FAQs

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, whilst the ‘U’ refers to it being Unplasticied.

Standard PVC can be used to manufacture loads of household products, such as bags, shoes and fake leather. Due to its popularity and common usage, many people are more familiar with the abbreviation ‘PVC’
In the UK, we typically refer to the plasticised version as being UPVC. However, in the late 1980s, this was changed to PVCU. This was done to ensure consistency across Europe as other languages place the noun (PVC) before the adjective (U), whereas we tend to do the opposite.

The difference is where the casement lies.

A casement is the moving part of the window, the bit that opens and closes. Standard windows (commonly referred to as ‘casement’ windows), feature casements that sit outside of the surrounding window frame.

The increasingly popular flush windows have casements that sit level with the frame. This creates a neater, more understated look.

When you see the two options side by side, the difference is clear. Why not visit our showroom and see for yourself?

This depends on what you want from your windows. There are pros and cons to both options and we’d recommend speaking with a member of the Eden team to find out more.

Double-glazed windows have two panes of glass within the unit and, as you’d expect, triple-glazed windows have three. Typically, triple-glazed windows are better at retaining internal heat and preventing cold spots than double-glazed units. They can also achieve some level of noise reduction, though there are other solutions you should explore if acoustics is a key concern.

However, there is an uplift in price between double- and triple-glazed windows. It’s definitely worth talking things through to find which option would be best for your home.

Not quite all the colours of the rainbow but it’s pretty close!

We’re well past the days when every window had to be white. Whatever your style, we’re confident that we can provide a colour to match.

If you would prefer a white finish, that’s great. But we can also offer an array of greys, greens, blacks, blues and even several wood grain options.

All our windows are available in colour combinations, meaning you can have different colours inside and out..

Window Energy Ratings (WERs) use a consumer-friendly traffic light system that easily showcase how energy efficient a window will be. It’s very similar to the graphics used to signify enery ratings on white goods and household appliances such as fridges and televisions.

A+-rated windows are the most efficient ones available in the UK, as defined by the BFRC Rating Scheme. This is a national system that rates the energy efficiency of windows and is recognised within Building Regulations.

When getting new windows, always look for windows that carry an A or A+ rating.
All replacement windows must have a WER rating of C or above.

Ask a member of the Eden team to learn more.

A window’s U-Value indicates how well it will be at retaining internal heat.

These values are shown in Watts per square metre (W/m2K). The lower value, the better the rating.

All replacement windows require a minimum U-Value of 1.6W/m2K.

Ask a member of the Eden team to learn more.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-backed security initiative that works hard to improve the security of our neighbourhoods.

SBD’s accreditation scheme (Police Preferred Specification) is a recognised standard for security products – such as locks and hinges – that can help prevent crime.

Our exclusive manufacturer, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered member of Secured by Design. As a result, many of our products meet the demands required to be SBD accredited.

If you’d like to learn more about Secured by Design and the security features fitted to our products, please speak with a member of the Eden team.

Our windows are manufactured by Conservatory Outlet, one of the leading manufactures of UPVC and aluminium windows and doors in the UK.

Eden Windows & Conservatories is proud to be both an Atlas and Ultraframe Approved Installers, and a registered member of Certass.

All Certass registered contractors are vetted to ensure they are qualified to carry out the replacement of windows and doors in accordance with the current building regulations and, once an installation is complete, Certass provides you with the Building Regulation Compliance Certificate for the work carried out.

By using a Certass registered member you’ll get – Protection of any deposit taken, a 10 year guarantee covering completed window and door installations and an easy way of registering your replacement windows and doors with your Local Authority at no cost to you.

No, you can get different types of composite doors.

Standard composite doors are generally 44m deep and are filled with foam. They are then finished with a GRP skin.

In comparison, our Extreme Solid Core Door range is thicker at 48mm and is made from various interlocking layers of laminated timber. This makes them heavier but also stronger and more secure than the standard options. The Extreme Solid Core Door is also finished in a UPVC skin.

There is a difference in price between the two options, which is something to keep in mind. Why not speak with an Eden advisor to find the right type of composite door for your home?

Yes.

In most circumstances, you’ll be able to choose a different colour inside and out. For example, you could go for red outside and white inside. Or, green one side and blue. Talk to an Eden advisor who’ll be able to confirm what colour choices are available for your chosen door design.

