FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PVC Windows, PVCu Windows and UPVC Windows all refer to the same material and they are exactly the same. Their official name is PVC-U windows.

UPVC changed its name to PVC-U in the late 1980’s to be consistent with the rest of Europe. It’s believed Europe called it PVC-U because European languages mostly place the noun (being PVC in this case) before the adjective (U).

The U stands for Unplasticised and PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride. Commonly referred to as PVC, many people are aware of this material because of its use for many typical products such as bags, shoes and faux leather.

In order to be used for the manufacturing of windows and doors, pure PVC-U needs a small number of additives to ensure longevity, UV resistance and weatherproofing. Furthermore, the additives are also necessary for achieving the familiar white colour found on windows and doors.

There was a time that windows and doors were only available in white but that is no longer the case. At Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories, we have a huge variety of colour finishes available.

White windows and doors will always be a classic and timeless choice, you have the option to pick something more unique for your home. Our colour palette includes trending colours like Hazy Grey, Matt Black, Olive Grey and Anthracite Grey.

If you want your windows to have a more natural-looking style, we also have a selection of woodgrains that mimic the authentic beauty of timber.

Can’t decide between two finishes? You can opt for dual coloured frames – select one colour for the internal frame and one colour for the external frame.

A-rated windows are incredibly energy efficient. In fact, according to the BFRC Rating Scheme, they are the most energy efficient windows in the UK. The BFRC Rating Scheme is the UK’s national website for rating the energy efficiency of windows, as recognised within Building Regulations.

The consumer-friendly system rates windows from A to E based on their ability to retain heat inside the home. It is essential for all new or replacement windows to have a minimum WER (Window Energy Rating) of C or above.

We encourage you to check out the energy rating of your windows before purchasing them. A highly rated energy rating can save you money on your heating bills.

U-Values indicate how well a window performs at retaining inside the home and preventing it from escaping through the glazing and frames. A U-Value is measured in Watts per square metre or W/m2 K. A lower U-Value means a window is better at maintaining heat inside, making it more energy and thermally efficient.

New and replacement windows must have a minimum U-Value of 1.6 W/m2 K. If you would like more information on this important window value, talk to a Mid Wales consultant.

‘Secured by Design’ is a police flagship initiative designed to ‘design out crime’ and maximise physical security. It is a police-approved security initiative that’s all about enhancing the security of buildings and their surroundings to make safer places to live.

Conservatory Outlet (part of the Conservatory Outlet Group), our sister manufacturing company, is an approved member of Secured by Design. We’re proud that many of our windows and their components, such as their locks and hinges, meet the high standards of SBD, following extensive testing and reviews.

If you would like to learn more about our windows’ safety features and which of our products meet Secured by Design’s extremely high standards, get in touch.

Mid Wales is part of a retail network – Conservatory Outlet Network. Our sister conmpay Conservatory Outlet manufactures our UPVC aluminium windows, in addition to our other high-quality home improvement products.

Our windows are built in a modern facility in Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Our extensive range of products uses the most advanced UPVC on the market – ensuring the perfect consistency of quality, colour, and finish throughout every product range.

Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories is a member of FENSA (Registered No. 17500) – the leading body providing homeowner protection in the double glazing industry for windows and doors.

FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. Following Government encouragement, FENSA has been set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies in response to Building Regulations for double glazing companies in England and Wales.

When replacing windows and doors, homeowners must comply with current thermal performance standards and ensure they get a certificate from FENSA or Local Authority Building Control. FENSA enables companies that install replacement windows and doors to self-certify compliance under these Building Regulations without the need for a separate assessment from Building Control.

There are many different styles of homes throughout Newtown, Welshpool, Shropshire and Mid Wales and we have many window options to suit them all. Before we can give you an accurate quote, we will need to discuss measurements and style preferences first.

All our windows are made to measure, tailored to your property, so we cannot give you a blanket price without speaking with you first.

We have windows for every home and budget. Contact us for a FREE design appointment to discuss your window options. This can take place at your home or at our showroom.

Simply fill your details into the relevant form on our website. We will find a time that’s convenient to you.

Your initial appointment will last around one hour. In this hour-long appointment, one of our designers will listen to your needs, write down the required measurements and tell you about our extensive collections of windows and doors and their features.

Generally, installing a full house of windows will take around 3-4 days, however every project varies so we cannot say for sure. The length of time will depend on how many windows you want replacing and if the job is complicated or straightforward. A Mid Wales advisor will be able to guide you through a likely time frame after you’ve contacted us.