Retrofitting windows essential for social housing upgrades

With housing associations and local authorities under pressure to improve the energy efficiency of millions of social homes, specifying the right window and door systems is critical to meeting modern performance standards. Retrofitting these components plays a key role in reducing heat loss, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations and enhancing long-term sustainability.

A new whitepaper from polymer specialist Rehau, Retrofit Right – Making Social Housing More Energy-Efficient, examines the role of fenestration in decarbonising the UK’s 4.4 million social homes, many of which were constructed between 1945 and 1980. The report outlines the technical considerations for window and door upgrades, detailing key metrics such as U-values, noise attenuation, security ratings and ventilation compliance.

Windows and doors are major contributors to a building’s overall thermal efficiency. Specifiers must consider U-values in line with the Future Homes Standard and PAS 2035 requirements to ensure compliance with government-mandated energy efficiency targets.

The report emphasises the importance of durable, low-maintenance materials. It states that coextruded polymer frames offer a sustainable alternative to traditional options, reducing embodied carbon while delivering robust weather resistance and longevity. Introducing digital identification technologies also enables housing providers to track and manage window assets efficiently. Systems store key performance data for each installed unit, streamlining maintenance, reducing callouts and improving lifecycle management.

Given the scale of the challenge, the whitepaper highlights the importance of resilient supply chains in ensuring high-quality specifications. Engaging with experienced fenestration suppliers can bridge knowledge gaps and alleviate procurement bottlenecks, allowing housing associations to select the best-suited products for their stock. 

Those looking to refine their retrofit strategies can access Rehau’s Retrofit Right whitepaper here.