Frequently asked questions when buying new windows

There is actually no difference between the three terms. In fact, the correct term is PVC-U.

The name changed from UPVC to PCVU in the late 1980’s, which coincided with our European neighbours. In European languages they mostly write the noun (PVC) first before the adjective (U).

PVC is an abbreviation of Poly Vinyl Chloride and U is an abbreviation of Un-plasticised. Poly Vinyl Chloride is used for many products, including bags, shoes and faux leather, which is why we are often familiar with the term PVC.

Interestingly, we cannot use pure PVC-U for windows and doors. Instead, a tiny amount of additives are added. This ensures the PVC-U can offer longevity and weather resistance, which is important when going up against the temperamental British weather! The additives also give the windows and doors a white colour.

You will be spoilt for choice with the amount of colour possibilities we supply for our replacement windows and doors!

At Yorkshire Windows, we really do cater for every kind of customer. We have white, cream and other neutrals you would expect to find, but you will also find contemporary shades of grey, green and black.

There are also many stunning options of wood grain finishes for your windows. There is the elegant Rosewood and statement colours such as Steel Blue and Chartwell Green.

If you can’t decide between two colours, why not choose one colour for the internal window and one for the external?

Many homeowners want their windows to be labelled as ‘eco-friendly’ so they’re not built to the detriment of the planet. Windows Energy Ratings (WERs) developed a traffic light system to help consumers figure out if this is the case, using a scale of A+-G.

An A or A+ rating exceeds the energy efficient standards demanded by The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) as all new and replacement windows need a rating of C or above.

Not only will A and A+ rated windows keep your house warm, you can look forward to a quieter home too thanks to how the window is engineered and its chambered frames and refined compression seals.

Don’t hesitate to ask your Yorkshire Windows advisor for further information on this important topic.

A U-Value gives indication of how good your window is at preventing internal heat from escaping your home. The value is measured in Watts per square metre, or W/m2 K. The lower the U-Value number, the better the window is at retaining heat inside the home.

Every new or replacement window must have a U Value of 1.6 W/m2 K at least. Our Yorkshire Windows advisors will be more than happy to explain this to you further.

Secured by Design (SBD) is a police endorsed security initiative, which has the aim of heightening security of buildings and their surroundings.

Referred to as the Police Preferred Specification, Secured by Design’s product-based certification has created a standard for every security product, including doors, locks and hinges as they have a significant role in preventing crime.

We are happy to tell you that our sister manufacturing company, Conservatory Outlet, is a member of SBD. Therefore, a number of our products have been tested to ensure they meet the requirements of this standard. Ask a Yorkshire Windows advisor for more information if you are concerned about the security of your windows.

Yes. In order to meet the needs of our customers – Yorkshire Windows’ products are manufactured by our Conservatory Outlet fabricator – operating from a manufacturing facility with the latest technological machinery in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Our extensive range of products uses the most advanced materials on the market – ensuring the perfect consistency of quality, colour, and finish throughout every product range. In fact, with a large capacity, modern delivery fleets and Conservatory Outlet’s commitment to offering short lead times enables Yorkshire Windows to supply the products, when our customers need them – and with impressive speed, efficiency, and quality.

Well they are bound to lose their efficiency over time, and the onward march of technology means our new ones will not only look better, but are sure to be more efficient on many counts.

You want neither very high nor very low temperatures in your house. You need comfort from a good steady level of heat, and our windows are key here, because we use glass designed to allow only a low outflow of heat intensifying the insulation capacity of the window. The low outflow glass uses heat from the sun in the winter, but also in summer lessens the hot sun which can blaze through the windows on those welcome days.

Comfort inside, no matter what it is like outside, is the benefit here.

At Yorkshire Windows we have a wide range of thermally efficient UPVC window frames with a choice of double, triple glazing options which can be tailored to suit your home.

First of all you need to know that condensation forms on glass when its temperature is lower than the air around it, air that holds a lot of water vapour.

To combat condensation our double and triple glazed windows are designed so that the inside pane of glass will have a temperature far greater than any single glazed window. The result of having this higher temperature is that the warm air inside your house meets the glass and condensation becomes virtually non-existent – the glass is warmer than the air around it.

Keeping you and your windows warm keeps the condensation away.

You want to keep your gas and electricity bills down to a minimum?

Of course you do – no point in paying higher energy bills when you can pay lower ones. Our double and triple glazing certainly helps. New windows, warmer house, lower bills.

Everyone wants their windows to prevent excessive noise from outside, for example traffic noise, disturbing their peace and quiet inside.

Opening windows, even slightly, will always allow noise to enter, but when your windows are closed, and when they are fitted well, that noise can be kept to a very minimum. We use scientific measurement techniques to ensure a high level of noise control, as shown in the following table where the highlighted glass units installed by us provide a very high level of noise control.

A double glazed unit is two panes of glass with space in between, and a triple glazed unit has a third pane of glass added. Both the double and triple glazed units are held together using spacer bars in between the panes.

Because our double glazed and triple glazed windows are energy efficient they will enable you to comply with the latest Building Regulations. We will guide you here so you need have no worries on that score.

UPVC (un-plasticised polyvinyl chloride) window frames were first introduced in the UK in the 1980s and offered many benefits over traditional wooden window frames.

Since then technology and manufacturing has revolutionized the styles, efficiency and security of UPVC frames.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give you an estimation of the cost to replace your windows and doors without discussing your requirements first.

Our windows and doors are made to measure, specifically for you and your required measurements. There are countless options of styles, colours and performance benefits to choose from. We will need to walk you through the many possibilities before giving you a precise price.

Request a free design appointment to take place in your home or on Zoom to discuss everything.

Input your details into our contact form ‘Appointment Booking Form‘ and we will be in touch to organise a time that works for you.

For the first appointment, we recommend it to be at least an hour. During this time slot, a Yorkshire Windows designer will have plenty of time to grasp your vision, make a note of all your measurements and guide you through our many possibilities.

Each job is unique, so it isn’t easy to give an accurate time frame. It will depend on many factors, such as the number of installations and the intricacy of the task. However, to give you a rough idea, an entire house of windows can take around 3-4 days. Speak to a Yorkshire Windows advisor for a more specific idea of timings.

Yes, we can. To make life easy for you, Yorkshire Windows can arrange a variety of convenient easy payment finance options – subject to status. Making an application is simple and we promise you a quick decision. Many of our finance options allow you the convenience and flexibility of spreading the cost of your home improvements over 60, 120 or even 180 months if you are spending over a certain amount.

If you are obtaining finance through one of our offers, the company will let us both know so you can wait for us to contact you. However, if you are organising your own finance, please call us as soon as you are approved.

There are a few possible reasons that you may have been turned down. It could even be because you have moved house many times over the last few years. For reasons like this, we will try to help. It often makes sense to try a different provider and it can help if they are familiar with you.

Everything can be sorted out with you in the comfort of your home or at your local Yorkshire Windows showroom, in Doncaster or Wakefield – and you should get an answer to your application within 24 hours so you can enjoy whatever you’ve set your heart on right away. However, it can sometimes take longer so please don’t worry!