uPVC Window Blog

Are they really worth the investment? Well it depends on the state of your current windows of course, but with today’s economy, can you really afford not to?

Energy efficient windows save you money by simply preventing your home’s heat seeping out through your windows and doors. It’s not rocket science, but many people who put off installing replacement UPVC windows during last year’s recession, may well be regretting that decision now that it’s reared its ugly head once again.

With no telling how long the economic downturn may last, if your windows are in a poor state of repair, investing in professional installation, together with new technologies could be the sensible solution.

Technology such as the warm edge spacer bar, which reduces condensation by minimalising cold spots around the edge of the glass units, improves the thermal efficiency of your home. Yes it’s better on the environment, which is always a good thing, but the bottom-line is it saves you money and evens increases the value of your home.

At Double Glazing on the Web we don’t employ a costly and expensive sales team; neither do we offer one off deals, special offers or false discounts. We simply offer one price; the true price and it’s the same regardless of the time of year or the number of windows or doors that you buy.

We believe our customers respect the transparency of our pricing. Not only is there no pushy sales pitch, but there is no pressure to buy now or miss out, or alternatively buy now only to find Mrs. Jones next door got her french doors cheaper because she ordered on a bank holiday! 

Because our prices are not subject to random fluctuation our customers can confidently use the Online Quote Builder on our website, to get a true idea as to the cost of whichever windows or doors they require. Browsing our online gallery of styles from the comfort of their own living room, it’s possible for customers to choose their new patio doors, and get a clear idea of how much their new doors will cost them even before picking up the phone.
 
Transparent pricing lets our customers see and choose for themselves, with no pressure and no gimmicks. For our clients in Bournemouth and Poole our online services have proved truly useful and make for an all round pleasanter experience when it comes to buying new UPVC doors.

Why Bournemouth I here you ask? Why not? … It’s sunny (sometimes), vibrant, with roughly 180,000 residents and it’s costal. People in Bournemouth require new windows the same as the rest of us, and given the coastal climate, then it’s as good as place as any to use as an example.

Whether you are replacing, old or blown UPVC with new windows, adding a conservatory or taking steps to make your home more energy efficient, in most cases UPVC is the best way forward.
 
Not only a terrific insulator and one of the most cost effective choices, but new UPVC window frames are incredibly durable. This is particularly useful if you live on the sunny south coast. If necessary your new windows be colour matched to tone in with any existing UPVC and because the latest UPVC’s have an impressive resistance to UV rays, they won’t tarnish, fade or as once as upon a time, turn yellow with age.

Although there are many great reasons to install good quality new windows in your home, many tied to your bank balance, carbon footprint and sometimes just a need for a little peace and quiet, what is foremost in many homeowners minds is ‘what will it look like?’ or ‘will it be an improvement to my home?’

If you don’t currently have double glazing or the glazing you have is old and neglected the answers will almost certainly be a resounding ‘yes!’

Happen to live in Bournemouth? Then get in touch with Double Glazing on the Web – supplying and installing UPVC across Dorset without the pushy sales team – you can even get a quote on line.

It’s been going on so long now it’s old news, but I was reminded of it yet again this week when a double glazing salesman kindly knocked on my door to warn me of the potential threat.
 
Threat – what threat? …Well, accordingly to the very helpful salesman, it’s the local council. Clearly with too much budget on their hands they have decided the best use of tax payers funds it to use thermal-imagery to ‘heat-map’ constituent’s homes.

Why? … Well, naturally to encourage residents whose homes glow red with wasted energy escaping through their windows, walls and roof, that there are ways of preventing this – insulation for example, wall cavity lagging and double glazing.

Whether this is true or not, I cannot say – the council rarely consult with me personally on such issues, however, as I pointed out, I already have double glazing installed. I assured the salesman that all my windows and doors are energy efficient so he really need not worry.

Nevertheless, since he was NOT there to sell me anything – something he made very clear right from the start – he continued to express his concern that I might get spotted by the council’s thermal cameras. He was particularly worried in my case because, as he could see from where he was standing, my double glazed windows are externally beaded and as he suggested, were therefore not as energy efficient as they could be – apparently I was facing a perilous predicament!

As much as I enjoy teasing door-to-door double glazing salesmen who assume me ignorant of all things glazing related, I had to put this one out of his misery. I kindly explained that I appreciated the vital importance of energy efficiency in the home, both on the grounds of reducing my carbon footprint and my energy bills and thanked him for his concern – I also asked why he felt external beading posed such a treat to heat loss, when in my opinion it was more a security issue, however given the installation method, I was confident in this case that the frames couldn’t be jimmied from the outside… he’s still considering his response… 
 
If unlike me, you don’t have energy efficient double glazing installed in your home, or your double glazing is so old it’s in desperate need of replacement, don’t be tempted to be talked into new or replacement double glazing by kindly souls who come knocking on your door randomly on a sunny afternoon. Instead why not cut out the salesmen altogether and search online.

Everyone knows that installing new windows is not a rush decision; it’s important to take your time to find a good supplier and to choose a style of window that will best suit your home.

Don’t be pressured by double glazing salesmen trying to offer you a great deal. If possible, do a little research first, have a look at online showrooms and take a walk around your local area and indulge in a spot of window shopping. See what style of window looks good in properties of a similar age and style to yours; usually the more in keeping with the property, the better your new windows will look when they’re installed.

