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Building regulations are causing confusion for many in the UK fenestration world , and VEKA plc is urging the industry to speak up regarding further changes that are due to be imposed in 2025 . U-Values and differing calculation methods are already causing a headache for many , but with more planned updates in the pipeline , the industry needs to act quickly to ensure that it is heard .

The Facts

Currently , the U-Value for windows in new dwellings is 1.2 W / m ² K in England . In Scotland new regulations from December will also require a 1.2 U-Value , whilst in Wales it will be 1.3 from November .

Recent changes are the first step in the government ’ s drive to net zero emissions . A consultation next year will decide the

VEKA plc Technical Director Paul Kennington

next steps and it has been suggested that a U-Value of 0.80 will be recommended .

In England , there are four different methods of calculating U-Values , whilst Scotland has one , and Wales has three . These different test methods all present different results . Also , fabricators that sell products in all three countries

are finding the varying calculation methods add complexity to their operations .

The Fiction

To calculate thermal efficiency , the actual values of all the products used in a building are compared with ‘ notional values ’, and if necessary , adjustments can

be made . It is these notional values the government will consult on . Rather than using the exact specification of a window , the values are very often calculated on a standard configuration , meaning that the windows will not perform as expected .

The Figure Fiddling

Currently , if a window does not hit a U-Value through one calculation , it is possible to use another method that may hit the mark . It can be comparable to weighing yourself on three sets of bathroom scales to see the result you want . With the exception of the exact size and configuration , current methods are not comparable , truthful , or viable . As an industry , we need to call for one method across all three countries that aligns with the accepted calculation methods across in Europe .

VEKA plc Technical Director Paul Kennington has a real concern that the fenestration industry is severely underrepresented at consultation stage . He said , “ It ’ s important that our industry is heard . A recent consultation only had around 750 responses from the building sector , with just 50 or 60 from construction and an even smaller number from fenestration . We need more people of influence to talk about this if we are going to influence legislation .”

The DLUHC ( Department for Levelling up , Housing and Communities ), plan to begin their consultation next year , with likely implementation in 2025 . If you would like to register for a notification of the consultation , then please email marketing @ veka . com