Frequently asked questions

General FAQ’s

  • Can I get a price or a quote via email or over the phone?
    When you buy from Broadland Windows you aren’t buying an off the shelf product. All of our products are custom made and individually tailored to suit your home, taste, budget and requirements. Therefore, as no two products are the same, we offer a free no-obligation appointment service with expert local consultants.
  • What does your guarantee cover, and for how long?
    We offer a range of long-term guarantees covering all of our products. The exact details of the guarantee depend on the product and install/supply type. Generally 10 years for the integrity of installation, 10years for sealed units passed directly from our sealed unit supplier and 24months minimum for ironmongery. (Subject to demonstrating maintenance is undertaken as required)
  • Are there any benefits for recommending Broadland Windows to a friend?
    For anyone you recommend that purchases a Broadland Window product, you will receive a value in Marks and Spencer vouchers.
  • How much of a deposit is required for my purchase?
    The typical deposit for a retail purchase with Broadland Windows is 10%.
  • Why do both partners need to attend a quotation?
    Choosing your home improvement products is often a detailed and very important decision, so it is one that both partners are usually involved in. There are many elements to the decisions that need to be made, including: appearance, colour, style, technical specifications and, of course, price. In order to make sure we provide you with an accurate price, we need you to make accurate, agreeable decisions and we therefore need both partners present.
  • Do you repair products from other companies?
    Because we do not hold stock of the necessary items and would not be able to offer any guarantee on other companies’ products after we had repaired them, we are unfortunately unable to offer repairs on products provided by rival companies. We will of course be happy to remove and replace them.
  • Can I purchase Broadland Windows Limited products on a supply only basis?
    At Broadland Windows we are committed to providing only the highest quality products and services. For this reason, we prefer to undertake installing all of our own products but are happy to offer supply only.
  • What is the timeframe between placing my order and the actual installation?
    Our default timings change depending on workload. If you have a specific time frame, speak to our advisors and surveyors and we will endeavour to accommodate reasonable requests.

Windows FAQ’s

  • What colour can I have?
    ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE! One of the largest benefits of choosing Broadland Windows is the unrivalled colour choice. For our aluminium products our system suppliers have standard KL and SEN colour ranges in addition to standard White Gloss and standard RAL colours. These can be inside and out or differ in from out.Timber products also in ANY colour. PVCu products generally are available in an ever changing option of woodgrain foils. The standard White, Rosewood, Cherrywood, Irish Oak being joined of late by Cream, Agate Grey, Black, Storm(Slate) Grey and Anthracite Grey. PVCu can also be Kolorbond painted to almost any RAL colour.
  • How does double glazing work, and how does it prevent heat loss?
    There are many components that make up a double glazed window, such as the glass itself, the distance between the panes and the gas that’s inserted between them.
    Glass
    Our standard glass panes are 4mm thick, unless you specify our security glass (6.4mm) or acoustic glass. We add a low-e coating to all of our inner panes which reflect heat back into your home and prevent it from escaping.
    Gap between the panes
    Broadland Windows will use optimum gap of 16-20mm between the two panes of a sealed unit. We then fill the gap with argon gas, which minimises the heat lost through heat transfer. The natural place for warm air to escape would be where the panes join together. Our double glazed windows are fitted with ‘warm edge spacer bars,’ which are made from a less-conductive material than conventional aluminium spacer bars.
  • What is secondary glazing?
    In instances where you don’t want to replace your windows or, perhaps, you’re not able to due to conservation regulations, secondary glazing is a great way to ensure you’re saving as much energy as possible and preventing any unwanted noises entering your home from outside.

    By installing an additional single pane of glass on the inside of your existing window, you effectively make a double glazed unit. Because all of our products are made-to-measure, we ensure they fit perfectly into any window frame and cut out any draughts you experienced from your old windows.

  • What is a low-e coating and low-e glass?
    All our windows and doors come with low-e glass as standard. It’s a near invisible soft coating that’s applied to the inner pane of glass within the sealed unit. It allows heat from the outside to pass through into your home, but prevents heat from escaping to the outside.
  • What is condensation?
    Condensation forms naturally when humid air collects on a cold surface and forms water droplets. If you have condensation forming on the inner pane of your windows (not inside the sealed unit) you need to improve the circulation of air to reduce it. By fitting a vent or removing close-fitting curtains you will encourage the air to flow away from your window before it has time to condense.

    Condensation between the panes of a double glazed unit is a different matter as it’s a sign that the seal has become damaged and is no longer working properly. As a result, the argon gas that minimises heat loss will have escaped, meaning your window is no longer performing as efficiently as it should be and will need replacing.

    Condensation on the outside is a phenomenon which sometimes occurs on high performing low E units such as used in today’s replacement windows. It illustrates that the heat retentive properties of the unit is working well and is not a fault.

