uPVC Windows Guide

Double glazing doors and windows made from uPVC are probably the most popular types of doors and windows on the market today.  There are various reasons for this and the main reasons can be dealt with under the headings of energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, security, safety and maintenance.

Energy Efficiency:

Quality uPVC windows and doors are very efficient units that will enable you to keep your home warm and comfortable in the wintertime and cooler in the summer months.  With doors such as uPVC patio doors you can have a lot of light entering through the door due to large sheets of glazing, and yet the door will still be thermally efficient.  uPVC is a more thermally efficient product than timber or aluminium, the other two most used materials in double glazed windows.

By installing quality upvc double glazing in your home not only will you have a more comfortable place to live, but the running costs on your property will be significantly lower as you will have less need for central heating and air conditioning.

Cost Effectiveness:

uPVC windows and doors that are double glazed are not inexpensive and if you are considering installing them it will be one of the bigger home improvement jobs that you will undertake in your home. However given the various benefits that can be accrued by having these units instead of single glazed windows, the initial uPVC double glazing cost has to be considered over the lifetime of the windows and doors and the saving that can be made over that period.

The fact that there are many window and door manufacturers looking for your business means that with proper research you can purchase quality products at very good value. There are options for you to carry out DIY double glazing if you have some experience and talent at DIY and in this way you could save quite a bit of money on installation costs of the windows.

Security and Safety:

Security in the home is a much more important topic than it was in previous years and decades.  The days of homeowners leaving keys in their doors while they slept are long gone and with many homeowners away from their properties during the day, it is important that their homes are secure and safe from burglars.  Front doors for homes especially have to look and be very secure, but it is also advisable to have solid uPVC back doors and side doors also.

uPVC double glazed windows and doors are known for their strength in both the frames and the glazing.  It is very difficult to break through a uPVC frame and especially one that has steel strengthening rods added and quality uPVC window handles fitted.  Double glazing is also very hard to break through or remove without creating a lot of disturbance, which is something that a thief does not want.  Some homeowners for additional security opt to fit window screens over their windows also.  If your uPVC doors and windows are properly locked and secure while you are away from your property, a burglar will most likely move on to an easier target without even trying to gain access to your home.  Some homeowners for additional security opt to fit window screens over their windows also.

Maintenance:

Timber windows are very attractive and timber can become even more beautiful with age.  Unfortunately windows made from timber have the disadvantage that homeowners have to constantly maintain them in order to stop them becoming rotted or warped by inclement weather.  If a timber window does get water damaged and either swells, or bends out of shape, it will no longer perform as an efficient unit.

uPVC products such as doors, windows and uPVC cladding on the other hand are classed as maintenance free, given that the uPVC in the frames will not ever need to be painted during its lifetime.  This is a factor that attracts a lot of attention from hard working homeowners, who would rather spend their limited free time with their families than having to maintain windows in order to keep them performing properly.

Under the above headings uPVC windows and doors will either outperform or equal timber or aluminium windows and doors.  Taking the headings as a package it is usually very unlikely to find one of the other two window types that are able to provide the same performance and quality as windows and doors made from uPVC at the same cost competitive price.

One of the problems that homeowners face when they purchase uPVC windows is that these windows do need to be fixed from time to time.  Many owners are puzzled by this fact, given that they were under understood that window repairs would be a thing of the past once they installed these windows.

While it is true that the uPVC in the windows is a material that will not degrade for many lifetimes, there are not many manufacturers that will give more than a 10 year guarantee on moving parts within the window unit.

In addition to this, the window manufacturing business is remarkably fickle and even if the windows of a property do create problems within the guarantee period, often you will find that the company that sold the windows and that should be responsible is no longer in business.

As with guarantees offered with many products, is it often the case that just as the manufacturer’s guarantee on a product runs out that the product begins to give trouble.  In relation specifically to PVC windows you will often find that the 10 year portion of the guarantee extends only to the uPVC frame and not to the ancillary hardware such as uPVC window handles and door handles.  The guarantee on these items may not extend beyond a year.

So what do you do if you find yourself in the position of having uPVC double glazing windows and perhaps also doors that are relatively newly installed in your home and which are starting to give you trouble, apart from simple window glass replacement if one gets broken.

