Let us consider some of the advantages of double and triple glazing and why it is important to have the best windows in your home, relevant to your budget.

By replacing older single glazed windows and instead fitting double or triple glazed windows into your residence, you are going to increase the energy efficiency of your residence.  This will have the effect of driving down the costs that you are presently incurring trying to keep your home warm in the winter and cooler in the summertime.  Close to 20% of heat loss from a home can occur through badly insulated windows.  This is a very high figure and such losses are  becoming less and less sustainable with rising fuel costs.

• By replacing older single glazed windows and instead fitting double or triple glazed windows into your residence, you are going to increase the energy efficiency of your residence.  This will have the effect of driving down the costs that you are presently incurring trying to keep your home warm in the winter and cooler
  Installing energy efficient double glazing windows will also reduce your carbon footprint.  As well as being good for the planet, this could have further positive implications on your finances, if carbon taxes are introduced in the future.
• One of the main by products of having properly sealed windows in our homes is the fact that we are more comfortable.  A well sealed home will have less draughts and cold spots in colder weather and will be cooler in the summer.  At the end of the day, you and your family’s personal comfort is what all of this is about.
• Properly insulated windows will cut down the amount of noise and air pollution that gets into your residence.  Many homeowners living close to a motorway will testify that good glazing helps them to live in a quieter atmosphere.
• Double glazed windows work by placing two sheets of glazing in a framed unit with a gap of about 16mm between them.  This gap is sealed and either is a vacuum or there is a gas in the space, which effectively forms a barrier of insulation.  Triple glazing windows simply use three sheets of glazing instead of two.
• Not all double glazed windows are of the same quality.  A double glazing window comprises various components including frames, glazing seals and spacers.  The ability of the window to act as an efficient insulating unit will be dependant on the quality of each of the components.
• The combination of all of the window components will result in a window unit with a certain energy rating.  This is a measure of the quality of glazed windows in energy efficiency terms and is a very useful indicator for a buyer as to which windows are going to be better at doing their job.  Window ratings range from A-rated windows, which are the most energy efficient down to a much lower G-rating for lesser quality products.
• In Britain A non-profit body called The Energy Saving Trust will recommend to purchasers windows that are rated C or higher.  If you see window with The Energy Saving Trust logo, then you know that the windows are up to their job.

Glazing windows possibly used to be a luxury that you enjoyed if you had the financial means to replace your existing windows.  However given that the window glazing market has become much more competitively priced and also that energy costs are rising, most people give serious consideration to having the best windows in their homes that they can afford.

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This cladding has various advantages as a feature for your home and the following are some points to note:

· Cladding in general can be placed and fitted over old plasterwork, brickwork and is considered an inexpensive way to protect these coverings, and to save them from further damage or decay.
· As well as being an attractive feature for your property, exterior cladding uPVC also provides your property with an extra skin of protection against harsh weather conditions.  uPVC ceiling cladding can also be used as an interior insulator.
· PVC cladding is a very lightweight material and therefore is easy to handle and erect and does not put too much extra weight on your building.
· Another advantage of this type of exterior cladding is the fact that it helps to soundproof your home.
· Studies have shown that uPVC exterior cladding is better at insulating your home thermally than other cladding types  (such as concrete or timber cladding).
· Quality uPVC in general is a low maintenance material that does not need to be painted during its lifetime.  In general an infrequent wash is enough to keep your cladding fresh and clean.  This material will not rot, crack or fade due to sunshine and is slow to discolour and will not rust and is resistant to air pollution.
· If these types of cladding are manufactured for the British or Irish market, they should be produced to the various quality standards expected – British Board of Agrement (BBA) or British Standard (BS).  If you want to narrow an internet search for these materials, you could enter ‘uPVC cladding UK’ or ‘uPVC cladding Ireland’ into your search engine.
· uPVC is not a fireproof material, but it does have a higher combustion temperature than some other materials and some are manufactured to be able to self-extinguish.
· There are two popular design types of PVC cladding and these are V Joint Cladding and Shiplap Cladding.  Both systems operate in the same way and the differences between the two are mainly aesthetic.
· Both of these types of cladding can be placed horizontally on the exterior wall, or vertically, depending again on the finish being looked for.  Erection of the cladding is a simple matter of nailing the cladding to timber slats that are pre-fixed to the wall of the residence.  The nails are covered by another adjoining layer of cladding, which means that when the project is completed, the nails cannot be seen.  A gap must be left behind the cladding for ventilation.

