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 Newton? 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 Budget Windows 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 Budget Windows 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 Budget Windows region.

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 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 Budget Windows 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 Budget Windows advisor who can help you choose the right option for you, your family and your home.

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 Budget Windows 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.

Budget Windows 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.