Many property owners will obviously first contact the supplier and installer that they initially hired to put in their windows when they bought them.  Or perhaps they will have to call in another company if the company that sold or installed the products are no longer in business.  A representative will most likely call to their home and may point out to the property owners that the guarantees have run out on the relevant parts for the windows that are giving trouble.  This person may even suggest that the best course of action would be to replace their windows with more up to date window or door units.

For most homeowners this is a horrifying scenario as they spent a large amount of money installing these windows in the first place.  But the good news is that in many cases, repairing windows that have developed problems is often not necessary.

There are locations where you can source many different parts for uPVC windows.  Naturally the company that you are dealing with would much rather install entirely new windows in your home as that is their business.  But there are many other companies out there who supply parts for uPVC window repairs and also parts for uPVC doors and if you can source one of these companies you may well be able to sort out your problem.

Sourcing new locks, handles or hinges for your specific windows may not be the easiest thing to do.  However once you have tracked them down any good locksmith should be able to fit them for you.

If a company is in the business of supplying spare parts for PVC windows, then they will have in stock supplies from many major manufacturers of these products.  Such manufacturers may include Coldseal, Avocet, Ferco, Fuhr, Saracen, Surelock, Yale and other popular manufacturers of window and door products.  These companies normally do not just engage in supplying parts for uPVC windows, and will probably be able to help you with parts for timber sash window repairs, replacement sash windows, aluminium casement windows and any other types of windows or doors.

Properly trained staff at these businesses will be able to tell you how to identify and order the parts that you need and how to distinguish between different brands.  In many cases the company will not be dealing with you directly, but with a locksmith or general repair person that you have taken on in order to sort out the problem.

While it would probably be better to be able to call in to the premises of the company with your faulty parts, this is not absolutely necessary.  As there may not be such a company located near to you, trained personnel from these companies are used to identifying the make and type of parts from photographs supplied by customers.  It will also be necessary to be able to supply the relevant measurements in order to help ensure that the wrong parts are not selected.

Many of these companies offer next day postal delivery once your order has been placed and can also offer bulk discounts for larger orders.

The main thing for any homeowner to realise is that having faulty uPVC windows and doors does not mean that they necessarily have to be replaced.  Talk to your supplying company in the first instance regarding window repairs, whether you need window glass repair, want upgraded replacement glass or have a problem with some other part of the units.

However if they recommend that you have a problem with your windows that cannot be solved, do not be afraid to look further for a second and even a third opinion.  Perhaps engage the services of a good locksmith or repair person and do plenty of research online.  Exhaust all other possibilities before you bow to the advice to have your windows replaced.

Time and fashion move on in all things and this is true of window production also.  When window replacement in favour of double glazing windows became the fashion nigh on 40 years ago, the aluminum window was the most popular choice to replace the humble timber window, which had been doing its job from time immemorial.

In a relatively short space of time aluminum windows moved from being a relatively new product on the market to holding well over 50% of market share.  This was due to several factors.  Aluminum did not cost as much to produce as timber, it could be made in suitable lengths for most window sizes, and it was and is a very strong product that would last for a long time and needed little attention.

However as stars rise they can also fall and once uPVC windows and other uPVC products such as doors and uPVC cladding came onto the market strongly about 20 years ago, the fall in sales of aluminum window units has been steady and inexorable.

So what makes uPVC windows and doors so good that they are able to dominate the replacement window market ahead of a window that was hailed as a breakthrough in window production just a few years earlier?

One of the main problems that aluminum had at that time was an unfortunate ability to conduct cold and heat.  This may be an admirable talent in other products, however it is not something that window manufacturers or homeowners yearn for in their windows.  In more recent times the manufacturers of aluminum windows were able to tackle this problem by fitting thermal breaks into aluminum window frames and this helped to reduce the conductivity of these windows, but by this time uPVC house windows had gained a strong foothold.

The main issue with windows made from aluminum is that they seem to be able to out-perform timber windows on a variety of fronts, but they are either only able to equal the performance of uPVC double glazed windows or else the under-perform slightly against them.

uPVC window prices and the cost of aluminium windows are pretty equal when it comes to cost competitiveness for example, whereas windows made from both of these products can be produced cheaper than timber windows.

