Introduced to help house designers and builders understand what the 2013 changes will mean, the comprehensive guide from Saint-Gobain forms part of its reference tools for delivering a sustainable habitat.
The guide demonstrates how providing excellent levels of insulation to the building fabric, in addition to improving air-tightness and considering design detailing, can not only meet the criteria of the new Part L: 2013 but ensure new homes are significantly more energy efficient.
The new guide from Saint-Gobain covers Part L compliance criteria, design options based on the four typical home types, as identified by the Zero Carbon Hub, and Saint-Gobain system solutions for external walls, roofs and floors.
Instrumental in delivering the new guide, Stacey Temprell, New-Build Sector Director for Saint-Gobain UK, says: "The most significant changes in the new Approved Document L are for new-builds, where a 6% aggregate improvement in performance over the current level is required, as well as the introduction of an assessment of fabric efficiency (Target Fabric Energy Efficiency). This makes it crucial that we take the one-time opportunity offered during the construction phase of new-homes to build a better, more sustainable fabric.
"With home energy use accounting for 40% of UK carbon dioxide emissions, Saint-Gobain believes in a fabric first approach to constructing and renovating buildings. This approach prioritises the improvements to a building’s fabric and services in order to increase energy performance and comfort.
"In addition to outlining the fundamental principles and criteria of Part L: 2013, the guide is designed to encourage discussion amongst designers, as the industry finds consensus on how best to realise the 2016 zero carbon target for new homes."
Launched at Ecobuild, copies of the Design Guide to Part L: 2013 from Saint-Gobain are available to download from http://www.saint-gobain.co.uk/products-and-solutions/low-energy-zero-carbon-new-homes.aspx
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