  • What is an A Energy Rating?
    As time has gone on, people have become more environmentally friendly and it therefore became an EU directive to establish an energy consumption labelling scheme for products. All relevant products must now have an EU Energy Label clearly displayed when offered for sale or rent. The energy efficiency of the appliance is rated in terms of a set of energy efficiency classes from A to G on the label, A being the most energy efficient – so this is effectively a seal of approval.
  • How do you clean uPVC and aluminium frames?

    When exposed to wind, pollution, rain and other elements, windows and doors will naturally become dirty. Dirt shouldn’t damage Broadland Windows products. However, you may wish to clean them based on the following guidelines to keep them looking their best.
    General Cleaning

    • For general cleaning, use a soft cloth and water with soap or washing-up liquid
    • To remove grease marks, use washing-up liquid with little or no water then rinse with clean water
    • Do not use glass cleaner on frames
    • Do not use kitchen / bathroom cleaners

    Tough Stains

    • For long-neglected uPVC, use a uPVC cream cleaner
    • For long-neglected aluminium, use washing-up liquid with little or no water, scrub with a stiff fibre brush and then rinse with clean water

    Products not to use We recommend avoiding the use of the following as they are likely to cause corrosion or damage to the Broadland Windows product:

    • Any other cleaning agent
    • Caustic or ammonia-based cleaning agents
    • Scouring powder or other abrasive cleaners
    • Steel wool or scouring pads
    • For long-neglected aluminium, use washing-up liquid with little or no water, scrub with a stiff fibre brush and then rinse with clean water

Doors FAQ’s

  • How much does a double glazed door cost?
    The cost of a double glazed door will vary greatly depending on the material and design options you choose. Customised and patterned glass will understandably cost more than plain glass, as will a set of double doors in comparison to a single door.
    Buying a door from a DIY store may be cheaper than one that’s made-to-measure, but it will not be as energy efficient. Bespoke doors will fill the space left from your old door perfectly, with no need for additional fillers and packing materials that allow precious heat to escape.
  • What wood are Broadland Window timber products made from?
    We use a mix of Sapele and Meranti. These are both far eastern red ‘mahogany’ type species. They originate from a variety of plantations in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. We have a certificate from our timbers importers that their suppliers undertake proper replanting schemes.
  • What are the colour options (coloured and stained) for Broadland Windows timber products?
    Timber products come in our range of standard opaque colours and translucent stains however we regularly finish to ANY COLOUR. Whether to match a specific Farrow & Ball colour or RAL reference colour. We can have mixed our Topcoat finish AquaTop by Teknos in any colour.
  • What types of wooden doors are available?

    At Broadland Windows we offer top quality wooden doors in a variety of styles and colours, individually designed to suit your needs. Our traditional entrance doors are made from Sapele hardwood. You can choose from any of our standard Opaque colours or translucent stains or ANY COLOUR.
    You can further personalise your wooden door by choosing from a range of colours for the handles, letterboxes and hinges, plus optional features such as spy holes and security chains . Other security features include a multi-point locking system, and triple adjustable hinges.

    All of our wooden doors offer high levels of comfort and heat-retention, thanks to the weather resistant seals and double glazed sealed units we install. By minimising heat loss, these doors could even cut down your energy bills by reducing your reliance on central heating.

  • Do Broadland Windows sell sliding doors?
    Yes. Whether Hardwood, Aluminium or PVCu, we offer all.
    We offer sliding doors in a range of styles and opening configurations. Any of the colour options can be chosen and inside colour can differ from outside.
    We also have bi-fold (sliding folding)doors in our product range in Aluminium, Timber or PVCu . This fashion design can open up an entire wall to the garden, offering an eye-catching extra feature and giving you incredible versatility. They can all slide to the same side, or can be split so some can open one way and others can open the other way around.
    All of our sliding doors are perfectly made-to-measure and come with extensive guarantees, including a ten year guarantee on all materials and workmanship
  • Do Broadland Windows sell internal doors?
    We do not currently sell internal doors, but we do sell products which can be used as room dividers. Call us for more information.
  • Can you fit a catflap in my new door?
    We don’t provide cat flaps ourselves, but if our customers can provide a cat flap we are very happy to install it during the process of fitting the door. Our specialist consultants will be happy to discuss any special requirements of this nature during your initial consultation.

Conservatories FAQ’s

  • What is Broadland Windows Roof Glass?
    Broadland Windows Bioclean roof glass uses state-of-the-art glass technology to combine the best possible glazing options into one revolutionary sealed unit. The Self-Cleaning element of the glass uses natural weather conditions to break down and wash away dirt whilst the solar control component reduces heat build up, glare and UV degradation to furniture and fittings.

