Window and door guides
Advice and guides on windows and doors from Skyway Windows, a FENSA-registered installer in Surrey. Energy ratings, materials, FENSA certificates, glazing and more.
Can You Get Blinds Inside Patio or Bifold Doors?
Yes. Integral blinds are built into the glass itself, sealed inside the double glazed unit between the two panes, and they can be specified in sliding patio doors and in bifold doors alike. You raise, lower and tilt them with a control on the face of the glass, usually a magnetic slider, or with a motor and a remote on some systems. Nothing hangs in front of the door, nothing gets in the way when it opens, and there are no cords.
What Is PAS 24 and Should Your Windows Have It?
PAS 24 is the British security standard that windows and doors are tested against to show they can resist the kind of attack an opportunistic burglar uses. A window that meets it has been built to a design that passed a set of physical tests as a complete unit, frame, glass and hardware together. It is published by the British Standards Institution, and the current edition dates from 2022, amended in 2024 to keep pace with the way burglars actually work.
How Long Should a Composite Door Last?
Longer than the hardware bolted to it, which is why the honest answer to this question is not a number of years. A composite door slab is a solid core wrapped in a glass reinforced plastic skin, and that assembly is not what fails. The hinges, the cylinder, the multipoint gearbox and the seals are the parts that wear out, and they will reach the end of their working life while the door itself still looks and performs perfectly well.
Why Will My uPVC Door Not Lock in Hot Weather?
Because heat has expanded the door leaf and the steel reinforcement inside it, so the locking points no longer line up with the keeps in the frame. The door has not broken. It has grown by a small amount, and a multipoint lock needs the hooks and rollers to meet their keeps within a very tight tolerance, so a fraction of a millimetre in the wrong place is enough to stop the handle lifting.
Which Rooms Need a Fire Escape Window?
In a house served by a single staircase, every habitable room on an upper storey up to 4.5m above ground level needs either an emergency escape window or an external door, unless that room opens directly onto a protected stairway. Kitchens are specifically excluded. On the ground floor the same logic applies to any habitable room that does not lead straight to a final exit.
Composite Doors Tadworth
If you are looking at composite doors in Tadworth, the short answer is that they suit most of the housing here very well. A composite front door is thicker, better insulated and considerably harder to force than the timber or early uPVC doors found on much of the village's interwar stock, and the range of finishes now available means a modern door need not look out of place on a 1930s elevation.
Should You Choose Bifold or Sliding Patio Doors?
If your priority is opening the whole aperture and physically joining the room to the garden, choose bifolds. If your priority is the largest possible expanse of glass with the least frame interrupting it when the doors are shut, choose a slider. That is the decision in a sentence, and most of what follows is about the situations where it is not quite that simple.
Do Replacement Windows Have to Have Trickle Vents?
In most cases yes. Since Approved Document F was updated, the great majority of replacement windows fitted in England are expected to include trickle vents, and any competent installer will price them in as standard rather than present them as an optional extra.
What Causes Misted Double Glazing?
Misted double glazing means the seal around the edge of the sealed unit has broken down and moist air has worked its way into the gap between the two panes. The haze you can see is condensation forming on the inner faces of the glass, where nothing can reach it. It cannot be cleaned off, it will not clear on its own, and it does not improve in dry weather.
Why Is There Condensation on the Inside of My Windows?
Condensation on the inside of your windows is warm, moist air from inside the house meeting a pane of glass that is colder than the air touching it. The moisture in that air turns back into water on the cold surface. It is almost always a ventilation and surface temperature problem rather than a fault in the glass itself, which is why wiping it away every morning never actually solves anything.
What Are the Signs You Need to Replace Your Windows?
If you’re looking for the Signs You Need to Replace Your Windows, there are usually several warning signs long before a window completely fails. Draughts, condensation between the glass, difficulty opening or closing the window, and rising heating bills are all common indicators that your windows are no longer performing as they should. While some issues can be repaired, others point towards replacement being the more practical and cost effective option.
