Future Homes creates new opportunities for the glazing sector

As government pushes ahead with tougher energy efficiency targets and lower carbon emissions, housebuilders, fabricators and installers are all facing growing pressure to improve the thermal performance of homes while still balancing cost, design and practicality.

For the glazing sector, that creates both challenges and opportunities.

The publication of the Future Homes Standard earlier this year marks one of the biggest changes to new build windows and doors in recent years.

While the changes introduce new challenges for the industry, they also create a major opportunity for fabricators, installers and suppliers to work more closely with housebuilders and play a bigger role in the design process.

At the centre of the changes is a new way of calculating the thermal performance of windows and doors.

Previously, u-values were often based on a standard reference window size. Under the new Home Energy Model, every window now needs to be assessed based on its actual size and exact design.

According to Kevin Jones, Head of Technical at the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), that changes the way the industry approaches specification and compliance.

“The age of the standard calculation window is effectively over for new build,” explains Kevin.

“We are now moving towards a situation where every single window has to be assessed to its actual size and configuration.”

The reason behind the change is simple.

Government wants the energy performance calculations used at design stage to better reflect the building that is constructed.

That means all the items fitted within the window opening now need to be included within the calculation. This includes dummy sashes, dummy transoms, Georgian bars, add-on cills, head vents and other ancillary items.

Previously, many of these features had little impact on compliance calculations. Under the new system, however, they can significantly affect thermal performance.

“The more complicated the window design becomes, the harder it is to achieve the target u-values,” Kevin continues.

“Features such as dummy sash and decorative bars all affect the calculation once they are included.”

As a result, the industry is likely to see increased use of triple glazing across new build housing developments.

However, Kevin believes developers are likely to explore a range of options before moving entirely to triple glazing.

That could include simplifying window designs or using a mixture of double and triple glazing within the same building.

“There is a possibility that we could see both double and triple glazing used on the same development,” says Kevin.

“In some cases, potentially even within the same room.”

While this may help developers achieve compliance in the most cost-effective way possible, it could also create new challenges.

Different glazing specifications can sometimes create subtle differences in appearance, reflection and tint, particularly under certain lighting conditions.

That means housebuilders may need to carefully consider the balance between compliance, cost and visual consistency.

Alongside the technical changes, the Future Homes Standard is also changing how early glazing companies become involved in projects.

Kevin believes fabricators and installers now have a real opportunity to work much more closely with architects, developers and design teams at an earlier stage.

“This gives the glazing sector a much stronger consultative role,” he explains.

“Housebuilders have a lot of questions at the moment, and the companies that can help guide them through these changes are going to be in a very strong position.”

Since publication of the Future Homes Standard, the GGF has seen a significant increase in enquiries from businesses looking for guidance and clarification.

To help support the sector, the Federation recently hosted a CPD accredited webinar attended by more than 300 industry professionals.

The webinar covered the Future Homes Standard, the Home Energy Model, changes to u-value calculations, the practical implications for fabricators and installers, and routes to compliance.

The GGF is also developing further technical guidance documents to help businesses prepare for the transition.

“We are trying to give the industry a clear roadmap,” Kevin says.

“These changes are significant, but there is also a real opportunity here for businesses that engage with them early.”

For Kevin, the direction of travel is clear.

The Future Homes Standard is not simply changing thermal targets.

It is changing how windows and doors are designed, specified and discussed throughout the new build supply chain.

“This is a major shift for the industry,” he concludes.

“But it is also an opportunity for the sector to demonstrate its expertise and become much more involved in the wider building design process.”

For more information about the GGF and how it can support your business’ growth, please visit www.ggf.org.uk or call 0207 939 9100.