FAQS

Absolutely nothing.

UPVC stands for Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride. It’s sometimes referred to as PVCU, though this is more prevalent on the continent than here due to linguistical differences. And sometimes, the ‘U’ is omitted completely.

UPVC is extensively used in the construction and home improvement sector as it’s a low-maintenance material and is resistant to chemicals, sunlight and oxidation.

The main difference is where the casement sits. On a standard casement window, the casement (the part of the unit that moves), sits proud of the window frame.

On modern flush windows, this casement sits level with the frame. This creates a neater finish which is clear to see if you compare the two different windows. Why not visit our showroom and see for yourself?

It depends on what you want from your windows.  The obvious difference between double and triple glazing is the number of panes of glass within the unit – two for double and three for triple.

There are pros and cons to both options and ultimately, we’d recommend speaking with an Amber advisor to determine which would be the most suitable for your property.

Speaking generally, triple glazing is better at retaining heat and preventing cold spots. With an additional air gap, triple glazed windows can also help prevent noise from transferring into your property. Though if the acoustic rating is your key motivating factor, there are other solutions that you should explore.

Thankfully, we’re able to supply our windows and doors in a variety of colours and finishes to suit any size and property.

For those with a traditional leading, we’re able to offer the standard range of white and cream. But if you prefer something modern, then we can offer an array of options including a selection of sleek greys and statement colours such as Chartwell Green or Steel Blue.

As well as colours, we can also provide windows and doors in a beautiful wood grain finish. This includes the dark tones of Rosewood and the lighter ones of Oak.

Also, it’s worth knowing all our windows are available in two colours. So yes, you can have one colour inside and another on the outside.

The Window Energy Ratings (WERs) use an easy-to-understand traffic light-style system to show how energy efficient your window will be, similar to the energy ratings you see when looking at appliances.

The ratings follow a scale from A+-G, with A+ being the highest and are defined by the BFRC Rating Scheme. This is the UK’s system for comparing the energy efficiency of windows and is universally recognised.

All new or replacement windows require a minimum WER of C or above. Ask an Amber representative for further information and they’ll be happy to talk through the performance of any of our windows.

A window’s U-Value indicates how well your window retains internal heat. U-Values are measured in Watts per square metre, of W/m²K. The lower the number, the better the window is at keeping the heat in.

All new or replacement windows must have a minimum U-Value of 1.6 W/m²K. If you’d like more information about how well different windows perform, ask an Amber advisor.

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative that looks to improve the security of builds by designing out vulnerabilities.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered member of Secured by Design and many of our windows and doors meet the rigorous demands of this police-backed standard.

All our windows are manufactured in the UK by our partner, Conservatory Outlet.

Conservatory Outlet is the leading fabricator of windows and doors and a supplier to a small and exclusive group of retailers, us included.

This close relationship allows us to retain close control over our supply chain and provide our customers in Norwich with the best selection of windows and doors around.

No. Standard composite doors are typically 44mm deep and feature a foam inner that makes them reassuringly strong and secure.

At 48mm deep, Solid Core doors are slightly thicker than their standard counterparts and are made from laminated layers of timber. This makes them stronger and more durable

Solid Core composite doors on the other hand are deeper (48mm) and are made from laminated layers of timber, making them more secure and long-lasting than standard offerings. They are also finished in a UPVC skin and are therefore available in a variety of colours.

Yes! If you want grey outside and white inside, no problem. And the same goes for blue and green, or black and red. Or you could go mix and match two wood-look finishes. The choice is yours. An Amber advisor will be able to run down the colour options available for each door and work with you to create a unique door that matches the stylings of both you and your property.

You’ll get three keys as standard. But if you need any more, just let us know when you order your new door.

Of course. Just mention this to us upon ordering and we can ensure that your keys are suited.

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative that looks to improve the security of builds by designing out vulnerabilities.

Our manufacturing partner, Conservatory Outlet, is a registered member of Secured by Design and many of our windows and doors meet the demands of this police-backed standard.

The 3-star grade is the highest rating available, making it the safest choice on the market. The cylinder itself is tested to help prevent break-ins. It features snap-secure technology which, with its lockdown mode, prevents the barrel from being compromised and thereby keeping your home safe.

They can indeed. Our French doors can be ordered and installed with an egress hinge which will allow you to fold the doors back.

This is a commonly asked question and there’s no real right or wrong answer – it depends on what you ultimately want. Sliding patio doors have slimmer than bi-folds, so even when closed you get a larger view of your garden. However, bi-folding doors fold completely back and open up your property to the outside, which is great for access.

This is something we get asked a lot.

Recently due to advancements in construction and design, the clear differences between the three types of living spaces have blurred. Traditionally, a conservatory would predominantly be glass. We’re talking glass walls and a glass roof. However, it is possible to have a tiled roof conservatory or to introduce some dwarf walls to aid insulation.

Conservatories also have a reputation for being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Thanks to glazing options improving, glass panes can feature coatings and coverings to ensure the room is at an ideal temperature all year round.

The main feature of an sunroom is its pillars. These can be either brick or aluminium and add a little extra privacy over a full-glass wall conservatory. Sunrooms also tend to feature a pelmet around the roof, which helps to insulate the room. And as for roofs? Well, anything goes! An sunroom can have anything, from glass lanterns to tiles and everything between.

On the other hand, an extension is purposefully designed to mirror the look and feel of your home. It will largely be brick and generally (but not always) is finished off with a solid roof. Modern extensions can feature full-length glass panels and Velux windows to aid ventilation.

Whatever it is you’re after, we’re able to help. If you still need some guidance, speak to an Amber advisor and we’ll be happy to design something that’s uniquely yours.

