by Shane Henson — September 12, 2011—The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC), the main regulator of energy-efficient windows in the U.K., has extended its famous rainbow label rating scheme to cover all kinds of domestic pedestrian doors external pedestrian doors and French, folding and sliding glazed doors. This represents the biggest extension of the BFRC program since 2006.
With 1.7 million doors sold each year in the United Kingdom, worth a staggering £772 million, this step will allow U.K. property managers and homeowners to better ascertain the energy efficiency of doors they plan to purchase.
According to BFRC officials, all kinds of external pedestrian doors are included in the program, including solid doors, partially glazed doors and fully glazed doors, and every style is included as well, whether they are constructed of PVC-U, aluminum, timber or are a composite type door. They will be rated “A” to “G.”
Solar gain will not be included in the rating process for external pedestrian doors, however, air leakage rates are taken into account. An “E” rating will equate to a U-value of 1.8 allowed for in the Part L buildings regulations. An “A” rating will reflect the standard of the best performing doors currently available.
Doors rated “F” & “G” would not satisfy buildings regulations, but have been included to cover product that is exempt such as those for historically listed buildings or other architecturally sensitive applications.
