"There are so many double glazing companies around - what makes you at Harp so different from the rest?"

We offer high quality home improvement products at competitive prices. We are your local conservatory and Rehau specialist, and we have expanded the fabrication of our Sheerframe Environmental sash window. We are working to considerably develop our specialist market, and the opening of our showroom a few years ago was the first step in making our specialist products more widely available to our customers.

We feel it's important to offer our customers a choice of products, not just one or two types of window or door, hence we manufacture products from many major fabricators. You may find that bigger companies actually tend to offer customers a much more limited range of products.

Harp Windows is a family owned and run business, and we've been established since 1989. We're fully committed to providing a quality local service that's friendly yet professional, and provides real value for money.

See also: 6 questions you should ask your installer before you buy >>

"I've heard about the government scheme where double glazing installations are now subject to building and planning regulations. What exactly does it mean for me, the customer?"

The scheme you are referring to is FENSA - the Fenestration Self-Assessment scheme. It extended Building Regulations to cover replacement window and door installation from April 2002, when all installers and buyers of replacement windows and doors were expected to comply with improved energy efficiency requirements.

Once registered on the scheme, companies were then required to certify that their work complies with these regulations, and inform a central FENSA database whenever they carry out an installation. This database is used as the source for certification to Local Authorities that installations have taken place, producing certificates for homeowners, and for subsequent reference, by solicitors doing search activities prior to house purchases. Inspection will normally be carried out on 1% of each business's installations, subject to a minimum of 2 per annum and a maximum of 100.

From the customer's point of view, very little has in fact changed.
The choice of products that we offer you all conform to the improved energy efficiency requirements.

Harp Windows are fully registered on the FENSA scheme (no.10912).
For full information and clarification on "Document L" as it's known, click here. You can also visit the FENSA website by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

Document L explained >>

The "Vinyl 2010 Voluntary Charter" across Europe ensures that the production and disposal of PVC is carried out with total environmental responsibility. More specifically, the PVC window industry already recycles 50% of the collectable end use of frames and is working hard to increase this figure. Recycling waste materials without compromising the technical performance of the end product is a valuable achievement.

On the contrary, the recycling of end of use timber windows is more troublesome. Timber frames are often usually contaminated with a vast range of preservatives, fillers, paints and solvents, and 61% of timber from demolition sources tends to end up in landfill sites.

Because Sheerframe windows can be provided with exceptional weather tightness and ‘A’ rated energy performance using specialist glazing and construction methods, they can be central towards the achievement of a zero carbon home.

Discover more about our environmental sash window system >>
Discover more about the environmental impact of uPVC windows >>

For more information on glass, see our "glass options" >>

"I'm concerned about salespeople coming round my home, pressurising me into making an immediate decision, and signing me up for something that perhaps I don't need or want."

We never engage in any hard sell tactics, it's simply not our style. We don't spend hours and hours in customer's homes, offering huge discounts and other so-called incentives in return for signing up right now. We want you to think carefully about your options, after all, you are making a major financial commitment. 

Our professional integrity and established reputation means that you can expect courteous, friendly and efficient service from us, but no pressure and no hard sell - that's guaranteed.

See what our customers have said about us >>

"I've heard awful stories about people who have used small local companies. They paid their deposits only to find out later that the company has then gone bust. They've lost their deposit and got no windows. How do I know that won't happen to me? At least with the big companies I feel my deposit is safe!"

Rest assured! This situation simply could never arise with Harp Windows, because we are a full member of Installations Assured Ltd.

This is an insurance backed watertight guarantee that ensures your deposit and your installation guarantee is 100% safe, in the highly unlikely event that anything should happen to the company.

FENSA members are required to offer to their customers two categories of insurance. This is a government requirement, but the consumer is under no obligation to accept. If members take deposits in advance of installations, they must offer some form of deposit indemnity (see above). Deposits may be guaranteed by, for example, trade association guarantee schemes, deposit indemnity insurance, or credit card protection.

Members must also offer a guarantee or warranty covering the cost of completing rectification work in respect of defects and in the event of ceasing to trade, and offer to back this guarantee with an independent insurance policy.

We have an excellent credit rating, a fact that many other local companies can't lay claim to. We're happy to show all potential customers these details - they're available at our showroom. So don't worry. You're in safe hands with us.

Click here for more details on Installations Assurred >>

"Can I look at some previous jobs that you've done?"

Absolutely! We have so many folders of photographs that have been taken during installations, there simply isn't enough room online to show more than a very small percentage at any one time.

We can give you locations of recent installations which you are able to view, and speak to many of our satisfied customers.