You will get three keys with your door but you can request additional sets. If you’d like any extra keys, just let us know when placing your order.

You can indeed. If you’d like your keys to be suited, just let us know when ordering.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police-backed security initiative that works hard to improve the security of our neighbourhoods.

SBD’s accreditation scheme (Police Preferred Specification) is a recognised standard for security products – such as locks and hinges – that can help prevent crime.

Our exclusive manufacturer, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered member of Secured by Design. As a result, many of our products meet the demands required to be SBD accredited.

If you’d like to learn more about Secured by Design and the security features fitted to our products, please speak with a member of the Eden team.

A three-star rating means that the cylinder/lock has been test above the highest standard set out in TS007.

Our door cylinders feature our unique snap-secure technology with lockdown mode to prevent the barrel from being compromised.

Yes. If you’d like your French doors to fold back, we can manufacturer and order your doors with a special egress hinge.

This depends on what you want to achieve with your space.

If you have a large opening at the rear of your property, then both are fantastic options. The biggest advantage for each is that bi-folds can completely fold all the way back which is fantastic for access, whilst patio doors have slim frames which provides a great view of the outdoors.

The big question and one with so many answers! It can be confusing and to be honest, the lines between these three types of living spaces have blurred in recent years.

Traditionally, a conservatory relates to a structure that is predominantly made of glass. We’re talking glass roof and glass walls. With all this glazing, you get a fantastic, unobstructed view of your garden and the outside world. These days though, a conservatory can come with dwarf walls and you can even get a conservatory with a tiled roof.

An orangery generally has feature pillars, which add a little extra warm and privacy. They also tend to have a pelmet around the roof of the structure which, again, helps insulate the roof. And in terms of a roof, anything goes!

Whilst conservatories and orangeries have a distinct look that stand out for your property, the opposite is true for a home extension. These living spaces are designed to replicate your home to feel like a natural extension. Many are predominantly brock and have a tiled roof. These days though, roofs can be truly hybrid, incorporating full length glass panels and/or Velux windows for added light and ventilation.

But who needs labels anyway! Speak with a member of our team and we’ll create something unique for you.

It all depends on how you plan to use your room, which direction it faces and, of course, your budget. If you want plenty of natural light and a brilliant view of your garden (and the night sky), then a glass roof is the way to go.

Don’t worry about your glass roof causing your room to heat to excessive levels. Solar control glazing has come on massively in recent years and there are plenty of options available that can keep your room at a nice temperature.

For a year-round look and a natural, homely feel, you can’t go wrong with a tiled roof. You could even go for something between and add in a glass lantern, full-length glass panel or Velux window.

All our living spaces are designed and manufactured to provide year-round comfort. Luckily, we’re long gone from the days when polycarbonate paneling was commonplace.

Solar control glazing makes a real difference to any new living space and helps to regulate internal temperatures. However, if you are concerned about achieving a year-round extension, then a tiled roof will probably be the best option for you.

Our roofs come from our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet.
Thanks to our long and successful relationship with our key manufacturer mean that we can have complete control over our supply chain – ensuring that everything is of the quality your home deserves.

Of course. At Eden, we’re able to provide a range of shingle, slate and flat-roof membrane options. Though if you prefer, we’ll try and match the roof tiles on your existing property.

Solar control glazing is a specialist type of glass that allows sunlight to pass through it while reflecting away large amounts of the sun’s heat. This glass is brilliant for conservatories as they’ll fill your room with light but won’t make the space uncomfortably hot.

We have a number of different tinted options which will give you varying degrees of light transmission and heat retention depending on your needs. Speak to a an Eden advisor for further details.

Our team will always try to obtain the closest brick match to your property and will check this with your before any work begins.

Please bear in mind that there will be some discrepancies due to differing manufacturing methods and that your existing brickwork will have been exposed to the elements for a number of years.

If the closest match isn’t what you want, you do have the option to get the bricks tinted. But this will incur an additional cost.

Most extensions and new living spaces required approval under Building Regulations. We will take care of the paperwork and send an experienced surveyor out to advise you of the options and requirements needed.