As you can see from the above points, uPVC cladding has many features that allows uPVC cladding suppliers to recommend it to a homeowner as an excellent cladding option.  The fitting of cladding can be undertaken as a stand alone project or can be done in conjunction with the installation of other energy saving and home enhancing features such as uPVC windows and doors.

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As with any product on the market, there are always questions regarding the effectiveness of PVC as a product and its possible detrimental effects on the environment.  The following points will hopefully answer some of the queries that homeowners may have.

1.    Value: The PVC in a PVC window will outlast most of the materials in other windows and performs better than them.  When it comes therefore to getting value for money you are gaining on two fronts.  Because PVC windows are long lasting you will not have to change them for a long time and because they are very energy efficient your fuel bills will be lower over the lifetime of the windows and subsequently you will save money.
2.    Durability: About 90% of the applications PVC is used for are what would be called ‘long life’ applications.  This description aptly applies to PVC windows and doors and also to such products as uPVC cladding.  Some studies have shown that in relation to windows and their profiles, 40 years is the projected lifespan.  This is more than any manufacturers will give a warranty for – in fact most will only cover the windows for ten to twenty years – but that is to be expected.  PVC will survive well against corrosion, inclement, prolonged weather and impact damage.
3.    Good for the environment: Advanced production technology has meant that the resin manufacture for PVC now can save a lot of energy in the production of PVC and this means less greenhouse gases are being produced when manufacturing companies are producing PVC.
4.    Part-produced from renewable resources: About half of the ‘feedstock’ required to produce PVC comes from salt.  As salt is abundant and renewable resource, PVC doors and windows are being produced from ‘feedstock’ that can be renewed and the same cannot be said for some other commonly used building materials.
5.    Low maintenance: PVC windows will require little or no maintenance throughout their lifespan.  This is a fact that is both beneficial to the homeowner and to the environment, as for example, other window types will require painting every few years, which will produce undesirable paint emissions.  Over the lifetime of a timber window for example, a homeowner could have to paint the window possibly a dozen times.  This can lead to a large accumulation of emissions and leftover paint, brushes and paint tins that all have to be disposed of.
6.    Recyclable: Improvements are being made every day worldwide with regard to recycling PVC.  There have been various initiatives introduced  by governments involving PVC manufacturers and the building industry and these initiatives have seen a dramatic rise in the ability of  PVC recycling.  Vinyl2010 is one such major voluntary initiative taken by the PVC industry, which looks at all parts of the PVC cycle, raises awareness of issues that need to be addressed within the industry and promotes action where necessary.
7.    Tested fire performance: Due to the fact that PVC has a chlorine base, it is an inherently flame retardant material, which does not easily catch fire.  For example the ignition temperature of PVC is circa 390 degrees celcius as against an ignition temperature of circa 250 degrees celcius for timber.
8.    High Standards of manufacture: Manufacturing PVC is a process that, like most processes of production, is strictly monitored to ensure that consumer health and welfare is protected.  Emissions that are produced during the production of PVC have to be monitored by the Environmental Protection Agencies of the various countries involved.
9.    Versatility: PVC is a highly versatile product that can be used to produce a PVC window of almost any style.  Whether a homeowner requires PVC sash windows,  casement windows or bay windows does not matter – all of these window types are easily manufactured and marketed at a competitive price.

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There are many well researched reasons why uPVC is an excellent material for the construction of doors and windows and why such products as uPVC cladding are so popular.  This material is highly energy efficient if used properly and in combination with quality double or triple glazing.  In this present financially and environmentally challenging times it is important to save as much energy as possible in our homes for the good of the planet and also for our own financial wellbeing. 

Residential carbon taxes are being discussed and proposed by several environmental groups and it is probably only a matter of time before they are introduced. When that time comes, homeowners that have taken action in order to have energy efficient homes will be in a much better position to minimize these taxes.

