Future Building Regulations for 2025: What You Need to Know
In the ever-evolving world of construction, fenestration and home improvements, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest building regulations. These regulations ensure that buildings are safe, energy-efficient and meet specific building standards. As we look ahead to the future, it’s essential to understand the upcoming changes in building regulations for 2025.
Affix Windows offers a range of 2025 compliant home improvement products, including windows, doors, extensions and refurbishments and roof lanterns. Get a quote for your home improvement projects, and rest assured that your home improvements will be compliant with the new Future Home Standards being implemented as of 2025. We install home improvements across Kent and the surrounding areas.
The Future Homes Standard
The Future Homes Standard is a new regulation in the UK construction industry that aims to lower carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in residential buildings. This standard will have a significant impact on the way homes are built and renovated, and it’s crucial for homeowners and builders to be aware of these changes. This regulation aims to ensure that all newly built homes from 2025 produce 75-80% less carbon emissions compared to previous years. Any homeowners looking to renovate or upgrade their property will also be required to meet higher standards than previously, however this will only be relevant for homeowners looking to add extensions into their home or to make thermal upgrades.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Starting from mid-2022, new homes have been required to produce 31% less carbon emissions compared to current standards. This means that homes built after this date need to incorporate energy-efficient features and technologies to achieve this reduction. From 2025 onwards, the target will be even more ambitious, with new properties expected to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions. The UK government has implemented this scheme in order to aid in reducing climate impact, due to the UK’s greenhouse gas contribution from homes is currently over 25%.
Impact on Fenestration
One area that will be affected by these regulations is fenestration, which includes windows, doors and skylights. Window installers will need to consider new requirements, such as U-values and air sealing tape, when selecting windows for both residential and commercial projects. It’s important to choose windows that meet these energy efficiency standards to ensure compliance with the Future Homes Standard. New homes may also be required to install air source pumps, a low-carbon heating option for properties. There will also be potential changes to the use of gas boilers in new build properties, instead being installed with low-energy heating solutions such as air source heat pumps.
Also, as part of the Future Building Regulations, a new efficiency metric has been implemented, therefore allowing for an improvement in extension standards, meaning your home will perform better in terms of energy efficiency. Home improvement installers will also have to ensure they are installing compliant window and door replacements and also considering the installation of cooling systems and fixed lighting.
U-Values Reconsideration
U-values are the measurements used to decipher how efficiently a property is performing. The lower the u-value is for your home, the better your home is retaining heat, therefore allowing for you to reduce the amount of artificial heating systems used, which in turn aids in reducing your carbon footprint.
Under the new Future Homes Standard, u-values have been reconsidered, meaning that minimum u-values for different products have been amended to meet the proposed ‘Zero Carbon Standard’.
This means that the minimum u-value for roofs will now be 0.13 W/m2K, windows will be 1.4 W/m2k, and doors will be 1.0 W/m2k. These also apply to air permeability, which will be required to be 5.0 m3/(h.m2).
Safety and Accessibility
In addition to energy efficiency, building regulations also cover other aspects of construction, such as safety and accessibility. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publishes Approved Documents as guidance for meeting building regulations. These documents provide information on various topics, including toilet accommodation, overheating, and infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.
Our Commitment to Safety
When it comes to safety, our windows and doors are manufactured to the highest standards. They are designed to provide excellent security, with features such as multi-point locking systems and toughened glass. We prioritise the safety and well-being of our customers, ensuring that our products meet all relevant building regulations and accreditations.
Building Regulations Approval
It’s important to note that approval of building regulations is different from planning permission. While planning permission focuses on the aesthetics and impact of a building on its surroundings, approval of building regulations ensures that the construction meets certain standards for safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. It’s essential to obtain building regulations approval before starting any construction or renovation project. It is also essential to understand that your local authority, once this Future Homes Standard is implemented, can set higher levels of performance for their local area, so you will need to ensure that your building/home renovations are compliant with their new regulations.
Looking Towards the Future
As we look towards the future, it’s clear that building regulations will continue to evolve to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainability. By staying informed and choosing products that meet these regulations, homeowners can contribute to a greener and more energy-efficient future.
Affix Windows – Your Energy-Efficient Solution
Here at Affix Windows, we understand the importance of energy-efficient fenestration products. Our range of double glazed windows and doors are designed to provide excellent thermal insulation, reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency in homes. With our products, you can be confident that you are meeting the future building regulations for 2025.
We offer a range of windows, with both uPVC and aluminium frames. Choose the ideal style for your home with our selection of casement, tilt and turn, sliding sash, bow and bay and residence collection windows. We also provide a range of doors, including composite doors, uPVC and aluminium patio doors, uPVC French doors and aluminium bifold doors. You can also choose Affix Windows for your house extensions, loft conversions, conservatory refurbishments, roof lanterns and tiled conservatory roofs.
We choose to work with high quality suppliers, including Smarts, Origin, Hallmark and Cortizo, so you can be sure that the window and door products installed by Affix Windows are of the highest quality for both functionality and aesthetics.
Future Building Regulations & Affix Windows
If you’re considering upgrading your windows and doors to meet the future building regulations for 2025, Affix Windows is here to help. Use our online quoting tool to receive a free personalised quote. Simply input your preferred styles and your home’s dimensions, and we will provide you with a quote tailored to your needs. Contact our friendly team today to discuss your requirements and make the smart choice for your home.
The future building regulations for 2025 will focus on lowering carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in residential buildings. Fenestration products, such as windows and doors, will need to meet new requirements to ensure compliance with these regulations. At Affix Windows, we offer a range of energy efficient windows and doors that meet the future building regulations.
Contact us today to learn more and to get started on your home improvement journey. We are a Which? Trusted Trader, so you can be sure that your projects will be carried out to the highest standard. We offer home improvement across Kent, including Sidcup, Blackfen, Dartford, Welling, Chislehurst and London.
Categories: Updates
