickle vent in a window you are increasing the chance of introducing outside noise. The more
air that you allow through a ventilator, the worse the performance you will get with the acoustic performance. This is a problem facing the window and door industry as it seems to contradict Document Part L, which
is all about energy efficiency and keeping the heat in. However, the industry is tackling this with more aesthetically pleasing trickle vent products which are designed to keep outside noise to a minimum whilst providing the optimum air flow for a healthy home.
However you feel about having trickle vents installed into your shiny new windows, you should not be tempted to not specify trickle vents as problems could arise if you ever want to sell your home. If a solicitor sees that new windows or doors have been fitted after June 2022, and don’t comply with the regulations, you can expect expensive complications. It is essential that you employ a bona fide installer who buys from a fully compliant fabricator.
Speak to your builder or installer regarding the stipulations of Part F and ensure you are well advised.
You can read the full Approved Document F PDF here.
USEFUL LINKS
DGCOS
Double Glazing & Ombudsman Scheme (search for an installer near you)
For further information on what restrictions are in place
you should speak to your installer, or visit the governments ‘planning portal’. The ‘planning portal’ is the online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. Information regarding building regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland may differ and it is recommended you speak with your local authority for further information.
https://www.dgcos.org.uk/about/building-regulations
FENSA
Government authorised scheme (search for an installer near you)
FENSA is a government-authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance for replacement windows and doors. Each FENSA Approved Installer, from large national brands to small local companies, is assessed regularly by FENSA to ensure its compliance to building regulations is continually maintained.
https://www.fensa.org.uk/about-fensa
LABC
Local Building Authority Control
Independent advice – Front Door is an LABC website. LABC is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales (with around 3,800 members in their national network). Their local teams will work with you to help you comply with the building regulations.