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Energy Ratings for Doors
It can be difficult to make sure that the door or windows you are choosing to have installed comply with current standards. Not only are there independent energy ratings as well as the mandatory European Union CE mark of quality, there are additional benefits from choosing products that meet BSI (British Standards Institute) levels.
Energy Ratings
As with windows , doors now come with a BFRC energy rating level similar to electrical appliances. This stretches from A (the most efficient) down to G (the least efficient). Whilst windows are chosen largely for their energy rating, selecting a door involves also selecting the type of lock and locking mechanism as well as considering aesthetic issues such as whether you want to have glass or solid wood or uPVC.
Again, similar to windows, the difference in savings between an A rated and a C rated door are fairly nominal compared to the price premium you need to pay to have the higher quality product installed. It’s worth taking this into consideration when you are searching for an installer in your area as some only offer the A rated doors whilst others will provide a C rated one if you ask for it.
U Value
Allied to the energy efficiency of your new door is the U value. This is a measure of its energy efficiency and all new doors should meet the requirements of 1.8W/m2K in England and Wales (1.6W/m2K in Scotland) or less. Essentially, the lower the U value the more efficient the door is.
CE Markings
Since 2013 it has been mandatory for building products such as doors to have a CE mark which means that they comply with EU standards and can therefore be sold or installed anywhere in Europe. Doors as well as windows will need to have the mark attached whether they come from a supplier, manufacturer or fabricator. Each mark comes with a Declaration of Performance which outlines 11 areas and how the door performs for them. The CE mark is usually found in the frame of the doorset for external doors and this doesn’t currently apply to internal sets or fire-rated doorsets.
BSI Certificates
For manufacturers and installers who want to go that step further to qualify the quality of their product, then there are various British Standards Institute certificates that can be applied for. Whereas CE markings are mandatory, these are not but can ensure you are getting a product that is top quality if the supplier has applied for them. For instance, if you are having uPVC windows or doorsets installed then the relevant BSI standard is BS 7412 and if you are thinking about high quality wood installations then the standard is BS 644.
Door Warranties
If you have chosen a reputable installer for your windows and doors, then you should expect a decent size warranty. This usually covers a period between at least 10 and 20 years and it is worth checking what the warranty actually covers and whether there are any caveats which need to be taken into consideration.
Being aware of the kind of certification and standards that comes with all types of doors is important, particularly if you want to be sure that the installer you are dealing with is reputable and supplying you with an acceptable product. You can search for installers and suppliers in your area on our comprehensive database.