If you are concerned that PVCu windows and doors are limited in their appearance and style then put those worries to rest.  In recent years production technology has improved to such an extent with regard to uPVC windows and doors that they are available on the market in almost and style and colour, so it is easy to get a door that is suitable to your type of residence.

It is always suggested that if you are considering changing either your windows or doors, that you weigh up the option of replacing them both at the same time.  This will give you better purchasing power with the supplier and will also ensure that you are able to get your doors and windows to match.

 PVCu doors need not be solid doors that leave your entrance hallway dark and forbidding.  These doors can be produced with as much or as little of a glazing insert as you desire.  You can have small diamond glazing inserts at head height in your door, that allows in some light and lets you also see who is calling at your door.  You can also choose a half glazed door or even a door that has one full panel of glazing taking up almost the entire door.  Whereas this may not be suitable for a front door, PVCu French doors often come in this style.

Remember also that the glazing that is used in these doors is especially strong in order to prevent accidental damage if the door slams in the wind.  This also makes the door more secure if a burglar tries to force entry into your home.

There are PVCu doors available for any part of your home.  In fact if you are considering upgrading your doors, be sure to install a PVCu backdoor as well as changing your front door.  Cold air will enter into your home through the back door as easily as the front and burglars are more likely to try to break into your home at the rear of the house, where they can operate better out of public view.

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•    Multiple glazing is the assembly of various panes of glazing into one unit.  This could comprise two panes of glazing windows (double glazing), or three panes of glazing (triple glazing), and so on.  If we are talking about double glazing, then between the two sheets of glazing will be present a gas or a vacuum.  This gas or vacuum will be thermally efficient and will also have properties that assist in insulating your home against sound pollution.
•    The glass in a window unit is necessary, not surprisingly, in order to allow in light and allow the homeowner to see out of the property.  This may sound obvious, but in terms of insulating a building properly, it would actually make more sense to leave out windows altogether, because they are one of the highest contributors to heat loss in a building.  The thickness of each glazing sheet can range from a high of circa 10mm down to 3mm and are usually all of the same thickness.
•    Different and specialized types of glazing can be used when glazing windows.  These can include low-emissivity glass, which has the ability to reflect radiation from the heat of the sun, tinted glass, which can help to reduce heat build up in the room and coated glass, which is a glass with a coating on it, which can improve the insulation of heat and noise in the home.
•    Spacers are the strip of metal or foam that you see between the panes of glass when you look at a double glazed window.  These spacers keep the panes of glazing apart and create a seal which traps the gas between the panes, or helps to seal and create the vacuum.  These spacers are used whether you are dealing with timber, aluminum or uPVC windows.
•    The manufacturers of double glazed windows will most often carry a warranty for ten to about twenty years and this lifespan can be effected by various  factors, including whether the units are installed in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres. Typical reasons for homeowners changing window units or having to get them repaired would include seal failure and desiccant saturation. Desiccant is present in the spacers and its function is to remove the moisture from the sealed area that has formed during the manufacture of the window and also it stops moisture formation inside the gas or vacuum area.

These are some of the basic points that come to the fore when you are considering window glazing for your home.  Double glazing windows are the most popular choice with homeowners, as they provide excellent energy efficient units at a competitive price.

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This is not necessarily the most difficult thing to do, once you take your time at the process and carry out plenty of research.  When it comes to selecting an installer that you would be happy to install your windows, it will certainly help if you have some basic knowledge of what double glazing windows are about and of the installation process also.

The reason that double glazing is so popular worldwide is that it helps a home to become energy efficient if double glazed windows are used in conjunction with other actions, such as attic insulating, etc.  double glazed uPVC windows are especially popular, as they allow you to improve the thermal capacity of the home at a fairly reasonable price.  A PVC window also helps to improve the security of a property and is reasonably maintenance free.  The fact that they are available in a very large selection of styles and colours makes them attractive to homeowners also.

When it comes to window glazing one of the most important things to understand when talking to installers is the ‘U-Factor’ of the window units.  This is a measure of the ability of the window to prevent heat loss and it is a measure of the entire window unit and not just the glazing.  Other terms to be aware of are the ‘Solar Heat Gain Coefficient’ which judges how well the window is able to prevent the suns heat from entering the home, ‘Air Leakage’, which tells you how much air can leak through particular windows and ‘Design Pressure’ which is a measurement of the ability of the windows to stand up to wind pressure.

