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Building Regulations and Standards: Importing windows from Europe - building regs

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    Budget and u-values have pushed me to getting windows and doors from Europe. Not made my final choice yet, but I don't want any hiccups when it comes to Building Regs. It's all part of a big refurb/extension project so will be going through private building control body. I know the basic regs (means of escape, safety glass requirements, u-values being below 5.0 - okay, kidding on the last one!!:tongue:), but is there anything I should be wary of before placing an order?

    I know uw-value is measured differently in most of euroland. One company measures it:
    Uw = 0,8 W/(m²K) for statistical size 1230x1480 mm window in standard complectation with 48 mm insulated 3-glass unit with two low emission glass floats

    which is different to BS. However it easily meets BS, so would hope no issues on the thermal front? The company has the necessary documentation. Most window profiles all seem to be German in any case and then manufactured cheaper in the former e-block where minimum wages are still £1.50/hr and where the fenestration industry (amongst others) is heavily subsidised by the EU.

    Anything I should be particularly wary of in terms of BS....Building Standards that is....I've had enough BS from the local double glazing sales reps!!:angry:

    One of the company reps is here next week, so hoping to sort out any issues with him then!
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeJan 22nd 2016
     
    I bought mine from Poland and I've not had any problems, with BS or anyone else.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJan 22nd 2016
     
    Trickle vents

    I had troubles with sizes, weren't what they were!

    Much better than UK if you do source in Europe.
  4.  
    Posted By: TriassicI bought mine from Poland and I've not had any problems, with BS or anyone else.


    Could you whisper me who that was please? If not Polish Interior? Thanks



    Posted By: tonyTrickle vents

    I had troubles with sizes, weren't what they were!

    Much better than UK if you do source in Europe.


    Yes, I've indicated no vents needed (as wil have ASHP), but will check again before placing order.
    And then fingers crossed that they get delivered in one piece and to the correct sizes!!
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeJan 24th 2016
     
    Posted By: kentishgreenYes, I've indicated no vents needed (as wil have ASHP)
    What's the logic of that?
  6.  
    Posted By: Ed Davies
    Posted By: kentishgreenYes, I've indicated no vents needed (as wil have ASHP)
    What's the logic of that?


    Oops!!! Acronym-ophaghia....I meant I will have MHVR!!:shamed:
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeJan 24th 2016
     
    Ah, that's got a bit more logic to it. :wink:
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJan 25th 2016
     
    I don't think there are any problems in general, as long as the windows have a European approval they're legal here. If you're doing SBD then I think you need to look more carefully since that's UK-only I believe, but I'm not sure of the details since I stayed well away from it.
  9.  
    Thanks DJH - I hadn't considered SBD. Some of the European window profiles are covered by SBD under some UK companies. TBH, I think some of the European offerings are better security-wise with German engineering/hinges/locks but not in the SBD scheme.
    Do insurance companies even give you a better deal with SBD windows? Never seen that in anycase.

    Guess 3G is going to be a bit harder to smash than 2G....but also more £££ to repair!!! I may keep that barbed wire ontop of the heras fencing after all - my own SBD approach!!
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 27th 2016
     
    http://buildcheck.co.uk/services/windows-doors-testing/ce-marking/

    "From July 2013 manufacturers wishing to export to any Member State will be required to meet the regulations and their products bear the CE mark"

    I would check your supplier can CE mark and and supply some sort of certificate/test result that confirms the U-Value.

    Some of our windows have 12 separate divided lights and our BCO tested every one to check it was coated.
  11.  
    Thanks for that - I will enquire tomorrow with the reps coming to see me. I know there manufacturing plant is 'CE regualated', so hopefully all windows are stamped too.
  12.  
    I haven't seen cheaper insurance for SBD, but if gets you Code for Sustainable Homes points if you have that as a planning condition (like I do). Local police liason was ok with me not using a SBD approved front door as planning dictated that I match the Victorian one next door.
  13.  
    Posted By: richardelliotI haven't seen cheaper insurance for SBD, but if gets you Code for Sustainable Homes points if you have that as a planning condition (like I do). Local police liason was ok with me not using a SBD approved front door as planning dictated that I match the Victorian one next door.


    No brownie points needed for C4SH thankfully. Had enough loops to jump thru.....
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeJan 28th 2016
     
    Posted By: richardelliotI haven't seen cheaper insurance for SBD, but if gets you Code for Sustainable Homes points if you have that as a planning condition (like I do). Local police liason was ok with me not using a SBD approved front door as planning dictated that I match the Victorian one next door.

    Gah! I'm glad that you got what you wanted/needed, but waiving a functional requirement for appearance sake, whilst presumably not being willing to waive it for an equivalent European-certified product that is probably more secure but hasn't jumped through the restraint-of-trade that is SBD hoops is galling.

    At the planning stage, one reason for going for Passivhaus was to avoid CfSH conditions being imposed on us.

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