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GGF Member company Stevenage Glass recently marked a major milestone – half a century in the glass and glazing sector operating in Stevenage, St Albans and beyond.

Reaching your 50th anniversary is a notable achievement for any company, and in light of this, Stevenage Glass is using this momentous year to blend the old with the new to show just how far they’ve come since 1966.

Owner and managing director Kim King commented:

“Throughout the last 50 years, we’ve seen many changes as the company has flourished and expanded, including moving to larger premises on Cavendish Road after we outgrew our starter premises on Argyle Way, and we haven’t looked back since! Even after the move, we’ve already made a couple of extensions to keep up with the demands of the growth of our business even more.”

Stevenage Glass began to extend their product range further to better accommodate for the needs of their ever-growing customer base, with their range now including a wide selection of glass products for interior home improvement for bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.

These new additions complement their core services, such as emergency glazing, secondary glazing, window repair and glass cutting, all of which have grown and developed over the last five decades.

Proud GGF Members

As a founding member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), Stevenage Glass offer an impeccable standard of work, consistently meeting all industry standards across the board, and their affiliation with GGF further serves as an example of their commitment to the industry and the standard of work they do.

Nigel Rees, GGF Chief Executive, commented:

“Congratulations to Stevenage Glass on their 50^th Anniversary. They have been with the GGF since the very beginning of the Federation and their attention to high quality and service has obviously been an integral part of their success. This year is a special year for all at the company and the GGF wishes them all the best with their celebrations.” 

New branding launched

Part of Stevenage’s celebrations include the launch of updated branding. As a testament to the company’s hard work and the quality of their products and services that have carried them through the last five decades, the company worked with fellow GGF Member Adtrak Ltd to create a style that celebrated their past and incorporated a glass element to symbolise their expertise in the product.

Stevenage Glass decided to resist the temptation to modernise as much as possible to make the brand feel completely new, feeling that this would be missing the point – after all, reaching their 50th anniversary is an impressive achievement! And here is the finished product:

The final look is minimal and modern while also echoing the way things used to be, combining a new, technologically advanced feel with the timeless quality of an old, experienced business. Simple lines are used to make glass pane-like shapes, and a light, understated colour scheme creates a theme that runs throughout the company’s branding.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years

Owner Kim King spoke on the company’s future:

“After an extremely successful first 50 years, Stevenage Glass is setting the bar high to make the next 50 even better with further progression and plans for the future – so watch this space!

One thing is for sure: we will always remain Stevenage’s original glass manufacturers and heritage glaziers. On behalf of the company I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our staff and customers who have remained loyal and supported us throughout the years; we wouldn’t be here celebrating our success today if it weren’t for you!”

We’re sure that over the years you’ll be hearing more about the brand, as well as more about how they got to become one of the industry’s leading experts.

To learn more about our company’s history, please visit their timeline. 

Stevenage Glass is on MyGlazing.com

If you are making home improvements and looking forward to getting the job done, then it can be frustrating when you have to wait longer than expected.

However, there are some very good reasons for the delays that are outside the control of the home improvement companies you employ.

MyGlazing.com asked Ben Wallace, Senior Technical Officer of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) just what is causing work to take longer than usual.

How has the Covid pandemic affected the supply of materials for home improvement companies?

BW: Firstly, it has clearly taken a huge toll on human health and that is the most important thing to protect. However, from a business perspective, it has had serious economic effects and affected companies in different ways, losing staff, suppliers and products that were pre-Covid readily available.

The GGF being the main trade body for the glass, glazing and fenestration sectors has received many reports of extensive delays within the supply chain. Not just in home improvement but throughout the construction industry.

Naturally, companies have to try to respond to the current situation on multiple fronts at once. Firstly they have to protect their workers and customers safety. Then they have to safeguard their business from closing altogether as they come under increasing strain from the shortage of materials as well as labour.

This of course doesn’t help homeowners wanting to get work started and completed, but you should consider that companies are struggling during these unprecedented times.

Besides the pandemic, which other factors are affecting homeowner’s and home improvement companies?

BW: As well as Covid-19, other disruptions have slowed down the supply of materials to make and supply home improvement products. This includes shipping container shortages, factory fires and the recent blocking of the Suez Canal. In addition, there is currently a global shortage of many materials used for home improvement products including plastics and glass. These shortages are mainly down to the emerging markets in China and India requiring more as they develop their infrastructure and housing. The scale of the demand in these countries is enormous. The glass shortage in the UK has been primarily to the manufacturing plants closing some lines for essential repairs and maintenance. Fortunately, these are being re-opened soon.

All of the above factors have led to factory shutdowns, sharp price increases and production delays across the construction sector.

Is there any good news on the horizon?

BW: Yes, the glass and glazing sector has bounced back relatively quickly under difficult circumstances, and homeowners are continuing to invest into their properties. With the heightened supply chain awareness and knowledge Covid-19 has brought, it will better our position companies to manage through any future challenges that may emerge.

