DOORS & WINDOWS
OPEN UP TO THE FUTURE HOMES STANDARD
With the UK’s net zero target of 2050 heightening the pressures on the industry to reduce heat loss, doors and windows play a huge role.
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ollowing recent government consultation, the upcoming Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve significantly lower operational carbon emissions compared to previous Part L benchmarks in order to be considered zero-carbon ready. Its aim is to make homes more sustainable to support the UK’s major net zero targets while reducing long-term energy expenditure for building owners and occupants. Fabric efficiency will be a major part of the standards, sharpening the focus on ventilation, insulation and air permeability.
That’s according to Jim Rowley, technical director at NorDan UK who says: “Drawing on our own experience of delivering high- performance timber and aluminium-clad systems across the UK and Scandinavia, we have seen first-hand how regulatory direction is reshaping specification priorities and raising expectations around long-term fabric performance.” With the FHS and consumer demands exacerbating the importance of utilising sustainable materials, products and systems during building design and construction, Rowley believes that windows and doors – especially those made from natural materials, such as timber – have a vital role to play.
“As expectations increase, window and door performance benchmarks shift. Compliance will depend on not just individual product metrics, but consistent manufacturing quality, verified durability and meaningful contribution to overall fabric efficiency across the construction supply chain. Consequently, this shift is most clearly visible in three core performance areas: solar control, thermal efficiency and airtightness,” he says.
Solar gain management In recent years, triple glazing has become increasingly popular with specifiers, contractors and developers wanting a stylish yet effective way of improving insulation and controlling solar heat. Rowley says that the link between the choice of frame material and the balancing of solar gain is crucial. “As a natural insulator, timber features a cellular structure composed of air pockets.
Longevity and rot resistance With building quality and sustainability demands dictating the use of long-lasting materials, utilising specialist preservation techniques can have a significant impact on timber’s durability and longevity.
Subsequently, the frame resists acting as a conductor, limiting the transfer of external heat into the property,” he explains.
Effective reduction of heat loss The need to decarbonise the UK’s building stock has heightened the importance of reducing heat loss wherever possible. With the elimination of cracks, gaps and leaks reducing the need for heating and cooling, specifying the most effective products and materials is imperative. As such, windows and doors offer a hugely energy efficient and reliable solution.
Rowley says: “High-quality frame construction and precise manufacturing tolerances play a critical role in limiting uncontrolled air leakage. Implementing these frames can prevent air leakage through the corners, while multi-point locking systems can apply uniform pressure around the window sash when closed, ensuring it seals tightly and effectively.
“Furthermore, factory sealed double or triple glazed windows can further prevent air from passing through the glass unit – enhancing airtightness and occupant comfort while reducing energy consumption required for heating.”
March 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
He adds: “Unlike surface-applied treatments commonly seen within the market, vacuum impregnation forces preservative deep into the timber structure under controlled conditions. A specialised, capital-intensive process, carried out in dedicated facilities, it provides a deep and consistent protective barrier. Consequently, the timber product is guaranteed to perform for at least three decades in the harshest of weather conditions without yielding to fungus or rot and have a life cycle expectancy of up to 60+ years. Similarly, by using flash oxidation treatment on aluminium window and door frames, the resultant oxide layer is well-bonded and porous. The subsequent powder coat will adhere more strongly and be far more durable than untreated aluminium, with the corrosion resistance supporting long-term external material performance. Preservation methods such as these align closely with the FHS’ heightened focus on long service life, consistent durability and reduced maintenance.” Rowley says that, as the FHS moves closer to implementation, its influence will extend beyond design to development, procurement and distribution.
“For the wider construction supply chain, understanding how window and door systems contribute to carbon reduction, fabric efficiency and long-term reliability will become increasingly important. Manufacturers capable of delivering repeatable, high-quality production at scale will play a defining role in this transition,” he says.
“With the importance of designing and building sustainable and energy efficient homes set to increase ever-more in the coming years, windows and doors offer housebuilders, specifiers and contractors the perfect opportunity to enhance building aesthetics while improving occupant comfort, reducing energy consumption and ensuring regulatory compliance.” BMJ
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