News & Insights

Whether you are building a new home or upgrading the windows in an existing property, the end goal is the same: high-performance windows and doors that look right, insulate well, and last. But the path to getting there is different in each case. Regulations, structural realities, and the impact on your home’s energy rating all vary depending on the type of project, and understanding these differences early helps avoid costly mistakes or missed opportunities.

Regulatory differences

New builds in Ireland must comply with Part L of the Building Regulations, which sets minimum energy performance standards for the entire dwelling. Under the current Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) requirements, windows and doors must contribute to an overall energy model that accounts for insulation, airtightness, heating systems, and renewables. This means the glazing specification is not considered in isolation. It is part of a calculated whole-building approach, giving architects and specifiers some flexibility to balance U-values across different elements.

For renovations, the picture is different. Replacement windows must meet minimum elemental U-value requirements regardless of what else is happening in the building. If you are replacing windows in an existing home, each unit needs to meet the performance threshold on its own merit. There is also the question of whether the project triggers the major renovation threshold, which applies when more than 25% of the building envelope is being upgraded. If it does, the NZEB requirements for new builds come into play, raising the compliance bar significantly.

Planning permission adds another layer for renovation projects. Most like-for-like replacements are exempt from planning permission, but changes to window size, shape, or placement, or work on properties in conservation areas, may require formal consent.

Structural and practical constraints

In a new build, openings are designed around the windows. Wall depth, lintel positioning, insulation zones, and service runs are all planned with the final window specification in mind. This gives the design team full control over how the window integrates with the building envelope, including where it sits within the wall depth for optimal thermal bridging performance.

Renovations rarely offer that luxury. Existing openings are fixed. Wall construction varies, sometimes within the same property. Lintels may be undersized for heavier triple-glazed units. Reveals may be shallow, limiting frame depth options. And older walls may present challenges for achieving an airtight seal around the frame. None of these are insurmountable, but they require careful survey work and product selection to ensure the new windows perform as intended within the constraints of the existing structure.

BER impact

For new builds, the BER is calculated at design stage and must meet a minimum A2 or A3 rating. Windows are a key input in that calculation, and specifying high-performance glazing, whether double or triple, directly affects the modelled result.

For renovations, the BER impact of new windows can be dramatic, particularly in older homes where existing glazing is single or early double. Upgrading to modern high-performance units can shift a home’s BER by one or two grades, which in turn affects property value and eligibility for SEAI grant support. In many cases, windows are the single most visible and impactful upgrade a homeowner can make to their energy rating.

Getting the specification right

The key takeaway is that specification is not one-size-fits-all. A new build allows for an integrated design approach where windows are part of a coordinated energy strategy. A renovation demands adaptability, accurate surveying, and product selection that works within existing constraints while still delivering meaningful performance improvements.

Fairco works across both project types, from full new-build specifications to single-property renovations. Our survey, manufacturing, and installation process is designed to handle the complexities of each, ensuring that what is specified is what is delivered, regardless of the starting point.

Book a free consultation to discuss your project with the Fairco team.

Energy costs in Ireland remain stubbornly high. According to recent price tracking data, the average annual electricity bill for an Irish household now stands at over €1,800, with unit rates averaging around 36 cent per kWh. Gas prices remain roughly double their pre-2022 levels, and a further carbon tax increase taking effect in May 2026 will add to household heating costs. Ongoing geopolitical instability, including disruption to global oil and gas supply routes, continues to put upward pressure on wholesale energy markets.

For homeowners, these rising costs make one thing increasingly clear: reducing the amount of energy your home wastes is no longer optional. It is one of the most effective financial decisions you can make.

Where your heat is going

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimates that around 10% of a home’s heat is lost through windows and doors. In older or poorly insulated properties, that figure can be significantly higher, with some industry estimates placing it as high as 30% in un-retrofitted homes. Draughty frames, single or early double glazing, worn seals, and thermally weak profiles all contribute to heat escaping, forcing your heating system to work harder and longer to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Addressing this heat loss at the source, by upgrading to modern, high-performance glazing, directly reduces the energy your home consumes. That translates into lower bills, greater comfort, and less reliance on volatile energy markets.

How modern windows and doors reduce energy waste

Today’s energy-efficient windows and doors are engineered to minimise heat transfer through the building envelope. Key performance features include triple glazing with low-emissivity coatings, argon or krypton gas-filled cavities, warm-edge spacer bars that reduce heat loss at the glass perimeter, and multi-chambered or thermally broken frames that prevent conduction through the profile itself.

The combined effect is a dramatically lower U-value, meaning less heat passes through the window or door assembly. Fairco’s OMNIA Flush range, for example, achieves U-values as low as 0.75 W/m²K with triple glazing, while Performance uPVC and aluminium systems also deliver strong thermal performance across a range of styles and configurations.

Crucially, the benefit is not limited to the glazing alone. Precision installation with properly compressed seals and airtight detailing ensures that performance is maintained at every junction between the window and the wall. This is where the quality of both product and installer makes a measurable difference.

