The Future Homes Standard plays a key role in the UK Government’s journey to net-zero. The Standard will make sure that from 2025, CO2 emissions from new build homes will be reduced by 75-80% compared to current standards, with an interim requirement to reduce emissions by 30% from June 2022.
In the context of windows, the Standard sets a maximum allowed U-value of 1.2W/m2K from June 2022, dropping to 0.8W/m2K by 2025. To meet these ultra-low energy targets, some UK window manufacturers will have to radically upgrade existing products and introduce more triple-glazed options.
‘Scandinavian style’ composite systems, however, already meet the 2025 target and, as a result, can be used to ‘future-proof’ projects without undermining the wide range of other factors crucial to successful glazing design, from aesthetic coherence to proven security.
The advantages of ‘Scandinavian style’ triple glazing
Given the demands of the Future Homes Standard, ’Scandinavian style’ triple glazed composite windows are increasingly cited as role models for future window design. VELFAC - founded in Denmark over 50 years ago - is the archetypal ‘Scandi-window’ manufacturer, with the products and expertise already in place to achieve Standard compliance. For example:
- The VELFAC composite window is specifically designed to deliver low energy performance - triple glazed units already meet the Standard’s 0.8W/m2K U-value target, and the slim VELFAC frame also satisfies the Standard’s ‘frame factor’ requirement of a relatively high glass to frame ratio in order to increase daylight
- With a long history of triple glazing manufacture for the European market, VELFAC is renowned as a reliable supplier of bespoke units - companies with limited experience of (or demand for) triple glazing may take longer to manufacture triple glazed units to the quality required
- Large scale triple glazing manufacture delivers significant economies of scale, which means that VELFAC triple glazing units’ cost is marginally higher than the double glazed version
- VELFAC ironmongery is specifically designed to carry the weight of triple glazed units and is proven to deliver long term, trouble free performance - no upgrades are needed to meet the Standard
- Installation quality is just as important as product quality, and we at VELFAC know it well – that’s why we put a lot of effort in training our network of approved installers, so they can provide the expertise required to install triple glazing to guaranteed levels of quality
Future-proof your next project with VELFAC
The Future Homes Standard sets ambitious targets for carbon reduction across the housebuilding sector, and in doing so shines a spotlight on products which can achieve compliance without compromising quality or design, or dramatically increasing budgets. By installing VELFAC windows, specifiers can immediately meet the Standard and create projects which can deliver important low energy benefits for residents, and make an important contribution to the Government’s 2025 target.
To find out more about VELFAC composite windows and the Future Homes Standard, contact 01480 759 510 or email sales-support@dovista.com