Future Homes Standard 2026: What Trade Installers Need To Know

The Future Homes Standard is coming into force in 2026, requiring new build properties to produce significantly lower carbon emissions and meet much higher levels of energy efficiency.

For trade installers, housebuilders, developers and architects, now is the time to understand what the new regulations mean in practice and how your product choices, including windows and doors, will need to change.

What is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard is a set of new building regulations being introduced by the UK government, expected to come into force in 2026. Its core aim is to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of new homes and reduce reliance on fossil fuel heating, including gas boilers, in favour of low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps and heat networks.

The introduction of the Future Homes Standard represents the most significant shift in UK building regulations in many years. Under the new framework, new build properties will need to produce between 75% and 80% fewer carbon emissions compared to homes built under previous standards.

For trade professionals, that means the way you specify and install every element of a new building, including windows, doors and ventilation, will need to meet stricter energy efficiency requirements from day one.

What is changing and when?

As of June 2025, the UK government is progressing with the rollout of the Future Homes Standard, with implementation expected in 2026. The standard will update Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the building regulations, along with associated approved document guidance.

Key changes to include:

• A ban on fossil fuel boilers, including gas boilers, in new homes
• A requirement for low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps or heat networks
• Much higher fabric energy efficiency requirements to reduce heat loss
• A shift towards the Home Energy Model (HEM) as the new calculation methodology, replacing SAP
• Greater consideration of the whole life carbon of a building, not just operational carbon
• Tighter requirements around electric heating and readiness for decarbonisation of the electricity grid

There will be a transitional period for projects that have already been granted planning permission before the new regulations come into force. However, the direction of travel is clear, and trade professionals who prepare now will be better placed to deliver compliant projects from the outset.

What does the Future Homes Standard mean for windows and doors?

Windows and doors are critical to the fabric performance of any new building. They are a significant source of heat loss if not specified correctly. Under the new Future Homes Standard, getting your fenestration specification right will be more important than ever.

Here is what trade installers and developers need to focus on:

U-values and thermal performance

The thermal performance of windows and doors is measured by U-values. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation. Meeting the fabric energy efficiency requirements of the Future Homes Standard will require installers to specify high-performance glazing units as standard.

Airtightness and heat loss

Poorly sealed windows and doors contribute significantly to heat loss. The Future Homes Standard places greater emphasis on airtight construction, meaning quality weathersealing is no longer optional, it is essential.

Ventilation and indoor air quality

As new homes become more airtight to reduce heat loss, ventilation becomes more critical. Part F of the building regulations will be updated alongside Part L to ensure indoor air quality is maintained. Installers should be familiar with how fenestration choices interact with whole-house ventilation strategies.

Whole life carbon considerations

The Future Homes Standard encourages a broader view of carbon, including the upfront capital costs and environmental impact of building materials. This includes the transportation of building materials and the embodied carbon of products used on site.

How Bereco timber windows and doors support compliance

At Bereco, we have been supplying high-performance bespoke timber windows and doors to trade professionals for over 20 years. Our products are specifically engineered to support compliance with current and upcoming energy standards, including the requirements of the new Future Homes Standard.

Thermal performance that exceeds regulations

Our double glazed timber windows and doors exceed the current Part L 2023 building regulations, achieving U-values starting from 1.3 W/m²K, which is 7% better than the guidelines. For projects requiring even higher performance, our triple glazed options achieve U-values starting from 0.8 W/m²K, which is 43% better than what is stipulated in the regulations.

This level of thermal performance is achieved through our double glazing, meaning you get the performance most manufacturers can only reach with triple glazing. That translates to:

• Lower upfront costs compared to triple glazing specifications
• Lighter products that are easier to handle on site, reducing manual handling issues
• Slimmer profiles that work with traditional construction methods and do not require excessively deep reveals

Built for airtightness

Every Bereco door features double weathersealing as standard, delivering superior airtightness and thermal performance. Our 68mm thick door leaf, compared to the industry standard of 44mm or 54mm, offers exceptional build quality and contributes to a more airtight building envelope.

Sustainably sourced materials with low embodied carbon

Timber has the lowest embodied carbon of any window frame material, at just 85kgCO²e. By comparison, aluminium sits at 161kgCO²e. With growing pressure on developers and architects to consider the whole life carbon of a building, specifying timber is a practical way to reduce a project’s environmental impact.

All Bereco timber is sourced from FSC® 100% or 100% PEFC Certified forests, meaning every piece of timber has full traceability back to a sustainably managed, internationally certified source. Our products offer an up to 60+ year lifespan, backed by a 30-year warranty on timber and a 10-year warranty against defects in manufacturing and factory finishes.

Acoustic performance for urban new builds

For new build properties in noise-sensitive locations, such as those close to busy roads or airports, our standard 24mm double glazing provides sound reduction of 33dB. Our specially designed acoustic double glazed units offer sound reduction of up to 42dB.

A full range to suit every specification

Our window range includes flush casement, lipped casement, sliding sash, and tilt and turn options. Our Heritage range features lamb’s tongue mouldings with Slimline glazing, while our Traditional range features Ovolo mouldings with standard double glazing. Every product can be fully customised with bar designs, ironmongery styles, and a wide choice of paint and stain finishes.

Frequently asked questions from trade professionals

When does the Future Homes Standard come into force?

The Future Homes Standard is expected to be introduced in 2026. A transitional period will apply to some projects already in planning. We recommend speaking to your local authorities and checking the latest approved document guidance for up-to-date information.

Will current products still be compliant after 2026?

Products will need to be specified to meet the new energy efficiency requirements of the Future Homes Standard. Bereco’s current range already exceeds Part L 2023 regulations and is well positioned to support compliance with the incoming standards.

Do I need triple glazing to meet the new regulations?

Not necessarily. Bereco’s double glazed products already outperform many triple glazed alternatives on U-values. Our team can advise on the right specification for your project.

How does the Home Energy Model affect window specifications?

The development of the Home Energy Model as a replacement for SAP will change how fabric performance is calculated for new builds. Windows and doors will continue to play a key role in overall dwelling energy calculations, and accurate product data will be essential. Bereco can provide full technical specifications and CAD drawings to support your submissions.

What about heat pumps and the size of the heat pump needed?

Heat pumps are sized according to the heat loss of a building. Better insulated windows and doors reduce overall heat loss, which can reduce the size of the heat pump required. This can lower installation costs and improve the efficiency of the heating system.

Why trade professionals choose Bereco

Bereco holds third-party certification from Bluesky Certification, with annual auditing covering weather performance, security, manufacturing, paint application and material sourcing. We are an active member of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products.

Our 99.5% customer recommendation rate reflects the quality of both our products and our service.

Whether you are working on new builds, conversions, or large-scale residential developments, our team is fully versed in current and upcoming UK building regulations and ready to support your projects.

Get in touch with Bereco

The Future Homes Standard is coming. Now is the time to make sure your supply chains, product specifications and installation practices are ready.

To discuss your next project, request a free detailed quote, or get technical advice on meeting the new energy efficiency requirements, get in touch with the Bereco trade team today.

Complete our contact form, call us on 01709 838188, or email info@bereco.co.uk.

Our team is ready to help you build smarter, faster and better.