Double Glazing On The Web

The benefits of double glazing are being drummed home by government into our local councils. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been spent upgrading windows and doors in council houses and in some cases councils are even being threatened with reduced budgets if their housing standards do not comply with government expectations.

Carbon emissions have now become priority to our UK government and the buck literally will be stopping in some cases. Wasteful Councils should prepare to be named and shamed under the new Carbon Trading Scheme. Among the plans to reduce emissions is double glazing; the insulation properties of double glazing can reduce energy use enormously. New windows and doors also provide better security for occupants, and reduce noise pollution.

Our government and local councils are striving to make a difference and double glazing is helping in that fight! Reduced energy consumption indoors due to improved insulation from your windows and doors is helping to conserve the environment. Keep up the good work folks!

Well you’d certainly hope so.  Double Glazing on the Web believes in complete transparency of service, therefore we make no bones about what our service includes right from the outset and we’ll even clear up for free!  When you decide to invest in new windows for your home, we believe strongly that there should be no grey areas when questioning ‘what do I get?’ 

Our quoted prices include everything; costed exactly and openly so you no can not only see what you are paying for, but remain in control and with plenty of choice.  DGOTW execute the work from start to finish: from carrying out the initial survey work through to wiping clean the cills after your beautiful new windows have been installed.  We even dispose of your old windows.

Don’t play the guessing game where double glazing is concerned; make an informed decision with DGOTW.  Transparent and upfront, we are compliant with all current FENSA and Local Authority Building Control standards; you’ll even get a certificate when the job is complete.

Did you know that when you have your windows fitted by a FENSA registered installer, you will receive a certificate from your local council which goes in your properties HIP?

The government introduced the HIP Home Information Pack, to aid home buyers as part of the 2004 Housing Act. Essentially a set of documents concerning the property, they contain an energy performance certificate, details of local authority searches, title documents, guarantees etc. They became mandatory for homes with four or more bedrooms from 1 August 2007 and were extended to three-bedroom properties from 10 September 2007.

Professionally installed double glazing has a significant impact on your homes carbon footprint. So much so that local councils feel the need to document the quality of your double glazing and more importantly, the fact that your new windows were installed by FENSA a registered company.

The bottom-line is that if you are investing in new windows or any double glazing upgrade, then it is well worth sourcing a reputable double glazing firm. Check that they trade in high quality raw products i.e. uPVC and toughened glass and that they are FENSA registered with an experienced team of fitters.

Stephen Waddington, managing director of Speed, a London-based multi-sector PR firm, writes some great pieces for an environmental site called Greenbang. He and his family are attempting to renovate a 300-year farmhouse whilst maintaining their eco principals.

Currently he’s come up against the complex absurdities that can permeate English Heritage, in particular in regards to windows and ethical double glazing. He puts his point across so well I thought it was worth sharing…

“I’ve done the sums. Unplugging the TV at night or using eco-light bulbs doesn’t make a blind bit difference when more than 30 per cent of the energy used to heat a house is disappearing though the windows.

Both solar panels and double glazing are dismissed on grounds of authenticity. Solar I can understand, but the argument that sympathetic double glazing would change the character of the building is beyond me, especially with the quality of craftsmanship available in the UK. But, according to preservationists historical detail must be the top priority where a historic building is concerned.

A study by management consultants McKinsey more than 18 months ago found that emissions from buildings generate two-thirds of London’s CO2 and that the greatest reduction could be achieved through improved insulation. Domestic insulation makes both economic and environmental sense.”

I couldn’t find a better recommendation for the benefits of double glazing if I tried. Luckily (or not, as the case may be), the majority of us do not live in listed buildings, leaving us free to reap all the rewards, environmental and financial, that good insulation can offer.

OK I’ve heard it all now – always with my ear to the ground for all things Double Glazing, never did I think I’d come across a car with it installed! Apparently I was wrong though. According to Girlracer website, the superior interior of the Audi A8 is indeed ‘shielded from the elements by double glazing’ well I never!
Read more on the website though, it’s not as daft as it sounds … green credentials etc.
http://www.girlracer.co.uk/motoring/news/2561-new-audi-a8-revealed.html

Make ‘saving money’ your New Years Resolution with these top tips on slashing your energy bills!

