Accreditations & Testimonials

Why buy Kitemark?
It's difficult to imagine any better recommendation of a product's performance than the Kitemark. It is one of the most well-known and respected product certification marks in the world.

To achieve this prestigious mark, Scotia's products and services are independently evaluated to ensure we conform to stated standards, and our quality systems are assessed to ensure we can consistently produce products which comply with the kitemark standard. In addition, our products are subjected to an evaluation programme which is carried out on an on-going basis.

Testing and assessments are carried out to meet recognised British, European or International safety and quality standards. Only when a company has shown that it can meet the stringent standards is it allowed to display the Kitemark on its product.

What does the Kitemark mean?

Reassurance
The Kitemark is one of the most well known and respected product certification marks in the world and is your reassurance that BSI has checked that our windows comply with the latest British Standards.

Product Quality
Kitemark certification is voluntary and companies are not obliged to join. However those that do are making a public commitment to the quality of their products.

Confidence
Companies who have the Kitemark have confidence in their product. They are required to give BSI unrestricted access to their offices and factories and allow random samples to be selected for testing on a regular basis.

What to look for
Kitemark certified windows display the Kitemark and the Standard Number in close proximity. This is usually on the inside of the frame (ie not visible when the window is closed).

You may also see the Kitemark used in advertising. Reputable companies will clearly display their kitemark and licence number.

Misleading Claims
As British Standards are public documents any company may state claims of compliance to a standard for their products e.g.
'windows manufactured to BS7412'
'window tested to BS 7412'
'conforms with BS 7950'

However these claims are often not validated by an independent orginisation. The Kitemark on a window gives you the reassurance that it is regularly tested by BSI and meets the requirements of the standard.

BSI Registered Firm
Our registered firm status covers the manufacture and installation of windows, doors and conservatories as well as supply and installation of our roofline products. This continual assessment of our products and services ensures our customers of the best quality standards at all atimes

PVC-U Windows and Doors
Householders looking for PVC-U windows are in an area where they may be at the mercy of unscrupulous companies who concentrate far more on price and profit rather than quality and durability.

The BBA is a government-linked organisation which evaluates building products to establish their fitness for purpose and issues its opinion of their performance in documents known as Agrément Certificates. The BBA has awarded more than 250 Agrément Certificates for PVC-U Window Systems.

The assessment process which lies behind the award of these Certificates includes an evaluation of weathertightness, condensation risk, insulation, safety, ease of operation, impact resistance and durability.

BBA approved windows have been checked to show that they meet the relevant performance requirements - not simply under test conditions - and the manufacturer must also demonstrate that the quality of product which met the BBA's stringent criteria during the original evaluation programme is being maintained throughout the validity of the Agrément Certificate.

The BBA maintains a regular surveillance operation on its Agrément Certificate holders, to ensure that product quality is upheld.

As members of the Glass and Glazing Federation we comply with their code of practice.

Why use a GGF member?

Vetting
All our members have been vetted to ensure quality of service: this vetting process includes making a site visit to the company's premises, checking three year's of their accounts and taking up references.

Code of Ethical Practice & Glazing Manual
All our members work to a Code of Ethical Practice and to the Technical Standards laid out in the Federation's Glazing Manual.

Customer Charter
GGF has a Customer charter offering consumers:
* advice on where to buy
* advice on what to buy
* safeguarding of purchases
* quality service at all times
* continued customer care.

Free Conciliation Service
The GGF also provides a free conciliation service, should a customer and a member company not see eye to eye over work carried out. In the rare cases that this does not work, the GGF has an independent arbitration scheme run by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Deposit Indemnity Scheme
Deposits placed with GGF Members are protected by an indemnity scheme, backed by CGNU, which safeguards deposits up to £3,000 or 25% of the contract price, whichever is lower.