Building regs - fitting used PVC door and patio doors

[davidnow]

I was looking to fit new doors and windows and realise I need building regs if I don't use fensa fitter.

I will buy new windows but have a used door and patio door that would do the job and save a bit money.

Would this be acceptable to building inspector ?

Thanks

 

[tony1851]

It depends on the U-value of the doors; if they are more than a few years old, they may not comply.

 

[davidnow]

Thanks.

Does the inspector measure this or do you require some kind of paperwork from manufacturer ?

Dos thi value refer to the glass only or to the door frame as well ?

 

[Gazman16]

Speak to the building inspector. I was working on an extension recently where ours said it would be fine to use the old doors and windows even though they were too old to meet modern regs.
This was a privet inspector rather than a council one though.

 

[davidnow]

Thanks, but to be frank the reason I am researching these things is to keep one step ahead of the inspector.

Sure, I can get him to tell me what to do, and how to spend my money.

How can I determine u value of a door , is it something which comes with the paperwork or is it something which is calculated / measured in situ ?

 

[geraldthehamster]

This was a privet inspector

Did he work for a hedge fund?

Sorry.

Richard

 

[Gazman16]

Sorry I know my spelling is awful lol.

It would be very difficult/impossible to prove the u values. If the doors are more than 4-5 years old that design has most likely never been tested.
It would cost thousands to have them tested.

You could try finding the factorys that made the doors and the glass and ask them but good luck with that.

You could buy new glass for them and possibly have them allowed with a center pane u value but you would need to speak to the building inspector to see if he would allow this. Also the glass would most likely be over half the cost of new doors.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I’ve had this a few times, you won’t be able to prove the U Value, so forget that avenue.

Depending on the condition/age of the doors/windows in question and if your inspector is flexible or not he will either allow them or he won’t. Nobody on the forum can determine if your inspector will or will not accept them. So speak with the inspector and see what he says, though he won’t commit to anything positive until he has seen them. As mentioned I have had some jobs where they were allowed and some jobs where they were not, what you are proposing is not all that uncommon for domestic extensions but when it’s just a straight window swap they will probably be less flexible.

 

[geraldthehamster]

when it’s just a straight window swap they will probably be less flexible.

I thought (perhaps wrongly) that in the case of replacement windows, the requirement was that they shouldn't make the U values worse than what was there before. Do we know what type of windows are being removed?

Cheers
Richard

 

[Gazman16]

when it’s just a straight window swap they will probably be less flexible.

I thought (perhaps wrongly) that in the case of replacement windows, the requirement was that they shouldn't make the U values worse than what was there before. Do we know what type of windows are being removed?

Cheers
Richard

Ventilation and fire egress cant be made worst (assuming your Fensa registering the windows) If its being signed off by building control the window would have to meet all modern regs, Including having a minimum overall U value or a minimum of a C rating on the WER scale and CE marking on frames and locks.

To be honest until the other week when the inspector said the old windows could be reused I never would have thought they would allow it.

 

[Deluks]

Is this the only notifiable work you'll be doing? Cos you might get away with not mentioning it to anyone. Of course I wouldn't advise that route.

 

[geraldthehamster]

Is this the only notifiable work you'll be doing? Cos you might get away with not mentioning it to anyone. Of course I wouldn't advise that route.

One wouldn't want to run the risk of breaking the law.



Cheers
Richard

 

[davidnow]

No, I am thinking of removing a wall and chimney breast too

 

[cjard]

One wouldn't want to run the risk of ban-all-sheds seeing you advocating breaking the law.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He isn't.

Of course I wouldn't advise that route.