Double Glazing On The Web

FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme and with over 9,000 members, it  is very much the regulatory body in the world of glazing. With encouragement from the Government, FENSA was established by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies, to monitor and ensure that Building Regulations for England and Wales are enforced and applied.

Any DIY project undertaken by a homeowner, or installation undertaken by a company, which is not registered by FENSA or a similar body,  has to have full Local Authority Building Control approval, which is likely to incur a charge.

Changes to Home Information Packs (HIPs) introduced on 6 April 2009 heighten the importance of using a regulated glazing installer. Sellers now need to provide better information to prospective buyers from the first day a property is put on the market.

FENSA registered businesses can assist with the selling process by reminding homeowners to insert their FENSA certificate into the optional part of HIPs. When the time comes to sell a property, the purchaser’s solicitors will ask for evidence that any replacement glazing installed since April 2002 complies with the Building Regulations. The FENSA building regulations certificate will act as documentary proof of compliance.

To find out more about FENSA click here  or visit www.fensa.org.uk/

It’s been six months since new planning regulations introduced by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint, have been in effect. Designed to cut red-tape surrounding home improvements these new regulations have meant that since October 2008 the majority of homeowners, looking to make standard improvements to their homes, have not needed planning permission.

It was estimated that this legislation would save the nation up to £50m by removing approximately 80,000 householder applications from the planning system each year. Also, many people extending their homes will no longer be expected to pay additional council tax as a result.

The changes were introduced with the aim of reducing the stress and the cost associated with extending your home and relieving the pressure on the housing market. Minister Caroline Flint said at the time: “Often people grow out of the family home, but now those who don’t really want to move will find it easier to improve instead.”

Before embarking on any improvement project it is always advisable to check whether you will require planning permission. Click here   to find out more and to see which improvements you can make to your home, without the need for planning permission.
Alternatively you can visit the governments Planning Portal for more info

Green building is no longer solely the concern of hippies and eccentrics. Modern design that focuses on functionality as well as increasing efficiency and reducing the impact on the environment is becoming more and more popular.

In an area of outstanding natural beauty such as the South Coast, is it fitting that construction firms, local authorities and private individuals are all taking environmental breakthroughs in building seriously and integrating them into new builds.

Eleven eco-friendly homes have recently been constructed at Poundbury and a similar green scheme is planned of Weymouth.  These new homes will include wood pellet boilers and stoves, heat recovery ventilation systems and rainwater harvesting, with a combined heat and power system capable of providing electricity.

However, Green technologies are not always so cutting edge; energy efficient glazing has been with us for years and can reduce condensation by 80%, cut wasted home energy by up to 20%  and ease the carbon footprint.

To learn more about energy efficient windows click here

Conscientious approach to buying and selling homes or bureaucratic complication imposed by a nanny-state? As from April 6th 2009 anyone selling a house must possess a Home Information Pack prior to marketing.

In Green terms, the HIP pack is crucial. The inclusion of an Energy Performance Certificate is expected to considerably influence people’s decisions when buying a home. Even if buyers are not environmentally conscientious, the impact a property’s energy rating has on heating/running costs, should certainly feature highly when accessing a purchase price. 

The HIP provides proof as to whether or not a home is well heated and well insulated; if it’s not, then it’s very likely to affect the property’s price.  It is estimated that without double glazing, a property will achieve around £5,000 less than the market value. Put simply, to get the best market value a property will need to be double glazed.

Whether they will have any effect, other than raising the blood pressure of potential sellers;  HIP’s are with us for the indefinite future.  Click here for more information.

In a world full of IT, microwaves, induction hobs and self cleaning glass, technology is definitely way ahead of me. I have no idea how any of them actually work. Thankfully the in the world of windows (aside from the self-cleaning glass), things are reassuringly straightforward.

A panel of homeowners who had double glazing installed in their homes in the 1980’s were asked about that decision and what they would change if they were installing new windows today. Impressively after over 25 years, very few would change their current glazing options.

The benefit over wood frames, particularly the easy maintenance and durability of uPVC, were significant contributing factors in the panel’s agreement that double glazing was a solid and worthwhile investment in their homes.

However, a few conscientious housewives did say that if there was one thing they would change if they were re-glazing their homes, it would be to have tilt and turn installed. At least a simple tilting frame, allowing you to clean both sides of the pane, is a modern technological improvement that even I can understand and appreciate!

When my husband and I remortgaged last year, had we had a crystal ball, we would never have fixed for five years. Nonetheless, the decision to add a bit to the mortgage and build a conservatory was one of the best we ever made – you win some and you lose some, but when extending your home or making any form of home improvement, you can’t go wrong with doubleglazingontheweb. 

Extending your living space is an investment, not just in the value it adds to your home, but in benefits to your lifestyle; more space, extra facilities, storage etc…

If the decision to extend is a no-brainer then the decisions which follow certainly aren’t – conservatory or extension? One room or two? Open-plan and minimal verse functional and traditional? Windows, doors, fascias, building materials, plumping, gas, electric, flooring, heating, paint, upholstery…. the list goes on, but have you ever spoken to anyone whose improved their home and can fault the double glazing? I haven’t. It’s simple, adaptable, energy efficient, kind on your purse and the environment, looks good, is easy to clean and best of all you can see through it – if only mortgages were so transparent!

Home Improvements Bring Tricky Decisions