"I'm very concerned about security. I've heard that double glazed windows are really easy to break into, by prising out the beading and removing the sealed unit. Apparently it can take just a couple of minutes and makes hardly any noise. Is this true? And what about lock bumping? I've heard that cylinder locks are really easy to open with a special key!"

Yes, perfectly true unfortunately. However, Harp Windows install internally beaded uPVC windows, which means they are glazed from the inside, and not the outside. The glass cannot be removed from the outside whatsoever. Together with the high security locking handles, our windows are totally secure, giving you total peace of mind.

It's worth mentioning that externally beaded windows are still available if requested. All externally beaded windows are now glazed with security bead which makes them much more secure and prevents exterior removal.

As for "lock bumping" that is another concern. However our residential doors are multi-locking lever systems with deadbolt, dogbolts and hookbolts, providing effective all round anti-intruder protection. The Vectis multi-lock lever system cannot be "bumped".

Discover more about our Vectis multi-lock >>

"I live in a period property with vertically sliding sash windows. I'd love the benefits of double glazing, but can't fit just normal double glazed windows because I'm in a conservation* area. What can I do?"

You are spoilt for choice! We manufacture and install the Sheerframe Environmental sash window, virtually indistinguishable from timber sash windows, yet are top spec, maintenance free, double glazed, easy clean and high security. You even have the option of an authentic style glazing bar (not the usual internal Georgian style bars) and arched tops.

Harp are now official selected partners for Evolution Windows. They maintain the look and feel of traditional wood in the style of Georgian and Tudor but have all the advantages of state-of-the-art modern window technology. Handcrafted and tailor-made from only the finest materials, they offer outstanding energy saving, exceptional weather proofing and unequalled low maintenance.

Both Sheerframe and Evolution windows have been installed in conservation areas, and are the ideal choice for the discerning homeowner who does not wish to compromise on quality or choice.

Discover more about our environmental sash window system >>

"I fancy a conservatory, but I'm unsure about what to go for."

Conservatories are our specialty! We have a huge amount of photographs from our previous jobs, which show the various stages of the work, so you can see what to expect from scratch to the end result. We have brochures detailing many different designs which you can take away and look at in the comfort of your home. Conservatories come in all shapes and sizes: what styles do you prefer and what are you going to use it for? An additional small sun-lounge, or perhaps a stunning new dining room? The choice really is yours. 

We offer a full planning and design service, and our conservatories are designed to cope with extremes of weather that we can expect in our unpredictable British climate.

"I've got just plain windows at the moment. Can I replace them with something more interesting?"

Yes, you can. An easy way to add interest to plain windows is to consider having leaded, bevelled or stained fanlights. Certain windows are usually more suited to a particular look and style, but we can advise you fully when we visit. It's also important to work with the style of your house - if you're replacing old Georgian windows, then you would usually replace like with like, although that's not written in stone!

There are many different options available to you, however we don't usually recommend Georgians or leads in patio doors, simply for aesthetic reasons.

"Big window companies always seem to have a selection of kitemarks on their literature, saying their products conform to British Standards. Why don't you?"

We use profiles from some of the leading manufacturers in Europe, and manufacture them into windows in our factory in Watford. All the profiles that we use conform to British Standards and carry the relevant kitemarks, as does the toughened safety glass used in doors and side panels. We're happy to provide you with any technical specifications about the products we use - please just ask.

"Eveything seems to be PVCu these days! I prefer the slimmer profiles of aluminium windows - do you manufacture these?"

Yes, of course!. In fact aluminium is experiencing something of a revival of late! We use the Beaufort Aluminium System which is direct fix into brickwork. Aluminium profiles are thermally broken, which helps to prevent heat transfer through the frame.

Powder coated frames are available in white, black and brown (other colours to special order) and glazed with special security beads. We have an aluminium conservatory on display in our showroom. For more information see our product specification page. Or you can visit the Beaufort Secure site by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

"How long will I have to wait to have my new windows and doors installed?"

Depending on what you are having, usually between 4-6 weeks. During busy periods it may be 6-8 weeks. If you are having anything particularly unusual or commissioned, then it may take a little longer - we can advise you of that at the time of order.

"Are your products guaranteed? What about if something were to go wrong during installation?"

All our products are fully covered by our comprehensive ten year guarantee. In the unlikely event that there should be any problems during or after installation, then we are obliged to make good and put it right (subject to the terms and conditions of the guarantee). 

As a member of Installations Assured, you as the customer are fully covered by our watertight insurance scheme which guarantees any possible rectification work that may be required.

That's complete peace of mind for all our customers.