If you have a home improvement or window installation project you may come into contact with building regulations, and some authorities have a lot to comply with. It can be very confusing to understand building regulations and if you want to quickly and easily install your windows you might worry about making a mistake and having a non-regulation result.
The key thing to remember is that there is a lot of variation, depending on the type of building you occupy and the specific rules of your area. The overall concern for all building regulations, including windows and doors, is providing proper safety and fire escape standards for all owned and rented properties.
As leaders in providing many window installations and home improvements, we can help you understand how building regulations for windows might work in your new project.
To start with, it’s easier to divide buildings into categories. The following are some essential points regarding regulations for different building types:
- Houses: Whether you are living in a terraced house or a detached property, you will probably not experience very many regulatory conditions to change the windows of a house. However, councils in preservation areas do have strict conditions on appearances – but usually these are visual guides and do not concern the type of window, such as double-glazed.
- Flats: In a flat there is normally a guideline to keep each flat to the same standard, for example eco-glazing to maintain the building’s energy-efficiency and protect the building from fire. In some flat conversions you may find more regulations, as replacement windows may be in attics or loft spaces that have specific sizes and other requirements.
Some people wonder about building regulations for bedrooms and bathrooms. Bathrooms need extra ventilation, so a window with a fan is necessary, but bedrooms do not require a higher ventilation standard.
It is potentially confusing, but for a completely accurate view of the building regulations you will be subject to you can ask your installer to assure you that they comply with all standards. Look for signs of accreditation to determine they can deliver a reliable result.
In our own business as industry-leading suppliers and installers of windows, we assess and adhere to all building regulations to the highest possible level.
What’s the Point of Building Regulations for Windows?
While regulations cover a lot of ground there are a few primary considerations that they seek to promote:
- Better fire safety: Fire protection is a fundamental aspect of all building regulations, and can be a problem in many building types. Nowadays many older terraced houses have been converted into multiple units as separate flats, which can make the risk of fire harder to manage. VELUX and dormer windows are common in this situation and are as safe as casements or other types of windows that use double-glazed glass.
- Standard sizes and design: Some types of windows are considered too big or too bold for certain protected areas. Many building regulations exist to prevent problematic designs, which are deemed not ‘in keeping’ with the surrounding area. Places where this might be an issue include properties within national parks or protected woodland areas and their surrounding land.
- Lower risk of falling: Adding VELUX and dormer windows is a great way to give a room with a pitched roof an outdoor space, and a potentially useful headroom gain. This makes it easier to put furniture in these areas and gives them a livability boost. However, sometimes there are issues of safety, especially with larger VELUX windows and windows on pitched roofs that have a balcony attachment. Problem windows are easily made safe by installing restrictors.
It is hard to understand the individual building regulations, but window products available to buy in the UK are always assessed and approved before coming to market. A reliable installer will pair these products with a thorough installation that fully complies with building regulations for windows, and anything else they install.
If you would like a free survey on your window installation project please feel free to contact us.
FAQs and Useful Information
The following are some commonly asked questions about building regulations for windows:
Are there Extra Regulations if I Rent my Property?
Many landlords wonder about the regulations they have to keep their property in line with, for legal reasons but also to make sure they are carrying out home improvements that add value – such as installing windows. You have to do things like gas safety checks and provide smoke alarms as a landlord, but when it comes to windows there is a lot of leeway – with regulations only in place when a tenant is vulnerable. An energy-efficient rental property is more appealing to prospective renters so many landlords will install double-glazing, but for the most part, there are not extra regulations for windows used by tenants. There are different standards for commercial landlords.
When are Window Restrictors Necessary?
Window openings require protection when there is a risk of falling, but in most cases restrictors are not a requirement by law. Your local planning authority can make it clear if there are any unique conditions for your area. It also depends on the type of building, with public and office buildings requiring restrictors but most residential properties not. Overall, it is desirable to have window restrictors, but they are not a legal obligation.
Do You Need Restrictors for Rooflights?
If you are looking to install a rooflight you can relax, whether that’s a flat roof or pitched roof, as rules on restrictors are only for windows where there is a potential risk of falling.
Contact us today for a free quote on your project, which will fully comply with building regulations for windows.
