General Article

Window Companies

Window Companies

Window Companies who do I call

Replacing your existing windows in today’s competitive market can be extremely confusing with today’s marketing strategies and the increase of double-glazing companies liquidating and-or being exposed as not fit for purpose the industry has taken its fair share of knocks.

Value for Money

When it comes to spending money on your home, the sensible customer wants quality & value for money. Window products are not standard; each item is designed to suit your house and your personal requirements, you have choices of colour, white – Light Oak – Rosewood all these colours can be mixed Light Oak/Rosewood outside and white inside, utilised with the options of Leaded Lights – bevels, Georgian Bar or traditional lead designs. With all these options your personal choices can be achieved with the minimum of fuss.

High Quality Components

Whilst price must be a major consideration some products are worth spending a little bit more on, elements of hardware and components should not be compromised because of the price. High quality hardware and handles are a necessary that eliminates calls because of failure.

FENSA registered Company

All installations must be to the new Building Regulation revisions (Part F, Part J and Part L). With the regulations being implemented in October 1st 2010 you will be confident that with a FENSA registered installer, your Home Improvement will make your home feel like the best home down the street, and if you decide to move, all the relevant building control documents are implemented and automatically change over to the new owner.

10 Year Insurance

With this insurance the home owner is re – insured that any financial investment they make with is protected with this indemnity. In recent times the consumer view is changing in that they once believed it was more likely that a small business was at risk of closure compared to a multi-national company, unfortunately this is no longer the case. With this insurance scheme being implemented all your transactions are protected giving you confidence to call the right company and the right choices.

A Rated Windows

All windows are Energy rated A – B – C depending on your budget, we recommend spending out more for the higher rated windows because you will be saving more money over the longer period with your energy bills.

Promotions

Many window companies have various monthly promotions and offer an affordable solution for any budget, shop around and get the best deal to suite your pocket, better to get a written quote as a salesperson will tell you any price on the phone disregarding Health and Safety & building regulations part N 1992.

Recommendations

Where ever possible get a recommendation from a friend or family who have used the company and are happy.

Have you already had written quotations for your project and undecided, please call Southeast Windows we recommend them highly, as they don’t claim to be the cheapest, but I know you will be pleasantly surprised at …

General Article

A Sash Window Repair Makes a House Into a Home Again

A Sash Window Repair Makes a House Into a Home Again

Over the years, all homes begin to suffer a little from wear and tear, and require some restoration to help them to recover. In many houses, especially those that were built in Victorian times, a sash window repair can give the outside of the property a whole new lease of life.

An initial look at the damage that’s been caused by the weather, the central heating and from general usage often makes the home owner consider replacing the whole window units, but there really is no need for that. A reputable restoration company can soon have those windows looking good and working perfectly once again.

Draught proofing can save money

Of course, a sash window repair will do so much more than simply make the home look new again. Restoration is a commonly accepted method of bringing down the household heating bills, too. As the years go by, timber window frames become less effective at keeping the cold air out and the warm air in.

With a renovated window, draught proofing is so much more efficient, and will help to keep the home owners snug and warm inside. And as an added bonus, sash window restoration will lead to less usage of heating fuel, thereby lessening the impact on the environment in the process, an important factor in these ecology-conscious days.

A sash window repair makes a dramatic difference

A common problem with older windows is the looseness of the glass. In the past, window panes were kept in place by putty and thin wooden beading. The end result was loose panels which rattle in the wind and fail to keep the cold air out. Sash restoration involves strong laminated glass and a more secure beading.

Without implementing a sash window repair, some home owners are leaving themselves more open to intruders. The older panes of glass, and the thin beading, are relatively easy to remove, a fact that is not lost on some burglars. Commissioning a restoration is an excellent way to improve the levels of security in the home.

Sash window restoration can add value to the home

In these difficult economic times, a growing number of people are opting to repair and renovate their homes rather than move house. Those that choose a window restoration programme are making a wise investment. In many cases, it will even add value to the home itself, so will prove fruitful if they decide to sell in the near future.

A sash window repair is a relatively inexpensive process, yet remains one that will bring many rewards.…

General Article

Double Pane Window Repair Is Cheaper Than Buying New Windows

Double Pane Window Repair Is Cheaper Than Buying New Windows

As you know the great thing about double paned windows is the way they insulate. They keep your cool air in during the summer and the warm air in during the winter, thus saving you lots of money on your utility bills. The way the insulation properties of your window works is because there is a trapped gas or air between the panes to increase the insulation. If you get a crack in the glass you will start to see fog develop between the glass panes or drops of condensation developing. You probably think all you can do is replace the entire window but you need to know that double pane window repair can be done and it will save you money.

