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Safestyle have gone into administration as of 27 October 2023.
Safestyle was founded in the early 1990s in South Yorkshire. Today, it’s one of the largest installers of double glazing windows and doors in the UK. Over 6,000 frames and 15,000 double-glazed units are manufactured in Safestyle’s 18-acre production facility each week, and as many as one million customers have chosen Safestyle replacement windows or doors.
The company sells high-quality double glazing products and is focused on continual improvement in terms of environmental impact, energy efficiency and security. Safestyle has a number of accreditations, including FENSA and TrustMark.
Customers can choose between five window styles – sash, bay, tilt and turn, casement and French, each available in a choice of 10 colours, including three wood-style finishes. Glass options include bevelled, fret, lead or obscure glass.
Safestyle double glazing windows are not accredited by Secured By Design, but they do feature a range of security features. These range from the Trident high-security espagnolette locking system on the casement style to the ProLinea handles on the tilt and turn style. All windows feature internal beading and multipoint locking systems to protect your home against intruders.
Safestyle products perform well in terms of energy efficiency, but their A rating for energy efficiency is lower than other double glazed windows on the market. You can still expect to benefit from numerous energy-saving features, like the casement window style’s Q-Lon seals and EcoDiamond glass with Pilkington Optifloat and Pilkington K glass technology.
Safestyle’s uPVC line is quite affordable compared to brands like Everest. The company even offers a price-matching guarantee, which can be handy if you spot a similar product being sold for less elsewhere. Safestyle will match competitors’ quotes, provided they are comparable with its own products. This even applies to deals and promotions.
All windows come with a transferable 15-year product warranty which covers locks and hinges .
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Safestyle sells uPVC windows in five styles – sash, bay, tilt and turn, casement and French. All Safestyle replacement windows are A-rated for energy efficiency and feature a number of security elements, ranging from multipoint locks to internal beading. Individualise your windows with a choice of 10 colours, including classic white, stylish anthracite and slate grey, as well as wood effects, such as rosewood, Irish oak and golden oak. Finally complete your double glazing with a range of glass finishes, including obscure and leaded.
There are always advantages and disadvantages to consider before choosing a window company for your home project. Here are the upsides and downsides of using Safestyle.
Safestyle offers double glazing windows in a range of finishes, including the attractive rosewood effect. (Image credit: Safestyle)
You can get a quote from Safestyle via an online form or over the phone. A representative will visit your property to take measurements, discuss your requirements, and the aesthetic you’re going for. They’ll then provide a quote which remains valid for 12 months.
Next, a Safestyle surveyor will visit your property to take final measurements and confirm your product choices. When you are happy, your order will be finalised and production will begin on the units in Safestyle’s Yorkshire factory.
Your surveyor will have arranged an installation date and given you a contract to sign, and once the windows have been manufactured, installation can go ahead. Your old windows will be carefully removed and sent away for recycling.
After your replacement windows have been fitted, Safestyle won’t take a payment until they receive confirmation that you are happy with the installation and product. You’ll also get a 15-year guarantee for peace of mind.
There are a few brands that match Safestyle’s variety, guarantees and payment options.
Anglian is a market leader in the double glazing space. Unlike Safestyle, Anglian sells timber and aluminium window frames. It also offers additional styles, including cottage, flush and shaped. In addition to its wider range of products, Anglian’s uPVC double glazed windows have energy efficiency ratings of A to A+, which is higher than Safestyle’s energy performance. It’s worth noting that Anglian has nearly 27,000 reviews on Trustpilot, but an overall rating of 3.8, while Safestyle has 4.1.
Customers looking for premium options and long warranties should consider Everest. Everest offers guarantees of up to 20 years on its uPVC Exclusives range, and lifetime guarantees can be purchased at an additional cost. Everest’s product range is also more extensive than Safestyle’s, as the company sells sustainably sourced timber and aluminium frames. Triple glazing is also available.
If you are interested in cheaper windows, Britelite’s windows start from £160. The company is highly recommended, and produces double and triple-glazed windows with cutting-edge locking and security options. On the downside, Britelite doesn’t offer many payment options, but monthly financing is available with an APR of 8.9%. Note that the company only serves Kent, Sussex, Essex, Surrey and London, while Safestyle operates across England and Wales.
Safestyle windows vary in terms of cost depending on what style and finish you go for. uPVC windows are generally cheaper compared to aluminium and timber, and this is the only option Safestyle sells. You can expect to pay less for casement windows than styles such as sash or bay. Ultimately, the price will depend on how many windows you require and what style you choose.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for standard uPVC windows:
| Material | Cost per window (excluding installation and labour) |
|---|---|
| Casement | From £250 to £570 |
| Sash | From £500 to £1,050 |
| Bay | £400+ per section |
You might not need to pay for your new windows upfront. Safestyle offers three finance options:
Safestyle specialises in uPVC double glazing, which require very little maintenance during their lifetime. (Image credit: Safestyle)
uPVC windows are very easy to maintain. The frames need to be wiped down twice a year with soapy water and dried with a soft cloth, with abrasive paste or cream-based cleaners avoided.
