What the Future Homes Standard means for You
The Future Homes Standard has now been confirmed, with regulations set to come into force in March 2027 and full mandatory compliance for all new homes in England effective from March 2028.
The standard brings in significant changes, with new homes now required to produce at least 75% lower carbon emissions than those built to 2013 regulations, mandating heat pumps, solar PV and significantly improved building fabric across the board. For the fenestration industry, performance requirements for windows and sealed units will need to meet considerably tighter fabric efficiency targets, and as an industry, we need to be ready.
The Current Landscape
There are more than 80 million windows in existing UK homes that don't meet current building regulations, so the retrofit opportunity to meet new guidelines is substantial, but only if the industry meets it with the right products, the right knowledge and the honest ability to communicate why performance matters.
Window Energy Ratings have served the industry well for over 25 years, but consumer priorities are shifting. Security, acoustic performance and protection against overheating are increasingly part of the conversation, and the way we communicate product performance needs to reflect that.
In line with the changes the Future Homes Standard will bring, as an industry we have the potential to be central to the UK's ambitions for more energy-efficient housing, and we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead that conversation clearly.
Specialist no More
Triple glazing and solar control glass specifications are no longer limited to the understanding of specialist application.
Gaby Mendham has shared her thoughts on the challenges around triple glazing in a previous article, writing that triple glazing combined with solar control and security benefits is, undoubtedly, a proactive step forward for the modern homeowner.
But for the industry, the challenge has always been in our ability to adapt quickly. With the application of the Future Homes Standard, the complete supply chain must now evolve, installers must refine their expertise, and customers must receive clear, honest guidance on the benefits of making the switch.
Take solar control as another example. This glass is not limited to application in 'Grand Designs' type homes, and as a homeowner, if you have a south-facing home with large glass applications, solar control glass ensures year-round comfort in your spaces. It manages heat and light without compromising the clarity and neutrality of the glass, bringing that considered, design-led finish to any home extension. The price difference on this product is negligible when set against the long-term value on heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
Ian’s Support
Ian Snow, Estimating and Technical Support Manager at Ecoglass, is here to support with glass queries, from identifying the right glass for the application to complex calculations covering safety, acoustic performance and thermal values.
Whether it's through our free Technical Training Academy to bring your glass knowledge up to date, or contacting Ian directly for quote support, we're ready to guide our customers through the changes ahead, changes that will quickly evolve from a peripheral concern to a daily reality.
To speak with Ian directly, call +44 (0) 1603 415 400 and dial 2 for technical support.