What to look out for

Choosing which supplier to use is one of the most important decisions you have to make. A reputable supplier should be able to show a full size example in your preferred style, at an outdoor location – possibly even at a customer’s home.

Ask yourself questions: What quality of service will I receive? Have my rights been explained to me - such as the right to cancel the contract within 5 days?

If possible ask a previous customer if they needed any back-up service since they purchased their windows, and how good the company was at responding.

Check that your preferred supplier is part of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF). This guarantees that a company has high professional standards, and also means that if it were to cease trading, another member will honour your guarantees and carry out any work that may become necessary in the future.

Send for a selection of brochures, videos or DVDs. As well as being dazzled by the choice of styles, check out other information, such as: How long has the company been trading? Does it have quality standards which guarantee that its products are made from top quality components? Some to look out for are BSEN 12608, BS 6206 and BSEN 1279-2.

British Standards are awarded to companies who regularly test the quality of their own products, and are open to inspection and testing by the body that awards the standards.

BSEN 12608 covers PVCu profiles (the material which makes the frame of the conservatory, doors and windows). It ensures that materials used are of the highest quality, are colour-fast, impact resistant and have immense corner strengths.

BS 6206 Class A is for toughened glass where it is specified. It means that in the unlikely event of breakage there would be no jagged lengths of glass to cause major injury.

BSEN 1279-2 All sealed units manufactured to this standard demonstrate the ability of the unit to limit moisture penetration as a result of long term exposure to high temperature.

Another indicator of a quality product is the award of a British Board of Agrément (BBA) certificate. A complete double glazing system with BBA approval will have exceeded even British Standards for the quality of products used.