Whilst Approved Document L and Approved Document O have caught the majority of the attention with regards to glazing specification and the changes to Building Regulations, the update to Approved Document F has the potential to restrict the choice of glazed door systems in a similar fashion.
Why Approved Document F is required
Approved Document F exists because homes have become more air-tight and sealed as building products and construction standards have improved over the years. To overcome this background ventilation is required to help remove moisture and air pollutants, to ensure the health of the occupants. To comply with Building Regs, background ventilation typically is achieved utilising either passive or mechanical ventilation. Learn More
Passive vs Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is a whole house solution and as a result it is best suited for new-build properties where the air tightness can be controlled from the design phase and where the system can be integrated into the structure of the house from the very start. It can also be a costly addition even for new-build projects. For this reason the vast majority of renovation and extension projects rely on passive ventilation, the most common form of which are trickle vents that are designed into the frames of windows and doors to allow air to flow through the house. Learn More
What has changed and why does it impact door options?
Trickle vents are now required on all doors and windows for new-build, extension and even replacement works. This can impact the choice of systems, particularly for sliding doors, because some systems on the market (particularly those where the outer frame is fully recessed in to the surrounding wall to maximise the amount of glass) are not able to accommodate trickle vents into the door design – meaning they do not comply with Building Regulations. Before you specify sliding doors it is crucial to check that they can actually be included within projects post the 2022 revision to Part F. Learn More