The first best way to get the windows repaired is to get a professional to do the fix They will drill a small hole in a corner of the window and blow some cleaners into the space. they will drill a second small hole in the upper section of the window so when they blow air into the space the cleaners will clean and exit through the second hole. Once the inside is clean they will blow a drying agent through and seal the top hole and then blow more air in and seal the bottom hole. When the holes are sealed you will have your double pane window repair so they will once again insulate you from extreme temperatures passing through and you will have clear windows to look through as well.

If you have glass panes that are broken they will have to be replaced. Some people can measure and get replacement glass from a local glass dealer and do the replacement themselves. It can be tricky with double pane windows and you may be better off having a pro do it for you. The most important part is to ensure you get the glass the exact size and thickness that you need for your double pane frame. This way the pane can be sealed properly and clean dry air or gas can be trapped between the pains to restore the insulation factor that you had before the pane of glass was broken.

The best place to find a double pane window repair professional is through a local glass company or by checking stores where they sell the double pane windows. The stores will either have a repair professional on staff or will be able to direct you to the best place to find some help. Before they will be able to give you an estimate they will need to come to your home and see the windows that need repair. Some repairs are fairly simple and can be inexpensive to fix. Others, such as needing to replace one or more panes will cost more. Just be sure to have the repair person explain exactly what needs to be done and get a written estimate of …

General Article

Decorating Windows With Wrought Iron

Decorating Windows With Wrought Iron

Using wrought iron as an element of aesthetic design can be a beautiful addition to any home, whether it is external or internal. In particular, wrought iron designs for windows convey a certain regal sensibility. When looking upon decor like this, the home seems classy, elegant and well put together. Wrought ferrrous is a very classic decorating element and has seen major spikes in popularity growth as architecture and design trends from the early 1900s are making their way back into vogue. For this reason, many homeowners who have decided to redecorate their properties either externally or internally are looking to style their windows with wrought iron decor.

Although it may be hard for a homeowner to think of where they might be able to purchase the kind of wrought iron window decor they see in magazines or on TV, it is, in fact, widely available. Stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot and Rona all feature certain types of wroughtt iron decor that can be sized to fit their needs. First and foremost, the customer must know the dimensions of space that they are working with, to ensure that any purchase they make will actually work with their window space. If the customer does not see the size or style that they are looking for, speaking to a sales associate can help to lead the customer in the right direction. The store may have the option of ordering different kinds of wrought iron decor than what is currently in stock, or may be able to direct the customer to one of their direct suppliers.

If the homeowner can not find what they are looking for at a local home improvement store, they are not out of luck. The Internet is full of home decor websites that they can browse to learn about different types of wrought iron decor and where they can be purchased. Many style inspiration sites feature source links in order to direct the visitor as to where the product can be purchased. At very least, the information is generally available. With a few quick clicks, the homeowner can find themselves looking around online for their perfect wrought iron decor. Keeping their available dimensions in mind, they can talk with representatives of companies which produce wrought iron decor either via email or on the phone to talk about what types of decor would work best for them and any delivery options. Once the homeowners has found their perfect decor, they can order it and have it shipped.

When the decor arrives, it will, of course, need to be installed. While some people are extremely crafty and prefer to do that themselves, others will need to make use of a friend or family member who is better at renovations. A local renovator or handyman may make the best choice in this situation, as they will have the professional tools necessary to give the wrought iron decor the clean and polished look that the homeowner desires …

General Article

Renovate Your Home Interiors With the Wooden Windows

Renovate Your Home Interiors With the Wooden Windows

Creativeness is something that can simply make your home interiors attractive and outstanding. There are numerous fixtures that are present in the market through which you can easily provide a good look to your home or you can simply make your home special. If you are planning top start the renovation process for your interiors, then the eye catching interior fixtures can simply prove out to be very much effective in improving the looks of your home. You can easily improve the personality of your house with the help of various stylish home fixtures.

Wooden windows are really the best fixtures that can simply add appeal to your house. You can also grab the attention of your guests as well as the viewers with the help of these crafted wooden windows. These interiors decors are well enhanced with numerous advantages and benefits that you will simply love to stay at your home all the time. a well crafted wooden window can really prove out to be the best decors for the renovation purposes.

You can easily notice the window casements and sash windows that are available in the market. These types of windows are really very attractive and they are easily available in the market in a vast range. You can simply select the perfect fixture that can easily match with the personality of your existing home interiors. There are wooden windows that are well enhanced with a Victorian look. These fixtures can simply provide an old fashioned look to your interiors. You can also make your home eco friendly with the help of these wooden windows which are available in various colors. Today, most of the people prefer them because they are the best way through which you can provide a classy look to your interiors.