Don’t waste energy….keep the heat in; preserve your heat with double glazed windows and cavity wall insulation where possible.  Thick or heavy curtains and draft excluders also make a huge difference and can reduce heat lost through windows and doors.  According to Energywatch, by turning your thermostat down by just one degree centigrade could cut your heating bills by 10 per cent.  Finally, simple things such as energy saving light bulbs, not using standby on your electrical items and turning off lights when you leave the room can also make a difference.

Look Online…..if you’re considering switching your supplier, new cheap utility deals are constantly being launched online and most of the cheapest tariffs on the market can only be taken advantage of by internet customers.  Many new deals even offer cash-back.

Monitor your meter…..if you receive an estimated bill from your supplier; make sure you aren’t paying too much or too little!  Where possible, give a meter reading to your supplier.  This will avoid a large bill landing on the doormat or a large increase on your direct debit.

If your home isn’t already double glazed, be sure to look out for credit-crunching energy saving deals on windows and doors in the New Year!

It seems Christmas brings out the best and worst in us.  Unfortunately while we are in the mood for giving and receiving, some people are in the mood for taking so be sure that your doors are fitted with decent locks.  It pays to be security conscious at this time of year, all those presents under the tree can often prove just too tempting to the criminally minded.

Visiting family this Christmas?  Remember an unoccupied home at this time of year is highly attractive to burglars.  Think how you would get into your house if you were locked out?  If you have any doubt about the security of your home it maybe time to consider new door locks.  Ensure you have strong locks to your doors and windows and make sure you use the locks you have!  Choose the right lock for the type of doors and windows in your home.  With various door locking mechanisms to choose from, make sure you explain your requirements thoroughly when making enquiries.

Tip: When you’ve had new door locks fitted for additional security….don’t be a plonker and hide your new keys under the mat; this is the first place a burglar will look!  Large ornamental objects surrounding the door like rocks, flower pots and door ledges are also a very obvious.  If you must put a spare key outdoors, find a place away from the actual door!

Who says double glazing has to be boring? Nowadays there are so many fancy glazing options available you’ll be spoilt for choice; with Georgian Bars, Diamond Leads, even Queen Anne Leads, you won’t know which to choose from!

With options to suit everyone’s taste, adding a touch of class to your home couldn’t be easier. Various glazing options available can completely transform the look of your home. Also, most customers are pleasantly surprised to hear how little extra it costs for their exciting glazing add-ons.

Measuring up your own double glazed windows and doors couldn’t be simpler and by measuring yourself and ordering online, you could save time, money and inconvenience.

Cut out the middle man altogether - all you need is a regular tape measure.  Be sure to measure the window or door 3 times, and take the smallest of the 3 for quoting purposes.  Always measure in millimetres and be sure to take the width measurement from plaster to plaster and the height from plaster to cill.

Now you have your measurements, it’s time to find the best deals!  Make sure you compare your quotes before deciding on a supplier; testimonials can also be a very useful tool in the decision process. 

So you found a great deal online and your window or door has arrived safely.  The final, most crucial stage is to source a reputable and reasonably priced professional to carry out the installation. Many online double glazing suppliers can either recommend a fitter or will carry out the work themselves.   

All that is left now, is to decide how to spend the money that you saved by measuring up your double glazing yourself!

Did you know that the phrase daylight robbery originates from exactly that - a tax on windows? It sounds ludicrous doesn’t it? Nevertheless I heard it firsthand from a London taxi driver so it must be true. Apparently families would brick-up unnecessary windows to avoid paying raising taxes on windows. Eventually an enraged member of parliament spoke out and charged the government with Daylight Robbery!

Remarkable as it sounds, it seems that although progress has brought with it all the benefits of double glazing, we as a nation haven’t come so far.  It was only a few months ago that I was writing about a possible government initiative that would see the implementation of a tax on properties that would take into account views, conservatories and … you guessed it double glazing!