This depends on your property and how you want to use the room in question. If you’re after unobstructed views and plenty of natural light, then a glass roof is the way to go. Yet if you’re wanting a room for all-around use and extra privacy, then we’d suggest a solid tiled roof.

However, it’s possible to go for a hybrid between the two. You could go for a solid roof and add in either full-length glass panels, Velux windows or even a lantern. The choice is yours.

Gone are the days of polycarbonate roofing and conservatories that become unbearable during summer and tundra-like in the midst of winter. All our living space products, roofs included, are designed and manufactured to be comfortable all year round.

If you’re opting for a glass roof, there are various solar-controlled options available. These smart glass panels help regulate the temperature of your living space and block UV rays. Though if you are especially concerned about temperature fluctuations, we’d recommend choosing a tiled roof.

Absolutely. Visit our showroom and we can talk about the different options available. We also offer a range of flat roof membranes.

If you’d like us to match to your property’s existing tiles, we can do that as well.

Absolutely. Visit our showroom and we can talk about the different options available. We also offer a range of flat roof membranes.

If you’d like us to match to your property’s existing tiles, we can do that as well.

Solar control glazing is glass that features a coating that actively works to retain heat in your home whilst stopping external heat from transferring into your room. This type of finish helps to regulate the temperature in your living space and make it as energy efficient as possible.

We have several options available, all of which offer varying levels of light transmission and heat retention. To discuss things further, speak to an Amber representative who’ll be able to advise on what type would be best for your needs.

We’ll always match brickwork where we can. Before any work starts, we’ll check this with you and ensure you’re happy to proceed.

Please bear in mind that your existing brickwork will have been exposed to the and as such, there may be some discrepancies between the old and new bricks due to the weathering process.

Many extensions need some form of approval under current Building Regulations – but some don’t. We’ll take care of the entire process. We’ll send an experienced surveyor out to your home to go through, check and discuss any relevant details. We’ll also arrange for the Building Regulations by working with the local authority.

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 put an exact timeframe on this as each project is unique and could be dependent on specific planning requirements. Please speak with a member of the team for specific timelines.

A test dig allows us to find out what the conditions on-site are. The results will determine what type of base and foundation is suitable and ensure we’re fully prepared to start the build process.

Cavity trays are a type of damp-proof course that bridges the cavity in a cavity wall and prevents moisture from permeating the inner wall.

This depends on your property and how you want to use the room in question. If you’re after unobstructed views and plenty of natural light, then a glass roof is the way to go. Yet if you’re wanting a room for all-around use and extra privacy, then we’d suggest a solid tiled roof.

However, it’s possible to go for a hybrid between the two. You could go for a solid roof and add in either full-length glass panels, Velux windows or even a lantern. The choice is yours.

If you are getting a new roof for your living space, then it makes sense to replace your windows and frames too. Why get a modern and more thermally efficient roof if you’re going to hold onto your old, outdated and potentially drafty frames?

A replacement solid roof system is typically prefabricated to help ensure the installation process is as quick and easy as possible.

The system itself comprises a pre-engineered, lightweight frame, insulating panels, insulated and fire-grade plasterboard, plywood and specialist membrane. The finish of the roof is either tiled to your choosing or solid panels.

A Clad over roof is sold by other companies as a cheaper option. We recommend that these be avoided as they aren’t designed to bear much weight, which is a problem when it snows.

Other problems with a Clad over roof include:

• Weight: Clad over solutions can be surprisingly cumbersome and too heavy for an existing conservatory structure. An old conservatory requires a lighter roofing system. The lightest solid roof that we can provide weighs around 31kg/m²

Tip: Always ask your installer to list the total weight of the new roof per square metre.

• Fire Safety: Clad over systems don’t meet current fire safety regulations as they aren’t fire tested as part of a wider structure. Original structures vary from building to building and so any test would have been conducted on induvial components, not the complete project. Solid roofs must be classified as either AC, AB or AA per BS476-3.Tip: Before committing to any home improvement project feature a new roof, ask to see the fire safety certificate of the entire roof system
• Building Regulations: Clad over systems generally don’t get Building Regulation Approval due to their poor thermal performance and/or structural integrity. This is separate from planning permission, which is often not required. When replacing a roof, you have to notify Building Control (including replacing a glass or polycarbonate roof with a solid option) to check it is structurally secure.

Tip: Check with Build Control that they have been informed about the impending works and keep your final Building Regulations certificate in a safe place!

All our products are designed with year-round suitability in mind. A solid roof offers a fantastic level of comfort and modern glass roofs can be specified with solar controlled glazing to better regulate the temperature in your living space.

As always, it depends on the size and complexity of the project. However, expect to pay around £5,000 for a small conservatory roof and £12,000 for a larger one.

It normally takes a couple of days to replace an existing roof.

Planning permission is not required yet Building Regulation Control is. A property cannot be sold without this important document.

Getting Building Regulations approval means that you can be safe in the knowledge that your system has been installed correctly and has been checked by a government-accredited inspector. The inspector will check that the installation has been done correctly and the roof is both structurally safe and thermally efficient.

Having this certificate also means that if you sell the property in the future, there won’t be any issues with unauthorised or undocumented work.

Yes, we do. To make the project more affordable, we offer different finance options (subject to application and status). See our Finance Calculator for more details.

If you are arranging your finance independently, just call us as soon as possible after it has been approved. If you’re applying for finance through us, we’ll inform you of the result directly.

People get turned down for finance for varying reasons. Sometimes it’s because you’ve moved several times in the past few years.

If you are unable to get finance through ourselves, we’ll do our best to help. It might be worth trying another provider, especially if they have an existing relationship with you – e.g. your bank or mortgage provider.

Sometimes, we get an answer almost immediately. Other times, it might take a few days. If you’re waiting, don’t worry – the delay could be for any number of reasons and you shouldn’t be concerned.