Aluminum and uPVC windows are very easy to maintain during their lifetimes.  Timber needs reasonably frequent re-painting or it may suffer from weather related deterioration.

However there is one factor that keeps aluminium in peoples consciousness when it comes to window installation and that is security.  Aluminum window frames are very strong, stronger than uPVC frames and this makes aluminium storm windows an excellent option for strong adverse weather conditions, and aluminium windows in general are a popular choice when security of the home is of paramount importance.

In these present times of homeowners both being away from the house during the day due to work commitments, this can be a compelling reason not to discard totally from your mind aluminum replacement windows.

In the same way that homeowners weigh up various factors, such as price competitiveness, attractiveness, ease of use, maintenance, durability and other factors with regard to any product for the home, the same has to be done when you are trying to decide between a timber, uPVC or an aluminum window.  Window frames made from alumimum may not be ‘top of the pops’ anymore, but it is perhaps too soon to consider writing them off.

If you are purchasing new windows for your home, then once these window units are of good quality you should have little to fear with regard to their security.  Manufacturers are very conscious of the need to provide secure windows for their clients, so good windows will come adorned with window locks that should be up to the job of keeping intruders out of your home.

However life is not so simple if you have older types of windows installed in your home.  These could be period sash windows, old timber windows or even uPVC windows that were installed in less security conscious times.  If this is the case you may wish to review the security measures in your home and take some action.

Some homeowners with attractive antique windows for instance are reluctant to install new locking systems as they feel that this may ruin the character of the old units.  However with a bit of research it may well be possible to source locks from salvage yards that would make the windows more secure and yet would fit in with the character and style of the windows.

A difficulty that may arise is that a sash window lock located in a salvage yard may not have enough matching comrades so that you can fit all of your windows with the same lock.

If this is the case then it could be possible to locate good reproduction antique window locks that are much easier to locate in the quantities that you need and will probably work out more reasonable in price.

Window locks that have keys are the most secure type of standard lock.  However you do have the problem of either removing all of the keys from the windows when they are locked, otherwise a thief simply has to remove the glass in order to open the lock and you are back to where you started.   If you do remove all of the keys, it is important from the point of view of your own family’s safety that everyone is aware of the location of the keys, in case of an emergency.

Some homeowners prefer to purchase unobtrusive locks that can hardly be seen by anyone for aesthetic reasons.  Others take the viewpoint that the more visible the locks on their house windows are, the less likely it is that a potential intruder will try his luck.

Larger windows in a home may require more than one lock.  This is because of the pressure that can be put on a big window frame by exerting pressure from outside.  Another point to note is that very small windows can also be attractive to burglars and that these windows should not be overlooked when a homeowners are making inventories of window locks that are needed for their homes.

All windows in your home should be regularly inspected in order to gauge their security effectiveness.  Locks for uPVC windows are usually maintenance free and uPVC window handles are strong and not prone to giving trouble, but could be in need of some lubrication or perhaps there may be dust gathering in the lock that if not removed, could cause future jamming of the mechanism. If uPVC windows and doors are kept securely locked while you are away burglars will not normally try to force them, but will move on to easier targets.

A sash window lock can be very effective if installed properly, but if your sash windows are of the older style and are not very secure, you may wish to check out what types of updated window sash locks are on the market.
You can go online and view all types of locks for windows, compare prices to see what the advantages to different types of locks are.

Remember if window locks are going to be suitable for your home they have to be very effective at their job, they should look well and naturally they should be affordable.

There comes a time when all homes need an uplift.  Whether it is just a lick of paint, the repair of some storm damage, or perhaps you want to upgrade your home before you put it on the market for sale, fitting uPVC cladding is one of the ways that you can give your residence a makeover without having to dig too deeply into your pocket.

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.

If you are considering purchasing windows for your new home, or replacing your older windows with a more energy efficient type, you might be interested in the following 9 brief points which are made regarding PVC.  A quality PVC window with good double or triple glazing will provide you with a window unit that will raise the thermal capacity of your home, if other factors such as attic insulation are also considered.

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 with uPVC window prices 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.  uPVC windows and doors 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 or vinyl 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.

