FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know that this is a major concern for many customers, so that’s why we prioritise year-round comfort when designing all of our living spaces. The old polycarbonate roofs, that used to turn conservatories into red-hot greenhouses, are long gone. Using solar control glazing eliminates any possibility of excess heat internally, but if you want to be doubly sure of a year-round extension, we suggest that you include a tiled roof in the design to fight off the weather.

We certainly do. Mitchell Glass is very proud to be a member of the Conservatory Outlet Group of companies, and Conservatory Outlet is a highly-respected manufacturing of roofing products. They manufacture them at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The tight bond we have with Conservatory Outlet helps us to retain close control over our supply chain, so we know that roof manufacturing standards are always consistently high.

Of course you can. You’re able to select from a range of shingle and slate roof tiles, and you won’t have any issue finding a tiled solution that matches the roof tiles on your house. A number of flat roof membranes are also available. To discuss roof tiles in more detail, speak to a Mitchell Glass advisor.

As per the BFRC Rating Scheme, A rated windows are the most energy efficient windows you can get in the UK. All windows sold in the UK are labelled with an energy efficiency rating so that you can identify their thermal performance and also check whether the thermal efficiency they offer complies with current Building Regulations.

A bit like you find on ‘white’ goods e.g. fridges, freezers, washing machines, a traffic-light style energy rating system is used on windows, with them rated from A-E. Please, always look out for the energy rating of any set of windows to help you make a more informed buying decision.

There is an inventive coating on solar control glazing that helps prevent excessive heat from entering into a room and also stops internal heat from escaping. You can request tinted glass if you want to determine the level of light transmission and heat retention, and there are a series of tints available. Just talk to one of our advisors for guidance on solar control glazing.

We will make a concerted effort to find the closest possible brick match to help your living space match up nicely with your home. Please, be advised that there can be weathering and manufacturing differences between existing and new bricks. If we experience difficulty locating a suitable brick match, it can be tinted to solve that, but this will require an additional cost.

To extend a property you generally need to obtain Building Regulations Approval, but there are certain classes of extensions that don’t require it. Mitchell Glass will clarify this. One of our surveyors will guide you through and inform you of the process, making it as stress-free as they possibly can. If Building Regulations is necessary, Mitchell Glass will approach your local authority to get this organised.

Extensions & Conservatories

You don’t require planning permission if the extension meets certain rules. This is called ‘permitted development’.

If your extension will have one storey, you don’t need planning permission as long as:

• it’s located at the back of the house
• it doesn’t go back further than 3 metres if it’s a terraced house, or 4 metres
• if it isn’t the height of the eaves (where the wall meets the roof) is no higher than 3 metres
• it’s not higher than 4 metres, including sloping roofs
• it doesn’t cover more floor area than your house does
• it doesn’t take up half the ‘curtilage’ – the grounds behind your home
• it isn’t within a conservation area

If you want to add a porch to a front door, back door or side door on your house,
different rules apply.

Porches

You won’t need planning permission to add a porch to a front door, back door or side door on your house as long as:

• its footprint (the total floor area it takes up) is no greater than 3 square metres
• there’s at least 2 metres between the edge of the porch and any boundary facing a road
• it isn’t taller than 3 metres
• it isn’t within a conservation area

It is hard to give you an exact estimate of how long it will take as it all depends on whether there are any planning requirements and how complex the project is. Ask for a copy of our ‘What happens next’ guide to gain an understanding of the building process.

We carry out a test dig to check that the ground is sufficient for a traditional concrete base and foundation, prior to performing any construction work. Upon the discovery of the ground being suitable, we will inform you of an alternative foundation proposal such as a specialist pile foundation or concrete raft.

A cavity tray is a series of high level damp proof courses that bridge a wall cavity to direct moisture to the external face of a wall where the extension roof joins the house wall. To put it more simply, it counteracts any moisture forming on the outer wall and becoming visible in the extension.

Yes. To make life easy for you, Mitchell Glass can arrange a variety of affordable and convenient easy payment finance options (subject to application & status). Applying for finance is simple and we promise you a quick decision. Everything can be sorted out with you in the comfort of your home or at your local Mitchell Glass Showroom, so you can enjoy whatever you’ve set your heart on right away.

If you’re arranging your own finance, you’ll need to call us as soon as you get the go ahead. If you’re taking up one of our offers, the company will tell us both directly, so there’s no need to call as we will get in touch with you.

Finance companies can turn down people for lots of reasons, for example if you’ve moved several times over the past few years. In these circumstances, we always do our best to help and sometimes it’s worth trying another provider, especially if they know you.

Sometimes our finance company will say ‘yes’ almost immediately and on other occasions it may take them a few days. This short delay can be for any number of reasons and you should not be unduly concerned.