Kitchen islands, sliding doors, extra floor area and the curb appeal of your new house or new extension can be the top of the list for our clients in terms of their priorities for a build, and it is for this reason that we can take the lead to guide you through the more technical requirements of the process of a new build house or extensions project.
With the introduction of new building regulations as of June 2022, additional layers of information and higher standards are now part of this process.
So whilst we advise you on how best to orientate your new kitchen space, the best products to review for the sliding doors, and bringing together clever architectural details to set your house apart, we will also be working to ensure that your project meets the technical statutory requirements to gain Building Control approval.
Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (Ventilation) regulations have been updated with new Part O (Overheating) regulations introduced, which all came into force in June 2022. These changes are to ensure that buildings are constructed to a higher thermal standard, designed in a manner to prevent overheating and to ensure that all details are documented throughout the build process, amongst other items. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities described the standards as “an important step on our journey towards a cleaner, greener built environment and it supports us in our target to reduce the UK's carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.”
If it is a new build house you are considering, then from the outset we integrate high levels of insulation into the design as new homes will be expected to produce around 30% fewer CO2 emissions in comparison to the previous requirements.
As we move through the process Fineline Architects also work closely with Energy Assessors to define the required amounts of insulation within the floors, walls and roof to ensure this achieves or exceeds the requirements, and we can also advise you on how the type of glazing system impacts upon this.
The increased level of insulation will improve the thermal efficiency of your property, reducing demands on your heating system. It is also for this reason that air source or ground source heat pumps are more aligned for use with new build houses due to the improved levels of insulation within the properties, and with new construction methods they are well sealed allowing more efficient heating of the house.
Overheating analysis is a requirement of the new Part O Regulations to ensure that the appropriate elements are assessed and addressed to reduce the risk of overheating in properties. At Fineline Architects, solar shading is designed into our design concepts from the very beginning if large extents of south facing glass are being considered, with considerations such as overhangs discussed as options with our clients.
We guide and advise our clients in order to meet or exceed the required approvals for the project to provide the best outcome for the project.