When speaking to a supplier be clear on what you want and what they are offering. Many ‘cheap’ deals are only cheap because the windows have limited functionality. Make sure your quote includes all the security features you require, ask how much an upgrade would be, it might be less than you thought. Make sure that all your windows open just as you require, especially if in some rooms, for example above a conservatory, you may prefer twist and turn technology for easy cleaning.

At Double Glazing on the Web there are no sales people so you are free to browse the online gallery and get accurate quotations for the exact styles you like the look of at just the click of a button. Also, they don’t offer ‘deals’ at any time of the year – just straightforward honest pricing ensuring that you get exactly what you want for a realistic price.

Thinking of investing in a new door? Whether installing a new front door, internal door, back door, in fact any type of door, but especially UPVC glazed doors, be sure to get the experts in. Hanging a door might seem like a very straightforward process, probably most of us have had a door off its hinges to get something in or out, but there is more to hanging a new double glazed door than first meets the eye.

The process known in the trade as toeing and heeling is a tricky business to get right and it’s an important art to perfect among double glazing installers. Double glazed doors are very heavy and without just the right amount of strategically placed support, in time they can start to pull on the hinges, leading to sticking and locks becoming unaligned.

Toeing and Heeling is the technique of bracing the door on the diagonal using plastic packers – hinge side at the bottom, handle side at the top. It sounds simple enough, but is surprisingly difficult to get absolutely right.

If you’ve recently had a new door fitted and started to notice it dragging on its hinges it’s worth giving your installation company a call. Very often they will come and re-hang it for you without charge.

At Double Glazing on the Web we don’t believe in salesmen. Because we don’t employ a flashy sales team, we can pass the sizable reduction in our overheads directly to our customers.

Customers measure their own windows in 3 easy steps and can choose from a staggering variety of styles online to suit their exact requirements. All prices are provided instantly online, together with a transparent Quick Quote feature allowing customers to see exactly what they are getting for their money.

By cutting out the salesman not only do we save our customers unwanted aggravation, but the savings also allow us to put greater focus on customer service. As experts in double glazing we pride ourselves on the quality of our installations and that is why the first person we send out to your property, usually within 48 hours, is a qualified surveyor.

We make it easy for you to buy online, but we are by no means a faceless company, in fact we are quite the opposite.
Our surveyor will firstly check the precise measurements of your order, secondly they can advise on the following:
• Any  requirements for  safety glass
• Planning permission
• Structural details regarding the legal size of frames required and load baring walls
• Details on openings and ventilation
• Advice on choosing the right styles to suit your property
• Recommendations as to the types of locks and other security features such as internal beaded.
• Energy efficiency ratings. The Window Energy Efficiency Scheme rates windows on their carbon efficiency with A-rated being the most eco friendly. However this needs to be taken into consideration alongside costs. Our surveyor can advise on the benefits both ecologically and financially of the various grades to double glazing available.

Looking for new or replacement double glazing on the South Coast? One of the best indicators of a reputable supplier is   the quality of their installation teams. Ideally you are looking for a company that has been established in the industry for a long time and with a team of experienced fitters.

There is a true knack to installing double glazing and with each supplier there can be a different technique required for the ideal install. Also, each location brings with it its own set of circumstances, for example on the South Coast we are not often exposed to the severe changes in temperature experienced further up the country, but we do suffer with effects of the high salt content in the air.  

UPVC is one of the best materials to use for double glazing because of its impressive durability against the elements. It’s also the only glazing material which needs to be fitted to expand, so not the ideal DIY project.

When choosing a supplier ask if they have satisfied customers in the local area; 9 times out of 10 people who have been pleased with their installation, will be more than happy to provide a testimonial. Signs of a professional installation team include taking the time to ensure you are familiar with the locking mechanisms and other security features of you new windows and doors and of course, tidying up after themselves!

Looking to install or replace double glazed windows in your home or place of work? The benefits of double glazing are renown nowadays especially with the government enforcing strict building regulations concerning both new and replacement windows, in a bid to reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.

The decision to install double glazed windows is not a hard one, finding a reputable local supplier can prove a little trickier. So here are few handy tips to help you on your way:

• Watch out for pushy salespeople. Double glazing in many respects sells itself, so reputable companies don’t need to canvas or cold call.
• Are they registered with a self-assessment regulatory body such as FENSA?
• Can they provide testimonials from satisfied local customers?
• How long have they been in business for?
• Do they have a showroom or online showroom so you can see the quality of the products?
• What guarantee do they offer?
• This their pricing structure transparent?

With Double Glazing on the Web, you can avoid the pushy sales calls altogether. Simply go online, choose from hundreds of styles and special features, browse the online gallery and get an online quotation there and then, all without even picking up the phone.

Currently in the UK, UPVC windows really are the preferred solution for homeowners looking to install replacement windows.

UPVC (un-plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) is the most affordable material of all replacement windows solutions, as much as 3 times less expensive than classic hardwood frames,  and by far the most energy efficient.
Readily available in a range of shades, though white is the most widely used, UPVC is moreover recyclable and extremely long-lasting. 

Window companies such as Double Glazing on the Web offer competitive rates regarding replacement UPVC windows. Being first choice in Britain means that double glazed UPVC is a competitive sector, which can only be very good news for property owners.

Needing no real maintenance aside from a wipe using a cloth and at most just a little soap, UPVC windows are fantastic insulators, are generally immune to UV light which can fade other types of frame plus comfortably hold the most up-to-date locks and security components. Making it the all round win-win option in the UK.