the window size issue is not as simple as the twitter poster suggests. It is true that guidance (not building regulation - the guidance just suggests one way of how you might meet the regulation) is pushing windows to be smaller. But there are a number of factors behind this, and a big one is energy reduction. Guidance in Part L is suggesting improved airtightness and higher insulation standards in walls, doors and windows. If you put these together with large windows you can get overheating through solar gain on warm days.
This doesn't have to be a problem - you could install a mechanical ventilation system. With a powerful enough one you could have a massive window and solve the safety problem by not having an opening in it. But MHVs are expensive, as is highly insulated glazing, so housebuilders lobbied Govt not to include them in the new Part O and continue to recommend purge ventilation (opening a window). The result is having a smaller glazed surface area in the property.
Unsurprisingly housebuilders like the one quoted in the story the twitter poster used like to tell a different story.
Love this. There’s so much pressure for politicians to “do something”, and it takes real courage to say no. But often the right choice is for central govt to do nothing and let those closer to the front line learn and improve.
Superb piece. Instant follow!
the window size issue is not as simple as the twitter poster suggests. It is true that guidance (not building regulation - the guidance just suggests one way of how you might meet the regulation) is pushing windows to be smaller. But there are a number of factors behind this, and a big one is energy reduction. Guidance in Part L is suggesting improved airtightness and higher insulation standards in walls, doors and windows. If you put these together with large windows you can get overheating through solar gain on warm days.
This doesn't have to be a problem - you could install a mechanical ventilation system. With a powerful enough one you could have a massive window and solve the safety problem by not having an opening in it. But MHVs are expensive, as is highly insulated glazing, so housebuilders lobbied Govt not to include them in the new Part O and continue to recommend purge ventilation (opening a window). The result is having a smaller glazed surface area in the property.
Unsurprisingly housebuilders like the one quoted in the story the twitter poster used like to tell a different story.
This quote came to mind as I was reading:
“All of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone” - Blaise Pascal
Love this. There’s so much pressure for politicians to “do something”, and it takes real courage to say no. But often the right choice is for central govt to do nothing and let those closer to the front line learn and improve.