Do Your Windows and Doors Meet Regulations in Newcastle?

Installing new windows or doors? Upgrading your home’s insulation or security?

There’s one thing you don’t want to overlook — building regulations.

In Newcastle (and across the UK), all replacement windows and doors must meet strict rules to ensure your home is safe, secure, and energy efficient. At Windows and Doors Newcastle, we regularly help customers correct or replace installations that weren’t done to standard — often without them even knowing there was a problem.

In this guide, we’ll explain the key regulations you need to know, how to tell if your windows and doors are compliant, and what to do if they’re not.

Why Building Regulations Matter

Building regulations exist to protect you, your home, and future buyers. They ensure:

• Your home stays warm, energy efficient, and safe
• Windows allow proper escape in an emergency
• Installations don’t weaken the structure of your home
• The work is carried out to a high, legal standard

If your windows or doors don’t meet these rules, you could face problems when selling your home — or worse, leave yourself vulnerable to damp, draughts, or safety risks.

When Do You Need to Follow Building Regulations?

You need to follow building regulations any time you replace windows or external doors in a residential property. This includes:

• Swapping old windows for new ones
• Replacing patio doors or French doors
• Upgrading your front or back door
• Converting a window into a door (or vice versa)

If you’re just repairing a small part of a window or door (like replacing glass or hinges), you probably don’t need to go through building control — but the replacement must still meet safety and energy rules.

What the Rules Cover

Here are the main areas where UK building regulations apply to windows and doors:

1. Thermal Performance (Approved Document L)

Windows and doors must meet minimum U-value requirements to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.

• Windows: U-value of 1.6 W/m²K or lower
• Doors with more than 60% glazing: U-value of 1.6 W/m²K or lower
• Solid doors (less than 60% glazed): U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or lower

At Windows and Doors Newcastle, all our installations meet or exceed these values with A-rated glazing and thermally efficient frames.

2. Safety Glass (Approved Document N & K)

Glass in low-level areas, near doors, or in large panes must be toughened or laminated for safety.

Common safety glazing zones include:

• Glass within 800mm of the floor
• Glass in doors below 1500mm
• Side panels next to doors

If your current doors or windows don’t use safety glass where required, it’s a serious hazard — especially for children and pets.

3. Fire Escape Access (Approved Document B)

Windows in bedrooms and habitable rooms on the first floor or higher need to provide an adequate escape route.

To meet fire egress requirements:

• The opening must be at least 450mm wide and high
• The bottom of the opening must be no more than 1100mm above the floor
• It must open fully without obstruction

These rules are especially important in loft conversions and older terraced houses across Newcastle.

4. Ventilation (Approved Document F)

You must maintain proper ventilation in all habitable rooms and kitchens/bathrooms.

That usually means including:

• Trickle vents in new windows
• Adequate openable area for natural airflow
• Mechanical ventilation in bathrooms/kitchens, if required

New windows that omit ventilation features could result in mould, condensation, or failed inspections.

5. Structural Support (Lintels & Load-bearing Walls)

If you’re enlarging a window or converting a door opening, proper structural support must be installed — usually in the form of a lintel.

Unqualified work in this area can weaken your wall and lead to dangerous shifting or cracking.

6. Accessibility (Approved Document M)

For new builds or major renovations, thresholds and openings must allow wheelchair or easy step-free access where appropriate.

This includes:

• Low thresholds for front and back doors
• Clear opening widths for wheelchair use
• Lever handles instead of round knobs

While this may not apply to minor swaps, it’s good practice when upgrading for the future.

How to Make Sure You’re Compliant

There are two legal ways to install new windows and doors in the UK:

Option 1: Use a FENSA-Registered Installer

FENSA (or CERTASS) registered companies self-certify that their work complies with building regulations.

Once the job is done, you’ll receive a FENSA certificate — which proves compliance and is essential when selling your home.

At Windows and Doors Newcastle, we’re fully FENSA registered. That means you don’t need to apply for separate building control approval — we take care of it for you.

Option 2: Submit a Building Notice to Your Local Council

If you’re doing a DIY install or using a non-registered installer, you must notify Newcastle Building Control before the work begins.

They’ll inspect the work and issue a compliance certificate afterwards — often for an extra fee.

Failure to follow this route can result in fines or issues down the line.

How to Tell If Your Current Windows and Doors Are Compliant

Here’s what to check:

• Do you have a FENSA or CERTASS certificate from the original installation?
• Are your windows double or triple glazed with low U-values?
• Is there no condensation between panes?
• Are there trickle vents or other ventilation features?
• Is all low-level or door-side glass toughened or laminated?
• Can upstairs windows open wide enough for escape?

If you’re not sure, we offer free inspections at Windows and Doors Newcastle to assess whether your existing windows or doors are up to standard.

What If Your Installations Aren’t Compliant?

If your windows or doors don’t meet building regs:

• You could face issues when selling or remortgaging
• You may be liable if someone is injured due to non-compliance
• Your home may be less energy efficient and secure than it should be

In some cases, the work may need to be retrofitted or replaced entirely to bring it up to code.

We’ve worked with many homeowners across Newcastle to upgrade older or DIY installations and bring them up to today’s standards.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Take the Risk

Windows and doors are an important investment — but if they don’t meet regulations, they can cost you more in the long run.

Always choose a registered, experienced installer who understands local regulations, weather conditions, and safety requirements.

If you’re unsure whether your windows or doors are compliant, contact Windows and Doors Newcastle for a free consultation. We’ll check your current setup, explain your options, and help you bring your home up to code — safely, legally, and efficiently.