Building regulations apply to new house building, renovations and refurbishments and home improvement upgrades on residential properties in the UK. These standards are designed to ensure homes are safe to live in, comply with the latest guidance on fire safety, and rate highly for energy efficiency. Building regulations are developed and upgraded by the UK government who create new regulations in line with construction trade developments and new expert information and guidance.
Building Regulations for Double Glazing Installations
Building regulations for double glazing cover a number of different aspects including ventilation, energy efficiency and thermal performance, and accessibility.
Thermal Efficiency and Safety Glazing
The building regulations for energy efficiency are designed to control the amount of heat loss that leaks from your home, to protect the environment as well as your energy bills. Not only will you reduce your carbon emissions and carbon footprint but you’ll reduce the amount of actual energy you use.
New and replacement glass units must be double-glazed with energy-efficient, low emissivity glass – often referred to as the u-value – unless your home is a listed building or conservation area. Windows and doors must adhere to a specific u-value or have a Window Energy Rating (WER) of Band C or better.
In some installations, you’ll need to ensure replacement windows meet safety glazing requirements. This means that the glass used needs to be reinforced or safety glass. This is usually for double glazing on windows that are floor level or have large glass panels. Doors with large areas of double glazing are also covered. This is to prevent serious injuries in case a person falls against the glass and it breaks.
Adequate Ventilation
One of the greatest selling points about double glazing is its ability to insulate and reduce thermal heat loss. However, with this comes a requirement to ensure adequate ventilation to promote indoor air quality, particularly in rooms which are prone to condensation such as the kitchen and bathroom. UK building regulations also cover air supply and ventilation.
It’s possible to increase ventilation using fittings like trickle vents or internal fans to comply with building regulations and reduce the amount of moisture inside the house. Moisture can lead to mould and fungal growth, and the spores from these can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Window Aperture Size and Fire Safety Glazing
For safety, UK building regulations specify precise sizes for replacement windows to comply with safety guidance in case a window needs to be used as a means of escape in the event of a fire. In habitable rooms, the openable area of glazing must be a minimum of 0.33 m² and at least 450 mm high or wide.
Replacement windows must be the same size or larger than the one its replacing. At least one window per room needs to be big enough to act as a fire escape.
Doors and windows might be required to be fire resistant or have safety measures to prevent the spread of fire. Building regulations require doors to be self-closing and windows to be fixed shut to ensure any fire does not spread to the properties adjacent to you.
External Doors and Accessibility
In case of a building that was built after 1999, it is essential that the main entrance has a level threshold. This is to ensure that people in wheelchairs and pushchairs can enter the building easily and safely. If you replace the door with a higher threshold, you are violating the building regulations.
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How Do Building Regulations Affect Replacement Windows and Doors?
When you’re looking for new or replacement windows and doors, it’s essential to hire a registered installer, a company who belongs to the appropriate Competent Person Scheme.
What is the Competent Person Scheme?
The Competent Person Scheme was established in 2002. Under this scheme, a group of regulatory bodies control double glazing installations to ensure they’re in line with current standards. These bodies monitor and check the work of member installers to make sure they comply with UK building regulations. This applies to any new glazing on existing dwellings and new build homes.
An installer registered as a competent person has the authority to issue a certificate of compliance which is the approved document that confirms your replacement double glazing complies with all the relevant rules like suitably sized window openings and energy efficient glass.
In the UK, there are six competent person schemes that regulate the installation of doors and windows. These are:
Out of these six, the most-well recognised and reputed is FENSA. However, a certificate of compliance from any of them for your replacement glazing is acceptable evidence to a building control body.
What Happens If You’ve Installed Your Own Windows and Doors?
It is possible for you to get a certificate of compliance from your local authority building control department if you have installed your double glazing yourself, or even hired an unregistered installer to fit and supply your new windows (although we wouldn’t recommend this). Your local authority will send an officer to check whether your newly installed doors and windows are in line with current building regulations using a standard assessment procedure. If they are satisfied, they will issue the certificate.
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Building Regulations with Double Glazing on the Web
We make it extremely easy for you to follow building regulations. Our network of installers are all registered with either FENSA or CERTASS and qualified to advise you on your double glazing installation. They will also give you the certificate of compliance with UK building regulations once the installation is complete.
In order to get a list of recommended installers in your area, simply give us a call at 0800 015 5679. You can talk to one of our highly-trained and friendly team members. They will give you all the information you need, as well as details on local installers approved by us.
You can also get in touch by filling out our contact form. We’ll recommend a minimum of three local installers for you to choose from.Installing windows and in a hurry? You can also get quotes for your windows and doors using our online quote engine and start the project of your dreams. Just enter your specifications, and the system will quickly generate a price estimate for you!
