This does not apply to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before that date, provided work is started on site before 15 June 2023.
What is Part L?
Part L of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) contains requirements relating to the conservation of fuel and power. It sets the standards for the energy performance and carbon emissions of new and existing buildings.
Visit our Part L page to learn more about the U-Values that our products offer.
Replacements & Extensions to Existing Homes
Replacement windows can’t have worse performance than the element that they replace.
All windows and doors must achieve a U-value of 1.4.
New Homes
Windows and doors (with more than 60% internal face glazed) must achieve a notional U-value of 1.2.
Opaque and semi-glazed doors must achieve a notional U-value of 1.0.
People may specify products with lower U-values than these, as new build thermal performance is calculated on complete building envelopes. The limiting value is 1.6.
How will this affect me?
We have prepared for these changes in advance, and have been manufacturing products that meet these new requirements as standard.
You need to be clear from the outset with your client and local building control on what the exact requirements are before you place orders.
What is Part F?
An uplift to Part F (England) sets increased standards of ventilation in new homes, these Building Regulations ensure buildings have a constant flow of clean and fresh air, protecting against moisture, poor quality internal environments, condensation and mould.
What does this mean for me?
The new Document F requires trickle vents to be fitted in all new and replacement windows. Unless the property has a system of continuous mechanical extraction fitted (more common in Passivhaus properties) to remove stale indoor air and resupply it with fresh air from outside.
There will be a few extra steps required for each installation:
- Check the Minimum Equivalent Area requirement for each room
- Calculate the size and quantity of trickle vents required
- Check whether noise levels require a noise attenuating version
- Ensure the trickle vent is installed at no less than 1700mm above floor level
Trickle Vent Options
We currently have two trickle vent options; 2500 and 5000, the 4000 vent isn’t available until July. You can choose to have the vents in the frame or sash, or we have an overhead vent which can be used for Residence 7 and Kommerling Flush. Our trickle vent options are available on our new order forms, and more information can be found in our Residence Collection Order Guide.
What is Document M?
Approved Document Part M is a section in Building Regulations that contains guidance on access. Part M sets the standards for new-build, visitable, accessible & adaptable wheelchair user dwellings. This ensures that properties are suitable for those with limited access.
Part M Doors may also be known as Disability Compliant which is a regulation in place that requires doors to have a certain minimum opening space requirement to allow wheelchair access within a property or building.
What is Document Q?
Approved Document Q lays out a set of building regulations regarding the security of new residential dwellings. They are intended to minimise access potential for casual or opportunistic intruders.
The standards set out in this document came into force in October 2015, and apply to any new building that is going to be used as a residential dwelling. This includes buildings that have previously been used as something else and have been converted into residential properties, such as warehouses, pubs or barns.
*Sheerline Classic would be acceptable with 1.5 W/m2k for heritage sites because of less strict compliance for listed buildings. Classic going into a new build would require triple glazing.
If you have any questions regarding Part-L, please don’t hesitate to contact us: sales@hwlwindows.co.uk 0113 244 9006