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FAQ: The abbreviation FENSA stands for FENESTRATION - SELF ASSESSMENT. The uk dictionary definition of the word fenestral or fenestrate is " belonging to or like a window" The word fenestration is "the arrangement of windows in a building". FENSA is used by double glazing uk trade companies to certify that their replacement windows and doors installed comply with Building Regulations Document L (and more), actually checking av. 1% of all replacement windows installations. Did You Know?
PVC-U profiles for the window industry are extruded mostly in (various shades of) white, and to a lesser extent, in brown and as such these profiles are ready to be cut up and be used to fabricate window and door frames. It follows therefore that the frames produced from these profiles would be either plain white, or plain brown. Plain white frames are by far the most popular because of their generally accepted smart appearance, and they also happen to be the least expensive. Plain brown ( mostly a sort of chocolate, or a caramel colour) tend to have very little popularity because they not too aesthetically pleasing as they are. Finishes on white. White profile with a 'woodgrain' foil bonded on one side of the profile, to give a woodgrain outdoors and white indoors appearance, is quite popular and suited to many properties, but of course does cost more because of the additional process involved. Finishes on Brown (s). The main finish to brown extruded profile is the 'woodgrain' foil bonded on both the outdoor and the indoor sides, to give a traditional solid wooden look, which is very convincing from a modest distance. The main wood grain look alike types available are that of a 'mahogany' colour on the dark 'chocolate' coloured extrusions, and a variety of 'cherry' and 'oak' looking finishes on the 'caramel' coloured extrusions.
Colour coated windows and doors seem set to be the next fashion: Many colours compliant to the European 'RAL' standard set (blues, greens, yellows, reds, etc.,) are now available, and the finish is achieved by a patented process by a now well respected pioneering company called Kolorbond, and another with the similar name of Kolorplas. The quality reports are very good on appearance, maintenance and long life, although expect to pay quite a hefty premium. Also think about this: you may like canary yellow windows and may be prepared to pay for it, but if you want to sell, will your prospective buyers be as keen!
Nearly all PVC-U looks fabulous when it is new but although some would have you believe it is 'maintenance free' in the real world it needs a regular clean to keep it looking at it's best. Aged with dirt and grime from traffic, birds mess and other pollutants PVC-U can look very unattractive. Do: Try a car shampoo in warm water - just like cleaning the car! Don't: Steam clean, some manufacturers will declare their guarantee invalid if their PVC-U has been steam cleaned - be warned!
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