One step ahead with Silka
With the Future Homes Standard inching closer, Andy Jones, Silka’s sales and marketing director for England and Wales, talks about how Silka is more than ready for one of the biggest overhauls on Building Regulations we have seen in the UK, thanks to its ahead-of-the-curve products.
Home heating and power accounts for roughly a third of the UK’s energy usage. This means that homes play an important part in reaching the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon targets by 2050.
The Future Homes Standard is a stepping stone to ensure that the UK’s emissions are combatted effectively.
Although the full details of the Future Homes Standard are yet to be announced, it is clear that it will aim to decarbonise new homes by focusing on improving heating and hot water systems, as well as reducing heat wastage by introducing low carbon alternatives, including triple glazing.
This means that from 2025, new homes will need to be built to ‘zero carbon ready’ standards – future-proofing them with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. New homes will need to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 75% compared to those built to today’s standards.
For existing properties, the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy has stated that by 2035, as many of the 17 million properties currently below the EPC and band C standard should be treated.
We see the Future Homes Standard as a positive step forward for the UK and leading by example is Silka and its range of high-performing products, including its aluminium windows; bi-fold, lift & slide and entrance doors; and rooflights.
With dedication to exceeding energy performance and demands, its products supply a revolutionary design and technology that delivers future-proofed performance, as well as extraordinary style.
How will Silka meet FHS?
Every innovation from Silka benefits from its ground-breaking thermal barrier, Thermafill. The highly insulated Thermafill technology is a revolutionary new method of insulating chambers inside both the outer frame and sashes, which helps provide top levels of energy efficiency.
Its aluminium windows, which come in 60mm, 72mm and a slim design, achieve U-values as low as 0.8 W/m²K, while its range of bi-fold and lift & slide doors delivers U-values as low as 1.4 W/m²K – reducing heat loss and improving overall thermal efficiency.
Plus, it can be seen that homeowners are looking towards newer technology and low carbon alternatives as the demand for triple glazing surged by 125% in 2022 – with 15% of homeowners looking to install it in 2023.
It’s clear that triple glazing is set to become an expectation going forward.
Silka is already one step ahead – offering triple glazing as standard. That’s not all either. The delivery of triple glazing has been a standard offering at New World Developments, the company behind Silka, for many years.
Its confidence in delivering even the largest of units, for the likes of the triple glazed lift & slide doors, is based on its proven track record because the frame and glass is manufactured at the same site.
So, it’s no surprise that the combination of Thermafill and triple glazing delivers ultra-low U-values, making Silka products a top glazing system.
What else does Silka have to offer?
As well as ticking all of the boxes when it comes to energy performance demands, Silka products create a safe home for homeowners, too. Its high-security multi-point locking system helps boast the top standard of security, meaning homeowners have that added peace of mind.
On top of that, not only do Silka products exceed on performance, but they look and feel good too. All products feature Silka’s exclusive Silktouch sputter coat technology, offering a smooth as ‘Silka’ feel to touch, while its robust finish helps resist finger marks and avoid unwanted smears and scratches.
It’s clear that regulations, such as the Future Homes Standard, will continue to push businesses to always be compliant when it comes to the Government’s net-zero carbon targets – so having products that exceed the ever-changing legislations is vital.
Silka not only provides legally compliant products, but its ethos of striving to constantly exceed these regulations will give housing developers, installers and homeowners the peace of mind that their windows and doors are future-proofed.
The team at New World Developments has used its technical expertise to develop the Silka brand and its revolutionary systems, with the aim of creating a suite of top performing, aesthetically pleasing products to form a part of the future of the home.
The complete Silka range encompasses Windows and Doors, including Bifold, Entrance and Lift & Slide Doors and Rooflights which are available now: www.silkawindows.com.