FAQs

When people refer to windows as being PVC, PVCu or UPVC, they’re all referring to the same thing: Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride. The confusion comes from naming conventions and contractions.

In the 1980s, the UPVC acronym was switched to PVCU to ensure consistency with other countries around the world. This was done with the best of intentions as in many languages, the noun (in this case, Polyvinyl Chloride) comes before the adjective (Unplasticised).

But due to the material’s prominence and popularity, many kept referring to it as UPVC. PVC comes from people dropping the Unplasticised part completely.
When it comes to windows and doors, no matter if it’s PVC, PVCu, UPVC or even PVC-U, they’re all the same.

A window’s casement is the part that moves (opens and closes). Standard windows are often referred to as casement windows as the casement sits proud of the surrounding frame.

On flush windows, the casement sits level with the frame. This creates a sleek and linear look that is increasingly popular.

The difference between the two might not sound much. But when you see the two window styles side-by-side, the difference is clear to see. Why not visit our showroom to see for yourself?

There are pros and cons to both options and it depends on how you want your windows to function. We’d recommend speaking with a Bon Accord Glass advisor to help determine which is the most suitable option for your needs and property.

The main difference between the two is the number of glass panes within the unit. A double-glazed window has two while a triple-glazed window has three. Triple-glazed windows are better at retaining heat and, with the correct combination of air gaps and glass, can help with noise reduction too.

One thing to bear in mind is the price differential between the two – so it’s worth talking it through with somebody from our team.

Thankfully, we’re far removed from the days when windows were available in white and only white. Our replacement windows are available in a huge range of colours and finishes.
If white or cream floats your boat, then great. But if modern and stylish is your thing, then you’ll love our grey, green and black frame options.

We also have a beautiful collection of wood grain finishes, ranging from the dark Rosewood effect to brighter styles such as Oak. Plus, we can offer statement options that include Chartwell Green, Dark Red and a striking Steel Blue.

Best of all, our windows are also available in colour combinations, so you can have the outside in one colour, and the inside another.

A window’s U-Value determines how well it retains internal heat. The U-Value is measured in Watts per square metre, or W/m²K. When checking a window’s U-Value, the lower the number the better.

All new or replacement windows must have a minimum U-Value of 1.6 W/m²K. Ask your Bon Accord Glass advisor for further details and they’ll be only too happy to help.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings.

SBD operate a product-based accreditation scheme, the Police Preferred Specification. This provides a recognised industry standard for all products that play a part in a building’s security, such as windows and doors, as well as internal components such as locks and hinges.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a longstanding and registered member of Secured by Design. Many of our products meet this specification.

If you’d like to learn more, please talk with an advisor.

Our windows are manufactured by our exclusive partner, Conservatory Outlet. The company is the United Kingdom’s leading manufacturer of UPVC and aluminium windows and works closely with us to offer a range of windows suited to our region.

Composite doors are available in different styles and specifications. Our Composite door range is foam-filled to provide market-leading strength and durability and comes wrapped in a resilient GRP skin.

Together, this creates an extremely robust door, available in a wide range of eye-catching colours and designs, and is easy to use.

Yes, in most instances you will be able to choose a different colour inside and out. For example, you could go for red outside and white inside. Or green and white, or maybe even blue and grey! The choice is yours.

As standard, we provide three sets with every door. If you would like more, please let us know.

Yes, absolutely. Just let your Bon Accord Glass designer know upon ordering and they can ensure your keys are suited so the same key works for both doors.

Secured by Design (SBD) is an official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings.

SBD operate a product-based accreditation scheme, the Police Preferred Specification. This provides a recognised industry standard for all products that play a part in a building’s security, such as windows and doors, as well as internal components such as locks and hinges.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a longstanding and registered member of Secured by Design. Many of our products meet this specification.

If you’d like to learn more, please talk with an advisor.

Door barrels (also called cylinders) all carry a rating. A three-star rating is the highest achievable.

To obtain this leading standard, the barrels need to pass a series of standardised tests. This includes an anti-lock snapping test that ensures the cylinder and lock aren’t compromised during a break-in.

Yes, you can order your French doors with an egress hinge. Please speak with us if you’d like this to be included.

