When replacing your old windows or having new ones in an extension, you’ll need suitable certification. A common question is FENSA vs CERTASS and which route to compliance is best? Both FENSA and CERTASS are accessible and both demonstrate windows and doors are correctly fitted to meet and comply with current Building Regulations. At Newlite Home Improvements, we’ve chosen the CERTASS route giving you the correct certification at the end of your installation. Here are some commonly asked questions about FENSA vs CERTASS.

What you need to know about FENSA vs CERTASS

illustrative image of a glass door for a FENSA vs CERTASS article

Certass is a UKAS approved certification scheme. CERTASS checks that your chosen home improvement contractor is competent to carry out your door and window replacement. FENSA was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation as well as other glazing industry bodies and the same reassurance to homeowners as CERTASS that the contractor is checked and certified.

FENSA is arguably better known because of heavier marketing, but rest assured both offer you the same protection.

FENSA vs CERTASS. Why does certification matter?

The requirement to certify your door and window installation is important for several reasons.

CERTASS certification ensures there are no complications with paperwork and compliance, if you decide to sell your home in the future. Your conveyancing solicitor will require details of your window installation with the relevant CERTASS paperwork we provide you. Bear in mind when comparing FENSA vs CERTASS, that these compliance schemes only relate to replacement window projects or new window installations. They are not applicable to window repairs or refurbishment.

Qualified contractors.

Newlite Home Improvements, as a CERTASS-approved member, certify our installations, complying with current Building Regulations. This means you don’t have to use Building Control to certify your new windows and doors.

CERTASS and FENSA contractors are checked and qualified, giving you peace of mind protection and avoiding the worry that a tradesman may take your deposit and carry out no futher work.

Certified new and replacement work on your home.

If you are fitting new windows and doors or replacing your existing windows and doors. FENSA and CERTASS ensure your purchase is certified and meets Building Regulations.

Selling your home is easier.

Certification to FENSA or CERTASS ensures there are no issues selling your home. It is a requirement that the window installations are registered and solicitors require the FENSA or CERTASS during the sale process.

Government Approved Schemes.

CERTASS and FENSA are both Government approved schemes operating a Competent Persons Scheme for home improvements and window/door replacements.

Your door and window installer is assessed.

FENSA and CERTASS organisations assess their registered contractors and check them annually. The standards set out by each scheme must be met. CERTASS as an example ensures deposits are protected and insurance backed, site operatives are qualified and contractors are competent to install to current Building Regulations.

CERTASS, unlike FENSA, is cheaper for window companies to subscribe to and, unlike FENSA, offers an independent Dispute Resolution Service.

What do FENSA and CERTASS mean for you buying windows and doors?

Both FENSA and CERTASS are UKAS accredited, working with the building and home improvement bodies in the UK. and both have partnerships with various other bodies.

At Newlite, we have chosen to use the CERTASS route for the certification of your window and door installation. We looked at the features and benefits of both organisations and, while very similar in the protection they provide to you, CERTASS offered more for our business. In the unlikely event that you are not happy with your installation, the Dispute Resolution Service by CERTASS we also considered important for your peace of mind.

Carrying out a quality installation and giving you great home improvement products that will enhance your home is our priority at Newlite. If you would like further information on our certification process and the quality of our windows and doors for your home, contact us today

Newlite Home Improvements

We hope this article is interesting to you. If you have any questions or want to learn more about our products, please get in touch with us.

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Greg Claire

10:35 03 Oct 24

Newlite made and fitted black aluminium framed windows and doors for a two storey extension built during the last 6 months.The quality and look of the windows is just what we hoped for and the team have been quick to respond to minor issues that I'm sure are typical soon after installation.

Carole Morton

17:24 30 Sep 24

Great service from start to finish, Alan answered my initial query very quickly and came round with brochures, he discussed what we would like and explained the different door types, he was great at advising what door would suit my property. Alan kept in touch and let me know when the door was ready to be fitted. Our fitter did a great job, was very friendly and polite, once he had finished he explained what he had done and ensured we were happy with the finished product and checked that the lock worked properly. I would definitely recommend this company .

Christine Avery

08:05 23 Sep 24

Excellent service from start to finish, 100% recommended, the windows look brilliant, they work well and condensation has been eliminated. The team worked fast, protected everything, were polite and cleared up after themselves. Alan who managed everything was great, helpful and communicated well. No issues whatsoever.