You must also take the proper care of these interior decors because they need a lot of maintenance. You can easily clean them with the help of the cleaners and the soft cloth. You can simply remove all the stains like that of lipstick and bubblegum with the help of water and cloth piece. You must also keep this fact in your mind that you do not use the high pressure sprays because they can make the texture of these windows rough and hard. You must also not use the nail polish removers and the polish cleaners because they are very much harmful and can easily make the surface harsh.

These are some of the facts related to the wooden windows. Make sure that you consider them well in your mind.…

General Article

Stained Glass: Styles Commonly Used by Stained Glass Artists

Stained Glass: Styles Commonly Used by Stained Glass Artists

When they are crafting one-of-a-kind stained glass windows for homes, government buildings, hotels, or churches, stained glass artists must not only create a memorable pattern, but also select the right types of glass to bring that pattern to life. Creating custom stained glass works may involve using one or more of the types of glass described below:

Cathedral glass: Cathedral glass is readily identified by its transparency. It is usually tinted a single, uniform color, and is available in a number of textures. Cathedral glass can be layered to achieve more complex looks and colors.

Opalescent glass: This is the type most people picture when they think of stained glass. It is generally translucent, meaning that although some amount of light is allowed to pass through, objects that are on the other side of the glass are not visible. This type of glass can be a single color, but often incorporates different hues or shades.

Wispy glass: Wispy glass consists of two different colors of glass that are mixed together. The characteristic that makes wispy glass special is that one color is usually opalescent while the other is cathedral. This results in varying amounts of light being permitted to pass through the glass, which creates good color depth and interesting visual effects.

Streaky glass: Streaky glass is similar to wispy in that two different colors are combined together. The difference is that both colors are typically opalescent. Rich, complex shades are created.

Bevels: Bevels are often included as accent pieces within a larger work of stained glass or used to create a border, although there are some works composed entirely of bevels. Bevels are made of thick pieces of glass, and their edges are ground and polished in such a way that they refract light. Bevels scatter light in much the same way as prisms.

Textured glass: Most people think of glass as having a smooth surface, but the truth is that an almost endless number of textures can be produced when glass is in its molten state. Just a few types of textured glass that can be used to craft panels, windows, and other decorative elements are antique (this type has fine lines and is often used to create backgrounds), seedy (contains small trapped air bubbles), and catspaw (a unique surface texture created when hot glass is placed on a cooler table).

The types of glass described above can be combined by talented stained glass artists in countless ways. Even works created from the same pattern can be entirely different once completed because of the colors, textures, and properties of the glass used to create them.…

General Article

Childproof Your Home

Childproof Your Home

Parents are always put on guard when their children play outdoors, but in truth, most kid’s injuries take place at home.

10 suggestions on how to make the home safe for children:

1. Fix window grilles on all windows and keep them locked. ensure that the gaps between the grilles are not wide enough for children to slip through. Beware of horizontal grilles – they can turn into ladder steps for children. The same goes for door handles are stiff or jam frequently. These could cause mini crises where a grandparent or small child gets stuck in a room or bathroom because they can’t turn the handle to get back out. prevent such stress by replacing door handles and locksets.

2. Beds should have railings at the side and set at a low height.

3. Chairs and tables should not be placed near windows.

4. Arranges furniture neatly. Active children may hurt themselves when playing in a cluttered room.

5. Children under seven years old should not sleep on double-deck beds as they could fall off.

6. Use socket covers on electrical cords or wires hanging around.

7. Toys with small removable parts are not suitable for young children. Keep an eye on toys that are damaged or broken.

8. If there are stairs in the house, baby gates should be installed at the bottom and the top.

9. Furniture should preferably have rounded edges. Otherwise, cover any sharp edges with corner guards.

10. Rugs or mats should be of the non-slip variety to prevent slipping.…

General Article

A Guide to Cheap Double Glazing

A Guide to Cheap Double Glazing

Double glazing refers to the process of fitting two glass panes into a window frame and then filling the space between them with some type of gas. The type of gas between the windows can be anything from argon to xenon, but can also be regular air. These windows provide numerous benefits to a homeowner who installs them. However, they can be very expensive. There are ways to find cheap double glazing on the market, but you must be aware of what parts of the product matter, and what parts do not.

One of the most costly parts of the manufacturing process is filling the window with a special type of gas. While the three most commonly used gasses (argon, krypton and xenon) do provide an increase in insulation against heat and cold, they are expensive. Regular air will do the job as well. So there is no reason to seek out expensive windows filled with argon.

The material that the actual frame is constructed from contributes to the reduced price of cheap double glazing. Uncoated polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) is commonly used. This material is just as energy efficient as aluminum but costs less. The only drawback being the outside appearance, which can be at odds with the style of some houses.

