Want to know more about U-Values & Thermal Performance?

With over 35 years of experience, the commercial team at Hazlemere know a thing or two about aluminium windows and doors. So, we’ve decided it’s time to launch our video newsletter, with the first episode available now. We’re excited to share the thoughts of our team, so you can use their invaluable advice to ensure the best outcomes for your projects.  

Our first edition features Commercial Director Jamie Lewis and Sales Manager Jamie Hall discussing the current topic of building regulations and the thermal performance of a building envelope. They note that the first thing that usually comes to mind with this subject is U-value, the measurement of how easily heat passes through a building element, which is a straightforward grading of thermal performance, right? Actually, it’s not as straightforward as it seems, with many factors coming in to play when an actual building is constructed.

We discuss how the limiting U-values for windows, doors and curtain walling under Part L are minimum standards but not necessarily best practice, indeed they are not always the performance level that a project will actually need. Many schemes will be targeting below baseline compliance figures, for a variety of reasons such as reduced energy demand or to meet sustainability targets.   

We include our recommendations for the specification of window and door systems should a project require a lower U-value than legislation stipulates and the implications for the products ultimately used. You’ll also find out why a project specific, area weighted U-value is so important to the thermal performance of the finished building. Without it, two systems can appear to be directly comparable when in reality the figures are not being measured on the same basis. Not apples with apples as it were!