Building Regulations

Building Regulations

Are you planning on self-building your new home? Then start by finding out more about Building Regulations. Once you have finally received planning permission, you will probably find yourself wondering ”where do I start now?” Truth is, you are just at the beginning of your journey, and still have to ensure your dream home is built to the correct standards, as laid out in Building Regulations. Building Regulations are statutory, unlike planning permission, and a house will pass or fail according to this set of rules.

Windows and doors are an important investment for any self-build, renovation or improvement project, so it’s vital to make sure the products you buy - and they way they are installed - comply with relevant Building Regulations. This guide provides a quick overview of Building Regulations in England* for windows and doors installed in ‘single dwellings’ - defined as self-contained accommodation in which up to six people can live together, such as a family home.

Part L specific advice

UK building regulations Part L primarily focuses on the conservation of fuel and power. Part L sets out requirements for the energy performance of buildings, including requirements related to glazing. Here's how it relates to glazing:

Thermal Performance: Part L specifies maximum U-values for windows, doors, and other glazed elements. These U-values measure the rate of heat loss through the glazing material. Lower U-values indicate better insulation properties. The regulations aim to ensure that glazing meets minimum energy efficiency standards to reduce heat loss and improve overall building performance.

Air Leakage: Part L may also include requirements related to the air leakage of glazed elements. This involves ensuring that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent drafts and heat loss.

Solar Heat Gain: Part L may include provisions to control solar heat gain through glazing, particularly in buildings where overheating is a concern. This could involve specifying certain glazing types or coatings to reduce solar heat gain while still allowing daylight into the building.

Compliance: Compliance with Part L requirements typically involves providing evidence, such as calculations or certification, to demonstrate that the proposed glazing solutions meet the specified energy performance standards.

Exemptions and Alternative Compliance Routes: Part L may provide exemptions or alternative compliance routes for certain types of buildings or situations where meeting the standard requirements is not feasible. For example, historic buildings or buildings with specific design constraints may be allowed alternative approaches to demonstrate compliance with energy performance standards.

Overall, Part L aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in buildings by setting minimum standards for the thermal performance of glazing and other building elements. Compliance with Part L is typically required for new construction, major renovations, and certain other building projects in the UK.

For more information, please contact one of our experts at enquiries@scandicwindows.co.uk