Double Glazing Savings

Double glazing can increase the energy efficiency of your home and make an overall saving of more than £130 per year on your energy bills. As double glazing uses two sheets of glass, with a space between them to created an insulated barrier that keeps in the heat. This can not only reduce your yearly bills but also help to reduce your carbon footprint for your house. Other benefits include a much cosier home, a reduction in the amount of condensation in the winter and a noticeable difference in drowning out the noise from outside.

So now that you want to turn your home into a warmer and more energy living environment, what kinds of replacement windows can you go for?

Sash Windows

Sash windows are made of one or several moving panels that hold separated panes of glass together. These moving parts are referred to as ‘Sashes’ and most frequently opened via the vertical or horizontal sliding panel. Sash windows have always popular and can be dated back to the 17th Century and in Georgian and Victorian houses. The classic arrangement, although not always common, is the three by two panes on both sashes to give a 6 panes over 6 panes appearance. Sash windows also are fitted with springs and counter-balances to open and lock the window in place.

Traditionally, Sash Windows were made from Wood and single glazed which meant they were not ideal for keeping the heat in. As both sashes can be opened at the same time, Sash Windows are more suited for keeping rooms cool in hot weather with air circulated through the top and bottom openings. The wooden frames and moving parts mean that these type of windows can be quite high maintenance and require constant attention. The wooden frames are also prone to rot or warping in damp conditions. Now, sash windows can be made of modern materials and have more sophisticated opening mechanisms.

Vertical Sliding Sash Windows

Sash windows can now be made in modern, energy efficient PVCU materials and double glazing to make them ideal for all seasons. The window mechanisms are made for ease of operation and very robust, meaning that the moving parts are less likely to need maintenance, whilst the frames are not susceptible to rot. The new features also mean that there are more operations available for the window to open, including tilt-open and opening both sashes.

To fit your home with energy efficient windows, which are also suited to both winter and summer seasons, Sash Windows can be the perfect choice. They come in many different colours and finishes to compliment your house as well as having a full array of functions to open the window. Contact your nearest specialist uPVC window supplier and see how sash windows can be the perfect choice.

This is a major decision and not to be taken lightly. To get it right means years of enjoyment and pleasure added to your home and your lifestyle. However, the last thing you want to do is spend too much money and regret the decision for years to come. Especially when it involves adding value to your home.

So how do you go about making the decision? What sort of things should you be thinking about? To start, here is a list of advice compiled from the expert interior designers, gardening experts and architects. Here are the ‘Top 10 Tips’ for choosing a UPVC Conservatory .

1: Consider the intended use of the Conservatory

What will you be using the conservatory for? A relaxing space? An extension of your living area? An office? Or a playroom perhaps? It doesn’t have to be specifically one of these categories but whatever your day-to-day plan to use the conservatory for, this will have an impact on the design. This involves how large it needs to be, the materials used to build it, which style and layout will all work best for the conservatory that you need.

2: Design and Quotation Costs

Before your conservatory decision has been made to start the build, make sure that your receive a detailed quotation that outlines the designs and specification. You should be able to see a breakdown of all the costs of the build and materials so you can see how the overall price has been put together.

3: The Cheapest isn’t always the best!

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. This certainly applies to any home extension not exclusively conservatories. If you go for the cheapest company, this doesn’t mean that the materials they use are the best nor does it mean that their expertise is any better than the competition.  A very important factor that influences your choice is the ability of your supplier to meet your target build time-scale. You don’t want something that is going to take far too long to build (meaning you miss the summer) or conversely something that is obviously put up too fast. Is the workmanship going to be reliable?

4: Your choice of materials is vital

If you think about your conservatory being a permanent structure and part of your home, then you must think that the conservatory should be made from materials that will last and also make it practical. The best frames that are used now are PVCU, which means they last longer and give greater performance. Window glazing can now come in either performance glass, clear glass or polycarbonate for the extra energy efficiency. The easier the materials are to clean, the longer they will last. If you are going for a brick base, make sure that the builder can match the brick of your house.

5: The positions is Crucial

Where you conservatory is placed around your home is vital and shouldn’t be overlooked. For example, a conservatory that faces south will get more sun then one facing north – thus there will be a need for adequate ventilation and window blinds. You might also need to regulate the temperature and therefore select glass that is designed for heat control.

6: Size Does Matter

It can be quite easy to over or underestimate the size of your conservatory design. Therefore, why not get a second opinion from a friend or relative to make sure that it is not too big and compliments your house without dominating it. A conservatory should be treated as an extension to your home and not just simply as an add-on.

7: Consider the Glazing Options

Once the design and materials for the frame have been chosen, now give some attention to the types of glazing your conservatory should have. Polycarbonate and normal glass will allow the sun to penetrate into the conservatory which means that the temperature in summer can get quite hot, like a greenhouse. In order to avoid this, try performance glass such as Celsius Plus Glass or polycarbonate with a solar reflective insert as this will also help with retaining the heat in Winter.

8: Ventilation, Ventilation, Ventilation

Without sufficient ventilation in your conservatory, you will end up with lots of condensation which might lead to more problems in the future. Having a good roofing system, such as K2 roofing, allows fresh air in without letting in anything unwanted. If your budget allows, you might want to consider fitting air conditioning or ceiling fans to help with regulating the air flow.

9: Check with the Local Authority

If you are living in England or Wales and your house is not a listed building, you will not need planning permission to build a conservatory. However, if you have any doubt about the build check with your local authority to see if this is possible. Your chosen conservatory installer should also be able to give you advice on this area.

10: Use a Professional

Probably the most important tip is always get your conservatory designed and built by a professional. You should also check the company’s references, reviews and that they have the right insurance to cover your build. When your home and lifestyle is on the line, you need to be sure that your conservatory company can deliver.

Orangeries – Style

Orangeries date back to the 17th century and were originally part of large houses or residences and were more used as a green house then a extension of the house. The name ‘Orangery’ comes from the original use for storing citric trees during the winter to produce fruit all year round. However, having an Orangery in the past usually meant that the owner had a considerable wealth and was used as a feature of the garden and not just part of the house. It was a special area to entertain guests whilst displaying a range of exotic fruits and plants together with the architecture of the structure itself.

Traditional Orangeries were very grand constructions with tailored roofing and a very specific style of side elevation construction. Differing from the conservatory in a number of ways, the orangery is a more permanent structure as they are built from brick and stone. One feature of every orangery is that is being bright and full of light through the roof and windows. For people who want to have something a bit more elegant than a conservatory, the Orangery provides an ideal mix of outdoor living and exquisite design.

Orangery Design

Just like a conservatory, the Orangery can be designed to suit your needs. With a large array of styles and designs, the orangery can also be built out of a variety of different materials. These can include:

• Woodengrain
• uPVC
• Timber
• Aluminium

Colour can also be specific to your needs with a variety of colours, such as cream, black or green. More than just an extension to the house, this can be very different stand-alone structure or something that fits perfectly into the architecture of your home. Orangeries can be fitted with all the conveniences of your home, including central heating, plumbing, air conditions and full electrical wiring.

To protect against the elements, full double glazed windows can be fitted with the Pilkington ‘K’ Glass that ensures low heat loss through a high performance coating. Having quality windows and doors on your orangery will ensure that not only will the structure remain warm in the winter but also maintain security with fully locking mechanisms. The roof can have outward opening vents that can be operated either electronically or by a mechanical arm connected to the roof vents.

More modern materials such as PVCU, are very robust and strong and require very little maintenance to keep their appearance and performance. The only required upkeep is lubricating the locking mechanisms on the windows and doors every six months. However, this can be easily done without the use of a professional meaning that the Orangery will last as long as your house.

Orangeries have considerably grown in popularity in recent years as the appearance and durability offer something more than a conservatory and a cost little less than an overall extension. The costs of an Orangery can very considerably, all depending on the type of materials used or the fittings required. However, one thing that any good Orangery installation company should offer is a totally bespoke service. As this is an extension of your home, getting the right design is critical not to mention the craftsmanship of the installers. Be sure to look around and find a orangery company that will build you what you require and within your budget.