Search Results for: doors & windows

The Government has now launched a new scheme to improve the energy efficiency in domestic homes, but what does it mean for your glazing.

If you are upgrading your home and thinking about installing double or triple glazing then you may be disappointed with the Green Homes Grant Scheme, because to upgrade you need to have single glazing already in place. If your windows are double glazed then you will not qualify for an upgrade under the new scheme.

Here’s the information on the scheme as well as the best advice for your glazing home improvement.

What does the Green Home Grant Scheme Cover?

A maximum grant of £5,000 covers up to two-thirds of the cost of some of the energy-efficient improvements you can make in your home. The improvements you can make using the grant are split into two categories – primary measures and secondary measures.

The primary measures cover loft, wall and floor insulation as well as thermal systems and ground or air source heat pumps.

If you already have these features, you can apply for grant money to improve them and if you do this, you can then claim funding for secondary measures which means you can upgrade your single glazing with double or triple glazing, or secondary glazing.

Worth noting that you cannot get more money for secondary features than you can for primary. For example, if you got £1,000 for insulating a loft and installing a solar thermal system, you could not get more than £1,000 for putting in double glazing to replace your single glazing.  

Are you eligible?

The scheme is expected to help 600,000 homeowners to make properties more energy efficient.

If you live in a home you own, the scheme includes long-leaseholders and homes with shared ownership.

If you are a landlord and rent out privately or for social rent you are also eligible, while park homeowners, including traveller sites, also qualify for the scheme, though new-build homes are not eligible.

If you own your own home and are on Government benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance you could be eligible for a bigger grant of up to £10,000 for the improvements – covering the entire cost of the refurbishments.

How to apply?

The Government will later in August provide advice to homeowners on how to apply from the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website which will tell you in greater detail what areas of your property may be eligible for funding.

A list of government-accredited builders and tradespeople will also be available to choose from when the scheme is launched. Once the work is agreed, the Government will issue vouchers from the end of September.

Best Advice

Replacing Double Glazing

• If you are planning on replacing or are replacing your existing double glazing, then don’t delay the job and use a GGF Member (listed in the MyGlazing.com installer search directory), to undertake the work. Only single glazing is available under the scheme.

• If you have leaky or pre-2002 inefficient double glazing but you do qualify for the primary measures under the scheme and are installing insulation (primary measures), then it is worth considering replacing your double glazing over and above the scheme to complete your upgrade and make your home truly energy efficient. Remember up to 24% of heat energy can leave a house through inefficient windows.

Replacing Doors

• The Government has yet to issue full details of door replacement and what will qualify under the scheme. However it will be a secondary measure.

Installing a conservatory or orangery

• Conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms are not include under the scheme.

The Scheme is launched in September, but it is estimated that vouchers will be issued at the earliest at the end of September. Replacing single glazing with double/triple or secondary glazing is a secondary measure and not guaranteed unless you install or upgrade other measures. It’s also worth getting your home improvement done before the winter sets in, so our advice is, don’t rely on the Green Homes Grant Scheme but if you feel it’s worth the wait and you are sure you can upgrade your single glazing then it may be worth getting your application in when the scheme is launched in September.

Following the Government’s inclusion of secondary glazing in the Green Homes Grant Scheme (launched 1^st September), there have been many queries made to MyGlazing.com and the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) about the performance and qualities of Secondary Glazing.

Here’s the responses from the MyGlazing.com team in conjunction with the Glass and Glazing Federation and GGF Members Pilkington UK and Roseview Windows.  

How does secondary glazing compare to replacing with windows for new double or triple glazing in terms of improving energy efficiency?

Secondary glazing when placed in close proximity to a primary window can offer good thermal improvements and increase your energy efficiency. If you live in a listed buildings often local council restrictions means that you can’t replace the original window design (and specification which is usually single glazed) with double or triple glazing so secondary glazing units can be a good alternative.

The energy efficiency performance is not as high as that of a full double or triple glazing replacement, mainly because of the huge advance in the quality of sealed insulating double and triple glazed windows and doors, however, secondary glazing can still be an effective solution.

One the most common ways of determining thermal performance in building materials is the U value, which measures how easily heat can pass through a material. Materials that allow more heat to escape from a building have higher (i.e. worse) U-values. Materials that let less heat pass through them have lower (i.e. better) U-values.

Solely based on glass U-values the table below is a reasonable measure of the difference on different window types:

The above table does not include the individual performance of frames, seals and insulation around the frames, the U values of the glass are based on typical performances.

Low emissivity (low E) coatings are microscopically thin, transparent coatings (much thinner than a human hair) that reflect long-wave infrared energy (or heat). So instead of heat escaping through the glass, a low E coating will reflect heat back into the home. In secondary glazing hard coat Pilkington K Glass™ is used to create the same effect.