Are skylight windows worth the investment?
For many homeowners, the question is not just whether skylight windows worth the investment, but whether they will genuinely improve the way a home feels and functions. In our experience at Skyway Windows, the answer is usually yes when skylights are installed in the right space and specified correctly. The biggest difference homeowners notice is not always the increase in light itself, but how much larger and more open the room feels afterwards.
How do I check if my windows meet building regulations?
If you are wondering whether your windows meet building regulations, the quickest way to check is by looking for a FENSA certificate, building control approval, or confirmation that the installation was completed by a registered installer. At Skyway Windows, we regularly speak with homeowners who only realise paperwork is missing when they are preparing to sell their property, and by that point it can delay the process significantly.
What should I ask a window installer before hiring them?
Knowing what to ask a window installer before hiring them can save you from costly mistakes, poor workmanship, and compliance issues later. In practice, what we often see is homeowners focusing heavily on price, but not asking the questions that actually determine whether the job will be done properly.
Do new windows reduce outside noise?
Many homeowners ask whether new windows reduce outside noise, especially if they live near busy roads, schools, or flight paths. The short answer is yes, new windows can significantly reduce noise, but only when the right type of glazing and installation is used.
What are the most secure window locks?
Homeowners often ask what the most secure window locks are, especially when upgrading windows or improving home security. While the type of lock matters, what actually makes a window secure is the combination of the locking system, the frame, and how well everything is installed.
Do Bifold Doors Add Value to a Property?
Many homeowners ask whether Bifold Doors Add Value to a property or if they are simply a lifestyle upgrade. The reality is that bifold doors can do both. They can improve how a home looks and functions day to day, while also making it more appealing to future buyers.
Are bay windows more expensive than flat windows?
Many homeowners ask whether bay windows more expensive than flat windows? The simple answer is usually yes. Bay windows tend to cost more than flat windows because of their structure, size, and installation requirements. However, they also offer benefits that many homeowners feel justify the additional investment.
Do I Need Scaffolding to Replace Upstairs Windows?
Many homeowners ask whether Scaffolding to Replace Upstairs Windows is always required or if there are alternative methods. The answer depends on access, safety, window size, and the type of property. In some cases scaffolding is essential. In others, experienced installers may use ladders or specialist access equipment instead.
Should I Choose Flush Fit or Stormproof Windows?
Homeowners comparing window styles often ask whether flush fit or stormproof windows are the better choice. Both options are popular in the UK and offer good performance, but they differ in appearance, sealing, and suitability for different property styles. Understanding how each type works makes it easier to choose the right solution for your home.
Can I Get New Windows Installed in Winter?
Many homeowners wonder whether New Windows Installed in Winter is a good idea or if it is better to wait until warmer weather. The short answer is yes, new windows can be installed during winter, and in many cases, it makes very little difference to the quality of the installation. Modern fitting methods and materials allow window replacements to be carried out successfully all year round.
What are the Pros and Cons of Casement Windows?
When choosing new windows, many homeowners want to understand the pros and cons of casement windows before making a decision. Casement windows are one of the most common window styles in the UK and are used in both traditional and modern homes. They are known for their simple design, ease of use, and strong performance, but like any window type, they are not always the best option for every property.
Do All Window Installers Have to Be FENSA Approved?
When replacing windows in a property, many homeowners hear about FENSA approval and assume that every installer must be registered. In reality, the situation is slightly more complex. While FENSA approval is common and often preferred, it is not the only legal route for replacing windows. What matters most is that the installation complies with building regulations and is properly certified.
How Long Does It Take to Install New Windows in a House?
Replacing windows is one of the most common home improvements, but many homeowners are unsure how long the process actually takes. The time needed to install new windows in a house depends on several factors, including the number of windows, the type of property, and the style of windows being fitted. Understanding the typical timeline helps homeowners plan properly and reduces uncertainty before work begins.
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