A small element in the frame, the part known as the spacer can be constructed less expensively in cheap double glazed windows. The spacer is the part that holds the glass panes apart. While optimally a manufacturer would use fiberglass or steel to make this part, aluminum works just as well and costs less.

The glass in a window can also be coated with one of several different types of metals or films. The windows can be treated to filter out UV rays, retain more heat or reflect more sun to keep it cooler inside. In searching for cheap double glazing, avoid these types of coatings. They will increase the price of the windows, sometimes dramatically.

Cheap double glazing can be made even less expensive if you plan to install the windows yourself. This may take some research, and you will need the right tools for the job, but it could save a lot money. The installation process is not much different than installing a regular window. Simple guidelines can be downloaded and followed to make the task even easier.

If buying and installing totally new cheap double glazing does not appeal to you, you may want to look into adding a second layer of glazing to your already existing windows. This process simply places a new window pane into your existing frame. This simple step may give you results similar to having purchased cheap double glazing.

Double glazing has proven to be very effective at helping a home same money. Even cheap double glazing will increase the energy efficiency of a home, making it less expensive to heat and cool the rooms. An added benefit includes some reduction in the amount …

General Article

Important Things To Consider About The Roof On Your Home

In terms of home repair, nobody finds the process to be fun. It can feel like a chore, and some things get put off. Once thing you should never neglect to do is maintain your roof. Bathroom Renovations Your roof gives your home the best protection against the elements, so you have to do all you can to ensure your roof is in sound condition. This article can teach you how.

Though leaks may be the result of shingle issues, you may also need to inspect your roof’s foundation. If there is dry rot on your home’s sides, you may get water in your home. You should examine all potential entry points so that you can find the problem.

Safety is priority one when roof repair is involved. A quick way to seriously injure yourself is to try to work on your roof in wet conditions. Place a bucket under the leak until the weather clears up, then go have a look at your roof to see if you can repair the problem.

When a leak is getting fixed, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. So, you cannot stop inspecting once you find the initial issue. It is important that you determine the entire extent of the problem before beginning repairs.

Always wear rubber-soled boots when working on your roof. Even if it’s sunny and dry, these boots can grip well. Be very careful when making repairs on your roof since you could easily lose your balance and injure yourself.

As mentioned, it can be a real chore to maintain your roof. Nonetheless, it is necessary to care for your roof well to protect your home. Use the advice mentioned above to help you keep your roof in great shape. You will reap the benefits of your diligence.…

General Article

How a Home Energy Audit Can Benefit You

How a Home Energy Audit Can Benefit You

Getting a home energy audit done on your home lets you know where you stand in the scheme of conservation and your immediate impact on our environment. How else are you going to know if your windows leak like a sieve or if you have enough insulation to maximize your heating efficiency?

Home energy audits take a scientific approach to see how your home holds heat and air (or not). Energy audit professionals will measure your home’s air loss using a vacuum to pressurize your home and take measurements. This will tell them where you are losing most of your air in your home. This means they can tell you where your heating and cooling dollars are going and if they are efficient or not.

Are my windows efficient or do they need to be replaced?

Your home’s age is a primary factor in how efficient your windows are at keeping conditioned air in your home. Even windows that were made 35 years ago are less efficient than newer ones because the technology wasn’t available yet. This means your windows could be leaking air around the frame, panes and cracks. Those are dollars literally going out the windows! Your home audit specialist will be able to help you determine whether or not installing replacement windows makes sense for your home.

Does my home have enough insulation?

When homes are built, they start as one large building and are carved out by contractors who add electrical work, piping, dry wall and other elements to it. This creates voids or spaces throughout the entire home through which air flows continuously. The voids can be filled with appropriate R-value insulation to combat this air flow problem. If your house seems to quickly lose the heated and cooled air that gets pumped in, there may not be enough insulation in your house.

Unlike today, if your home was built more than 30 years ago, oil was dirt cheap. This meant that home builders didn’t need to think about insulation much because they knew that people would just turn up the thermostat to get their home to a comfortable temperature.

Plus, as building codes focus more on energy efficiency, the building regulations call for more insulation (or R-value which stands for “resistance to heat”) than in the past. The result is millions of homes with insufficient insulation to keep hot and cold air inside the home from going outside. This means you could be paying hundreds of extra dollars a year because your home builder didn’t need to put enough insulation in your home back then!

Efficient HVAC equipment

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) makes each building comfortable to be in. The heaters, furnaces, water heaters and air conditioners do the work when we tell the thermometer how hot or cold we want a room to be. To get the maximum benefit from these tools, it’s important to make sure the equipment runs as efficiently as …