Double Glazing Questions from Nottingham Homeowners

Straight answers to the questions people ask before buying windows, doors or a conservatory in Nottingham. Where an answer touches planning, building regulations, grants or consumer rights, it's general information, not advice: check with your council or Citizens Advice before relying on it.

Prices

How much should I expect to pay for double glazing? It depends on the number and size of the windows, the frame material, the glass, the opening style and access to the upper floors. A single front door or a conservatory is priced on different terms again. Typical UK figures sit in three guides: double glazing costs, door costs and conservatory costs.

Is it worth replacing 20 year old double glazing? Look at the frames before the glass. Where the frames are straight and the windows shut cleanly, swapping a misted unit or a worn hinge is usually money better spent. Where frames have bowed, locks no longer meet their keeps, or rooms stay cold with the windows closed, a new set tends to pay its way. See is it worth replacing.

Grants and VAT

Can I get a grant for double glazing? Not a dedicated one: England has no standalone double glazing grant. Warm Homes: Local Grant can include glazing under its national rules, for owner-occupiers and private tenants on a low income in homes rated EPC D to G. For Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, windows are allowed nationally but not currently offered locally, and applications are closed until spring 2027. The detail is in double glazing grants.

Is there VAT on double glazing? Yes. Double glazing is charged at the standard rate of VAT, so check whether a quote includes it.

Planning and Building Rules

Do I need planning permission to replace my windows? For a house, new windows and doors of a similar appearance usually don't need planning permission. A new bay window is treated as an extension, and new upper-floor side windows must be obscure-glazed and fixed shut below 1.7 m. More in planning permission.

What if I live in a flat or maisonette? Flats and maisonettes have no householder permitted-development rights. An identical like-for-like replacement usually shouldn't need permission, but a different look may, and councils interpret this differently. Ask the planning team before ordering. See flats and maisonettes.

What changes in a conservation area? A house in a conservation area keeps its right to fit similar-looking windows unless an Article 4 direction has removed it, and your council can tell you whether one covers your street. The city council's 2025 guidance asks for like-for-like replacements, with timber-effect uPVC among the accepted materials, and a listed building always needs listed building consent to replace its windows. See conservation areas. General information, not planning advice.

Do new windows need trickle vents? If the old windows have trickle vents, the new ones need vents that are no smaller and can be controlled. If there were none, the room's ventilation mustn't end up worse than it was before.

What size does a fire escape window need to be? An escape window needs an unobstructed openable area of at least 0.33 m², at least 450 mm high and 450 mm wide, with the bottom of the opening no more than 1,100 mm above the floor, and it must stay open by itself. A replacement must offer at least the same potential for escape as the window it replaces. See fire escape windows.

Certificates and Your Rights

What is a FENSA certificate, and what if I've lost mine? When a replacement is registered with FENSA, the certificate usually arrives within 15 days and shows the work was self-certified under building regulations. Other schemes, CERTASS among them, issue their own. A lost FENSA certificate can be replaced for £30. FENSA can't register work more than 2 years old, so for older unregistered work the route is the council's building control.

Can I cancel a made-to-measure window order? Often not. Made-to-measure windows are usually exempt from the 14-day cancellation right, even when you sign at home, because they're made to your specification. Standard items and the fitting may still be cancellable, and some installers offer their own cooling-off time voluntarily. So decide before you sign, and ask about cancellation first. This is general information, not legal advice.

Should I pay by credit card? Paying part or all of the price by credit card, or with finance arranged through the installer, can bring Section 75 protection for a single item priced at more than £100 and up to £30,000. A deposit paid by credit card is enough to cover the whole price. Debit cards aren't covered by Section 75.

Choosing a Company

Which double glazing company is best? We don't name one, because the answer depends on how a company handles your job. Compare quotes on the energy rating, the scheme certificate, an insurance-backed guarantee, a deposit of 25% or less, a firm lead time and a clear answer on cancellation. For consumer advice, ring the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. Our guide on how to choose an installer covers the rest.

Does Nottingham Double Glazing check the installers? No. We don't inspect, approve or check any installer, and we don't suggest otherwise.

About the Service

How does Nottingham Double Glazing work? Nottingham Double Glazing is an independent matching service. Tell us about the job by phone or form, and it goes to an independent installer covering your area, who surveys and quotes you directly. You pay us nothing; the installer may pay us for the introduction. Enquiries outside working hours get a call back the next working day.

Which areas do you cover? Nottingham itself and 24 named areas, from Hucknall and Calverton to Keyworth, Long Eaton and Ilkeston. see all service areas.

What don't you cover? We only pass on enquiries for fitted windows, doors and conservatories in homes. Glass sold on its own, garden rooms and extensions are outside it. The full list is on the all services page.