The recent change to Part L present a major step change in how the energy use of buildings is determined as the Government moves towards their aspiration for zero carbon buildings.

Part L covers the building regulations in England and Wales and in Scotland this covered by Technical Handbook, Section 6 – Energy.

The regulations distinguish between new build and existing properties, as well as between dwellings and non-domestic buildings. Part L is divided into four sections:

• L1A ‘New Dwellings’.
• L1B ‘Existing Dwellings’.
• L2A ‘ New Buildings other than dwellings’.
• L2B ‘Existing Buildings other than dwellings’.

The main area of interest for metal cladding systems is the non-domestic sector and a brief summary of the changes to these building regulations is provided in the technical section of  the panels and profiles website.