Michael Barnard

19:59 17 Sep 24

When we decided to replace our timber windows, we considered several options but only became convinced that we should proceed when we met and discussed our requirements with Alan from Newlite Home Improvements. For the first time we felt confident that the quality of the product, the fitting and the after sales care would meet our expectations. Considering the size of the project which included every window and door in our property, we remained completely relaxed in the belief that our confidence was well placed - and it was! We would most certainly recommend Newlite, their fitters and their products without reservation.

Sean Sargent

18:30 17 Sep 24

we have used Newlite Home Improvements twice now. Great service end to end.

Jesus Insua-Naya

08:41 30 Aug 24

Thoroughly recommended on all levels . Alan Burden and his team are a very professional outfit and I am glad to have come across them.I needed to find a local company who I could trust to complete the last stage of a staggered window replacement, having been very dissapointed by the previous installer.It quickly became apparent to me that we were in very good hands indeed with Newlite. The whole process was very well managed by Alan and his team . Here is a company with a no nonsense approach combined with good values and an obvious care to the project in hand. Thank you for a job well done.

Justin Catling

16:30 28 Aug 24

Fantastic from start to finish, very happy with the service and fitting. Windows look amazing and have changed

19:13 15 Aug 24

Newlite's second job for us - first smart metal double doors and side windows, now replacing old double glazing units with new good quality products. This is a thoroughly professional set up, beginning with advice on what works best for us in the price range, then a surveyors check over to see off any problems in advance, then a fitter arriving on time, polite, and clearly with years of experience. Its important for me to trust people, and I do not hesitate to recommend this firm.

Zoe White

18:50 04 Aug 24

Would highly recommend! We are extremely pleased with our new patio door and will be using their services again. A brilliant team, trustworthy and very hard-working with excellent attention to detail.

s cogley

15:51 30 Jul 24

Quick response to enquiry of replacement windows and assessment with advice on all or selected from Alan. I wasn't pressurised into replacing all the windows at all. Newlite was recommended to me by a neighbour and after a bad experience on checkatrade previously and 1 neighbour having constant problems with leaking in a conservatory from another company - i thought better to follow a recommendation from a neighbour who has used Newlite for over 15 years and been consistently happy ..with no leaks from a conservatory and had many windows - recently ordering a large replacement kitchen window .. and said Alan really cares about customers being happy and always follows up with calls to make sure all is ok. Mine were fitted exactly when promised..and I'm really happy and pleased that a local company has done such a great job..lots of contact..immediate answer to questions ..flexible with fitting arrangements around my schedule..friendly polite fitters who were tidy and careful of surroundings and my new carpets and who worked really hard. Fantastic job ..ahead of time..i have no doubt if i had any queries or problems they would be addressed..i just wish they could sort my other renovations out too! . I'm so pleased and satisfied that I've asked them to quote for a glazing job in berkshire for relatives. It is hard to find honest traders these days and with such a lot of money at stake you need to know you will get what you are paying for and expecting. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Alan, and the fitters Dave and Tony..a great team with an honest business who actually care about customer satisfaction in a decent and traditional way. Im so glad my neighbour gave me the recommendation.

Harriet Every

06:32 29 Jul 24

We are so pleased with our new crittal windows and doors. Absolute top quality and the service we have received has been second to none from start to finish. Both Alan and his surveyor Adrien have been responsive to any questions along the way which has taken out a lot of the stress of our building project which might have otherwise been there. We are so pleased that we decided to go with this company. 100% recommend.

Poppy Read

21:42 09 Jul 24

We got all our mid-century crittall windows replaced with aluminium ones by Newlite and Alan was amazing from beginning to end. He communicated with us consistently and was on hand for all our silly questions/alterations. The installers were extremely friendly and efficient and we were made to feel very at ease with the process. The finished windows are wonderful - the quality is clear! We love them, couldn’t recommend enough.

Shaun Kirkby-Bott

12:19 04 Jun 24

I am very impressed with Newlite Home Improvements and the professional service I received. Alan, the owner, was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. I had a specific style of front door in mind, and Alan went above and beyond to source it for me. The service I received from start to finish was impeccable, and I cannot fault any aspect of the experience. I certainly would not hesitate to use Newlite again for other home improvement projects. I highly recommend this company to anyone seeking high-quality home improvement services.

Emily Rodgers

07:57 27 Apr 24

Newlite is fantastic! We wanted some crittall style doors and a window for our extension and from the moment we got in touch with Newlite the whole process was easy. Alan talks us through the different product options and decisions every step of the way and always made it clear where we were at in the process, answering any questions we had. We were surprised how quickly the delivery was from measuring up and the installation was smooth and done to perfection. We absolutely love our new doors/window and would recommend Newlite to anyone!

What you need to know about FENSA vs CERTASS