Both types of doors are great options and will open your room up to your garden. There isn’t a bad choice; it all depends on your design preference.

The main differences between the two options are that Bi-folding doors fold completely back, which is great for access, while patio doors have slimmer and less obtrusive frames, which provide clearer outside views when closed.

In our experience, it all depends on how you want to use your room, which direction it faces and your budget.

If you want a space to enjoy the views outside and to have a light and airy feel, then we’d suggest a glass roof. With the advances in glazing, you could opt for solar controlled glazing that actively works to keep your room at a manageable temperature.

Conversely, if you want a true year-round feel then a tiled roof is a strong contender – especially if the room is going to get a lot of use.

You can always mix and match by adding in some full-length panels or Velux windows.

Speak to a Bon Accord Glass advisor about the best option for you that meets your requirements and your budget.

If you are planning on replacing a conservatory roof with either a replacement glass roof or even a tiled or hybrid roof, it makes sense to upgrade your frames at the same time.

Keeping your existing frames in place may risk comprising the warmth, comfort and efficiency that your new roof could achieve.

After all, why settle for outdated and inefficient frames when you’re wanting to benefit from a new roof? Speak with a Bon Accord Glass advisor and they’ll be able to work with you to ensure your conservatory or living space is completely revigorated.

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 solid roof systems normally arrive on-site prefabricated to quicken up the installation process and ensure that there is minimum disruption to your home whilst the building work is carried out. Each roof is manufactured to the exact dimensions of your home.

The system itself is comprised of several components: a lightweight and sturdy frame, insulating panels and fire-grade plasterboard, exterior-grade plywood, and an impenetrable membrane. The roof is then finished with either tiles or solid panels, per your design.

A clad over roof is a type of roof system that sits over an existing structure. This is a cheaper alternative to solid roof systems and can cause homeowners several problems as when the conservatory or structure was first made, it would have been manufactured to support the existing roof and any light loads – not the weight associated with a second roof system.

Issues with clad over roofs:

• Clad over roofs can be too heavy for the existing conservatory frames as they use heavy timber, insulation, and tiles. Any old conservatory needs to have a lightweight roof – the lightest solid roof systems weigh around 31KG/M2

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

• Clad over roofs do not meet current fire safety regulations. The systems are never effectively fire tested as a complete structure – only individual components can be as existing structures vary from job to job. Per BS476-3, 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. The approval ensures that your new roof is structurally sound.

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.

Our living space products are designed with year-round comfort in mind. We’re able to provide a range of solar control glazing options that will let light fill your space whilst also reflecting much of the sun’s heat.

To see what different options we have, please speak with a member of the Bon Accord Glass team.

As you’d expect, prices vary on a project-by-project basis. But as a rough estimate, you should expect to spend anything from £5,000 for a small roof to £12,000 for a larger, more complex one.

There are plenty of different ways to spread the cost of your new roof. We have a simple finance calculator that can help you work out an easy payment plan that suits your budget.

A tiled solid roof replacement can be installed in just a few days.

Planning permission isn’t required but Buildings Regulation Control is. A property sale cannot be made without this.

Gaining Building Regulations approval from your local authority means you can be sure that the system installed has been rigorously checked by a government-approved building control inspector to ensure the roof is installed correctly and is structurally safe and thermally efficient.

You will also have peace of mind that should you come to sell the property in future, there won’t be any issues with unauthorised works that may hold up the process.

To make life easy for you, Bon Accord Glass can arrange a variety of convenient easy payment finance options (subject to application and status) to help you spread the cost of your new home improvements.

Making an application is simple and we promise you a quick decision.

If you are arranging finance independently of Bon Accord Glass, all you need to do is let us know when your application has been approved.

If you are applying through us, we’ll let you know straight away.

Don’t panic or worry. Applications can be refused for several reasons. For example, it could be because you’ve recently moved. In these circumstances, we’ll do our best to help. Sometimes, it’s worth applying with another lender, especially if you have a previous relationship with them – e.g. your mortgage provider.

Sometimes we can get an answer within a couple of hours, at others it can take a few days. No matter how long it takes to get a decision, we’ll be in touch to let you know.