These are all pretty technical terms and are explained very basically here.  However, even by knowing this amount of information, you will be able to make comparisons between the different window units and glazing that are on offer and also between the different double glazing installation services on offer.  If a double glazing installer is unwilling or unable to discuss the above measurements with you as they pertain to the windows he is selling, he either does not know his windows very well, or the windows are not very good.

It is probably wisest to purchase from a company that is in business for a lengthy period of time.  This may cut down your list quite a bit, as double glazing fitting companies go out of business quite regularly after only a few years, but this is precisely the reason you want an established company.  There is not much point in getting excellent guarantees with regard to maintenance and service if the company is not around to honour its commitments to you.

Getting quotations does not cost you anything and will help you to further narrow your list of potential double glazing fitters.  When you have narrowed down your list in this way you can go into more detail with the remaining companies on the list, visit their websites If they have one, look at the testimonials they have received and even contact homeowners in your area that have had work carried out by these companies.

Good double glazing installers may be difficult to find at first sight.  However the more enquiries that you make and research that you carry out, one or two names will keep cropping up as being honourable, trustworthy companies that are in business for the long haul and that homeowners have been satisfied to use.

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· A uPVC French door as mentioned above, not only allows a lot of light into your room, but it also allows excellent access into your home.  This is of benefit if you have a person with restricted mobility that needs to be able to gain wheelchair access to the residence. It is also useful for bringing in or out large items of furniture that might not fit so easily through a normal sized doorway.
· Given that allowing light into your room is a large feature of PVC French doors, you will be able to enjoy normal daylight entering into your home for a longer time than you would with a normal door.  This is more enjoyable and will also save you money on electricity.
· One of the factors that homeowners have to pay attention to in these modern times of environmental awareness is that they make every effort to have an energy efficient residence.  Having a PVC French door will help the energy efficiency of the home, will cut down on the amount of fuel that you need to keep your hoe warm in the winter and will over the long term save you money.
· Installing a quality French door will involve installing a door with a strong, durable frame and double or triple glazed glass panels.  If you do ensure that your new door is of a good standard, then not only will your door be energy efficient, but it will be much harder for a burglar to break into your residence.  Substance is as important as style when it comes to selecting a French door for your home.
· uPVC windows and doors in general need much less maintenance than other types of doors and windows.  uPVC does not need to be painted during its lifetime and will usually only need cleaning with a damp cloth in order to help it to look clean and fresh again.
· A good way of finding a French door that may be suitable for your home is to look at plenty of home and garden type magazines.  There will be plenty of example of French PVCu doors in these publications and you should be able to find one that suits your taste.  By going online also, you will be able to view different types and styles of doors and you will be able to compare prices of different lots.  If you want to narrow down your search somewhat, you can  search for ‘uPVC French doors UK’ or some other geographically specific term.  In this way you will be able to get sites that are more relevant to your needs.

uPVC French doors will allow light into your home and will give you a much better view of your garden and patio area than you would have had with an ordinary door or window.  It will also add value to your property if you purchase and install a quality door that will impress any potential purchasers if and when you ever decide to place your property on the market for sale.

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· When you talk of a uPVC patio door you are basically talking also about a double or triple glazed patio door.  Such a door will have very good insulation properties and will benefit the room that it leads from and also the residence in general.  One door will not greatly effect the thermal capacity of the entire home, but by installing a PVC patio door along with other energy saving measures in the home, you will be able to save energy and cut down on your fuel bills throughout the home.
· By installing a patio door in your living area or kitchen, you are increasing greatly the amount of natural light that can enter the room.  This brightens the home and also means that you can delay the turning on of lights in that room for longer, thereby again saving money.
· uPVC is a durable and low maintenance material that has a projected lifespan of 25 – 30 years.  In contrast to timber patio doors that will require re-painting every 5 years or so, PVC patio doors require only regular cleaning to keep them looking fresh.  These PVCu doors will not rot or warp due to rain, dampness, cold or snow.  They can endure all sorts of hardship including banging, slamming and scratching and still come out looking well.
· A quality patio door can add to the visual appearance of the front or side of the home.  This can certainly be of benefit if you are considering putting your property on the market.
· Specialised glazing can be obtained for a patio uPVC door.  If you are installing the door in a very sunny location, then you will be able to get glazing that has reflective and anti-glare properties, which will enhance the comfort of those using the room.
· These doors are very secure, given that they have advanced locking systems built into the framework.  This is very important given that many burglaries are committed with the thieves accessing the home from the rear.
· uPVC patio doors can be researched and purchased online.  If you wish to narrow down your search geographically, you can search under such terms as ‘uPVC patio doors UK’ or ‘uPVC Patio doors Ireland’.  In this way you should be able to find suppliers of these doors in an area close to you.