A long-term investment, not just a short-term fix

Upgrading windows and doors is not a quick fix for one winter. It is a long-term investment that continues to deliver savings year after year. With energy prices unlikely to return to pre-crisis levels, and carbon tax set to rise annually towards €100 per tonne by 2030, the cumulative financial benefit of reduced energy consumption only grows over time.

There is also a direct impact on your home’s Building Energy Rating (BER). Improved glazing and airtightness contribute to a better rating, which in turn supports property value and may improve eligibility for SEAI grant support.

Take control of your energy costs

You cannot control wholesale gas prices or global supply disruptions. But you can control how efficiently your home retains heat. Investing in high-performance windows and doors is one of the most practical steps any homeowner can take to reduce energy waste, lower bills, and future-proof against continued price uncertainty.

Contact Fairco for a free consultation and find out how upgrading your windows and doors can make a real difference to your home’s comfort and running costs.

Every Fairco window and door begins life in our production facility in County Antrim. It is where raw profiles become finished products, where design specifications are translated into precise, measurable outcomes, and where quality is built in rather than inspected afterwards. For over 35 years, manufacturing in-house has been central to how Fairco operates, and it remains the single biggest reason we can deliver consistent performance across almost 40,000 homes.

Why in-house manufacturing matters

Many window and door companies source finished products from third-party fabricators. Fairco does not. By controlling the entire production process under one roof, we maintain direct oversight of every stage, from material selection and profile cutting through to glazing, hardware fitting, and final quality checks.

This matters because a window is not a single component. It is a system. The frame, glazing, seals, hardware, and their assembly all determine how the finished product performs in your home. When one company is responsible for all of those elements, there is nowhere for standards to slip between handoffs. What is designed and measured is exactly what is produced.

Materials and precision

Fairco uses the highest-grade uPVC available for domestic applications. Profiles are cut, reinforced, and welded using CNC-controlled machinery to ensure tight tolerances and consistent frame geometry across every unit. This precision directly affects how well seals compress, how smoothly hardware operates, and how effectively the window performs thermally over its lifetime.

Glazing units are specified to match the performance requirements of each project, whether that is high-performance double glazing or triple glazing for maximum thermal efficiency. Hardware is selected and fitted to complement the frame and sash weight, ensuring smooth, reliable operation and PAS 24:2022 certified security across the full range.

From the factory to your home

The advantage of in-house manufacturing extends beyond the factory floor. Because Fairco also employs its own survey and installation teams, there is a single chain of responsibility from the first consultation through to the finished installation. Your windows and doors are surveyed by our team, built to those exact measurements in Antrim, and installed by professionals who understand the product because they work with it every day.

This integrated approach, covering design, manufacture, and installation, is what separates Fairco from companies that assemble or resell products made elsewhere. It is also what allows us to stand behind every product with a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee.

See it for yourself

Our Santry and Deansgrange showrooms display the full range of products manufactured at the Antrim facility, including Performance uPVC, OMNIA Flush, aluminium, and sash windows, in a wide selection of colours, finishes, and specifications. It is the best way to experience the quality of what comes out of our production line before it goes into your home.

Book a free consultation to discuss your project with the Fairco team.

Working from home is no longer a temporary arrangement. For hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland, the home office is now a permanent part of daily life. Whether it is a converted spare bedroom, a garden room extension, or a dedicated space in an attic conversion, the room you work in needs to support focus, comfort, and productivity for eight or more hours a day. Windows and doors play a bigger role in that than most people realise.

Natural light and where it falls

Good natural light is one of the most important factors in a comfortable workspace. It reduces eye strain, supports alertness, and makes a small room feel significantly more open. The size, position, and orientation of your windows all influence how much usable daylight reaches your desk throughout the day.

South and east-facing windows bring the most natural light during working hours, but they can also cause glare on screens if not managed well. The right glazing specification helps here. Low-emissivity coatings reduce solar heat gain without blocking visible light, keeping the room bright but comfortable. For rooms with large glazed areas, such as garden office extensions, sliding doors or bi-fold doors with slim aluminium frames maximise the glass area and flood the space with daylight.

Ventilation that works around you

Fresh air matters when you are spending a full day in one room. Stale, poorly ventilated spaces lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and that sluggish feeling by mid-afternoon. Tilt-and-turn windows are particularly well suited to home offices. The tilt position allows a steady flow of fresh air from the top of the sash without creating a draught across your desk or letting in rain. It also keeps the window secure while open, which matters if your office is on the ground floor.

Built-in trickle vents offer background ventilation without needing to open the window at all, useful during colder months when you want fresh air but not the temperature drop. More on how ventilation and energy efficiency work together is covered in our practical tips guide.

Keeping noise out

Concentration depends on a quiet environment. If your home office faces a busy road, a school, or a neighbour’s garden, external noise can make focused work difficult. Glazing specification has a direct impact on how much sound enters the room. Thicker glass, asymmetric pane configurations, wider cavities, and laminated glass all improve acoustic performance. For home offices on noisier elevations, specifying triple glazing or an acoustic laminated option can make a measurable difference to how the room sounds during the working day.

