FAQs

There is no difference – they all refer to the same thing. The correct term is PVC-U windows. The abbreviation PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride and the U stands for Un-plasticised.

‘PVC’ stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride, with the ‘U’ standing for Un-plasticised. Most people are familiar with the abbreviation PVC. Poly Vinyl Chloride is modified for use in the manufacturing of many common items such as shoes, bags, and faux leather.

Many people in the UK still refer to PVC-U as UPVC because it only officially changed its name in the late 80’s. This was so we were more in line with what Europeans called the material. Most European languages place the noun before the adjective, and therefore PVC is before the U.

Without treatment, pure PVC-U is not compatible for windows and doors. For that reason, we add a tiny number of additives to guarantee durability and weather-resistance of our products. The additives are also important to accomplish the white colour.

Although we appreciate that white is an excellent choice for windows and doors, and that’s why it remains a classic, we are pleased to offer Planet customers a whole host of other options, alongside traditional white.

If you are looking for something more unique, you’ll be delighted with the volume of colours we can offer. From traditional shades to on-trend finishes, you may settle on an Anthracite Grey door and Matt Black windows, or vice versa. Our grey finishes are particularly popular now with Olive Grey and Hazy Grey being firm favourites.

We also have a selection of woodgrain finishes, varying from the very rich and elegant, such as our Rosewood finish, to more colourful shades of Chartwell Green and Steel Blue.

If you want to create a different aesthetic internally and externally, you can choose a colour for the inside and a different colour for the outside of your windows and doors.

The Window Energy Rating, often abbreviated to the WER, of your window will indicate how well your window performs in terms of energy efficiency. It is a similar A+ – G energy rating to what is often found on household white goods, such as washing machines, fridges and freezers.

As determined by the BFRC Rating Scheme, an A+ rated window is the most energy efficient window available in the UK. BFRC is the national system for rating windows’ energy efficiency, and it is even endorsed in Building Regulations to demonstrate compliance with their rules.

Investing in A and A+ windows is the smart choice. Not only will they contribute to lower heating bills, but your Cumbria or North Lancashire home will feel comfortably warm throughout the seasons.

It is mandatory for all new and replacement windows to have a WER of C or above. Our team of advisors can educate you on the importance of thermally efficient windows.

Measured in Watts per square metre or W/m2 K, your windows’ U-Value stipulates how well the window prevents internal heat from escaping from your home. All new or replacement windows must have a minimum U-Value of 1.6 W/m2 K and the lower the value the better.

If you want to discuss U-Values or anything to do with the energy efficiency of our windows, contact a Planet advisor.

As a police endorsed initiative, Secured by Design revolves around upgrading the security of buildings and their nearby surroundings. The mission is to provide the public with secure places to inhabit.

Secured by Design has a product-based accreditation scheme referred to as the Police Preferred Specification. This is an official standard for any products that have a role in reducing crime. This includes domestic windows and doors and their locks and hinges.

Our sister manufacturing company, Conservatory Outlet, is a long-standing member of Secured by Design. The majority of our product range exceeds the SBD standard. If any further information on the security of our windows and doors is required, speak to a Planet advisor.

As part of the Conservatory Outlet network, Planet benefits from windows manufactured at an advanced manufacturing facility with the latest technological machinery. To meet the needs of our customers, Planet products are manufactured by Conservatory Outlet fabricator.

Substantial investment in the latest technology, machinery and a comprehensive employee training program have created a unique blend of craftsmanship and automation to exceed our high standards. Conservatory Outlet’s factory, coupled with existing infrastructure and use of fabrication techniques, delivers high and consistent levels of quality every time. Our extensive range of products use the most advanced UPVC and aluminium on the market – ensuring the perfect consistency of quality, colour, and finish throughout every product range.

Yes, you can!

In most instances, you’ll be able to choose a different colour inside and out.

For example, you could have a white exterior and grey interior. Or you could go red and blue. Or green and black – the choice is yours!

Any replacement door bought from Planet comes with 3 keys as standard. You can request more keys at the time of ordering, or have some cut by us further down the line.

We can get that organised. Just let us know that you want this when your door is being ordered and the advisor involved will sort out a suited key that works with both doors.

Secured by Design is a scheme with Police-approval that is committed to improving the security standards of buildings and their immediate surroundings so that they’re safer places to be in.

The Police Preferred Specification – SBD’s product-based accreditation scheme – is the formally recognised standard for home improvement products that can minimise criminal acts. It includes domestic windows and doors, and their coexisting components e.g locks and hinges.

Our sister manufacturing company is Conservatory Outlet, and the Conservatory Outlet Group is a registered member of Secured by Design. Therefore, much of our product portfolio satisfies the secure standards of the scheme. Make sure you inform us of any concerns you have over home security.

If it’s the highest rated door cylinder that you want, you need a 3-star door cylinder. In multiple tests, it has proved over and over again that it can withstand almost anything. Our door cylinders include snap-secure technology with a lockdown mode to prevent the door barrel from becoming damaged or broken.

You sure can! It needs the inclusion of an egress hinge for them to fully fold back, which when they do will give you the most wonderful view.

There is no right or wrong choice, it all depends on what you want the door to do and your motivation for having a feature door installed. A bi-folding door is capable of being completely folded back to leave you with a generous garden opening, if that sounds enticing. The slender profile of a sliding patio door allows for a high quantity of glass in its design, meaning whether open or closed, the view will be no less spectacular.

That’s the million-pound question and one we could devote thousands of words to – so we’ll try and keep it short and sweet…

Traditionally, a conservatory is a structure that’s predominantly made of glass where the glazed walls and roof combine to allow loads of light into the space and brilliant views of your garden. On the other hand, an orangery has more of a mix between glass and brick, along with some key architectural features such as a pelmet and pillars for extra insulation and warmth during the winter months.

