FAQs

When it comes to your windows and other home improvement products, absolutely nothing.

All three acronyms refer to the same material, Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride. This is a low-maintenance building product that’s widely used across the industry.

The reason for the different acronyms is due to different languages and an attempt and standardisation in the 1980s. Many non-English languages place the adjective after the verb, hence the switch from UPVC and PVCU – hence both terms are used interchangeably.

As for PVC, some people and products drop the ‘U’ for brevity.

The difference between a casement (or ‘lipped’) and a flush window is where the part of the window that opens and closes is located.

In a casement window, this is located outside of the frame. In a flush window, it’s housed level with the surrounding frame.

For a closer look at the two types of windows, why not visit our showroom in Oswestry? There you can see both casement and flush windows and see the difference yourself.

Typically, triple glazing is better at retaining internal heat and preventing cold spots than double glazing. However, it’s worth noting that there is a difference in cost between the two options, due to the extra pane of glass required.

Double glazing can still achieve high energy ratings for your windows, so we’d suggest that you speak with a member of our team who’ll be able to advise accordingly.

All our windows are available in a wide range of colours.

We’re far removed from the days when windows had to be white. We can offer classic colours such as creams and greys, through to popular contemporary options, such as your reds, greens and blue. We’ve even got a beautiful collection of woodgrain finishes if you want to replicate that timeless timber look.

Also, we can provide windows with different colours inside and out – so you can really mix things up!

The Window Energy Rating (WER) is a consumer-friendly traffic light system that shows how energy efficient a window is, on a scale of A++ to G. It’s very similar to the system used to display the energy ratings of home appliances and white goods.

WERs are also recognised in the BFRC Rating Scheme. This is important as it forms a crucial part of national Building Regulations and determines if your windows meet current guidelines.

When purchasing new or replacement windows, look for those than carry the highest possible rating. That way you be sure your windows will be the best available.

To learn more about the energy efficiency of our windows, please speak with a member of the Premier team.

A window’s U-value shows how well it retains internal heat. This is measured in Watts per square metre, of W/m2K.

All new or replacement windows must have a U-value of 1.4 or lower.

Ask your Premier advisor for further details and they’ll be only too happy to help.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-backed imitative that looks to improve the security of people’s homes and neighbourhoods. They aim to achieve this by designing out potential flaws and vulnerabilities.

SBD’s accreditation scheme provides a recognised standard for which all products and components can be tested. For us, this relates to windows and doors, as well as individual parts such as locks and hinges.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a long term and registered member of Secured by Design. Many of our products are tested to meet this high standard.

Our windows are made by Conservatory Outlet, the UK’s leading window fabricator.

Thanks to our exclusive agreement with them, we’re able to provide the very best selection of windows to our customers across the Premier region.

Yes, we are members of FENSA. Our registration number is 17500.

FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. Following Government encouragement, FENSA has been set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies in response to Building Regulations for double glazing companies in England and Wales.

When replacing windows and doors, homeowners must comply with current thermal performance standards and ensure they get a certificate from FENSA or Local Authority Building Control. FENSA enables companies that install replacement windows and doors to self-certify compliance under these Building Regulations without the need for a separate assessment from Building Control.

No, not all composite doors are the same.

We offer two different types of composite doors. The first set are 44mm thick and are foam-filled to give them their strength. They are finished in a coloured GRP skin.

Then, we have the Extreme Solid Core door. These are slightly deeper at 48mm and are made from interlocking laminated layers of timber. This makes them stronger and a little bit heavier.

There is a price uplift between the two and we’d suggest speaking with a member of the team to find out which composite door is best for you.

Yes, you can. In most instances, you’ll be able to choose different colours inside and out.

For example, you could opt for a white inside panel and red for the outside!

As standard, we’d provide three sets of keys. Though if you’d like more, please let us know in advance.

Absolutely. Just let your Premier advisor know when ordering and they can ensure both sets of keys match.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-backed imitative that looks to improve the security of people’s homes and neighbourhoods. They aim to achieve this by designing out potential flaws and vulnerabilities.

