Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of disturbance can I expect during installation?

We carry out all work internally and depending on the scale of the works, inevitably there may be some disruption due to noise or dust. However, in advance of our arrival, we ask that you move or cover soft furnishings to minimize this disruption. At the end of each day, your windows will either be completed or left totally secure.

I have a large renovation project, can you split the work into stages?

Absolutely. We have done this for many of our clients and will work with you every step of the way to ensure work is carried out to your requirements.

Do you offer supply only on your outdoor living products?

No, we only offer supply and installation.

Can you add original glazing into my new door?

This depends on the type and shape of glazing.

We’d recommend getting in touch with us to see if this is a possibility. There is also the option of matching new glazing to your original design.

Can I choose a bespoke colour for my door?

Absolutely. We can colour match to any colour you require.

What experience do you have of conservation areas?

With over 40 years of experience, we have a sound understanding of regulations and planning restrictions which may apply to homes within a conservation area and/or are listed.

We work with you and handle all aspects of obtaining planning permission. This service is free of charge.

What are the benefits of secondary glazing?

Secondary glazing is the perfect addition to a home which cannot install double glazing due to planning restrictions.

Secondary glazing can reduce heat loss by up to 65% and reduces noise levels by up to 80%.They fit discreetly into the frames of your windows, meaning the aesthetics of your windows are not lost.

Do you offer finance?

Yes. ERW Joinery Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

for Full Permission Credit Broking, our FCA Firm Reference Number 915157.

However, we cannot offer finance for our renovation services.

How do your doors compare to a local joiner?

All of our products are crafted to a factory finish, meaning the end result tends to be more aesthetically pleasing.

We also have a design studio, where you can work with a member of our team to create the perfect door for your property. With over 150 colours to choose from and the option for a bespoke lead design, your door will be truly unique to you.

As we have a large team of surveyors, joiners and installers, you can be assured that all aspects of your new door are handled by the same team and not subcontracted out.

What are your guarantees on your doors?

Our doors come with the following guarantees:

Up to 30 year guarantee against rot and fungal decay and up to 8 years on the coatings and preservatives.

8 years on opaque finish.

5 years on the stained finish.

What are your guarantees on your outdoor living range?

Our outdoor living ranges come with a 10 year guarantee.

Why aren’t your prices online?

As all of our products are bespoke to your requirements, therefore, the price of your new door/widow/outdoor living solution will be bespoke to your property.

What do you need to provide a quote?

In order to provide you with a quote, we require the following information:

Product type (e.g. vertical sash window, Linthorpe door, Upsall veranda)
Measurements (in metric)
Image of the current door, window(s) or garden space

If you email this information over to sales@erwltd.co.uk, a member of our team will get back to you with a quote.

How can I pay?

You can pay by debit card or BACs or choose to spread the cost using your preferred credit card.

Is it possible to order a door to fit into an existing frame?

No. We will only ever manufacture one of our doors into their own new frame due to the high performance aesthetics we offer.

How do you compare to a ‘local joiner’?

Your local joiner should be able to make you a reasonable quality casement timber window, although many smaller artisan companies will be unable to replicate the design and technical innovations that a company like ERW who has our own manufacturing facility offer. This is especially true when it comes to the skilled requirements associated with sash windows. More significantly, many joinery companies will not factory finish (i.e. paint) the frames for you, or even glaze them. So the whole process of replacing or refurbishing your windows becomes a major task requiring multi trade co-ordination including a joiner to make the windows; a carpenter to fit them; a painter to decorate them and a glazier to glaze them. From advice, to survey, to manufacture, to installation of fully glazed, factory finished windows, our family run business does it all.

What is the normal delivery period?

Due to demand our lead times can fluctuate but we will provide you with current estimates in the written quotation we provide.

Who will install my new wood windows for me?

Your windows and doors will be installed by our fully employed, trained and experienced installation teams who will treat your home with care and respect throughout the process.

How much deposit do you require?

All we ask is that a deposit of 25% (of the full invoice price) is paid when the order is placed. We will then require payment of the final balance, which will be invoiced on complete satisfaction of the client at the end of the job.

Do you provide free estimates and visits to my property?

Yes. All estimates are completely free and without obligation.

Do you offer guarantees?

Many traditional timber windows in Britain have lasted for centuries and are still in good working order. We are confident that with minimal maintenance our timber windows and doors will provide a lifetime of high performance. We are proud to endorse this claim with our industry leading guarantees as follows:

Purpose made High Performance Window frames
The extremely tough and durable preservative and coating characteristics mean we can offer a 30 year guarantee against rot and fungal decay on our complete new windows
Installation & workmanship 10 Years
Insulating Glass Units in our High Performance Windows 10 years
Opaque Factory applied Paint finish 8 years
Factory applied stain finish 5 years
Ironmongery 5 years
In addition to our comprehensive guarantees, as a FENSA registered Company, our clients have access to an additional optional Insurance backed guarantee

My sash windows are stuck. Are they meant to open?

Generally speaking all sash windows are meant to open both top and bottom. Often over time sash windows can become clogged with paint and will stick, but this is something that we can help with. Visit our refurbishment and renovation page for further details.

What is secondary glazing?

Secondary glazing involves the installation of new, fully independent secondary window frames on the room side of the existing or primary window. Our secondary glazing is ideal to maintain the external facades of historic, period properties even Grade One and Two listed buildings, while offering better thermal and security performance with reduced noise.

I need new sash windows – shall I replace them or renovate them?

It very much depends on the state of your existing windows, and we make recommendations on a case by case basis. We are unique in that we are a one-stop shop for all your wood window needs, and we offer both sash replacement and / or renovation. For new windows, we design, manufacture in our own facility, and install to the highest standards, a premium range of high performance, custom crafted, vertically sliding timber windows. We also operate a specialist sash refurbishment and renovation division to help you keep the original charm and character, whilst also benefiting from modern developments providing performance and energy efficiency enhancements.

My wood windows need replacing, but the house is a ‘listed building’ – what can I do?

Get in touch with us. During our 30 year in business, we have gained extensive experience of working in listed buildings and within conservation areas. We co-operate closely with many of the North East’s conservation officers and local authorities and are happy to advise on individual cases.

Are timber windows good for the environment?

Timber is one of the most sustainable building materials, and according to Greenpeace: “As long as timber is sourced from properly managed forests…timber windows are by far the best environmental choice” (Greenpeace Briefing: Installing New Windows 1997). ERW only uses timber from sustainable sources. The European Redwood timber used in the production of our windows is harvested from managed forests where the growing period is measured in decades. On average, two trees are planted for every one harvested – as timber usage increases, so too does replanting. Few people realise that the area of land under forestation in Europe is increasing year-on-year and there is more area of European forest now than there was one hundred years ago. We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously.

What is ‘next generation’ double glazing?

The biggest move in thermal efficiency used to be replacing single glazed units with double glazed ones, but now as we all try to preserve energy and save money on bills, product development has been undertaken by our industry that means not all double glazing is the same. We install as standard what is known as ‘next generation’ double glazing consisting low E thermally efficient double glazed units manufactured to EN1279 (part 2) incorporating Super Spacer warm edge technology resulting in windows that are up to 65% warmer at the edge, offer 70% reduced condensation and up to 2Db noise reduction. We also install argon gas filled units that satisfy the demanding EN1279 Part 3.