An extension, meanwhile, will normally be designed to feel like a natural addition to your home.

That all said, the lines between the three types of spaces have become blurred in recent years. You can choose a conservatory with a tiled roof or an extension with a feature glass roof.

Speak to a Planet advisor about your ideas and they’ll create the rest.

The answer to this depends on how you want to use your space. If you value a natural-looking extension to your home, then we’d recommend a tiled roof. You can even customise your roof by adding some glass panels to let light in and subtly open the space up to the outside.

If you want lots of natural light all year round, then you can’t go wrong with a glazed roof. Glass technology has made great strides in recent years and you can get lots of different options that will regulate the temperature in your space.

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

All our living space products are designed with year-round use and comfort in mind.

Thankfully, we are far removed from the days of cheap, inefficient polycarbonate conservatories. We offer a full range of solar-controlled glazing that make a real difference and will help keep your space at a comfortable temperature all year round.

Absolutely. We have several types of slate and shingle options available as standard. We can even match your existing tiles, if necessary, or install a stunning flat roof membrane.

Speak with a member of our team for more details.

Yes, absolutely! We have a wide range of options available, and we’ll happily go through all the styles to ensure there’s as close a match as possible to your existing roof. Or you could pivot and go completely different – the choice is yours.

Solar control glazing (or solar control glass) is a special type of glass that allows light to pass through but radiates and reflects away heat. We have several options available that offer varying characteristics and many varieties with different coloured tints.

Please speak with a member of the Planet team if you’d like to know more.

Before building work commences, we’ll talk through the available brick matches.

Please bear in mind that there may be manufacturing differences between certain batches and that your existing bricks will have been subjected to years of weathering.

If the closest available match isn’t what you want, we can tint the bricks. But please be aware this would come at an additional cost.

Most types of extensions require approval under Building Regulations. We’ll take care of everything and advise you of the options and paperwork required.

The majority of extensions and living spaces such as a conservatory or orangery are classed as a permitted development. These do not require planning permission, as long as certain criteria are met.

• 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 hou

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 difficult to estimate how long a particular build will be as it depends on several factors. Please speak with a member of our team to learn more.

A test dig helps ascertain local ground conditions and gives the build team valuable information. It also helps us determine what type of foundations are required.

Some builds will require a cavity tray.

These are a type of damp-proof course (DPC) that crosses the cavity of a cavity wall and helps to prevent moisture from permeating the inner skin of a wall.

The answer to this depends on how you want to use your space. If you value a natural-looking extension to your home, then we’d recommend a tiled roof. You can even customise your roof by adding some glass panels to let light in and subtly open the space up to the outside.

If you want lots of natural light all year round, then you can’t go wrong with a glazed roof. Glass technology has made great strides in recent years and you can get lots of different options that will regulate the temperature in your space.

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

If you’re going to the trouble and expense of upgrading your old conservatory roof, it makes sense to update your windows too. Failing to do so could well compromise the warmth, comfort and efficiency of your new roof.

After all, why invest in a new roof and high-performance glazing and let all that go to waste by keeping your old, outdated frames? Speak to a Planet advisor and we’ll work out an excellent deal for incorporating more energy-efficient frames in the same process.

A replacement tiled roof system is prefabricated to help ensure the installation process can be completed as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Your roof will be individually made to the exact dimensions required for the build and will comprise of a pre-engineered, lightweight frame, exterior grade plywood, fire-grade plasterboard and an impenetrable membrane. It is then finished with a tile option of your choosing.

A clad-over roof is a type of roof system that covers an existing roof. It is sold by some companies as a cheap alternative to a roof replacement, but this isn’t good practice for several reasons.

Weight: Clad over solutions can be too heavy for a conservatory’s existing frames. Any roof replacement needs to be light in weight to avoid structural problems. Always ask your installer for the total weight of the roof per m²

Fire safety: Clad over roofs do not meet current fire safety regulations. As the original structure varies job by job, a completed roof system cannot be tested and therefore, never receive the necessary certification. All solid roofs must carry an A-rated fire rating per BS476-3

Regulations: When making a change to any structure, you are required to notify building control. Clad over systems do not generally get Building Regulation Approval due to their low thermal value or structural integrity.

All our roofs are designed and made with year-round use and comfort in mind.

Thankfully, we are far removed from the days of cheap, inefficient polycarbonate conservatories. We offer a full range of solar-controlled glazing that make a real difference and will help keep your space at a comfortable temperature all year round.

The price will vary depending on size, but you should expect to spend anything from £5,000 for a small conservatory roof, to £12,000 for a larger one.

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

Planning permission is not needed to change your roof on an existing structure. However, Building Regulation Control is a mandatory requirement – a property sale cannot be made without this approval.

Getting Building Regulations approval from your local authority means you can be sure that the system installed has been rigorously checked by an approved 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 or undocumented work.

Yes, we do. Planet has a series of affordable and convenient easy payment finance packages that you can potentially take advantage of (subject to application & status). Making a finance application is really straightforward and you won’t be kept waiting long to hear if it has been successful. This can be organised with you at your home or in our Kendal Showroom, whichever is best for you.

When you have arranged finance yourself, just let us know as soon as you receive word of it being accepted. If the finance is organised in conjunction with Planet, the finance will contact us both and we’ll then be in touch.

People get turned down for finance for many different reasons, such as if they have moved a number of times in recent years. We’ll do whatever we can if your finance application is refused. Trying a provider who already knows you could be one solution.

It could be an almost immediate “yes” from the relevant finance company, or you might have to wait a few days for a response. Any delay isn’t something to be alarmed about and could occur for several reasons.