    The internal element of Broadland Windows’s roof glass boasts superior insulation properties, keeping heat loss to a minimum over the winter months, but also helping to prevent your conservatory from overheating during the summer.

    Broadland Windows roof glass can be specified in either a neutral, aqua or blue tint.

  • How long will it take to complete my conservatory?
    It is not possible to give exact timescales because every Broadland Windows Conservatory, Orangery, Glass Extension and WarmRoof Extension is bespoke and made to order so it specifically suits your home. Therefore, the time that the installation takes will depend on the design you choose. If your design requires planning permission, this can take up to eight weeks and if building regulations are required, this could be an additional four weeks. However, there is no need to worry because we take care of all of these issues and keep you informed of their progress.
  • Do you install conservatories on commercial premises?
    At Broadland Windows, we often install conservatories on Hotels, Homes for the Elderley, Education properties and similar.
  • Can I use my conservatory all year round?
    Whether you install a PVCu, Aluminium or Timber Conservatory in any of our bespoke traditional or contemporary designs, Broadland Windows always utilises the highest quality materials, including thick insulation and state-of-the-art advance glass technology, to ensure that your conservatory remains warm, quiet and secure whatever the weather – a true glass extension

    With Broadland Windows, you can choose where your conservatory is positioned – North, South, East, West – without the worry that it will be too hot or too cold. Your Broadland Windows designer will take the position and location of your proposed conservatory into consideration when advising on glass, ventilation and heating options.
    See our conservatories section for more information, or book a free, no-obligation appointment with one of our specialists, who will be happy to talk through the benefits of our conservatories in greater detail.

  • How safe will my conservatory be?
    The safety of our products is naturally a paramount concern at Broadland Windows. We use the highest specification toughened glass in our conservatories which conforms to both British Standard BS6206 Class A and BS5713. This looks like ordinary glass but receives a special heat treatment process to toughen it. The result is not only a much stronger glass but in the unlikely event that the glass is broken, it will shatter into small, harmless fragments rather than into sharp and dangerous pieces.
  • Are there any restrictions for my proposed Conservatory design?
    All Broadland Windows conservatories are made-to-measure and we make every effort to facilitate the requirements of our customers. We can usually handle requests for conservatories of any size, from small porches to large grand designs. Restrictions on size and design will usually depend on your chosen style of conservatory and the size of your property, plus any issues with planning permission and building control, which Broadland Windows will always attempt to take care of for you.

    Our expert advisors are always happy to discuss this in further detail during your free no-obligation consultation.

  • How much will my conservatory cost?
    All Broadland Windows conservatories are tailored to your unique requirements. We work extensively with all of our customers to find out what their requirements are and then shape the design of the conservatory around them. This commitment to providing individually tailored quality is central to the Broadland Windows business ethos.

    Because of the versatility needed for optimum designs, we work out costs according to your exact requirements rather than giving standard prices. To discuss your vision with a local Broadland Windows specialist, and to get a quote, simply book a free, no-obligation appointment today!

  • Is Broadland Windows a member of the GGF or FENSA?
    Broadland Windows is one of the longest term members of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) in our region. GGF members are required to protect consumers deposits, to raise standards in the industry for both product and installation processes and offer independent arbitration through the GGF should the need arise.

    In addition, Broadland Windows are members of FENSA. FENSA stands for Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme and is the leading body providing homeowner protection in the double glazing industry. FENSA ensures that installations comply with the building regulations for England and Wales and although most conservatories are exempt from building regulations, you can be ensured that the quality of the installation will meet building control and FENSA requirements.

  • Will I need planning permission?
    Some conservatories will require planning permission from your local council. This depends upon several factors including the size of the conservatory, the classification of your property type and how the conservatory will be integrated into the house.

    Broadland Windows will take care of any planning requirements for you, contacting your local authority, preparing and submitting plans and managing the application through to a determination, whilst always keeping you well informed of the progress at every stage.

    Broadland Windows submits each planning application, where feasible, through the governments Planning Portal Website to reduce lead time and provide a better service for each application. We were one of the first companies to sign up to Planning Portal’s Carbon Pledge to confirm our commitment to maximise CO² savings by submitting all planning applications online.

  • What is the difference between Planning and Building Regulations?
    Planning permission and building regulations are often confused. Both are the responsibility of the local authority, but whereas planning permission deals with the aesthetic effect of a new extension on the surrounding homes and neighbourhood, building regulations define how the conservatory must be constructed in regards to structural stability and thermal efficiency.

    Most conservatories are currently exempt from building regulations but Broadland Windows will assist in determining what applications are required and will deal with any planning and building requirements for you, whilst always keeping you well informed at every stage.

    As every Broadland Windows conservatory is constructed within building regulation guidelines, you can be rest assured that even if a building control application is not required, your conservatory will be built to last.