The table shows the difference in thermal insulation from a single pane of glass through to a triple glazing unit with two panes of low E glass. As you can see the difference from single glazing with the addition of secondary glazing approximately doubles energy efficiency.

Many homeowners living in conservation areas and/or listed buildings who may be restricted by local authorities on installing modern home improvements, use secondary glazing as a solution to improve energy efficiency because once installed, it improves energy bills immediately. However, it is worth noting that installing double glazing or triple glazing does increase thermal performance even more significantly, by roughly 100% from secondary glazing.

Secondary glazing can also effectively eliminate the draughts commonly found with old single glazed windows. Draughts aren’t directly measured by U value but they can of course adversely affect a building’s energy efficiency and the occupant’s comfort levels.

Being a less expensive option (approximately 50% less on a supply and install) Secondary glazing is often an easier or temporary solution for those homeowners who want to improve their energy efficiency but may not have a huge budget.

What is the average cost of secondary glazing?

Cost varies depending on the specification. Secondary glazing can be bespoke, coloured and shaped to suit the period properties they are found in. Designed to cover the existing window style and be hardly visible, the variation in styles these days includes fully tilt out to clean units. On average, a typical secondary glazing window/unit is around half the price of a double glazing window. The installation of secondary glazing is also better for acoustics, whether it’s keeping sound out or in.

When would it be beneficial to use secondary glazing over replacement windows?

Noise prevention is one of the main benefits. Secondary glazing is used extensively throughout the country to combat noise pollution. It is often fully subsidised as part of government schemes to improve living conditions in particular situations such as airport flight paths and housing in proximity of railways or highways. The noise cancelling effects of secondary glazing are particularly impressive.  

Secondly in conservation areas or listed buildings where restrictions are in place. Many older public buildings like museums, schools or town halls have secondary glazing installed because the owners or local councils may have to retain the external appearance of the building. Professionally installed secondary glazing is virtually invisible from the exterior of such a property and delivers the advantages of energy efficiency and noise reduction.

Secondary glazing also offers an added layer of security and the internal finishes that can be achieved with secondary glazing are now of such a high quality, they can be a real feature of the interior design.  

What are the drawbacks of secondary glazing?

Secondary glazing is not as energy efficient as a new double or triple glazing windows, though it does improve energy efficiency where there are local council restrictions. One drawback that is sometimes mentioned is the maintenance and cleaning of secondary glazing. It can mean twice as much work when cleaning, especially when double and triple glazing can also feature self-cleaning glass. However, most modern secondary glazing panels are removable and the weight of a single glazed panel is much lighter to handle when doing so.

It has been mentioned that in some situations, secondary glazing can resolve a problem with condensation. Providing an extra barrier of glass can help regulate the extreme temperature clash of cold glass pane against warm centrally heated air though it should always be well ventilated to reduce the likelihood of condensation. Secondary glazing is not the best energy efficient glazing solution, because the seals are not as airtight as those on double and triple glazing. In addition, the thermal performance of secondary glazing is very much dependent on the condition of the prime single glazed window on a building’s exterior.

• YouTube

Video: See secondary glazing sound reduction demonstration.

The answers provided have been supplied by the technical team of MyGlazing.com and the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF). The information has been corroborated with research, product testing and product data from GGF Members including Pilkington UK and Roseview Windows. Video courtesy of Roseview Windows.

From regular handwashing to reduced physical contact, people are adopting more and more ways to ensure they stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. But, did you know there are changes you can make to your home to help with this that go beyond basic hygiene and social distancing.

In our latest #StaySafeWithMyGlazing article, we’re going to look at how you can make your home as healthy as possible – helping to safeguard you, your family, friends and anyone that enters your property.

Health and wellbeing in the home are of increasing importance to homeowners now, yet despite this, some may still be surprised by the direct impact windows and doors and conservatories can have on their quality of life. For example, access to natural light and air quality are all affected by your glazing, especially if your windows, doors or conservatories are more than twenty years old.

The impact of natural light on personal wellbeing

During lockdown, 12% of people have made changes to their property to increase the amount of natural light in the home. This is largely due to its proven benefits for our mental health and wellbeing. Increased exposure to natural lighting can also reduce symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The body releases serotonin – the ‘happy hormone’ – during prolonged periods in natural light. Just 30 minutes a day is enough to meet the average daily requirements.

With this in mind, it is important to include sources of natural light into your home’s interior design. Choosing skylight, lightwell or fanlight windows for your will allow natural light to flood your loft or extension living spaces, as well as in difficult to light spaces such as hallways and staircases. Similarly, large windows that face the sun during daylight hours, bifold doors, conservatories and orangeries can help you to reap the benefits of natural light within your home.

Help establish a routine

Natural light is also one of the most effective tools for regulating the body’s internal clock. Allowing the sun to wake you up in the morning is one of the least disruptive ways of starting a new day. Having windows within the bedroom that face the direction the sun rises can help with this.