An extension or addition to your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to certain conditions are met, typically 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.
• Any part of the extension is not higher than the highest part of the roof of the existing house.
• The eaves of the extension are not higher than the eaves of the existing house.
• Any part of the extension does not extend beyond any wall facing a road if it forms the principal or side elevation of the original house.
• The eaves are no more than 3 metres in height if any part of the extension is within 2 metres of the property boundary.
• The materials used in exterior 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 obscure glazed; and is non – opening unless the parts 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 original house.

In a single storey extension:

• the extension does not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 4 metres for a detached house or 3 metres for any other type of house;
• the height of the extension does not exceed 4 metres;
• no part of the extension is within 3.5 metres of any 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 beyond 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 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 natural beauty 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

It’s hard to estimate how long a particular build will take. New living spaces are complex projects – and then there’s the issue of Planning Permission and Building Regulations to take into account.

One thing is for certain though, we’ll take our time and ensure your new living space is built correctly and to the highest of standards.

A test dig is used to determine local ground conditions and to ensure the site is suitable for building on. The dig will also enable us to find out what foundations are required.

A cavity tray is a type of damp-proof course that channels moisture away from the inner part of a cavity wall.

It all depends on how you plan to use your room, which direction it faces and, of course, your budget. If you want plenty of natural light and a brilliant view of your garden (and the night sky), then a glass roof is the way to go.

Don’t worry about your glass roof causing your room to heat to excessive levels. Solar control glazing has come on massively in recent years and there are plenty of options available that can keep your room at a nice temperature.

For a year-round look and a natural, homely feel, you can’t go wrong with a tiled roof. You could even go for something between and add in a glass lantern, full-length glass panel or Velux window.

Normally, we would advise that you do.

If you are going to the trouble and expense of upgrading your old conservatory roof for a newer and better performing one, it makes sense to upgrade your existing window frames at the same time. Failing to do so could compromise the warmth and comfort of your living space.

Why not speak with a member of our team and we’ll work together to find the right solution for your home and your budget.

The roof system is comprised of several parts: A pre-engineered lightweight frame, insulating panels, fire-grade plasterboard, exterior-grade plywood and an impenetrable membrane. It is then finished with either tiles or solid panels.

Replacement roofs are typically prefabricated so that the installation process can be conducted quickly, safely and efficiently. Each roof is made to fit the exact dimensions of your conservatory.

The system itself is comprised of a pre-engineered and lightweight frame, insulation panels, fire-grade plasterboard, exterior-grade plywood and an impenetrable membrane. The roof is then finished with a tile, panel or covering of your choice.

A clad over roof is sold by some other home improvement companies and builders as a quick fix. This isn’t good practice and can, in some cases, cause considerable damage to your property.

Issues with clad over roofs include:

Weight

• Clad over roofs can be too heavy for the existing conservatory frames. It is unlikely that any structural calculations were made prior to install and at any rate, your existing frames weren’t designed to withstand the weight of a clad over roof. 

Tip: Always ask your installer for the total weight of the new roof in Sq.M

Fire Safety

• By their nature, clad over roofs do not meet current fire safety regulations. This is because they are tested in isolation and not as part of a complete roof structure. Solid roofs must be AC, AB or AA rated.

Tip: Always ask to see the fire certificate of your entire roof system before committing to the project.

• Clad over systems tend to be denied Building Regulations approval due to their low thermal rating and weak structural integrity. This isn’t the same as planning permission which often isn’t required when undertaking this type of work. You must notify Building Control if you are making any change to a structure, including replacing a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof. 

Tip: Check that local Building Control has been informed before the conversion starts. Obtain a Building Regulations ‘Final’ Certificate and file it in a safe place.

All our living spaces are designed and manufactured to provide year-round comfort. Luckily, we’re long gone from the days when polycarbonate panelling was commonplace.

Solar control glazing makes a real difference to any new living space and helps to regulate internal temperatures. However, if you are concerned about achieving a year-round extension, then a tiled roof will probably be the best option for you.

Prices vary, though prices can range anywhere between £5,000 (for a small conservatory roof) to £12,000 (for a larger one).

A solid roof can be installed in a few days, with little disruption to your home.

Planning permission is not required if you are changing your roof structure, though alerting Buildings Regulation Control is. A property sale cannot be made without this.

Obtaining Building Regulations Approval gives you peace of mind that the system was installed correctly and has been rigorously checked by a government-approved inspector. Plus, you’ll also have peace of mind that should you come to sell the property, you’ll have a formal certificate documenting what work was conducted and when.