Are you seeking the most energy efficient windows possible? Then your windows need low u-values.
A whopping 85% of us globally report being impacted by climate change. And it’s not just homeowners aiming for carbon neutral either. The UK government has also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050.
Given the context, it’s not surprising that it is now required by UK law that your window and door manufacturer shares calculated U-values on your new units. So what is a U-value?
U-values are a measure of thermal performance. The lower the U-value, the better the material is at keeping heat in. This is especially important for windows.
A window with a low U-value is great because it helps keep your building warm and saves you money on heating bills.
Window or Door Type | For New Builds | For New Elements in Existing Dwellings | For Existing Elements in Existing Dwellings |
---|---|---|---|
Windows | 1.2 W/m²K | 1.4 W/m²K | 1.6 W/m²K |
Glazed Doors | 1.2 W/m²K | 1.4 W/m²K | 1.8 W/m²K |
Solid Doors | 1.0 W/m²K | 1.2 W/m²K | 1.8 W/m²K |
This table reflects the updates from Part L 2024, which aim to further enhance energy efficiency and reduce heat loss through building elements.
This does not apply to certain (typically historic) housing authorities, however Historic England’s Advice Note 18 (2024) emphasises the importance of updating historic homes for carbon efficiency.
Window Type | Cavity Width | Coating | Cavity Fill | U-Value (W/m²K) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Single glazed window | N/A | None | None | 5.6 |
Double glazed window, with standard air cavity | 12mm-16mm | Clear | Air | 2.8 |
Double glazed window, with argon-filled cavity | 12mm-16mm | Clear | Argon (90% fill) | 2.6 |
Double glazed window (Low E glass), with standard air cavity | 12mm-16mm | Hardcoat Low-E | Air | 1.8 |
Double glazed window (Low E glass), with argon-filled cavity | 12mm-16mm | Hardcoat Low-E | Argon (90% fill) | 1.5 |
Triple glazed window (Low E glass), with argon-filled cavity | 12mm-16mm | Hardcoat Low-E | Argon (90% fill) | 0.8 – 1.0 |
LandVac vacuum-glazed window | 0.1mm | None (vacuum cavity) | Vacuum (0.1mm gap) | 0.4 |
This is based on the glass only. Glass units are always measured from the centre of the pane.
The centre of the pane is the most consistent place to measure thermal performance from. If you were to measure closer to the edges, the results could be less accurate due to heat loss at the window’s borders, where materials like spacers and frames conduct more heat. This edge area, known as a thermal bridge, doesn’t reflect the true insulating ability of the glass itself.
When it comes to the thermal insulation of windows, you need to measure more than just the glass.
To give an accurate measure of thermal conductivity, you must account for:
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) have issued this statement, highlighting ongoing issues in the industry.:
“We hear that many window manufacturers are still not meeting their obligation to demonstrate the thermal performance of their windows and external door-sets and may not be achieving the necessary levels.”
“This is seen as a competitive advantage as poorer thermal performance can mean lower costs but a customer would be accepting work which did not comply with the Building Regulations and a manufacturer would be supplying a product which was not fit for purpose.”
If you do not choose windows with clear whole-unit U-values, you could be left with products that don’t meet energy efficiency expectations or building regulations.
While the centre-pane U-value might look impressive, it’s the performance of the entire unit, including the frame and spacers, that truly determines how well your windows will insulate your home. Without this transparency, you risk:
Always ensure you’re provided with the full U-value for peace of mind and optimal performance.
U-Values are only one of many important considerations when choosing the right windows and doors. See our blog “9 Questions to ask your joiner about windows and doors” to find out what else to look out for.
At Gowercroft Joinery, we go well beyond the minimum requirements for U-Values.
In fact, our whole units significantly out-performs the government regulations:
Our whole-unit U-values, calculated using the EN1007 mandated standard sizes, are as follows:
These values reflect the average performance for each range. For your specific project, we provide tailored U-value calculations based on the exact sizes and specifications of your windows and doors, ensuring transparency and accuracy in every quotation.
Our quotes also accurately detail the whole window U-values of each individual unit.
Want to know more? Contact us today to discuss how our products can enhance the thermal efficiency of your project.