As a leading provider of high quality double and triple glazing in Essex, we are always at the forefront of industry developments. A crucial topic impacting homeowners, builders, and our industry is the upcoming changes to double-glazing regulations in 2025.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the impending changes, their implications for homeowners and the industry, and how Double Glazing Essex is preparing to meet these new challenges head-on. Whether you require new windows, are building a new property, or are simply curious about the future of energy-efficient housing, this article will provide you with the necessary information.
Future Homes Standard (FHS)
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is an initiative set to be implemented by the UK government in 2025. This standard aims to dramatically reduce carbon emissions and energy loss from new homes, mandating that they produce 75-80% less carbon compared to current standards. This ambitious target is key to the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Enhanced Fabric Standards
The FHS introduces significantly improved fabric standards for new windows and external doors, this means:
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- Lower U-values: The maximum U-value (a value that calculates the amount of heat loss) for windows will decrease from the current 1.6 W/m²K to 1.2 W/m²K, reducing how much heat loss is allowed.
Improved Airtightness
New building regulations emphasise enhanced airtightness in buildings:
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- Reduced Air Permeability: New homes must achieve air permeability rates of 5m³/m²h or less.
Ventilation and Overheating
The FHS also addresses ventilation and overheating concerns:
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- Trickle Vents: To ensure adequate air exchange in increasingly airtight homes, the FHS mandates the inclusion of background ventilation, commonly achieved through trickle vents in windows. Trickle vents are now required in all habitable rooms to maintain indoor air quality and mitigate indoor pollutants and moisture issues.
- Solar Gain Control: To prevent overheating, especially during warmer months, the FHS enforces measures to control solar gains through glazing. The regulations emphasise design strategies that limit solar gains, including appropriate building orientation, glazing areas, shading devices, and window g-values. Fixed shading devices like awnings, external blinds, overhangs, and shutters are recommended to reduce unwanted solar heat gain.
Impact on Homeowners and Builders
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- Energy Savings: Homeowners can expect significant reductions in energy bills due to the improved thermal performance of glass units.
- Construction Costs: There may be an initial increase in double glazing costs, but it is stated that this is expected to be offset by long-term energy savings.
- Comfort Levels: Improved insulation and airtightness will lead to more consistent indoor temperatures and reduced draughts.
More information on The Future Homes Standard from The Royal Institute of British Architects.
Changes to Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power)
Part L of the Building Regulations deals specifically with the conservation of fuel and power in buildings. The 2025 update to Part L will introduce more stringent energy efficiency requirements for existing buildings with different recommendations for new dwellings.
Changes Affecting Double Glazing
Window Energy Ratings (WER)
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- Minimum WER: New minimum Window Energy Rating requirements will be set at a ‘B’ rating.
- Energy Balance: Greater emphasis on the overall energy balance of windows, considering both heat loss and solar gain.
Thermal Bridging
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- Improved Detailing and Standards: Builders must use government-approved thermal bridging details or provide specific calculations for each junction to reduce heat loss. Photographic evidence of construction at critical junctions, particularly around windows and doors, is also mandated to ensure compliance with thermal performance standards.
Compliance and Certification
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- Updated SAP Calculations: The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), which assesses the energy performance of dwellings, is being replaced by the Home Energy Model (HEM). The HEM is designed to align with the new energy efficiency standards set by the FHS.
- Certification Process: The FHS introduces more stringent compliance checks for windows and doors. Manufacturers and installers must provide detailed evidence that their products meet the updated U-value requirements and other performance criteria.
Energy Efficiency Standards for Existing Buildings
The 2025 regulations will not only affect new builds but will also have significant implications for existing buildings undergoing renovations or improvements.
Key Changes for Existing Buildings
Replacement Glazing
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- U-value Requirements: Replacement windows, conservatories and doors in existing buildings must meet the new U-value requirements.
Building Renovations and Extensions
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- Whole-House Approach: A ‘whole-house approach’ for more extensive renovations will be required, involving an assessment of the building’s overall energy efficiency. This approach ensures that all parts of the property work together to improve energy performance, encouraging upgrades like insulation, efficient heating, and improved glazing.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
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- Improved Ratings: The UK government plans to raise the minimum EPC rating to Band C for rental properties by 2025 for new tenancies and by 2028 for all tenancies. To meet these standards, homeowners may need to upgrade to high quality double or triple glazing.
Compliance and Enforcement
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- Local Authority Building Control: LABC has an increased role in enforcing energy efficiency standards in existing buildings under the updated Part L regulations. This includes verifying that elements like replacement windows meet specified U-values and ensuring proper thermal detailing to minimise heat loss, with site inspections and guidance provided to support compliance.
- Competent Person Schemes: CPS’s like FENSA are updating their standards to align with the new Part L Building Regulations for energy efficiency. These updates, reflected in FENSA’s latest compliance guide, ensure that replacement glazing meets enhanced requirements for thermal performance, sealing, and ventilation, helping installers maintain compliance and support environmental goals.
Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener
The 2025 double glazing regulations are crucial to the UK’s broader environmental strategy, particularly the legally binding target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Key Environmental Objectives
Carbon Reduction in Buildings
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- Emissions Reduction: Improved window and door performance reduces overall building emissions.
- Lifecycle Assessment: Increasing focus on the lifecycle carbon impact of glazing products, from manufacture to disposal.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
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- Reduced Energy Demand: High-performance glazing is vital in reducing building heating demands.
- Renewable Energy Integration: Better-insulated buildings with efficient glazing can utilise renewable energy sources more effectively.
- Recyclability: Growing emphasis on using recyclable materials, such as aluminium, in window and door production.
Sustainable Manufacturing Practices
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- Waste Reduction: Encouragement to implement new, low-carbon manufacturing processes that minimise waste and maximise efficiency.
- Supply Chain Sustainability: Increased scrutiny of the entire supply chain to meet environmental standards.
Long-Term Environmental Impact
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- Building Stock Transformation: Gradual improvement of the energy efficiency of UK homes through upgraded glazing.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Contribution to the UK’s climate change mitigation efforts through reduced energy consumption in buildings.
Consumer Awareness and Behaviour
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- Energy-Conscious Choices: Increased consumer awareness leads to more demand for energy-efficient glazing options.
- Long-Term Savings Focus: Shift in consumer perspective towards valuing long-term energy savings over initial costs.
Double Glazing Essex: Responding to Regulation
The upcoming changes to double glazing regulations in 2025 represent a significant shift in our industry, emphasising the critical importance of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. At Double Glazing Essex, we’re excited about these changes and the opportunities they present for creating more comfortable, energy-efficient homes.
As we move towards this new era of glazing standards, we remain committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, completed only by registered installers with FENSA certificates.
The technology we use for our double and triple glazing means we can offer U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²K. This exceeds the new regulations, futureproofing your home. This glazing can be used in various styles, such as our casement windows, residence timber effect windows, and sash windows, as well as with timber, aluminium and uPVC windows.
Our glazing products protect your home from these new regulations and far beyond them whilst upgrading its kerb appeal and market value.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us:
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- Phone: 01268 424 904
- Email: sales@doubleglazingessex.com
- Our online contact form
From homeowners to installers, we are here to discuss our wide double and triple glazing range, current building regulations and the upcoming changes to our industry.