FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There isn’t any difference, and they should actually be called PVC-U windows.

UPVC became PVCU in the UK in the late 1980’s for consistency with fellow European nations. It’s believed they referred to it as PVC-U because European languages mostly place the noun (being PVC in this case) before the adjective (U).

Poly Vinyl Chloride is the full name for ‘PVC’ and the ‘U’ represents Un-plasticised. Most of us know ‘PVC’ for its use in the production of goods such as shoes, bags, and fake leather – it’s modified prior to being used for this.

You can’t use pure PVC-U for manufacturing windows because it requires some additives first to ensure that they offer high weathering and UV resistance.

Without these additives, you also wouldn’t be able to achieve the famous white colour that you associate with windows.

White was previously one of very few colour options for replacement windows, but huge strides have been made and nowadays you can have them supplied in multiple eye-catching colours.

If you want to move away from white or cream, there are so many other options in our colour palette, including Hazy Grey, Matt Black, Anthracite Grey, and Olive Grey.

Premier Windows can also supply its windows with woodgrain finishes, such as Rosewood, and oak effect finishes, including Chartwell Green, Steel Blue, and Dark Red.

A partnering of colours is also a possibility, should you want one finish internally and a separate finish externally.

The Window Energy Rating (WER) of a window tells you how energy efficient the product is. White goods all have energy ratings e.g., washing machines, microwaves, freezers, fridges etc. and modern windows are now no different, energy rated from A+ – G.

At the time of writing, the most energy efficient window you can currently buy in the UK is an A+ rated window. The system used to rank the energy ratings of replacement windows also tells you whether a window design complies with Building Regulations.

If you have the money to buy them, it makes sense to buy A-rated or A+ rated windows so that you profit from outstanding thermal efficiency.

The minimum required WER for new or replacement windows is C or above. More information on WERs can be obtained from an advisor.

A window’s U-Value lets you know how effective a window is at retaining heat and preventing heat loss. It is measured in Watts per square metre or W/m2 K. The lower the U-Value number, the better the heat retention of the window.

The minimum permitted U-Value for new or replacement windows is 1.6 W/m2 K. Find out more about U-Values by talking to an advisor.

Secured by Design is a Police-backed scheme that is all about enhancing the security of buildings and their surroundings to make them safer places for people to live in.

SBD’s product-based accreditation scheme – the Police Preferred Specification – is the acknowledged standard for products that are specifically designed to minimise crime. It includes domestic windows and doors, and their different components, such as hinges, locks etc.

Most of our product range satisfies SBD standards as Conservatory Outlet, our sister manufacturing company, is an SBD-approved company. If overly concerned about home security, just let your advisor know.

Premier Windows is a member of Conservatory Outlet’s Retail Network, and the Wakefield company is one of the UK’s leading window manufacturers. All the windows are built in a hi-tech facility located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Being so close to our manufacturer is advantageous as it enables us to monitor our supply chain and check that the standard of our window products remains consistently high.

Yes, Premier Windows has FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) membership.

FENSA was formed by the GGF (Glass and Glazing Federation) and several prominent industry bodies, with Government backing, in response to Building Regulations.

Thermal performance standards must be upheld when you are intending to replace your existing windows and doors, and the issuing of a FENSA certificate once the project is complete, confirms that they comply with the rules.

As a FENSA member, we also have the authority to self-certify replacement window installations.

We’d like to get to know about your home a bit first and your requirements so that we can provide an accurate figure and avoid guessing a price.

Your replacement windows will need to be tailored for your home so that they comfortably slot into the available openings and fittings. Premier Windows also needs to be notified of any style, colour, and performance preferences that you have, and we need to do some measuring up.

Let’s get together in our Oswestry showroom for a proper chat or we can come out to your home to discuss things. Remote appointments via Zoom are also available.

Provide your details in the contact form and we will arrange a suitable time and date for us to talk.

We find that 1 hour is the average length of time required for us to understand what you would like, jot down any measurements that you supply and introduce you to the various window collections that we offer at Premier Windows.

No window project is ever the same and every customer has differing needs. It will also depend on how many windows require fitting and the complexity of the job. To give you a rough guide, a full house of windows usually takes about 3-4 days of work. An exact time scale will be given to you by your advisor once they know what’s involved.