Clean your glass with a standard commercial liquid window glass cleaner, or if you prefer a more eco friendly clean, a mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
“Safestyle is one of the largest double glazing installers in the UK and leads the way with sales for double glazing windows… Overall, Safestyle offers very high-quality double glazing, with some of the best product reviews on the market. Their windows and frames are manufactured in the UK, and the company invests heavily in new technology for strengthening glass, improving seals, and improving energy efficiency.”
“There’s a 10-year guarantee for the replacement and repair of all faulty windows and doors. This can be transferred to new owners at no charge. Safestyle is accredited by the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme and Glass and Glazing Federation, which means Safestyle installers can self-certify that the double glazing is compliant with building regulations. This saves you from having to contact your local council’s building control department yourself.”
“The sales representative was very knowledgeable and efficient. . . . The installer was very friendly, polite and professional. The products are excellent. We are very pleased.”
“Windows only been fitted two days scratch on one of the frames four windows blue mist in them called customer service three times cut off twice and the third time told me nothing they can do unless I send photos which I am not able to do and the blue misting she a woman called Rebbeca would not give her surname said I should have read the pamphlet not very happy they couldn’t do enough when putting a order in for 13 windows now cannot talk to a sole [sic] no one interested.”
“Seven windows and two outside doors fitted between January and July 2022. Safestyle maintained a very professional standard throughout our order and installation.
The cost will always be an issue, but we were given a fair quote and feel that we have value for money. The work teams maintained a very high professional standard who were as quick as possible with installation and pleasant with manner.”
Safestyle produces high-quality uPVC window frames with energy-efficient double glazing. The company places a real emphasis on recycling.
Safestyle is one of the UK’s newer window companies – others have been operating for much longer. The company offers more competitive prices than other UK brands, but companies such as Anglian and Everest offer a wider range of products and more energy efficient solutions.
However, we were very impressed with Safestyle’s positive customer reviews as this is an area it performs very well in. You can also be reassured by the company’s numerous accreditations, including FENSA and the Glass and Glazing Federation.
Double glazing windows are made using two panes of glass separated by a spacer bar and placed into a sealed unit. The space between the panes is filled with either air or an insulating gas – usually argon gas, as it is readily available, odourless and is a poor conductor of heat, meaning it can prevent the warmth inside your home from transferring through to the outside pane.
However, with the addition of a third section of glass and corresponding spacer, the insulating properties are increased. Although the cost of installing triple glazing is around 20% higher than double glazed windows, the energy efficiency is increased by up to 50%.
Any home improvement is a big investment, not least of which is replacing the windows in your house. However, double glazing windows tend to pay for themselves by saving you money on your heating bills – around £250 a year for the average household. Plus, because double glazing makes your house more energy efficient, you can reduce your impact on the environment.
Double glazing also insulates your home from exterior noise disturbance. The double panes of glass, combined with the sealed spacer section, absorb sounds from outside your home, and prevents inside noises escaping.
If completely replacing your windows is not an option, whether for budget reasons or because you don’t want to seek planning permission for a listed building, you do have options to make your existing windows more energy efficient.
Secondary glazing involves installing a second window with a single pane of glass on the room side of your window frame. This second window is usually housed in a very slim frame with handles and either sliders or hinges so you can open them to clean your main window or open your windows to let in fresh air without having to remove the secondary window.
Secondary glazing is usually cheaper than replacing your windows with double glazing units and can often be installed without contracting a professional. However, it is not quite as effective at reducing heat loss as double glazing because it lacks an insulating layer of gas between the panes of glass.
Double glazing units can have a life expectancy of up to 35 years, depending on the construction material, window quality and how well they’ve been maintained. Most providers supply a guarantee with their windows, which, on average, lasts for 10 years. Within this period, if the windows become faulty, it’s well worth having them replaced.
Double glazing that’s over 15 years old often has a smaller space between the panes of glass – around 6mm, whereas more recently manufactured units have spaces of about 16mm, increasing their energy efficiency. Older units often have a lower energy rating as a result, potentially as low as a ‘C’; newer windows can be graded up to an ‘A++’. Replacing less efficient double glazing with newer units will be reflected in smaller heating bills.
Other reasons for getting new double glazing include the appearance of condensation between the panes of glass and drafts, both due to the unit seals becoming compromised, and problems with the opening mechanisms.
Installing double glazing windows can be a big investment that needs careful consideration. Fortunately, however, the UK Government has several grant and loan schemes available that can make new windows more affordable.
The Green Deal Loan scheme offers loans to eligible households across England, Scotland and Wales, in order for them to install energy saving home improvements. These include solar panels, new boilers and double glazing. Another scheme is the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Run by Ofgem, suppliers sign up to the scheme, obligating them to install and fund energy efficient upgrades to homes throughout Great Britain.
There are also funding and loan schemes run by local authorities as part of the drive for a greener country. Energy giant Eon have made it easy to find what’s available in your area.
To compile this Safestyle windows review objectively, we read hundreds of customer testimonials, technical documentation and media articles. We then rated the company against our 100-point scoring system to see how it fares against other UK window brands.
The 100 points are distributed as follows: