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When searching for replacement windows, why should you chose energy efficient?

Poor quality windows are a major source of heat loss, especially with winter looming around the corner. They can also reduce comfort and the amount of effective living space as well as being an eye-sore.

Energy efficient windows will help to minimise heating and lighting costs, as well as reduce CO2 emissions – helping to protect the environment and work towards a greener Britain.

After a certain amount of time the windows will pay for themselves due to the money saved on bills.

Energy Rating

Assessed by the BRFC, the rating system is a clear and effective method of calculating the energy performance of the whole window. This includes the frame material, the frame design, the glass type and all the other components that make up the window.

The rating system is similar to that applied to white goods (such as fridges). Windows are rated using an A to G scale on the basis of their total energy efficiency, with A being the most energy efficient.

Reducing Heat Loss

Uncontrolled air flow trough a window loses heat and creates draughts.

Windows with compression seals reduce this air flow, help to provide good ventilation when desired and have a better resistance to draughts than the sliding seals on vertical sliding windows.

Be sure to use a reputable installer, as poor installation will nullify the efficiency of the windows. If a window is installed incorrectly then it will not save you as much money as it should.

Windows with a low U-Value offer a greater efficiency in heat retention. Many factors effect this including the type of glazing material, the number of glazing layers, the type of gas used as insulation (often argon), the size of the cavity between the panels, and the type of frame used.

Glazing

Advances in glazing technology allows special glass to be used, which helps control heat loss through a window. The glazing (low-e) has special surface coatings which reflect heat back through the window, the percentage of heat reflected depends on the energy efficiency of the window – normally ranging between 40 and 70%.

This glass is now standard for most homes in the UK.

The number of glass layers, space and gas-type between the panes also help to resist heat flow. Air spaces that are narrow offer greater heat resistance.

Highly energy efficient windows are manufactured with inert gases (argon or krypton) between the panes because these gases transfer less heat than air.

Frames

Window frames are available in a wide variety of materials, the main two being wood and uPVC. UPVC is the standard for most homes as it doesn’t rot or warp like it’s wood counterpart. The use of foam insulation in uPVC windows also helps to make the frame more energy efficient to completely eradicate the possibility of a draught.

Energy Efficient Windows carry the BFRC label with a rating from A-G. Select the window with the highest rating for the maximum energy efficiency.

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Sian Lloyd and her husband Jonathan Ashman, who was one of those responsible for staging the British Grand Prix, recently enlisted the trust of Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories to design their stunning new conservatory.

TV weather girl Sian Lloyd has appeared in ITV’s reality television show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!, and the very popular celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire winning £64,000.

“Deciding which local home improvement company to build our conservatory seemed a daunting task at first, but soon we found a local company called Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories that came highly recommended in Wales”.

Sian stated; “We were very keen to use a local company for building our conservatory, so asked around, and found that Mid Wales Windows and Conservatories came highly recommended. And little wonder! They did a superb job for us and we’re thrilled with the end result. We especially loved their little creative touches, as well as the fact that they are such lovely, but also professional, people to deal with.”

Established in 1994, Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories is part of the Conservatory Outlet network and ran by husband and wife – David and Davina Wilde. The company is built on recommendations, with their philosophy being to supply the finest quality product and provide a professional installation.

Choosing the right company for conservatories, orangeries, replacement windows and doors is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when thinking about home improvements. It’s not just about the price, it’s about the quality and value for money of the products.

Mid Wales Windows & Conservatories understand that it means so much when you finally find a home improvement company who you feel you can trust to do the job properly – first time, every time.

It also makes a huge difference if workers are punctual, courteous, considerate and careful with your possessions. Mid Wales dedicated installers will fit your new conservatory, orangery or windows and doors to the highest standards – working with maximum respect for your property and with minimum disruption to your home life.

A properly planned and fitted conservatory, orangery or replacement windows and doors from Mid Wales will add lasting value to your home.

From quotation through to installation you will receive a friendly and efficient service from all Mid Wales experienced staff. After installation, you will find that Mid Wales after sales service is second to none.

Whether you are looking to replace your old windows and doors or would like a custom built conservatory or orangery for your home – our team here at Conservatory Outlet can offer you the perfect solution. You can visit our showrooms across the UK, which promise you a warm welcome and relaxed, friendly shopping experience or alternatively why not phone us free on 0800 915 8844.

Conservatory Outlet offer fantastic rates on Conservatories and have created a list of 10 reasons to buy a conservatory.

1/ Conservatories offer some great features

What are you looking to accomplish with buying a conservatory? If you’re looking at your options for change you can move, build an extension or add a conservatory.

In the current housing climate the housing industry is fairly weak, therefore selling your property could be a difficult task. Adding a conservatory will not only give you extra space, it will increase the value of your home by a substantial amount when you decide the time is right to move on.

2/ What are you using it for?

It is important to think what you will be using it for, whether an office, a place to relax, an area for your plants, a social gathering area or anything else – this will make designing the conservatory go smoother.

3/ Flexibility with Conservatory Ideas

There are websites built to help you come up with ideas. Nowadays conservatory companies offer a massive amount of flexibility with the designs and will help you in every step of the way of your conservatory.

4/ Many Conservatory Designs

There are a large amount of designs available. From the old fashioned victorian or edwardian designs, to the lean-to design, to the t-shape and even the newest contemporary conservatory-esque design – Orangeries.

All designs have their advantages and it’s a good idea to discuss your wants and needs for the conservatory with our industry professionals.

5/ Get a RESPECTABLE quote

Many companies offer you online quotes. A lot of these websites will take your details and then sell them on the a 3rd party, meaning you’ll be rung by a strange salesperson, without having the ability to research them or even know anything about them.

Rest assured, you can request a free Conservatory Quote online and be handled in a personal manner from all respectable companies.

To avoid these sites that sell on your details, refrain from searching for terms such as “conservatory quote” and “conservatory price” and instead search for bigger terms such as “conservatories, “conservatories” or if not using the internet then go with either a respected or local dealer.

6/ It might be a good idea to look local.

A lot of local installers can offer very good deals. They can also be much easier to get follow up service from. These can offer a more personal experience rather than big corporations.

7/ Time

You should ask the company you choose to give you an estimated time and make sure it does not clash with any plans. An standard length of time for a general conservatory would be around 4-6 weeks.

8/ Finance Deals

Most companies will offer some finance options, allowing you to pay later, or in installments. Make sure to ask about this with the companies you find.

9/ Furniture and extra items.

Additional items which you may not think of at the time become essential once the structure is complete. Some retailers offer these products as well and can give you a good price. Yet another thing to think about.

10/ Guarantee

Conservatories are big and expensive extensions to a home, they need a good guarentee. Something like 5 years really is not long enough. You need a 10 year guarentee on a conservatory for full peace of mind.

Our range of Energy Efficient Windows offer a greener future! Energy efficient windows use an energy rated system similar to that on white-goods (which include fridges, washing machines and other similar items) which ranges from A to E. But what do they actually do?

Using modern technology and high specification Double Glazing the window panes use the suns natural rays to keep the home warm and to resist the wind and cold. This helps to reduce the cost of heating bills dramatically as the house is naturally warmed throughout the day.

Matthew Glover, managing director of Conservatory Outlet says “double glazing is one of the most effective ways people can make a real difference to the energy efficiency of their homes. Indeed, by switching to Energy Efficient Windows you can save energy and reduce your household bills by as much as £461 per year.”

Being green is an important topic and under new proposals, households that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements set by the government could face higher council tax and stamp duty costs in the UK.

Currently this would effect millions of homes in Britain alone. It could mean that some families would find it harder to sell their homes without first splashing out to upgrade their property, as well as affecting many who look to lease their properties.

The proposal goes on to wanting to make it illegal to sell a house after 2015 that does not fall in to band E of the energy rating bracket or higher. Currently all houses put on the market for sale or rent have to have an energy efficiency ranking of A-G.

Making Britain green is a huge movement and this new legislation is expected to be enforced this autumn.

One way of improving the energy rating of a home is to install double glazed windows, or to improve it even further, Energy Rated Windows. Conservatory Outlet offer A-rated and C-rated energy rated windows.

So don’t delay. Conservatory Outlet offers high quality energy efficient double glazed products at a competitive price. For a free quote use the free quotation form or free phone on 0800 915 8844 today.

Got questions about home improvement products online? Find the answers to a whole host of questions about buying replacement windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries. Click the link below for the answers you require:
• Frequently Asked Questions

In homes today, how many still have curtains fitted?

Probably quite a few, but curtains have been becoming less popular over the last few years, and it’s not hard to see why. For many years they were an essential to any home for decoration, heat retention and maintaining privacy.

But styles and tastes change with time and technology.

New options that are available put curtains to shame, in both aesthetic appeal as well as the technological options they offer. Perfect Fit Blinds come in a huge range of colours and designs, including wood and metal finishes.

Wooden shutters in particular provide very good insulation against noise, which is a good benefit for anyone living in a noisy environment. The variety of blind designs will fit any home, ranging from a modern flat to old Victorian designs.

The blinds are made by hinging a number of panels or sheets together, which enables them to fold back, the blinds can be adjusted to let as much air or light in as required.

A great feature of fitted window blinds is the fact that they can work entirely with any windows design. A certain type of window called tilt and turn can open on a tilt or open fully on a hinge. With curtains there would be no way of opening the window and retaining privacy, but the fitted blinds can still be drawn on a tilted or opened window.

The Perfect Fit Blinds can be fitted to doors and even Conservatories. The blinds don’t require dry cleaning – as curtains retain dust, which can lead to allergies – they can be easily maneuvered when cleaning windows, and generally they offer a better option than curtains currently do.

With curtains, they are either open or closed. The blinds can open slightly, letting light in but still retaining privacy. This can be especially useful with strong sunlight, preventing glare but also allowing light to filter in to the room.

Curtains have provided a great service, but perhaps it’s time for them to move over entirely to the more modern blind range available.

In this day and age many companies offer a wide variety of doors, in both wood and PVC. Depending on the age and style of your home, you may be looking to install a particular design that offers a certain purpose, for example patio or French Doors offer the ability to extend your dining room in to your garden. These are commonly sought in PVC, which are growing in popularity due to their durability, safety features and low cost.

Why choose Patio doors?
Patio Doors are very popular due to their cost, aesthetics and low maintenance. They are available in a variety of different sizes, finishes and colours, as well as providing extra security and are very durable.

Due to special craftsmanship within Conservatory Outlet, our patio doors are made with four high security hook bolts that lock in to a one-piece steel keep plate. The locking handle also includes an anti-pick device for further security. On top of this, the outer frame and opener are steel reinforced, meaning you don’t have to worry about the security of your home.

The main characteristic of patio doors is the sliding mechanism that they are well known for. The sliding doors almost float on a run smooth mechanism, made from easy glide stainless steel track and rollers – making the doors effortless to open and close. The Double Glazing used in the Patio Doors is specially treated to help prevent ultra violet rays from entering your home – keeping the house cool in the summer, but warm in the winter as they are extremely well insulated.

Where can I buy patio doors?
Conservatory Outlet is an experienced, professional and reliable company in the UK, offering great rates on a range of Double Glazing products, including Windows, Doors and Conservatories. All products supplied by Conservatory Outlet are designed and manufactured to precisely fit your needs. So you will be involved in every step of the project, from initial design options to the final installation checks.

Conservatory Outlet offer quality patio doors that can stand the test of time and add a great look to your home for years and years to come. They are supplied with a full guarantee and are available at very economical prices. For more information on patio doors visit www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk