12 minute read
New Building Regulations
SOARING ENERGY PRICES
– FRAME EFFICIENCY CREDENTIALS NOW VITAL FOR HOMEOWNERS
With energy efficiency ranking as a key consideration for homeowners, REHAU is advising the fenestration industry to emphasise the thermal properties of their portfolios to meet these shifting consumer priorities.
The recommendation follows a recently published survey from the Home Builders Federation (HBF), in which almost three quarters of 2,000 respondents (73%) said they were concerned about the energy efficiency of their current home. In the wake of these findings, REHAU is advocating installers and fabricators review the thermal performance of their frames, especially with upcoming changes to Approved Document L of the Building Regulations. “Energy efficiency has never been too far from consumers’ minds, and this latest survey from the HBF reaffirms this,” says Russell Hand, Head of Product and Technical for REHAU Windows. “With Part L guidelines also being tightened as part of the Future Homes Standard and wider efforts to reduce green house gas emissions, windows professionals should look into the U-Value of their current solutions to stay ahead of legislation and trends. “This latest change is likely the first of many for new and existing homes, so by taking action and futureproofing now, businesses will be well-placed to stand out in an increasingly eco-conscious market. One key way of doing this is to look for systems suitable for Passivhaus standard, which is currently the most energy-efficient specification for European and UK buildings.” According to sustainable construction experts GreenSpec, windows can represent up to 10% of total heat lost in homes. Taking this stat into account alongside steep energy prices rises expected in April, Russell is highlighting the importance of emphasising the impact energy-efficient windows can have on monthly bills. “The country is bracing itself for heating costs to soar from April, which means that as vital as consumers sees the issue of energy efficiency now, it is only going to grow in prominence,” Russell concludes. “Being able to mitigate these costs in any way will be at the forefronts of homeowners’ minds, so installers and fabricators need to stress the thermal performance strengths of their frames. “By stocking systems that can help do this, including REHAU’s TOTAL70C, which can achieve U-Values better than that required by the new Part L, tradespeople can help answer the market’s pressing needs. This combination of right choice and right emphasis will undoubtedly help fenestration businesses at this highly disrupted time, and into the future.” For more information on REHAU’s TOTAL70 windows system, visit https://bit.ly/3u2hGQN.
SMART HOMES, TECH, AND BUSINESSES ‘WORK WITH KUBU’
Kubu continues to pioneer the smart window and door market through the launch of their ‘Works with Kubu®’ programme, with certification being provided to manufacturing partners, Pro Installers and other strategic partners that will continue to be announced in the run up to the FIT Show in May.
Consumer recognition of ‘Works with…’ is already high and is used by the likes of Alexa, Apple and Google to provide a simple way to identify that a product is compatible with other smart devices and services. Kubu has been developed to seamlessly integrate with these smart home platforms and many more to provide consumers with added features and benefits.
One such “Works with” partner is Avantis Hardware. A well-known and trusted business that focuses on the mechanical engineering side of security, so with a number of new ultra-high security multipoint locks recently being announced for windows and doors of various materials, it makes sense that they all ‘Work with Kubu®’ as standard.
Additionally, Kubu are working with various other hardware developers, looking to partner up with Kubu and benefit from the ‘Works with Kubu®’ programme, and enjoy the considerable resources and experience they have when it comes to the smartsensor market for windows and doors.
This development by Kubu is about clear communications for all those involved in the window and door industry, right down to the consumer. Yet, it’s also about seamlessly integrating with existing technologies and platforms across the IoT, as Ryan Bromley, cofounder of Kubu Smart Security points out. He said: “The ‘Works with Kubu®’ programme brings further clarity to our product proposition for the entire supply chain, helping to make things both smart and simple for the end user. The smart home is all about integration and that’s what we’re offering with Kubu, a fully integrated platform that everyone can understand and be a part of. He continued: “Some companies have gone too smart, too soon, resulting in catastrophic product failures and a lot of bad press. Kubu is smart yet simple and has been completely developed and manufactured by a company that has more expertise than most in hardware, software and sensor technology.’ For information about becoming a manufacturing partner or Kubu Pro Installer then please visit kubu-home.com, e-mail support@kubu-home.com or call 0330 555 9545 for a free information pack. Please also visit stand Q31 at the FIT Show for all things smart related and you can follow them on all leading social media platforms @KubuSmart.
Leading composite door supplier DoorCo confirms their ORiGINAL foam-core composite door meets the new regulations of Approved Document L, which are effective from 15th June 2022, with all relevant test data available in support.
Dan Sullivan, DoorCo MD comments: “The upcoming changes to building regulations in the UK are focused on reducing the carbon emissions of new homes by 30%. In short, this means the products we manufacture as an industry need to help homes become more energy efficient. When it comes to doors, the new Approved Document L, which is focused on energy efficiency, require the overall U-Value of doorsets to be 1.4W(/m2 K), or DSER Band “C” where the glazed area is greater than 60%, and Band “B” or better for “other doors”.
“DoorCo has been working with our supply chain partners to ensure our entire ORiGINAL composite door range performs to this standard ahead of the 15th June 2022 deadline. Testing of all designs is now complete using a standard aluminium threshold and PVC profile for frames. Datasheets based on this standard composition are available from DoorCo or the data can be accessed through Build Check’s Oracle U-Value calculator, which is available to members on a subscription service, to calculate your own results based on your specific product configuration. “The regulation changes for timber doors vary slightly and will not change until 2023. The current GRiPCORE door complies with current Doc L standards and GRiPCORE version 2.1 will be available in 2022 which will future proof the product for all future Part L compliance.” For more information, please contact DoorCo’s customer services team on 01625 428955, or via email: info@door-co.com.
IS YOUR FLUSH CASEMENT SUPPLIER PART L READY?
With only weeks to go before new tougher regulatory requirements for the energy efficiency of windows and doors comes into force, HWL Windows has said that it’s in the unique position to be able to offer four Timberwelded Part L ready flush systems.
The Government released the update to Part L at the end of last year. It will deliver an uplift in performance in newbuild to a uniform 1.2W/m2K for windows and doors and 1.4W/ m2K (or WER B rating) for home improvement. Coming into force from June, a number of systems will struggle to meet new build requirements without moving to the use of triple-glazed IGUs. “We make four different flush casement systems”, explained Mark Haley, Managing Director, HWL. “This includes Residence Collection R9, R7 and R2, each of which meets new build - as well as home improvement Part L requirements - in a Timberwelded and non-glass-bonded flush casement window. We also offer the new Kömmerling Flush casement, which is also available in a Timberwelded 90° joint, and as an ultra-energy-efficient and six-chamber system, comfortable achieves a u-value of 1.2 W/m2K - without having to go to a triple-glazed unit.” HWL added the Kömmerling Flush casement to its offer at the start of this year. As well as delivering an advanced level of thermal performance and elegant flush finish, it uses a flush finish gasket and discrete weather sealing. A special sash locator system also guarantees that the sash always returns to a central position in the frame. Mark continued: “We’ve built our reputation as a specialist manufacturer of Residence Collection product but we see the Kömmerling Flush Casement as a very important addition to our range because it gives us and our customers reach into a broader sector of the market.
“We manufacture it using the same Timberweld technologies that we developed in the manufacture of R9 to create that traditional 90° timber-like joint in a welded - not mechanically jointed window. “It’s the same aesthetic but stronger, you’re not relying on screws and glue - delivering better through-life performance.” HWL pioneered the development of non-glass bonded Timberweld R9, making it easier to handle and significantly reducing costs for installers, and now offers a unique Timberweld Residence Collection open-in door – giving its customers the opportunity to upsell a matching Residence window and door package to homeowners. “It’s technology we’re now applying to the Kömmerling flush”, added Mark. “We’re the first – and we believe currently the only fabricator - manufacturing it with a Timberweld finish. It’s something which we know delivers real commercial advantage for our customers.” For more information email sales@hwlwindows.co.uk call 0113 2449006 or log on at www.hwlwindows.co.uk.
COMFORTABLY COMPLY WITH REVISED PART L WITH DECALU88
The Decalu88 bi-folding door from Deceuninck Aluminium achieves U-values of 1.2W/m2K with double glazed units, comfortably meeting new requirements for newbuild as well as home improvement under Part L from June this year – without using triple glazed units.
From June 2022, replacement doors with a >60% glazed area will need to achieve an overall U-value of 1.4W/m2K, while newbuild equivalents will need to achieve an overall U-value of 1.2W/m2K.
When the Future Homes and Buildings Standard comes into force in 2025, these figures are expected to drop even further. Many aluminium systems will have to rely on a triple glazed unit to meet the new revisions, which impact the overall design of the door. “Older systems were designed for a double-glazed unit, so there’s a maximum width of unit you can get into the frames,” Nigel Headford, Director at Deceuninck Aluminium, said. “So, the question is not about the number of panes of glass, but how deep you can go, and with older systems you are typically limited to a 28mm-32mm unit.”
If a triple glazed unit was used to improve the thermal performance, consideration would also need to be made for the extra weight placed on the hardware. “Most bifolding doors on the market have a maximum weight of 100kg-150kg,” Nigel said. “So, if you are going to put in triple glazing then you are probably going to go over that maximum weight, which is going to limit the size of the door.” The Decalu88 Bi-Folding Door from Deceuninck Aluminium can comply with the 2022 Part L newbuild revisions with a double-glazed unit. It is also designed to comfortably incorporate thicker and heavier units to meet future thermal, acoustic and security standards. With each sash able to accommodate weights of 200kg and up to 3m in height, the Decalu88 Bi-folding Door also offers impressive design flexibility, while guaranteeing ultra-smooth running and performance. It has also been tested to PAS24 at 3m tall.
With slim sightlines and a minimalistic contemporary aesthetic, the Decalu88, in common with the wider Decalu offer, is available in dual colour, marine grade, textured and metallic finishes, as standard. “It also features a 7mm fully adjustable jamb on each side of the door, simplifying squaring and setting,” Nigel said. “And a knock-in glazing bead with pre-inserted and co-extruded flush gasket, means you can glaze each sash in less than four minutes and fit a door in as little as an hour.”
For more information call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk.
SYSTEMS READY FOR NEW PART L REQUIREMENTS FOR EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS
Changes to Part L of Building Regulations coming into force on 15 June 2022 mean big changes for the thermal efficiency requirements of buildings. But Epwin Window Systems is already ahead of the curve to help its customers achieve the lower U-Value targets as its multiple systems already meet or exceed the new requirements.
Phil Parry, Business Development Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Epwin Window Systems has been leading the way in the industry for nearly 40 years. It’s why all our products are ready for the introduction of the new Part L on 15 June 2022. It’s also why they will be ready for any future regulations too.” As Phil says, all Epwin Window Systems products across all its ranges already comply with the new regulations. The ranges include the Stellar Window & Door Aluminium System, Optima Window & Door System, Spectus Window & Door System, PatioMaster Sliding Door System, Flush Casement Window System, Flush Tilt & Turn Window System, Vertical Sliding Sash Window System and the Fully Reversible Window PVC-U System. The systems company is also supporting its customers by helping them get up to speed with the changes. It has produced a useful guide to the new regulations which is available to all customers on its Connect digital portal. It will also be running a live stream event on Connect where fabricators and installers can get immediate answers to all their questions about the new regulations from Epwin Window Systems’ technical experts. Phil commented: “It’s reassuring to know that all our products are already compliant but we also know that fabricators and installers will have lots of questions about the changes and what they mean for their businesses and the wider industry. By providing a guide and offering a live discussion stream we can help them with the information they need.” Epwin Window Systems is the UK’s largest manufacturer and supplier of award-winning PVC-U and aluminium window and door systems. It retains its status at the forefront of the industry because it leads the way in cutting-edge products and proactive support. It’s something that’s perfectly demonstrated in its response to the Part L changes.