Of course, with early starts for work and darker mornings during the winter months, this isn’t always possible. Nevertheless, spending just one hour a day in natural sunlight can improve sleep quality and make your morning routine that much easier.

Energy savings in the home

Installing modern glazing can not only allow natural light into a room, it can also reduce your energy costs and provide many wellbeing benefits. Did you know that up to 24% of heat energy can leave a house through inefficient glazing? This means having energy-efficient windows and doors in a property significantly contributes to the warmth and comfort of a home further improving the health and lifestyle.

As well as preventing heat loss in your home, modern energy efficient glazing can also assist with heating your home. This is known as Solar gain and is an effective form of passive heating as heat rays from the sun is are able to pass through the glass in a window or door and heat the building itself, further contributing to energy savings in the home.

Ventilation

It’s important that your home has access to proper ventilation and a stream of fresh air during the pandemic. Whilst the summer months are great for opening up a window, when winter descends, temperatures drop and we experience more rainy days, cracking open a window just doesn’t seem neither appropriate or appealing.

That’s why ensuring your windows have trickle vents can see you reap the benefits of fresh air and good ventilation. Trickle vents are small openings in a window that allow a small amount of air to pass from one side of the window to the other, enabling an easy air flow without having to open your window or door. They can also reduce condensation and moisture in the air which can lead to mould further impacting health and in particular respiratory illnesses.

If you are improving your home to make your home healthier, we’d love to see it, so make sure you tag us on Instagram and Twitter using @MyGlazing. And if you do need to hire a home improvement company, read our Safe Guide to ensure you keep you, your family, friends and your tradespeople safe during these unusual times.

COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways. The loosening of some elements, like restrictions on seeing family, were much anticipated but some changes seem to be  here to stay, like working from home. In fact, in our recent survey more than one in 10 UK homeowners admitted to wanting to make changes to their property to allow them to work from home more efficiently.

A lot of businesses have reaped the benefits of people working from home with reports of employees being more productive and having greater focus and commitment. With clear advantages from home working, many companies are choosing to continue these practices even as lockdown restrictions are lifted.  If you have benefitted from working remotely and want to carry on, keep reading to find out ways you can make changes to your home to accommodate this without the need for a house move.

Do you have a garden?

If the answer is yes, then a garden room might be the perfect solution for you. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main house, garden rooms are the perfect way to separate your work and home life. Simply walking a few yards to a different space can allow you to turn off at the end of the working day – something we’re sure you’re aware is very important if you’ve been both working and relaxing from your living room!

In the great outdoors and often surrounded by nature garden rooms are also an ideal solution for jobs that require relaxation and headspace – such as a yoga teacher or if you are in a creative industry such as art, copywriting or design. If you’re hosting lessons at home, or via an online streaming service, a garden room is a great way to bring a further element of relaxation and aesthetic appeal to your classes.

Garden rooms also don’t require planning permission as long as they fall within permitted development guidelines, so they can’t have sleeping accommodation and must be single-storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m.

Maybe you already have the space indoors?

If your loft is only used for storage, it might be worth seeing if you can free up the space, because a loft conversion is a great way to add an extra room to your property and allow you to work more comfortably from home. For some loft spaces, the room’s ceiling isn’t high enough to accommodate an active job that requires you to be standing for extended periods of time, but it’s an ideal solution for an office-based job.

Using rooflights or windows in a loft conversion is a great way to increase the natural light and ventilation in a room, which can help improve mood, productivity and reduce stress whilst working.

Considered a conservatory?

A less intrusive way of creating extra space in your home is by installing a conservatory or orangery. In most instances, planning permission isn’t required for a conservatory so it’s a quicker and often less stressful solution when compared to a traditional extension.

If you’re concerned about conservatories being boiling hot in summer and sub-zero in winter then you needn’t worry. Modern conservatories and orangeries have fantastic climate control, meaning they are a great option all year round. Progression in design also means conservatories now integrate seamlessly into even the most modern homes. With clean lines and a range of colours and materials, gone are the traditional white, clunky conservatories of yesteryear.

Make use of your garage

Some people used lockdown and furlough time as an opportunity to set up their own business. Whether you’re now a self-employed beauty therapist, or you make jewellery from home, you’ll need a dedicated space to grow your business. Converting your garage is an easy and cost-effective way to do this, especially if you aren’t using it effectively already. Simply hire a professional to remove the door, build up a wall and install a window. If you want to increase the use of natural light in the room, or even provide an entry point that does not require access from the main house, consider installing bi-fold doors or roof windows/rooflights. When opened, they can make a smaller garage seem much more spacious.  

If you do have work carried out on your home to create a new workspace, we’d love to see it, so make sure you tag us on Instagram using @MyGlazing.

And if you do need to hire a home improvement company, read our Safe Guide to ensure you keep you and your tradespeople safe during the ongoing pandemic

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.