SBD’s accreditation scheme provides a recognised standard for which all products and components can be tested. For us, this relates to windows and doors, as well as individual parts such as locks and hinges.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a long term and registered member of Secured by Design. Many of our products are tested to meet this high standard.

A 3 Star-rated door barrel is a locking cylinder that has achieved the highest grade possible and provides maximum protection against break-ins. Our door cylinders feature unique snap-secure technology and a lockdown mode that prevents the barrel from being compromised.

Yes, they can. Mention this to your design consultant and we can ensure your French doors are fitted with an egress hinge so they fold all the way back.

If you have a large opening at the rear of your property or living space, bi-folding and patio doors will help improve access and turn an entrance way into a true feature.

Both styles of door have their advantages. Bi-folding doors fold all the way back whilst patio doors have slimmer frames, so you get a less-obstructed view of your garden.

Speak to a Premier advisor who can help you choose the right option for you, your family and your home.

A whole lot and not very much!

To be honest, the lines between these types of living spaces have blurred in recent years. Due to design trends shifting and construction techniques improving, it’s possible to have a room that has characteristics of all three.

Traditionally speaking, though, a conservatory would be seen as a predominantly glass structure. Glass walls and a glass roof combine to afford stunning views of your garden and the sky. These days though, you can have a conservatory with some form of brick walls or even a tiled roof.

An orangery usually features more brickwork than a conservatory, which creates a more luxurious look and feel. They also tend to have a pelmet around the roof structure, which provides some extra thermal insulation. And as for roofs, anything goes! Orangeries can be finished with a glass, tiled or hybrid roof.

Home extensions tend to be designed as a natural addition to your house. Many incorporate solid brick walls with some windows, and a tiled roof of some kind.
However, you could design your own roof, one that incorporates both glass and solid panels.

Why don’t you have a chat with a Premier designer who’ll be happy to help create your dream space?

This depends on how you plan to use your roof, which direction it faces and your budget.

If you’re after plenty of natural light and a lovely view out into your garden and the world beyond, then we’d suggest going for a glass roof. With the advancements of solar-controlled glazing, you can easily pick a glass roof that keeps your room at a comfortable temperature all year round.

But if you want a space that feels more in tune with the rest of your property, then a tiled roof is the way to go. Plus, with these roofs, you have the option to add in some glazed panels.

All of our products are designed with year-round comfort and use in mind.
We’re far removed from the days when polycarbonate conservatories were the in thing – and with good reason!

Solar control glazing gives you some great options that can make a real difference and our tiled roofs offer lots of insulation and comfort.

All our roofs are manufactured by our key partner, Conservatory Outlet. Thanks to our exclusive agreement with them, we’re able to provide the very best selection of roof products and glazing panels to our customers in Powys and Premier.

Absolutely. We can provide a variety of shingle and slate options for you to pick from, as well as different membrane options.

Solar control glazing is a special type of glass that can limit the amount of heat that passes through it and into your living space. This glass is commonly used in conservatory and orangery roofs.

Of course. Before any building work begins, we’ll look to source the closest available brick match and confirm this with you.

There may be slight differences as your existing brick will have been exposed to the elements for a number of years. If you aren’t happy with the match provided, your bricks could be tinted – though this will come at an additional cost.

The majority of extensions require approval under Building Regulations. We’ll take care of the entire planning process and advise you of what’s needed along the way.

An extension or an addition to your house is typically considered to be a permitted development. This means it does not require an application for planning permission if specific criteria are met.

Generally, these are:

• The ground area covered by the extension and any other buildings within the boundary of the property, excluding the original house, is not more than half the total area of the property.
• The extension is not higher than the existing highest point of the house.
• The eaves of the extension are not higher than the eaves of the existing house.
• The extension does not extend buoying any road-facing wall if it forms the main or side elevation of the existing property.
• The eaves do not exceed 3 metres in height if the extension is within 2 metres of the property’s boundary.
• The materials used in the work, except in the case of a conservatory, are of similar appearance to the existing house
• An upper floor window on a side elevation within 15 metres of a boundary with another house is obscured glazed and is non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed.
• A side extension does not exceed 4 metres in height or be wider than half the width of the house.

