FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

They’re all the same product and to clarify, they should be referred to a PVC-U windows, nothing else.

It was in the late 1980’s that UPVC was changed to PVCU in the UK to bring it in line with other European countries. It seems that they were all calling it call it PVC-U because European languages mostly place the noun (being PVC in this case) before the adjective (U).

Most people don’t know that ‘PVC’ stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride. The ‘U’ bit stands for Un-plasticised. Poly Vinyl Chloride, often abbreviated as ‘PVC’, is modified for use in the manufacturing of products like bags, shoes, and fake leather. Therefore, most people are familiar with the abbreviation ‘PVC’.

It isn’t possible to use pure PVC-U for making replacement windows as it needs a few additives to ensure any windows are weatherproof, offer the right amount of UV resistance and will last. They’re also needed to create that classic white colour you find on most windows and doors.

White is just one of many colours you can have. Our replacement windows and doors are available in a host of striking finishes, with something for everyone.

Some customers will be perfectly happy with white or cream windows, but if you want a different colour, how about Anthracite Grey, Hazy Grey or Olive Grey windows as a break from the norm?

We’re also pleased to offer you several woodgrains, such as Rosewood, which has a rich darkness, and bold oak effect colours. For a statement colour, look no further than Chartwell Green, Dark Red and Steel Blue.

You can combine colours if you find yourself torn over two finishes, with one colour on the outside and one colour on the inside.

To help you identify the energy efficiency of a window, Window Energy Ratings (WERs) are used, very similar to a traffic light system. You can find energy ratings on most white goods, such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, and the energy ratings for windows work in a very similar way.

An A+ rated window is the most energy efficient window you can get in this country, as defined by the BFRC Rating Scheme, the UK’s national system for rating the energy efficiency of windows. A+ rated windows easily comply with the standard of thermal efficiency required to satisfy Building Regulations.

Keep your eyes peeled for windows with an A or A+ rating as they will give you the most warmth and energy efficiency.

It is a legal requirement that new, or replacement windows must have a minimum WER of C or above. Speak to a James Oliver advisor about Window Energy Ratings.

A U-Value tells you how good a window is at retaining internal heat and stopping it from escaping. U-Values are measure 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 of a new or replacement window is 1.6 W/m2 K. For more information about U-Values, just ask an advisor for guidance.

Secured by Design (SBD) is a Police-run initiative that’s all about enhancing the security of buildings and making them safer places to be.

The Police Preferred Specification, SBD’s product-based accreditation scheme, is the recognised standard for products that are secure enough to discourage and minimise crime. This includes domestic windows and doors, and the components within them such as locks, hinges etc.

Conservatory Outlet, which is our sister manufacturing company, is a registered member of Secured by Design, so we can tell you that most of our products have been tested to meet the necessary standard. If window security is a particular concern, inform one of our advisors of this.

We certainly do. James Oliver is one of several installers in the Conservatory Outlet Group of companies and its sister company, Conservatory Outlet, is one of the country’s leading manufacturers of UPVC and aluminium windows. Our entire window range is built at Conservatory Outlet’s hi-tech manufacturing facility in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The advantage of having such a tight relationship with our manufacturer is that we can retain close control over supply chain, making sure that our product quality is always sustained.

Yes, James Oliver has been a FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) member for several year now. Setup by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and various other industry bodies, the scheme is Government approved, with all its members working in line with current Building Regulations.

Thermal performance standards must be adhered to when getting new replacement windows and doors installed and you also need to receive a certificate of compliance from FENSA or Local Authority Building Control.

FENSA also allows its member companies to self-certify compliance when installing replacement windows and doors.

We would really need to speak with you first and get an understanding of your home before we could give you an estimate of the cost involved.

Our windows and doors are tailored for each customer as homes have different openings and require different fittings. You also need to be aware that there are many style and colour options at James Oliver, so until we know exactly what you want, it is hard to provide a costing. Let’s talk and give you a price that way.

Get a free design consultation organised, which can either be held at your home or in our showroom or make an online appointment and we can discuss your requirements virtually, via Zoom.

Just submit your details in our Appointment Booking Form to get this arranged at a time and date that suits you.

Usually, it will last for a minimum of one hour as the James Oliver designer needs at least this amount of time to understand what you want and provide solutions that fit with your requirements.

That will depend on the type of job involved. For instance, it could require the installation of many windows and doors, and some installation projects are more complex than others. To give you a rough estimate, it normally takes around 3-4 days to install a full house of windows and doors. You will be given a more precise estimate by your James Oliver advisor.

Yes, you can. James Oliver has a series of affordable and convenient payment finance options (subject to application & status). Making a finance application is really easy and you won’t be kept waiting long for a decision. You can sort the application at our Lincoln showroom, or if it’s more convenient, we’re more than happy to come out to your home with the necessary paperwork.

If you are organising finance yourself, just get in touch as soon as it has been approved. When finance is being arranged via James Oliver, the finance company will notify us of approval, so we will let you know.

There are any number of reasons why someone might be refused finance. Sometimes it’s because someone has moved several times in recent years. Whatever the reason, we will try to help as best we can. It could be worth trying a provider who knows you.

You may well find out pretty much straight away or it could take a few days for confirmation to be given. Any delay isn’t something to be concerned about as it could be down to several things.