FAQs

When it comes to windows, all the acronyms stand for the same material:

Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride, or UPVC for short. It has also been historically stylised as PVCU or even PVC, but concerning windows, it’s all one and the same.

UPVC is an incredibly versatile material that’s used in a wide range of sectors and industries. Its strength, durability and resistance to weathering and UV make it an ideal material to use in the manufacture of windows and doors.

The difference between the two window styles is where the casement is placed.

The casement is the part of the window that opens and closes. Casement windows (or standard, or even ‘lipped’) have openable parts protruding from the surrounding wall and frame. As the name implies, a flush window has a casement that seats.

When you see the two types of windows side-by-side, the difference is clear. Why not see for yourself in our showroom?

Ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for from your glazing.

In terms of differences between the two options, the obvious one is the number of glazed units housed within the window: two for double and three for triple.

Generally, triple-glazed windows are better at retaining heat than double and can achieve a higher energy rating. In some instances, they can perform better acoustically – though if sound is a concern, you can get specific acoustic glass to combat noise pollution.

However, there is an uplift in cost between double and triple glazing.
We’d recommend speaking to a member of our team and they’ll be able to provide advice tailored to your home and needs.

Lots!

The days of only being able to have pure white windows are a thing of the past.

Our range of exclusive UPVC and aluminium windows can come in a range of colours and shades, from your classic creams and whites to modern finishes, such as bold blues and gorgeous greens. And then there are the woodgrain options!

To see the full range of options available, either download one of our brochures or visit your nearest showroom where a member of the team will happily talk you through them.

Windows receive a rating to show how energy-efficient they are. The system used is the Window Energy Rating (WER) which is shown on a scale of A++ to E, with A++ being the best. The scheme is similar to that seen on household appliances and other white goods.

When buying new windows, always look for higher-rated windows. That way, you can be assured that your windows are the best available and will help keep your house warm and your energy bills to a minimum.

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

The U-value determines how well a window retains heat. This is measured in watts per square metre, or W/m2K

All new or replacement windows must have a minimum U-Value of 1.4 W/m2K. Ask your Clearview advisor for further details about the performance of our range of aluminium and UPVC windows and they’ll be only too happy to help.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-supported imitative that works to improve the security of buildings and neighbourhoods by designing out vulnerabilities.

Products that carry the SBD accreditation mean that they have been tested to high standards and offer leading security and safety features.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered Secured by Design member and as such, many of our windows and doors meet the demands of this police-back safety standard.

All our windows are manufactured by Conservatory Outlet, one of the biggest fabricators in the country.

We have a longstanding partnership with Conservatory Outlet and as such, we’re the only company in Somerset that offers their high-performance range of windows.

No. Although the different types of composite door will share some properties, each one is different.

For example, our standard composite doors are 44mm deep and are foam filled whilst our Extreme Solid Core Doors are 48mm thick and are made with laminated layers of timber.

If you’d like to learn more about our different types of composite doors, please speak with a member of the team.

Yes, you can!

In most instances, you can choose to have different colours inside and out. This means you can get creative with your colour schemes and create the perfect door to match your home.

As standard, we’ll supply you with three sets of keys. But if you’d like any extra sets, just let us know.

Yes, this is possible. If ordering multiple doors from us, just let us know that you’d like the doors to be suited and we’ll take care of the rest.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-supported imitative that works to improve the security of buildings and neighbourhoods by designing out vulnerabilities.

Products that carry the SBD accreditation mean that they have been tested to high standards and offer leading security and safety features.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered Secured by Design member and as such, many of our windows and doors meet the demands of this police-back safety standard.

All locks are tested and rated. Three stars is the highest score attainable.

Our door cylinders feature snap-secure technology and a special lockdown mode.

Combined, these prevent the barrel from being compromised during a brute-force attack.

Yes, you can order your French doors with an egress hinge. This will allow your French doors to fold completely back.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as both options have numerous benefits and will help transform your home and garden.

Sliding patio doors have slimmer frames than bi-folding doors, so even when closed you get a larger view of your garden. However, when open bi-folds take up less space and open your property to the outside.

Decades ago, these three types of living spaces were fairly clear. However, as technology, design and manufacturing capabilities have improved, the differences between a conservatory, orangery and an extension have become markedly less and less.

The truth is that today, your living space can be anything you want it to be – who needs labels anyway?

A traditional conservatory is a predominantly glass structure – glass walls and a glass roof – with some dwarf walls. These days, it is possible for conservatories to feature more brickwork and even have a tiled roof.