Most of us are aware of the popularity of uPVC windows and doors in construction nowadays.  As a matter of fact uPVC windows and doors are the most used by builders and construction companies when they are embarking on building projects.  There are various reasons for this, but the main one is that by installing uPVC windows and doors, these builders are able to construct homes with good energy efficiency at an affordable cost.  This same approach can be taken by individual homeowners, when they are contemplating what kind of patio door they should install in their property.  uPVC patio doors or uPVC French doors have many advantages over other door types and the following are some of the main points that should be noted:

· 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.  In the same way that front doors for homes must be secure, it is very important that patio doors are equally as strong, 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.

So exactly how long have you been waiting for a new back door.  Many years ago your back door was not a problem, as all back doors were simple wooden pieces that took a lot of abuse and soldiered on.  However, over the intervening time your door has been slammed , kicked, scratched by your pets, weather beaten and has suffered all sorts of other hardship – and it is showing it.  The time has come to put your old back door to rest and to start looking at uPVC back doors to find a replacement.

There are various advantages to selecting a back door that is made from uPVC over other materials.
•    They are very energy efficient.  Obviously the installation of a back door for energy conservation purposes has to be carried out in conjunction with other energy saving measures, but installing one of these doors is a good start.
•    They are much more sound proofed than timber doors.
•    uPVC in general, whether it be in uPVC windows or doors, is a relatively maintenance free material.  It looks well when it is cleaned, but does not require any painting maintenance.  This is why uPVC cladding and other similar products are popular with homeowners.
•    These double glazing doors are much more secure than timber doors.  This is due to the multi-point locks that are present in any quality PVCu doors.  In many cases a strong back door is more important than having a secure front door, because invariably burglars will try the back of the house first in an attempt to gain access.
•    uPVC exterior doors, uPVC patio doors and uPVC French doors are relative easily to fit.  That is not to say that you should attempt to fit one your self unless you have some DIY experience, but it will not take an experienced fitter long to complete the installation of a new back door.
•    There are many different types and styles of PVC back doors to select from.  It will be easy for you to select a style that fits in with your existing windows and house style.
•    A uPVC back door can be as expensive or as affordable as you want.  There are huge variations in price of these doors and you can find one to suit your budget.

By going online and searching for uPVC back doors or uPVC windows and doors, you will be able to compare prices and styles of doors and windows and consider shipping costs, all from the comfort of your home.  Even if you decide to purchase from a local supplier, the knowledge that you gain from the internet will help you to be able to compare accurately what is on offer from your local supplier.

Most of us are sold on the idea of double glazing.  The benefits of having double glazed windows in your home have been well documented and are truly enormous.  However what price should you pay for double glazing in your home?  It is one thing if you are building a new residence and are ordering timber or uPVC windows, then you have the luxury of getting it correct from the start.  If however, you already have single window glazing and are considering the option of having the glazing replaced, or even having the entire window units changed to for example, double glazed sash windows, you may have to ask, is the double glazing cost too high?

The main benefit of having double glazing is that it increases dramatically the thermal efficiency of your home.  It is not the only thing you need to get in order to have a warm, snug residence, but if you get double glazed windows along with other things such as attic insulation and well sealed doors, then you are well on your way to improving the insulation of your home and lowering your fuel costs.

In addition to fuel consumption, having double glazing improves the sound insulation of the property, both by stopping sound pollution from entering the home and by helping to keep your in-house conversations more private. The security of your home will be improved also as double glazing doors and windows are much more difficult to break through than if they are singles glazed.

So these are some of the benefits.  Are they worth spending money on?  Undoubtedly they are and the only question is how much should you have to spend in order to get double glazing for your home.  This is a very hard question to answer and it really has to be up to you as an individual homeowner as to how much you are willing to pay.  How high are your fuel bills presently?  How much house break-ins are committed in your neighbourhood each year?  Are you located close to a source of constant or annoying noise pollution?  All of these are questions you should answer and then you may be able to put a price on the cost of double glazing.

The following are some tips to keep in mind when you are looking for quotes for double glazing.

