U-Value History

The u-value limits introduced in 1965 were:

1.7 for walls

1.4 for roofs

These were tightened in 1976 to:

1.0 for exposed walls, floors and non-solid ground and exposed floors
1.7 for semi-exposed walls

1.8 average for walls and windows combined

0.6 for roofs

1985 saw the second tightening of these limits, to:

0.6 for exposed walls, floors and ground floors
0.35 for roofs
These limits were reduced again in 1990:
0.45 for exposed walls, floors and ground floors
0.6 for semi-exposed walls

0.25 for roofs

plus a requirement that the area of windows should not be more than 15% of the floor area.
In the 1995 Building Regulations, insulation standards were cut to the following U-values:
0.45 for exposed walls, floors and ground floors
0.6 for semi-exposed walls and floors

0.25 for roofs

the limit on window area was raised to 22.5%
The 2002 regulations reduced the U-values, and made additional elements of the building fabric
subject to control. Although there was in practice considerable flexibility and the ability to 'trade off'

reductions in one are for increases in another, the 'target' limits became:
0.35 for walls

0.25 for floors

0.20 or 0.25 for pitched roofs (depending on the construction)

0.16 for flat roofs
2.2 for metal framed doors and windows

2.0 for other doors and windows

the limit on window area was raised again to 25%

YEAR

1965

1976

1985

1990

1995

2002

2006'

20102

U-Value W/m2.K

FABRIC

Walls

1.0

0.6

0.45

0.45

0.35

0.35

0.35

1.0

0.6

0.45

0.45

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.6

0.35

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.6

0.35

0.25

0.25

0.16

0.25

0.25

Windows metal

2.2

2.2

2.2

Windows all other

2.0

2.2

2.2

1.7

Floors

Pitched Roof
Flat Roof

Window Area

1.4

15%

22.5%

25%

Pedestrian Door

2.2

Vehicle Doors

1.5

1.5

Entrance Doors

6.0

3.5

10

10

Air Permeability3
Notes
1.

2.

3.

2006 values are area-weighted average limiting standards (Part L2A). SBEM calculation
required.
2010 values are limiting fabric parameters (Part L2A). SBEM calculation required.
Air permeability units m3/(h.m2) @ 50Pa.