In a single-storey extension:

• The extension does not extend past the rear wall of the original house by:

• 4 metres for a detached house
• 3 metres for any other type of house

• The height of the extension is not greater than 4 metres
• No part of the extension is within 3.5 metres of a property boundary with a road opposite the rear wall of the house.

In an extension with more than one storey:

• The extension does not extend past the rear wall of the original house by more than 3 metres
• No part of the extension is within 7 metres of the property boundary opposite the rear wall of the house
• The roof pitch of the enlargement is as far as is practicable the same as that of the original house

If you live in a house within a conservation area, World Heritage Site, Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) or National Park:

• No part of the exterior of the house is clad with stone, artificial stone, pebbledash, render, timber, plastic or tiles
• The extension is not more than 1 storey or 4 metres in height
• No part of the extension extends beyond a principal or side elevation of the original house.

Every design and build is different. As such, it’s hard to estimate how long a particular project will be without knowing all the details.

If your project is time-critical, or you’re already in the process of creating a new living space with us, please check with a member of the Premier team who’ll be able to assist.

A test dig is a vital part of the build process as it allows us to investigate ground conditions before more invasive work is done. Doing the dig enables us to determine what type of base to use and alerts us to any potential problems, such as undocumented pipework.

A cavity tray is a type of damp-proof course that helps channel water from a cavity and out through the external wall.

This depends on how you plan to use your roof, which direction it faces and your budget.

If you’re after plenty of natural light and a lovely view out into your garden and the world beyond, then we’d suggest going for a glass roof. With the advancements of solar-controlled glazing, you can easily pick a glass roof that keeps your room at a comfortable temperature all year round.

But if you want a space that feels more in tune with the rest of your property, then a tiled roof is the way to go. Plus, with these roofs, you have the option to add in some glazed panels.

If you’re going to the trouble and expense of replacing your conservatory roof, we believe it makes sense to update your frames at the same time. Failing to do so will compromise the warmth and comfort of your living space.

Have a chat with a member of the Premier team and we’ll work out an excellent deal, just for you.

The roof itself is made of several parts, including A pre-engineered, lightweight frame’; insulated panels, fire-grade plasterboard; exterior-grade plywood and an impenetrable membrane. It’s then finished with your choice of either tiles or solid panels.

A clad over roof is an alternative type of roof ‘replacement’. It’s something that other businesses might offer and it’s something we would never recommend.

This is because a clad over roof sits on top of your existing roof. This is extremely bad practice for several, important reasons:

• Weight: Clad over systems can be too heavy for your existing frames or structural support. 
• Fire Safety: Clad over systems are only tested in isolation. This means that they can’t be tested as part of a complete structure or building and might fall foul of fire safety legislation
• Building Regulations: Clad over roofs tend to be denied Building Regulations approval due to their low thermal value and/or structural integrity. 

All of our products are designed with year-round comfort and use in mind.
We’re far removed from the days when polycarbonate conservatories were the in thing – and with good reason!

Solar control glazing gives you some great options that can make a real difference and our tiled roofs offer lots of insulation and comfort.

The cost will vary but as a rule of thumb, you should expect to be quoted anywhere between £5,000 for a standard conservatory roof replacement to upwards of £10-12,000 for a larger, more complex one.

As ever, this depends on the size of the structure, design and whether you want to incorporate features such as lanterns of Velux windows. To give some sort of estimate, replacement roofs can cost anywhere from £5,000 upwards.

Premier has a useful finance calculator which can help you work out an easy-to-afford payment plan that fits your budget.

With our skilled installation team, we can normally replace a roof within a few days – depending on the weather!

You don’t need full planning permission, but you should notify Building Regulation Control. Failing to do so and obtaining the necessary paperwork could cause problems should you decide to sell the house in the future.

Getting Building Regulations approval from your local authority body shows that the work has been checked by a government-approved inspector. This is vital and will provide peace of mind that everything has been fitted correctly.