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Firstly what is secondary glazing?  It is a window glazing unit that is placed directly over your existing window frame, thereby insulating your window unit and creating a pocket of air between the two sheets of glazing.

There are various reasons why this glazing may be preferable to installing replacement double glazed windows.  The main reason is selected would be that the homeowners are not allowed to change their existing windows to something such as uPVC windows, due to a planning restriction, which may have the home listed as a protected structure. While buildings are listed for a very good reason, in order to protect and preserve our architectural heritage, it can be very frustrating and uncomfortable for a family to have to live in a cold, energy inefficient home, all because they cannot replace their windows that are allowing a lot of air leakage.

It is in cases such as these that secondary double glazing becomes appropriate.  It is also considerable cheaper than replacing all of your window units and some people elect to carry out this glazing on some rooms of the home, that are in particular need of extra insulation.

If you are a home improvement enthusiast, DIY secondary double glazing is easier to carry out than replacing your windows.  You can purchase secondary double glazing kits form window suppliers and follow the detailed instruction in order to achieve the best results.

It should be said that by installing secondary glazing windows you will not have a sealed pocket of air between the two panes of glazing.  This is not as effective a method of insulation as proper double glazing windows by a long shot, but is a reasonable second option.  With this method you also have the advantage of being able to remover the secondary glazing, which allows you to maintain, clean and open your windows.

In the United Kingdom, secondary glazing can be very popular, as there are many buildings that have restrictions placed on them with regard to window replacement.  ‘Secondary double glazing UK’ is a popular search term on the internet and one which will help narrow down your search if you are looking for a supplier of this type of product.  If you have a particular type of window that you wish to get quoted for, why not search under ‘secondary double glazing sash windows’, ‘double glazing window installers ‘or some other term which will help put you in the right direction.

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Unfortunately what many homeowners fail to realise is that changing to a different style of window and window glazing could in fact reduce the level of security afforded to a property, prevent adequate ventilation and change the whole aesthetics of a home.

Providers of sash windows believe that people looking to change or replace their sash windows should look at other ranges of sashes such as double glazing sash windows rather than changing to a completely different design. With so many different styles of sash window double glazing now available a home can be transformed without jeopardising the look and safety aspects that are so crucial for a property.

Sash windows are available with various features, available in wood or upvc and can be installed in stunning shapes and sizes. Although associated with grand homes, sash windows look just as good in modern properties and town houses due to the advancements in style and structure.

The charm that sash windows hold over other types of window is due to how they are manufactured and installed. Safety features play a big part in sash window functionality and double glazed sash windows are popular due to their strength, durability and of course practicality. Locks, cam catches and limit stops are all features that make sash windows safe and secure in homes where they were originally part of the fabric.

They say ‘A Change Is As Good As A Rest’, and this is most definitely the case when it comes to refurbishment. However, understanding a building and knowing what is best for the occupants is the first stage before any construction work is undertaken. Fire egress requirements for a building that has sash windows can be put in jeopardy if they are removed and replaced with non sash windows double glazing.  Having a means of escape ensures that occupants are safe and a property is to the required standard.

Before changing any sash windows, it is worth looking at the vast range of styles that are available to ensure a property is up to standard. Whether a homeowner wants uPVC windows or traditional timber,  a double glazed sash window can be developed to match the period, style and functionality of any property.  Get quotes from recognised double glazed window installers who shouls be able to help you with your individual requirements with regard to glazing windows.

This blog post was written by Bygone Collection, specialists within the manufacturing and installation of all double glazed sash windows. The aforementioned products are supplied by Bygone Collection and for the full range styles they offer visit their website.

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