What advice would you give homeowners?

BW: I’d advise homeowners who are making home improvements to ask the company they are employing to provide an accurate timeline and inform of any potential delays. Be aware that prices could fluctuate in the next 18 months as things try and settle down, so it’s advisable to get prices and dates for completion established early and in your contract. Ask companies directly if the prices and dates they provide are achievable and also ask if they offer deposit indemnity insurance. This will give homeowners peace of mind if they are putting down a deposit.

It is wise to invest in home improvements as the property prices continue to increase and homes are being adapted in many different ways whether it be for leisure or work, however, patience and understanding is required for what is a challenging time for all. 

If lockdown has got you dreaming of moving into your dream house then you definitely aren’t alone! In fact, when we surveyed over 1,000 homeowners across the UK, 2.3 million of you were making upgrades to your home with a view to selling. And now that stamp duty is being paused on properties up to £500,000, even more people in the UK may be looking to put in an offer on their dream property.

So, where in the UK is most likely to see an influx of properties entering the market? If you’re looking to buy in Plymouth then you might be in luck as one third of those surveyed admitted to making changes to increase the value of their home, so well maintained and upgraded properties may be entering the market. Elsewhere in the UK, more and more homeowners are investing in home improvements to increase the value of their home. Our table below highlights where the home improvement hotspots are:

• Plymouth (33%)
• Sheffield (27%)
• Norwich (21%)
• London (20%)
• Glasgow (20%)
• Nottingham (17%)
• Liverpool (17%)
• Manchester (16%)
• Newcastle (16%)
• Cardiff (14%)
• Birmingham (11%)
• Edinburgh (9%)
• Leeds (7%)
• Bristol (7%)
• Belfast (6%)

If you’re looking to sell, you might want to make some quick fixes to spruce up your home and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. It might seem that making home improvements and social distancing are mutually exclusive, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some ways you can make fairly quick upgrades to your home and convince potential buyers that your house could be their dream home:

#1 Your first impression

Standing in your front garden clapping for the NHS every week is sure to have instilled some front door envy amongst a few people. If you’re looking at your neighbour’s front doors and wishing yours was a little more stylish, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

Your new entrance door can be made of PVC-u, aluminium, steel or wood or a composite of materials, and each has their own qualities and benefits – from price, durability, design and appearance, through to energy efficiency performance and security. New entrance doors nowadays mostly come pre-hung in a frame and are known as doorsets, with pre-drilling for handles, keeps and locks meaning it’s a fairly quick job, so tradespeople won’t be at your home for long.

For inspiration, check out our gallery, here.

#2 – Consider what can add value to your home

It’s well known that larger investment projects, like kitchen and bathroom renovations, sell homes and can make all the difference when buyers are weighing up making an offer. If you’re moving, you might not want to invest in a full new suite, but there are changes you can make that can give your home a new lease of life. Consider replacing dirty, damaged or outdated shower screens for a sparkling new version, or why not invest in new splashbacks, mirrors or cabinets.

Similarly, kitchens can also benefit by introducing glass features such as splashbacks, countertops and mirrors. Make some easy changes and you could be watching offers flying in!

#3 – The WOW factor

A house sale listing with a wow factor is always likely to get more viewings and we’d recommend making this one of the first things people spot when they come to view your home. One way to do this, and instantly modernise your home, is by replacing a chipped or old fashioned wooden stair banister with a modernglass balustrade. Glass balustrades can add a sophisticated touch to your interior spacewhile often bringing in more  light but still ensuringsafety.

A stylish and versatile glass balustrade for your staircase, , patio or landing can bring a fresh modern look to your home, provide an uninterrupted view and help revitalise your living environment.

#4 Repair items that can cause long-term damage

Whilst a stained carpet isn’t likely to be a make or break feature in deciding whether to buy a home, broken items that can cause long term damage are. For example, if you have leaking windows, this can cause rainwater and damp to enter a property and potentially lead to longer terms significant financial investment. If prospective buyers, see or smell damp, it is instantly off putting when it comes to buying a property.

It also worth considering repairing any damaged windows and entry points into your home and even replace them completely to make sure any potential buyers view your home as safe, secure and energy-efficient.

If you are planning on hiring a home improvement company to make changes to your home before selling then it’s important you keep you and the  tradespeople  safe. That’s why the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has created the  Safe Guide for Homeowners, covering everything you need to know about working with home improvement companies during lockdown. Why not also read our other blogs on top tips for planning your home improvement and how to work with installers remotely.

If you are selling or buying a property, we hope this article has provided you with inspiration to upgrade your home and make it as sellable as possible.

Let us know if you need any more tips of glass and glazing home improvements. Sign up to our newsletter and receive our free monthly newsletter.