Our accreditationsAll window installation companies will have accreditations they are proud of. How do you, as the customer, choose the right one with the right information?

When looking for new windows and doors you will be bombarded with facts. Some will be useful and some not so much. The installer will always tell you that their products are the best, but how can you be sure? Well, there are a few accreditations that a window installer should have. They should be members of a competent persons scheme (CPS), their products should carry a UKCA mark and you should get an insurance backed guarantee with every installation. These accreditations alone can help you sort the good from the bad.

Making sure an installer is a member of an approved competent person scheme such as FENSA, Certass or Assure is easy. All Competent person schemes allow you to check up on their installers via their websites. If an installer is not part of a competent person scheme, there is a chance that they could install a product that does not comply with current building regulations and could be condemned if found by your local area building control (LABC).

We have been a member of FENSA for over 16 years. As a FENSA member, we get spot checked (on site and at the office and factory) at least twice a year to make sure what we install in your home passes building control. We are proud of the fact that we have never failed an inspection.

Minimum Technical Competency (MTC)

As of the 6th June 2015 installers and surveyors working in the glass and glazing industry, within the domestic market for England and Wales, are required to demonstrate a certain level of experience, knowledge and capability within their field in order to continue working under their competent person’s scheme and self-certifying their work. Both our installation team and surveyor have passed their MTC and our installers and fabricators have achieved NVQ level 2 qualifications as an additional measure.

The UKCA Mark

Secondly, make sure ALL of your installers products are UKCA Marked.

All new windows and doors manufactured after the 1st January 2021 must carry the UKCA mark. This is actually a legal requirement and can cause all kinds of problems if you come to sell your home.

Don’t just ask them if they are, ask for proof. All our windows and doors carry the UKCA Mark and our performance documentation is available to download here.

CE Marks are valid until 1st January 2023. However most high quality installers should already be using the UKCA mark for all their products.

Insurance backed

And thirdly, make sure your installer offers you an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG).

These are available via the competent person schemes, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) or through independent companies. For our IBG we use The Consumer Protection Association (The CPA).

Energy Efficiency

As far as accreditations go, WER’s aren’t a necessity, but they are a good one to look out for.

WER stands for Window Energy Ratings and DSER stands for Door Set Energy Ratings. You will recognise them by the rainbow arrow logo (you also see these on your fridge, Dishwasher etc.). The vast majority of installers use them to display the energy efficiency of their windows and doors.

Our certificates

All replacement windows and doors installed in England have to achieve a minimum energy rating of A or a minimum U Value of 1.4 W/m2k (1.6 for doors). Our standard casement windows have an U value of 1.4 W/m2k. If required this can be improved to an upper rating of A++ (which is A+20 and above).

What to look out for

If your installer hasn’t got energy ratings for their products don’t worry, they can also use a U Value certificate. The U Value is the measure of heat loss through the window (or door) and the lower number the better. For example, a U Value of 1.0 is better than 1.6.

Other accreditations to look out for

In addition to the above, there are many industry bodies out there. Some certifications will mean more than others, but more often than not they show that the installer shows pride in their products and workmanship. Here are some of ours.

Craftsmen

We are members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen and have been since 1993.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen has stringent entry criteria. This criteria ensures that membership is only awarded to companies that excel in their respected field. Guild membership is NOT automatic. Members are required to prove that the work they carry out is of a high enough standard. They must also display a high commitment to customer care as well as high levels of customer service. Only then will they have earned the right to use the master craftsmen title. Once accepted members are required to maintain the aims and objectives of the Guild at all times. Their membership will be void if they fail to do this.

We are proud that our installation service has been assessed and met the high standards for an approved service endorsement. Our service adheres to the Guilds strict code of conduct. This code is there to give our customers an extra layer of confidence. It also means we have robust procedures and processes that deliver the best possible customer service. The Guild base their approval on the quality of our installations, our expertise, staff training and experience. We always use the market leading products, products that we would use in our own homes.

Training

And finally. We train our staff to a minimum standard to achieve the best results. We are one of a few companies in Coventry & Warwickshire that are actively training our staff to a minimum of NVQ level 2. Our installation team has achieved their NVQ Level 2 in window and door installation and our fabricators have achieved their NVQ Level 2 in the Fabrication of Glass Supporting Structures. We also have an apprenticeship program training up the next generation of installers and fabricators. This ensures our high-quality standards continue to drive the business forward.

Other awards

Not quite an accreditation but in 2018 we won the national fenestration awards timber alternative product of the year. This was a national award and we were up against bigger companies than us. The award was for our Prestige Collection range of timber look-alike windows and was a proud moment for us. We have also won Theo Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday back in September 2017.