Building Regulations Guide for Windows and Doors

Does my Window require a Fire Escape?

Groundfloor

If your room has a final exit door, or access to a hallway with a final exit door then you do not need another fire escape within this room

If your room is a hallway, utility or kitchen then you do not need a fire escape

Otherwise, you need a window with a legal Fire Escape opening

Upstairs

On upper floors positioned 4,500mm or less from ground level, all habitable rooms (Bedrooms, Studies, etc.) must be fitted with a legal fire escape, unless the room has direct access to a protected stairway

Only one window, per habitable room is legally required to meet this regulation

Rooms positioned 4,500mm or above from ground level require a protected stiarway or alternatives methods of escape such a sprinkler system - seek the advice of an Building Regulations Inspector for best advice

What Energy Rating/U-value do my windows or doors need to achieve?

Click here for full U-value information

Wales

Replacement

Your windows will need to achieve an energy rating of B or U-value of 1.4

Your doors will need to achieve an energy rating of C or U-value of 1.4

New Build

If the U-value is 1.4 (higher than the new-build target of 1.3), another element such as the external walls will need to achieve a better u-value than the target stated for that element for the dwelling to achieve its minimum standard of total energy performance

England

Replacement

Your windows will need to achieve an energy rating of B or U-value of 1.4

Your doors will need to achieve an energy rating of C or U-value of 1.4

New Build

Your windows and doors will need to achieve a U-value of 1.6 or better

If the U-value is between 1.3 – 1.6 (higher than the new-build target of 1.2), another element such as the external walls will need to achieve a better u-value than the target stated for that element for the dwelling to achieve its minimum standard of total energy performance

Do my Windows or Doors need Trickle Vents?

Main Home

Does the room have a dedicated mechanical background ventilation system installed?

If so you do not need trickle vents

If not, then yes, your products will require trickle vents. In habitable rooms and kitchens, a min. of 8000mm2 equivalent area is required per room (10,000mm2 in single story dwellings). Bathrooms (with or without a toilet) require a min. of 4000mm2

You can read our breakdown of the passive ventilation requirements here

Out Building

You do not need trickle vents, although they may still be beneficial

Do my Windows or Doors need to meet the PAS 24 Security Standards?

Replacement

Will the windows or doors be installed on the ground floor or basement level?

Will the windows or doors be installed within 2m vertically of an accessible surface such as the ground, basement level or access balcony and/or within 2m vertically of a flat sloping roof that is within 3.5m of ground level?

Will the windows or doors be replacing windows installed on or after the 1st October 2015?

YES > Your windows or doors will need to meet PAS 24 Security Standards

NO > Your windows will not need to meet PAS 24 Security Standards

If the Windows and Doors being replaced were originally installed prior to the 1st October 2015 then you replacements will not need to meet PAS 24 Security Standards

New Build

Will the windows or doors be installed on the ground floor or basement level?

Will the windows or doors be installed within 2m vertically of an accessible surface such as the ground, basement level or access balcony and/or within 2m vertically of a flat sloping roof that is within 3.5m of ground level?

Your windows or doors will need to meet PAS 24 Security Standards