Designing for DfE Compliance: A practical specification guide for architects working in education
Designing education environments today means balancing performance, safety, sustainability and compliance, often against complex and evolving technical frameworks. For architects working on Department for Education (DfE) projects, Construction Framework 21 (CF21) and Construction Framework 25 (CF25) sit at the heart of this requirement.
To support architects at specification stage, Gradus and Gerflor have developed two practical, easy‑to‑use guides bringing the DfE technical specifications into a single, clearly structured resource for floor and wall solutions.
Why CF21 and CF25 Matter at Design Stage
CF21 and CF25 set out precise performance requirements by space and product type, covering aspects such as:
• Slip resistance and safety
• Durability and lifecycle performance
• Hygiene and cleanability
• Wet, humid or high‑impact environments
• Suitability for wheeled traffic and FF&E
• Environmental and sustainability considerations
Importantly, these frameworks consider interior finishes holistically.
Floors and Walls: A Joined‑Up Approach to Compliance
DfE guidance clearly distinguishes space‑driven performance criteria, not just product categories. That means a classroom, science lab, corridor or hygiene room must be assessed as a complete environment.
The Gradus and Gerflor guides reflect this reality by mapping compatible and compliant floor and wall solutions for each area.
This enables architects to specify with confidence knowing that surfaces meet all performance requirements.
What the Gradus and Gerflor CF21 and CF25 Guides Deliver
Designed specifically for specifiers, the guides translate the DfE technical documents into clear, practical tools for day‑to‑day design work.
Each guide includes:
• A clear breakdown of DfE floor and wall finish types
• Space‑by‑space compliance tables covering areas including teaching, circulation, wet, sports and specialist areas
• Aligned recommendations for flooring, wall protection and hygienic finishes
• Direct links to NBS‑ready products, performance data and environmental credentials
• Guidance that supports both new build and refurbishment projects
Rather than replacing the DfE documents, the guides act as a specifier’s shortcut, saving time while reducing uncertainty for product selection.
Download the Guides
If you’re currently working on or planning education projects, the Gradus and Gerflor CF21 and CF25 Guides are designed to support you from early design through to specification and delivery.
Download your copies here:
• CF21 DfE Compliance Guidance
• CF25 DfE Compliance Guidance
Both guides are free to download and structured to integrate seamlessly into your design and specification workflow.