One of the main features of an orangery is its pillars, which can be either brick or aluminium. An orangery will typically have more brickwork than an orangery. As for the roof, anything fits! All types of roofs work with an orangery, so you can pick a glass, tiled or even a hybrid option.

A home extension will look and feel like a natural addition to your home, as opposed to the glass-first design of a conservatory.

Whatever it is that you’re after, or whatever you have in mind, have a chat with a Permaframe advisor and then can design you your dream space.

This depends on several things. You might want to maximise light in the room and be able to stargaze on a night. If that’s the case, then a glass roof is the way to go. If you want a more traditional roof and one that offers privacy, then we’d recommend a tiled roof.

But you’re best served to answer this question. Talk things through with the Permaframe team. Who knows, you might even settle for a hybrid roof.

All the products and materials we use have been chosen because of their thermal performance and energy efficiency. No matter what type of roof you choose, or whether you want brick walls and glass, your room will be a nice temperature all year round.

Our roofs are manufactured by our fabrication partner, Conservatory Outlet, at their modern UK facility.

Yes, of course. We have several different slate and shingle options available.

Solar control glazing (or glass) is a specialist type of glass that allows sunlight to pass through it yet works to block excessive heat from transferring into your property. This glass works wonders in conservatories and orangeries as it allows plenty of light in, yet ensures the space doesn’t become too hot in the summer months.

Yes. Before any building work begins, you’ll be asked to sign off on the nearest available brick match. Please keep in mind, however, that there may be manufacturing and weathering differences and so an exact match cannot be guaranteed.

If you do want an exact match, one that replicates the age of your bricks, you can opt to have them tinted. But please note this will incur additional costs.

Many extensions do require additional approval under Building Regulations, however, some don’t. But don’t worry, we’ll help sort out all the necessary applications and paperwork surrounding your new living space.

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.

Without having the finalised plans, it’s hard to say. How long the building phase lasts will depend on several factors, such as the complexity of the design and the predatory work required.

A test dig is a small excavation of ground used to determine what conditions are on site. This can be done to see what form of foundation would be best for the property, either a traditional concrete foundation, a specialist pile foundation, or a concrete raft.

A cavity tray crosses the inner cavity of a wall and dispels moisture away from the inner wall and out through weep vents in the external wall.

This depends on several things. You might want to maximise light in the room and be able to stargaze on a night. If that’s the case, then a glass roof is the way to go. If you want a more traditional roof and one that offers privacy, then we’d recommend a tiled roof.

But you’re best served to answer this question. Talk things through with the Permaframe team. Who knows, you might even settle for a hybrid roof.

If you’re investing in a new, thermally efficient roof, we believe it makes sense to replace your old frames at the same time.

Your existing windows and frames will not be as energy efficient or as secure as today’s options. This can cause problems and impact the performance of your new roof.

Have a chat with a Permaframe advisor and they’ll be able to help make your room as warm and comfortable as possible.

Replacement solid roofs systems comprise of:

• A pre-engineered, lightweight structural frame
• Insulating panels
• Fire-grade plasterboard
• Exterior-grade plywood
• Specialist roof membrane
• Tiles or solid panels, of your choosing.

The roof itself will arrive prefabricated so that the installation process can be completed as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

A clad over roof is a cheaper and potentially dangerous type of roof. These roofs are placed on top of and cover an existing roof structure. At no point is the existing roof – glass, solid or tiled – is removed.

This causes multiple problems concerning fire safety and structural integrity.

Issues with clad over roofs

• • Weight: Clad over solutions can be too heavy for your existing frames. Any old conservatory structure needs to have a roof that’s suitable and lightweight. 

• Fire Safety: Clad over roofs do not meet current fire safety regulations as they are never tested as an installed, complete structure. Roofs must have a fire safety rating of AC, AB or AA per BS476-3.

• Building Regulations: Clad over systems do not generally get Building Regulation Approval due to their low thermal value or structural integrity. You are required to notify Building Control if you are making a change to any structure (including replacing a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof with a solid roof) their approval ensures your new roof is structurally sound.

All the products and materials we use have been chosen because of their thermal performance and energy efficiency. No matter what type of roof you choose, or whether you want brick walls and glass, your room will be a nice temperature all year round.

Prices will vary depending on the size of the structure and the materials used. However, you should expect your quote to come in anywhere between £5,000 and £12,000 – though there are of course exceptions.

A tiled roof replacement can be installed in as little as a few days.

Planning permission is not needed when replacing an existing roof, but Buildings Regulation Control is. A property sale cannot be made without this.

Obtaining Building Regulations approval from your local authority means that your system has been installed correctly and vetted by an authorised inspector. You’ll also have peace of mind that should you sell the property, there won’t be any issues with any undocumented work.