· When double glazing window installers and salespeople call to you, listen to their sales talk, but do not commit to anything.  Prices quoted often fall rapidly when the customer does not jump immediately in.
· Be sure to carry out plenty of online research.  Search under such terms as ‘ cheap uPVC windows ‘ , ‘bargain double glazed windows’ and ‘ double glazed uPVC windows and doors ‘ .   Not only do you not have to listen to any annoying sales talk, (at least until you have narrowed down your list), but you also have a huge range of double glazing companies displaying their wares and willing to give you a double glazing online quote.  You can use this knowledge to drive a hard bargain when you do get to talk to a sales rep.
· Pay close attention to the labels on the double glazed windows that give you information with regard to energy ratings, U-factors and other useful facts.  It is advisable to purchase glazing that has good insulation qualities and remember that double glazing prices vary enormously and that the cheapest quote you get is not always the best.

So if you want to keep your double glazing costs to a minimum, don’t be afraid to get a double glazing quote and then haggle and carry out plenty of research into the glazing of your choice.   You also have the option of DIY double glazing or installing secondary double glazing as an alternative. The double glazing cost for your replacement sash windows may not come cheap to give one example, but when you consider the enormous gains to be made by having properly insulated windows, you may well decide to take that leap of faith.

The next time you are visiting a neighbour or friend, pay attention to what you see when you arrive at their home.  It is most likely that you will be standing at their entrance door for several moments or perhaps minutes, waiting for them to answer the bell or knocker and to invite you in. In that time it is very likely that the quality of their front door will make an impression on you.  Front doors for homes are very important, as they are the first impression that people will get of your home and they may well carry that impression with them with regard to your entire home.

There are many types and designs of front entry doors on the market and it is possible to find the door that is most suitable for your home.  However, there are several factors that you should bear in mind, before you have a new door fitted.

· Be conscious of the design of your home.  Front doors that are in harmony with the overall design of the home help to strengthen that design, whereas a door of a totally different design to the rest of the home can give a feeling and a look of disharmony.  Often someone looking at such a home from the outside may not be able to quite put their finger on it, but the appearance of the house will not sit comfortably with them.  Using the same materials in your front door as you have in your windows may also be a good idea.  If you for example have uPVC windows fitted in your home, than a uPVC front door would probably work best as uPVC windows and doors will compliment each other.

· Consider the prevailing weather conditions in your area.  Depending on whether you are living in a warm climate in a location such as Florida or Lanzarote , or in a cooler or more moist climate such as Scotland or Newfoundland, you may have different requirements for your front door.  Not only is the door itself important, but the quality of the seals around the door will help to make it weather-proof.  Wooden front doors can be as efficient as uPVC front doors, if they are properly constructed and sealed.

· The security of your home is very important.  Most burglaries are committed using doors and windows as entry points to a home, and therefore it is necessary to bear the security of your home in mind when choosing a door.  Newer doors with multi-point locking systems are to be preferred to doors with older types of locks.  Most PVCu doors have these types of locks as standard, but wooden exterior doors may not, or you may have to request to have one installed.  In this regard the fitting of  uPVC back doors , uPVC Patio doors and uPVC French doors are important also as this is where a burglar will try to gain access first.

There are many types and designs of front entry doors on the market for you to choose from.  Styles vary from period styles such as Georgian or Victorian to rustic, farmhouse styles and on to contemporary doors that may be more suitable to a very modern home.  Again, keep in mind the overall design of your home and if there is no apparent theme or design to the rest of the building, look at several types of doors to see which one might fit most comfortably. Doors may have a solid appearance or be comprised mainly of glass, or have a glass panel insert, which has the benefit of allowing light into your home, but may make your door less secure.

There are many options out there for people that are looking for front doors for homes.  Go online and you will find huge arrays of designs and types of front doors to choose from. Study these with a photo of the front of your home in your hand and you will be able to find a front door that suits you.

When you first install uPVC windows, you reckon that they will be there for ever. However time passes and certain parts of your uPVC windows and doors begin to show sign of wear – uPVC window handles, seals, damaged frames, etc – there are many reasons why you may decide to change your windows.  However with some proper research into handles for windows you may find that you can get very good quality replacements which will mean you may be able to put off replacing your windows for a bit longer.

Wear and tear may not be the only reason that you want rid of your old window handles or even your uPVC door handles.  Up to date design has meant that newer style of handles are of a more ergonomic design and more functional, but the older types of handles have can cause a variety of problems.  They may not be attractive to look at, can be awkward to use and even not very hygienic (older models tend to have a lot of angles and nooks which collect bacteria).

