Part L – we’ve got ‘U’ covered with WarmCore

Changes to Part L are going to create the need for many installers to think carefully about the products that they offer customers. Neville Gleed, operations director at Abcell, explains why there’s no need to panic…

The government has set a target to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy to net zero by 2050. With a whole host of measures being introduced, including electric vehicles, wind farms and other renewable energy resources, we are all going to be affected in one way or another by these much-needed changes to ensure a cleaner future – and our industry is no different.

The latest building regulation changes come into force on 15 June this year and updates to Approved Document L: Conservation of Fuel and Power aim to make properties more thermally efficient by limiting heat gains and losses.

These stricter standards mean that windows and doors for existing domestic buildings will need to achieve a U-value rating of 1.4 W/m²K or lower, while it’s 1.6 W/m²K for windows on existing non-domestic properties.

For new builds, windows and doors with a glazed area of more than 60% must have a maximum U-value rating of 1.2 W/m²K. Opaque or semi-glazed doors require an overall U-value of 1.0 W/m²K.

The June deadline means that the countdown is on for the industry to ensure compliance.

Many fabricators are looking at ways they can improve existing products to reach these new targets, while installers are having to start shopping around to find alternatives for their customers.

In fact, installers needn’t look very far at all. WarmCore already achieves the new criteria comfortably with superior U-values, providing a simple solution without any add-ons or updates to the specification.

The name says it all – the WarmCore system was designed with a thermal core, significantly outperforming the polyamide thermal break widely used to reduce cold bridging on aluminium windows and doors.

This multi-chambered insulating core results in an innovative ‘warm aluminium’ frame construction that offers market-leading thermal performance with U-values as low as 1.0 W/m²K on bi-folds and 0.8 W/m²K on windows.

As the UK’s largest trade manufacturer of WarmCore, we’ve been fabricating the range for almost five years. All our WarmCore bi-folds, patio doors and windows are manufactured using our two Graf Synergy SL4FF seamless corner welders for a superior finish, guaranteeing consistency and high-quality.

The end-product is also incredibly strong, making it robust in installation and easier to fit. Plus, single leg knock-in glazing beads remove the need for timely and costly wedge gaskets – so no more sore thumbs!

For customer convenience, there’s just two weeks lead time on all WarmCore products from Abcell – including bi-folds, windows, single doors, French doors and patio doors.

When I say that I genuinely love the WarmCore system, I’m not just talking the talk. I have WarmCore in my own home and I would recommend it to anyone. Not only does it look great, but it performs superbly and the fact that it is so thermally efficient means that I can do my bit to save the planet while keeping fuel bills down.

So, when the 15 June deadline comes round, come to Abcell for your WarmCore needs – we’ve got ‘U’ covered!