‘Sleep easy’ with Decalu
The Future Homes Standard will deliver some big changes for new build window and door supply with the potential to push some systems out of contention. Deceuninck Aluminium’s Nigel Headford says that with Decalu, fabricators and installers are future proofed.
It’s almost a year to the day since the introduction of changes to Part L introduced a new notional U value requirement for new build windows and doors with a glazed area of more than 60%, of 1.2W/m2K.
And if as a fabricator that caused you sleepless nights, with the Future Homes Standard looming large on the horizon, you need according to prepare yourself for more.
“There were a lot of systems that were scrambling to get fixes in place,” says Nigel Headford, director of Deceuninck Aluminium. “You could see it in a lot of aluminium systems, particularly in legacy systems, which were struggling to get down even as low as 1.2W/m2K, without going to triple-glazing.
“It was a wake-up call for a lot of fabricators, many of which have moved or are moving away from those older platforms – but there are still lots who haven’t – and they’re going to need to or be locked out of the new build market.”
The changes to Part L that we saw in June last year need to be seen within the wider context of the Government’s responsibilities under the Climate Change Act and the Future Homes Strategy which will deliver a further round of changes in only two-years’ time.
The new Future Homes Standard will come into effect in 2025. The objective is to deliver a big uptick in the performance of new homes, with the aim of lowering carbon emissions by around 30%.
At time of writing, the consultation by the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), is imminent. Legislation is expected next year (2024), with implementation from early 2025.
“That’s how it stands at the moment,” continues Nigel, “but a lot can happen between now and then as we know from past regulatory changes.
“There is an expectation, however, that we could see a proposal for new build window requirements of 0.8W/m2k.
“I don’t need to explain the ramifications of this to anyone still fabricating an older aluminium system – and in fact many new ones.”
He points out that manufacturers of Decalu can ‘sleep easy’. The energy efficient aluminium system by Deceuninck Aluminium, delivers U values as low as 0.8W/m2k, across its comprehensive range which now includes the new Decalu88 flush casement, launched in March this year.
Headline U-values are as low as 0.8W/m2k with triple but it also achieves U values as low as 1.2W/m2k with a standard unit – which means it meets current new build regs without the uplift in cost or complexity of going to triple-glazing, and future-proofs the system in home improvement and retro-fit markets.
Nigel continues: “You can switch to this product tomorrow and immediately up-sell in retail on thermal performance and aesthetics.
“In new build you can hit Part L new build requirements with a double-glazed window without having to go to triple-glazing. That is an enormous win.
“You don’t have to worry about if your system is going to get you there in 2025. You can start fabricating today and know without a seed of doubt that your also good for the future.”
The new Decalu88 Flush Casement was designed by a UK design team and in partnership with existing Decalu fabricators. It’s built around a patented thermal break which helps to deliver the Decalu88 flush casement’s advanced thermal performance.
In common with the Decalu88 Bi-folding Door, it also features a knock-in glazing bead with a flush finish pre-inserted gasket.
With a flush finish internally as well as externally, the Decalu88 Flush Casement is available from Deceuninck Aluminium in dual-colour and metallic finishes, and marine grade, as standard.
