Building Regulations For Windows & Doors: Our Guide

When undertaking any renovation to your property, homeowners and project managers need to make sure that they’re aware of the building regulations covering the type of project they’re undertaking.

In the UK, building regulations are key for ensuring that properties are liveable and safe for inhabitants. These regulations cover all aspects of building work, including window and door installations.

Building regulations were amended in 2022 and serve as a forerunner for the Future Homes Standard, which is set to come into force later this year and aims to cut energy emissions from new build homes by introducing new legislation on u-values and building standards. Currently, all double glazing, replacement windows and doors need to comply with building regulations.

If you’re looking to understand building regulations for windows and doors, here is our guide to how they work, what building regulations affect new and replacement windows or doors and what you need to do to ensure your property is compliant.

The Building Regulations That Apply To Windows And Doors

Building regulations cover a wide variety of different aspects of your property, including safety and energy efficiency. The UK government has created approved documents, which are a range of important building regulations for all aspects of your home.

There are several approved documents that apply if you are fitting a replacement window or door, which we’ve listed below.

Thermal Heat Loss

Thermal performance is important for ensuring that your property is energy efficient. To limit heat loss through windows and thereby reduce carbon emissions, building regulations stipulate that your new windows must have a specific sum of thermal resistance, which is measured in the form of a U-value. For more information, please read Approved Document L1B.

Safety Glazing

Windows must have toughened glass in what is considered a ‘critical area’, which includes any panel, including internal and external walls, that is up to 800mm from floor level; within any glazed door up to 1500mm from floor level; and on any side panel to any door up to 300mm from the edge of the door, up to 1500mm from floor level. This is designed to reduce breakage and harm from broken glass in the event that someone falls through it. For more information, please read Approved Document K.

Fire Safety

Fire safety when it comes to windows and doors refers both to the ability of the fire to spread and also to the means of escape. External windows and doors may need to be self-shutting and sealed to stop a fire from spreading to other properties. Windows and doors permitted to have reduced or undetermined fire resistance are chosen based on their proximity to the property boundary and are known as ‘unprotected areas’. Also, there should be a window opening large enough for escape, although only one window to be used for escape is needed per room. For more information, please read Approved Document B1.

Ventilation

Ventilation is crucial for maintaining airflow throughout your property and is primarily provided by windows. The type of ventilation needed, for example, trickle vents or other suitable forms of ventilation, will depend on the room in which the window is placed. Some rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens, that build up more steam, will require additional ventilation. For more information, please read Approved Document F.

Access To Buildings

When replacing or fitting main entrance doors, it’s important that the threshold is level to ensure that those with disabilities, particularly those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, can gain access. For more information, please read Approved Document M.

Differences Between Building Regulations For Windows For New Builds VS Existing Homes

New building regulations apply only when the property is being built or when changes are being made to the property.

As such, an existing dwelling doesn’t automatically have to comply with building regulations. However, when work is carried out on the property, it will need to adhere to the new standards.

From the beginning, new properties need to adhere to the building regulations, including being sufficiently energy efficient. Existing homes don’t need to meet these standards, but if new windows are installed, they need to meet current thermal performance guidelines.

How To Make Sure Your New Windows Comply With Building Regulations

It’s vital that your new windows or doors comply with relevant building regulations. If they don’t and the renovations are deemed unfit by your local authority building control team, then you risk a fine and the work being removed and replaced should your local authority find out, which you will have to pay for. Also, not having building regulations approval can cause issues when you come to sell your property.

Building regulations are not the same as planning permission, which is not required for windows as they are classed as a permitted development. Planning permission is a legal requirement that is needed before the job is started, meaning your work cannot proceed without it. Submitting a building regulations application means that you are checking to see that the job meets the required standards.

The best way to ensure this is to work with experienced window and door fitters, like Bellwood’s Windows And Doors. Our team has extensive knowledge of window and door regulations, so we can ensure every installation we carry out meets the government’s standards or exceeds them where possible.

Our range covers all types of external windows and doors, including composite doors, UPVC doors, UPVC windows, casement windows and more. We cover the North East area, including Gateshead, County Durham and beyond. If you’re ready to transform your home with new or replacement windows and doors, call 01913230466 to get a quote today.