Frame quality and installation also matter. Even the best glass will underperform if seals are poorly compressed or if there are gaps around the frame. Precision manufacturing and professional installation ensure the acoustic performance tested in the factory is delivered in your home.

Thermal comfort through the day

A room that is too cold in the morning and too warm by afternoon is not a productive workspace. High-performance glazing with low U-values keeps the temperature stable without over-reliance on heating or cooling. This is especially important in smaller rooms and extensions where a single window or door opening accounts for a large proportion of the wall area. Well-specified windows reduce heat loss in winter and limit overheating in summer, keeping the room comfortable across the full working day.

The window behind you matters too

With video calls now part of the daily routine, your home office window is not just functional, it is your professional backdrop. The style of window in the frame behind you makes an impression, and this is where sash windows stand apart. The proportions, slim sightlines, and period detailing of a well-made sash window bring a sense of character and distinction to a room. For period properties, a Heritage Sash window with run-through horns and a deep bottom rail adds an architectural quality that elevates the entire space. It is a subtle difference, but in a room you spend eight hours a day in, and that colleagues and clients see on screen, it is one worth considering.

Specifying for your workspace

If you are converting a room, building an extension, or simply upgrading the windows in an existing home office, it is worth thinking about light, air, noise, and temperature together rather than in isolation. The right glazing, frame type, and opening configuration can address all four, turning a room that is adequate into one that actively supports how you work.

Fairco’s team can advise on the best combination of products for your workspace, whether that is a single window replacement or a fully glazed garden office. Book a free consultation to discuss your project.

If you live near a busy road, a flight path, or even a lively neighbourhood, noise is something you deal with every day. It affects sleep, concentration, and the overall comfort of your home. While most people associate new windows with better insulation and lower energy bills, the right glazing specification can also make a significant difference to how much external noise enters your home.

How glazing reduces sound

Sound travels as vibration. When it hits a pane of glass, the glass vibrates and transmits that energy to the air on the other side. The goal of acoustic glazing is to interrupt that transfer as effectively as possible. Several factors determine how well a glazing unit performs acoustically, and understanding them helps explain why not all double or triple-glazed windows deliver the same results.

Glass thickness is one of the most important variables. Thicker glass has more mass and absorbs more sound energy before transmitting it. However, every pane of glass has a natural resonant frequency at which it actually amplifies certain sounds rather than blocking them. This is known as the coincidence effect, and it is why using panes of different thicknesses in a sealed unit is so effective. When the outer pane resonates at one frequency and the inner pane at another, neither frequency passes through cleanly. Asymmetric glazing, for example, a 6mm outer pane paired with a 4mm inner pane, consistently outperforms units where both panes are the same thickness.

Cavity size and gas fill

The gap between the panes also plays a role. A wider cavity gives sound waves more distance to lose energy before reaching the inner glass. For thermal performance, cavities are typically 16mm to 20mm and filled with argon gas. Acoustically, a wider cavity improves low-frequency performance, which is particularly relevant for traffic and transport noise. However, there is a balance to strike. Very wide cavities increase the overall unit thickness and can affect how the unit fits within the frame profile, so glazing specification always involves trade-offs between thermal, acoustic, and structural requirements.

Laminated glass for acoustic control

For homes where noise is a serious concern, laminated glass offers an additional level of performance. Laminated glass consists of two layers of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer, typically PVB. This interlayer absorbs vibration, dampening sound transmission more effectively than a standard pane of equivalent thickness. Specialist acoustic interlayers can push noise reduction even further, making laminated glass particularly effective against both traffic noise and higher-frequency sounds like aircraft.

A standard double-glazed unit might achieve a noise reduction of around 25 to 30 dB. With the right combination of asymmetric glass thicknesses, a wider cavity, and laminated glass, that figure can rise to 40 dB or more. To put that in context, a 10 dB reduction is perceived by the human ear as roughly halving the volume. Moving from 25 dB to 40 dB represents a dramatic change in how your home sounds and feels.

It is not just about the glass

Glazing specification is critical, but the frame and installation matter too. Sound will find the weakest point in any assembly. Poorly sealed frames, gaps around the perimeter, or inadequate compression of weather seals will all undermine the acoustic performance of even the best glazing. This is why precision manufacturing and professional installation are essential. A window is only as quiet as its weakest seal.

Trickle vents also deserve consideration. While they are important for ventilation and air quality, standard trickle vents can allow some sound transmission. Acoustically rated vents are available for homes where noise is a primary concern.

Choosing the right specification for your home

There is no single glazing configuration that suits every situation. The type of noise you are exposed to, whether low-frequency traffic rumble, mid-range neighbourhood activity, or high-frequency aircraft, affects which combination of glass thickness, cavity width, and interlayer type will be most effective. Orientation matters too, as windows facing a noise source need a different specification to those on a quieter elevation.

Fairco’s team can help you assess your noise exposure and recommend a glazing specification that balances acoustic performance with thermal efficiency and security. Whether you are upgrading a few key windows or replacing the full house, getting the glazing right makes a measurable difference to how your home sounds and feels.

Book a free consultation to discuss your options, or visit our showrooms to learn more about Fairco’s glazing and window systems.