Tips of the Trade!
Ever had a burning question about your new home improvements? From troubleshooting and caring for your existing products to inspiration and advice when starting a new project, we’re here to help answer the most common questions about home improvements. Browse through our top tips, or if you think we’ve missed something, please get in touch! Send us an email, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Choosing a Tradesperson or Company
Did you know that a Checkatrade Study found that 6.7 million UK adults have been impacted by a rogue trade over the last year? One way to avoid the cowboys is to make sure your installers are fully accredited within their industry.
- Which accreditation should I look for in a window and door installer?
FENSA is government-authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance for replacement windows and doors. Every FENSA Approved Installer, from large national brands to small local companies, is assessed regularly by us to ensure its standards are continually maintained. - What benefits does hiring a FENSA Approved Installer have?
All replacement windows and doors must comply with building regulations by law, and register the installation with your local council – FENSA Approved Installers will do this for you. FENSA Approved Installers will always guarantee your installations, and back them with Insurance to protect you. - What is the risk of using a non-approved installation company?
Not all installers comply with building regulations or register installations with the local council – these are required by law. If there are problems with the work carried out by a non-approved installer and you can’t get them to return, you may have to pay another installer to put things right. - Don’t most installers give a warranty and support it with insurance?
NO. If you use a non-approved who goes out of business and you need something fixed, you’ll probably have to cover the cost of remedial works yourself. Many non-approved installers also use subcontractors, so it is often difficult to get them to return at all for remedial works. - Are Staywarm Energy FENSA Approved?
YES! Staywarm Energy have been FENSA Approved Installers since 2014. Click to see our FENSA Accreditation Certificate.
Caring for Your Windows
Once you’ve upgraded your windows to our highly energy efficient insulated glass units, there are things you can do to make them last as long as possible! Check out our handy tips of the trade for keeping your new windows looking and working like new.
- Do I need to clean my Pilkington Activ Self-Cleaning glass?
Sometimes you will need to clean the glass if the weather has been particularly dry. The self-cleaning glass works with UV light from the sun and rain water to remove dirt and build-up – so if it hasn’t rained for a while and you can see dirty building up, it’s a good idea to clean the glass. Find out more about Pilkington Activ Self-Cleaning glass. - What should I use to clean my Self-Cleaning glass?
Only use warm water and dish soap on your self-cleaning glass. Any harsher cleaning products will damage the external coating and stop the self-cleaning function working properly.
Building Regulations & Compliance
When you choose to order your home improvements from Staywarm Energy, we will handle all of the necessary compliance for you, ensuring that every installation complies with UK Building Regulations and is registered with the local authority.
- Where do I need to have fire escape hinges?
In a typical domestic home where you are the homeowner, building regulations dictate that you need fire escape hinges in every bedroom. In a rented property, you need fire escape hinges in every room. - What is a lintel and why do I need lintels?
A lintel is a beam that is placed above windows and doors. The lintel’s main job is to support the load from the structure above it. Both doors and windows are not constructed to structurally withstand the massive load of the building or home by themselves, and without a lintel the frame will begin to sag, and eventually will fail and the window will collapse. Under the current regulations, a lintel must be fitted to all windows and doors in any brand new building.
Troubleshooting
We hope that you won’t have any problems with your new energy efficient home improvements, but we’re collecting a treasure trove of handy hints and questions our lovely customers have asked us before to help with any little worries or hiccups!
- The locking / closing mechanism is stiff or sticking. What should I use to lubricate it?
Use silicone spray rather than WD40 on the hardware on your windows and doors to make them last longer! WD40 is oil-based, so leaves a sticky residue that attracts dirt and grime. Silicone spray does the same job, but doesn’t leave a residue as it’s water based.
Guarantees & Paperwork
We try to make our paperwork and guarantees as simple as possible, but sometimes things can be confusing! If you have questions about your paperwork, or how to register your insurance-backed guarantee, just give us a call!
- What is a Staywarm Energy guarantee?
All of our products and installations come with a minimum guarantee of 10 years. This means that if you have any issues with your Staywarm Energy home improvements within the guarantee period, just give us a call and we will come to repair it free of charge. - Do I need to do anything to activate my Staywarm Energy Guarantee?
No! We’ll send out your Staywarm Energy guarantee and keep it securely on record. There’s no extra paperwork to fill in, or forms to send back. Just make sure you keep your guarantee certificate somewhere safe and handy. - What does the Insurance-Backed Guarantee mean?
As an extra layer of protection for you, our lovely customers, we will also provide you with an insurance-backed guarantee through the Independent Warranty Association (IWA). The past few years have been very uncertain times, and we pride ourselves on giving you peace of mind should the worst happen. This means that if our company cease to trade, your guarantee still stands! The IWA have been looking after customers and their homes for nearly 50 years. - Do I need to do anything to get my insurance-backed guarantee?
Yes, you will need to register your policy document with the IWA. Once your work has been installed and completed, you’ll receive your insurance-backed guarantee and instructions on how to register it. Please be aware that if you don’t register with the IWA, your insurance-backed guarantee will not be valid. - What happens to my guarantee if I move house within the guarantee period?
If you are selling your home within the guarantee period, the IWA insurance-backed guarantee can be transferred to the new homeowners, giving you an added selling point for your house! This has to be done through the IWA, so you can contact them directly, or give us a call and we can talk you through it.