Aluminium Windows Berkshire

FAQs

• How disruptive is the whole process?

  It’s never easy having people in your home that you don’t know but our installations teams have been with us for years and know how to keep disruption to an absolute minimum. We usually like to start a window installation upstairs and work our way down. We put dustsheets down and hoover up after ourselves. We pride ourselves on being efficient, polite and always tidy in your home.

• Can you match my existing windows?

  It should be fairly easy to match the colour and style of your existing windows but as they may be up to 20 or more years old, advances in thermal insulation, security, glazing, handles and uPVC / aluminium technology mean we may not be able to get an exact match. Not a problem if we are replacing all the windows in your home but even if we aren’t, they would look very similar to your existing uPVC or aluminium windows.

• Safety e.g small child so requires locks / child-safe / Fire Escape

  It is always a concern when you have small children who like to explore but you can be assured that by having child restrictors fitted to your windows, they will stay safely where they are supposed to be. We also fit fire egress hinges where necessary so if the unthinkable happens, you always have a way out.

• What is a Dummy Sash?

  Also known as dummy vents, we install dummy sashes to create equal sightlines between opening windows and fixed panes. Fixed window panes with ‘dummy’ sashes imitate the look of opening windows, making all the visible panes sit in line. Dummy sashes do not open or have a handle and are purely fitted for aesthetic purposes.

• How do I maintain my new windows?

  Being made of uPVC or aluminium, the opening sashes and frames are virtually maintenance free and will only require cleaning with mild soapy water to look as good as new. We recommend that you apply a few drops of a silicone based lubricant every six months to all metal lock strips, handles and window mechanisms to maintain smooth operation and educe wear and tear.

• Do I need planning permission to replace my windows & doors?

  You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for:

  • Repairs, maintenance, and minor improvements, such as repainting window and door frames
    • insertion of new windows and doors that are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house (note – a new bay window will be treated as an extension and may require permission). If new windows are in an upper-floor side elevation they must be obscure-glazed and either non opening or more than 1.7 metres above the floor level

  New roof lights or skylights will not normally require an application for planning permission providing:
  • they do not protrude more than 150mm beyond the plane of the roof slope
  • they are no higher than the highest part of the roof
  • if they are in side elevation roof slope they must be obscure-glazed and either non opening or more than 1.7 metres above the floor level

  Occasionally, you may need to apply for planning permission for some of these works because your council has made an Article 4 Direction withdrawing permitted development rights. If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works – internal or external.

• What time of day do you start work?

  We aim to start work between 9.00am and 9.30am on the first day of installation. If your
  installation runs into two or more days, the team(s) will be onsite anytime from 8.00am onwards. Daily finishing times are dependent on the time of year. These range from 3.30pm in the winter to 6.00pm in the summer. We will of course, make specific arrangements should you require these.

• How & who do I pay?

  When your contract is drawn up , our payment terms are right next to where you sign and are clearly stated so there is no misunderstanding later on. We like to keep things as simple as possible so usually ask for a 20% deposit for windows, doors and roofline and nothing else is payable until your new products have been installed in your home and you’re completely happy. For larger projects we usually ask for a 10% deposit and a stage payment as the project progresses leaving an agreed balance due on completion. Any representative of the Company is authorised to collect payment on behalf of the Company. You can pay by cash, personal or building society cheque, credit or debit card. We have the facility to accept card payments over the phone direct to our finance department should you prefer. Please note that we can only accept credit card payments up to the value of £2,500. All our fitters can issue receipts and will issue your 10-year guarantee upon receipt of payment. You can also pay by direct transfer. Our bank details will be on your invoice.

• Will my new products be protected by a warranty?

  All our products come with an Amazon 10 year warranty. This means that if you have any issue in that period, you can be assured that a phone call or email into the office will be all that’s needed to get the issue resolved. This is backed up by an external warranty from the Consumer Protection Association so you have complete peace of mind that your products are covered for the full 10 years

• What options are available for Glass?

  Double glazed sealed units is our standard glazing option. Our double glazed sealed units are manufactured in a state of the art facility in Hampshire. The standard thickness of our double glazed sealed unit is 28mm but our units are available in other thicknesses. Our “A” rated windows come with sealed units filled with argon gas which further reduce heat loss and warm edge spacer bar which has the same effect. The outer pane of glass of all our double glazed sealed units is coated with a compound which reduces heat loss

  Triple glazed sealed units. For those who would like even more thermal and sound insulation, triple glazing is always an option. A third piece of glass is placed between the two pieces of glass in double glazing whilst maintaining the same 28mm overall thickness. The benefits of triple glazing are:

  • Increased thermal efficiency
  • Increased sound insulation

  We do not recommend triple glazing in doors due to the extra weight.

• Do I have to have trickle vents?

  Trickle vents are required for all new and replacement windows in the UK, including those in domestic and commercial properties. They’re also mandatory for windows in extensions.

   

  Trickle vents ensure proper ventilation, even when windows are closed. This helps to:

  • Improve thermal comfort
  • Reduce the risk of health problems caused by poor indoor air quality
  • Prevent mold and condensation build up

  There are some exceptions to the trickle vent requirement, including:

  • Listed and historic buildings
  • Houses next to busy roads
  • Properties with mechanical ventilation and heat recovery
  • Properties constructed from “vapour-permeable” materials, like stone, lime render, or wattle and daub
  • Homes where only 30% or less of the windows are being replaced

• Do I need double or triple glazing?

  Triple glazing is a fairly recent advance in glazing technology whereby a third piece of glass in fitted in between the two pieces of glass in a double glazed unit to make it a triple glazed unit. By doing this, the added benefits are increased thermal insulation and acoustic insulation. If you live in a noisy area, by a busy road , railway or near an airport, the benefits of triple glazing will be astounding when you’re at home and the windows are closed.

• Who are the Consumer Protection Association?

  We have been a member of the Consumer Protection Association for over 30 years and by being a member, it confirms that we have been / are:

  • Fully vetted

  • Highly skilled

  • Approved

  • Insurance protected

  • Competent

  • Validated

  CPA members are some of the most top-rated tradespeople in their chosen industry. Our members all fit strict and rigorous criteria, and only top-rated professionals with the best reputations can become members of the CPA. CPA accreditation is a testament to the quality of skills and trading practice standards that come with every project.  With an insurance back guarantee (IBG), deposit protection, and advice and support, working with a CPA accredited tradesperson is the best way to stay protected throughout the build and installation process and beyond.

• Who will I be dealing with?

  From your original enquiry to the final installation you’ll be dealing with people who really care about what they do. We have all worked for the company for years and know what you , as a valued customer, expect from us and we try to exceed your expectations through every part of the process. We want you to be thrilled with what we have done so you can tell your friends and family about us.

• Can I speak with someone as I’d prefer to deal with a human?

  Whenever you contact us, you will be dealing with a human being, not a chatbot or ‘intelligent’ phone system. Only a human can give you piece of mind that any query you may have is answered properly.

• What time of day do you start work?

  We aim to start work between 9.00am and 9.30am on the first day of installation. If your
  installation runs into two or more days, the team(s) will be onsite anytime from 8.00am onwards. Daily finishing times are dependent on the time of year. These range from 3.30pm in the winter to 6.00pm in the summer. We will of course, make specific arrangements should you require these.

• What happens if you damage my tiles or wallpaper?

  Whilst we take every step to ensure minimal damage is caused to the areas immediately
  surrounding your installation unfortunately, we cannot undertake to make repairs to tiles or wallpaper. We will of course, make good any plaster or brickwork that is required.