What Does FENSA Accredited Mean?

Whenever a homeowner in the UK replaces windows, doors, or roof lights in their home, they must ensure that they conform to certain standards. In particular, they must comply with the current Building Regulation standard, and meet the necessary standards of thermal performance. The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) was bought in, with the encouragement of the UK government, by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), along with a number of other industry bodies.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure that they obtain a certificate from a Competent Person Scheme. These usually come from the Local Authority Building Control, or from FENSA.

Who Are FENSA?

FENSA are one of the most prominent bodies in the double-glazing industry. They monitor and certify double glazing businesses across the country, ensuring that they are adhering to all the relevant building regulations. The goal is for FENSA accreditation to serve as a seal of approval, indicating that they are consistently meeting the high standards required for window and door installations.

What Does FENSA Accreditation Mean?

FENSA regularly assesses their members (including us) on an ongoing basis, rather than awarding the accreditation and then leaving it at that. As a result, consumers can be certain that FENSA-accredited businesses will provide work that is fully compliant with the relevant building regulations. This gives homeowners total peace of mind.

The double-glazing industry used to be notorious for using cold calling to drum up business, and for the prevalence of so-called cowboy outfits who would perform shoddy work with little care for the homeowner or their property. Any installer who isn’t able to meet the standards of the independent assessments won’t receive FENSA accreditation. When you hire a FENSA-accredited business, you can be sure that they will do the job properly.

Types of Checks

• As part of the accreditation process, here are some of the key checks that are carried out:
• Pre-approval inspection, which includes an assessment of the company’s technical surveyor and the competencies of the installer.
• Finance checks.
• Assessment of consumer contract documents to ensure that they offer clear terms and conditions.
• Assessment of guarantees and warranties to ensure that they are clearly written and relayed to the customer prior to the acceptance of the contract and the subsequent installation

Benefits of Hiring FENSA Accredited Companies

When you hire a FENSA accredited installer like us, you will be given a FENSA certificate on completion of the installation. This certificate is proof that the work and property are compliant with building regulations, meaning that there is no need for separate assessments from the local authority building control.

FENSA registered companies are required to give consumers a guarantee or warranty which covers the cost of any rectification work that is required for a period of up to 10 years following installation.

If a FENSA accredited business takes any kind of deposit prior to installation, they must provide the customer with some form of deposit indemnity. Deposits must be guaranteed either by a deposit indemnity scheme or by credit card protection.

If you ever find yourself needing to have new doors or windows fitted, or you decide to upgrade to double glazing, using a FENSA-accredited business is the way to go. Not only can you be certain that the work will be completed to a high standard, you will also be protected financially should there be any issues.