LAST WORD
The last WORD
Make the right choice John Whalley discusses specifying the right windows and doors for your project
In September the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister announced their plans to boost the UK’s flagging economy with a major housing and planning package.
he move was designed to help deliver up to 70,000 new homes by providing support to all parties involved and cutting through red tape at the planning stage.
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One of the most welcome measures will be the removal of restrictions on house builders to help unlock projects that have stalled due to the perception that sites are commercially unviable. Developers who can prove that a council’s costly affordable housing requirements make the project unfeasible could see them removed.
John Whalley, Managing Director of Nationwide Windows Ltd
If implemented correctly this could be great news for house builders, particularly when taking into consideration the current average of 15 months spent waiting to receive full planning permission for site development – and this is without the time consuming pre-application discussions. However, the speed at which changes have been proposed to Approved Document of the Building Regulations since their 2010 adaptation somewhat conflict with the government’s current sentiment. The 2013 proposed Document states that windows and doors in
newbuild applications must meet five criteria, much as they did in their 2010 counterpart. These are: • Achieving both a Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (TFEE) level and a Target CO2 Emissions Rate (TER). There will be one TFEE for flats and centre-terraces, another for end- terrace, semis and detached. • Limiting U values, with a value of 1.6 proposed for windows. • Limiting solar gains, with a value to be determined by the SAP 2012 consultation.
• The built performance to be consistent with Dwelling Emission Rate (DER).
• The provision of information on an operating dwelling.
Whether these proposals will be approved in their current form remains to be seen but, with 2016 fast approaching, they will almost certainly be in line with carbon reduction targets and the provision of zero carbon homes.
It is therefore essential, when planning a new house build, to stay on top of any legislation which may hinder you at some point along the build process. For peace of mind, it would make sense to partner with a company that has proven expertise in meeting and exceeding regulations; and a product range which will ensure compliance whilst providing the all-important
kerb appeal. ■
BritishBuilder.co.uk | British Builder & Developer | 29
Formed in 1986, Nationwide Windows’ roots firmly lie in
newbuild, having supported some of the UK’s leading house builders and developers including David Wilson Homes, Persimmon, Miller Homes, Lovells, Redrow, Mansell and Kier; as well as smaller regional companies. Nationwide works with the Eurocell family of PVC-U profiles to offer total flexibility in design to create whatever specification and configuration clients require for specific developments.
For more information please telephone 01788 569 228 or visit
nationwidewindows
.co.uk
It is essential to stay on top of any legislation which may hinder the build process
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