What Every Scottish Home Renovator Should Know
If you’re planning a home renovation in Scotland, there are a few things you can afford to get wrong. Your doors aren’t one of them.
Recent updates to Scottish building regulations mean the type of doors you choose now carry more weight than ever. Whether you’re upgrading your home, building an extension, or fitting out a new build, it’s vital to understand how these rules could affect your project. At Finewood Doors in Falkirk, we’re seeing more and more customers caught out by small mistakes that end up causing big delays and costs. This guide will help you avoid them.
What’s Changed in Scottish Building Regulations?
In 2022, the Scottish Government introduced updates to the building standards. While many of the changes cover a range of areas, two in particular affect the kind of doors you can install: thermal performance and accessibility.
These changes don’t just apply to new builds. If you’re renovating and making significant changes to your layout or entrances, you may also need to comply.
1. Thermal Performance (Section 6 – Energy)
The goal is simple: reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in Scottish homes. One of the key ways this is being tackled is by tightening the U-value requirements. U-values measure how well a building element (like a door) retains heat. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation.
Previously, external doors needed a U-value of 1.8 W/m2K or better. Now, that requirement has been reduced to 1.4 W/m2K in most cases. This means that many older or basic doors no longer make the cut, especially if they’re part of an extension or new build.
2. Accessibility (Section 4 – Safety)
There’s also been a push to make homes more accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users. New standards mean door widths, thresholds, and clear opening sizes are all under scrutiny. Main entrance doors should now have:
A clear opening width of at least 800mm
Low thresholds (ideally level or ramped)
Easy-to-use handles and locking systems
How to Choose the Right Door from the Start
At Finewood Doors, we stock a wide range of internal and external doors that meet or exceed current Scottish regulations. Here’s what to look for:
For External Doors
Check the U-value before you buy. Aim for 1.4 W/m2K or lower.
Choose doors with double or triple glazing if they have glass panels.
Look for solid-core construction for better thermal and acoustic insulation.
Consider composite doors, which often offer superior performance.
For Main Entrance Doors (especially in new builds)
Confirm the door has a minimum clear opening width of 800mm.
Opt for low-threshold systems to aid accessibility.
Select doors with easy-grip handles and multi-point locks that are simple to operate.
For Internal Doors
While thermal performance is less critical indoors, accessibility standards may still apply for certain types of conversions (like garage-to-room).
Wider internal doors can improve access and future-proof your home.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Here are some issues we regularly see that can cause problems later
They will. Door compliance is one of the things they check.
You can have both. But make sure your chosen style doesn’t sacrifice insulation or width.
Not all doors sold online are compliant with UK (or Scottish) regulations. Always double-check or buy from a local supplier who knows the rules.
Handles, closers, and thresholds all play a role in meeting accessibility standards.
Why Buy from Finewood Doors in Falkirk?
We don’t just sell doors. We help homeowners, builders and architects choose the right products from the beginning. Our team understands the Scottish building regulations inside and out, and we make sure every door we stock complies with current standards. We can also give advice on.
Building warrant requirements
Which doors best suit different types of projects
Installation tips for compliance
Plus, we stock a wide variety of styles, finishes, and price points. Whether you’re upgrading a single front door or kitting out an entire home, we’ve got options that look great and tick all the legal boxes.