In addition to this they can be a risk to the security of the home, as homeowners invariably lose the keys for the handle locks.  This can also cause a safety risk for the inhabitants if windows are kept locked and there is an emergency in the home.  another security measure homeowners employ in their homes is the installation of security window screens and these also have to be easily removed from the inside.

If you have tired of your uPVC window handles, if they are damaged, or if you simply want to upgrade the security and safety measures in your home, you can consider getting new handles for your existing uPVC windows.  If you wish to do this yourself you will need to source compatible handles and this can be tricky enough to do.  There are a huge range of these handles on the market and many have different characteristics.

Types of handles may fall into different categories such as Espag uPVC window handles, Cockspur handles and Tilt n Turn handles.  Firstly you should identify the manufacturer of the locking mechanism by looking at the ‘lock strip’ (which you can see when the door or window is open).

When you have discovered the make and the model of your handles and locks and contact the manufacturer who will be only to happy to supply you with updated and much more attractive versions of your existing handles.

Many homeowners put up with their existing window handles, mainly perhaps because they do not realize that they can change them.  Major uPVC manufacturers are reporting that they are now replacing more first generation uPVC windows than those that are made of aluminum or wood.

In many cases this is not because the windows are no longer able to operate, but because some parts of the unit, such as the handles, have ceased to function properly.  So it does pay to source replacement uPVC window handles and to get someone to fit them for you, (which is not an impossible task for you to carry out yourself if you have a mind to).

By installing new uPVC window handles you could be giving your self a few more years of grace, before you have to get down to the business of replacing your uPVC windows.

If you are interested in learning how to clean uPVC doors and windows , then this article will be of interest to you.   uPVC is a very durable product, which will not rot or warp during its lifespan, which experts estimate to be in the 20 – 30 year bracket.

However a uPVC window does need to be maintained and this article aims to inform you as to what you should do to your windows to maintain them and perhaps more importantly, what you should not do when maintaining and cleaning your windows.  After reading this article, you should be able to clean and maintain your uPVC window frames and replacement uPVC doors and windows with confidence.

One factor that you should consider before cleaning your uPVC doors and windows is that you may wish to remove any vertical blinds, temporary paper blinds, or close hanging curtains, so that they do not get wet while you are cleaning.  You do not want your beautiful black and white curtains to be all black by the time you are finished.  These items are usually easy to remove temporarily and replace again when you have completed your cleaning.

There are quite a few actions that you can take to keep your replacement windows and doors clean and maintained.  If you want to use a cleaning agent on your windows, be sure to use a non-corrosive and a non-abrasive product.  A uPVC window frame can be scratched or stained quite easily if a harsh cleaning agent is used.  Soapy water works very well to give your windows a wash and a shine.  Even using a dry cloth can scratch these frames, so use a wet, lint free cloth to bring up a great shine on your windows.  One tip that I have heard of and I have used it myself is to try baby wipes on your window frames.  Well, you know the saying, ‘If it is soft enough for baby…’

Hi-Reach Cleaning Kit with 10-Foot Extension Pole (click on image for details)

If your windows are stained for some reason you can get a specialist uPVC cleaners and stain removers.  uPVC window suppliers would be able to provide you with these products or at least tell you where you can get them.  There are many websites regarding uPVC windows online and you may be able to purchase these products from these sites.

Do not paint your uPVC windows and doors.  When you purchase your products from your supplier, you will find that there is a large range of colours to choose from.  Choose carefully, as you will have to keep that colour for the lifetime of the windows.

Avoid scratching uPVC doors and windows if at all possible.  uPVC window repairs can be carried out on small marks, but if you get a larger scratch on your window frames, it may be there always.  Remove jewelry before you embark on cleaning or other work on your windows.  It is bad for your jewelry and it is definitely bad for your windows!

Regular maintenance of all moving parts in your uPVC windows is to be encouraged also. Lubricate uPVC window locks with WD40 or a silicone spray and then use Vaseline or some other light grease to keep the metal parts protected.  uPVC sash windows like an application of silicone spray on the runners to keep them opening and closing smoothly.  Finally check that all uPVC window handles are opening and closing, that they have not loosened and that they are working the multi-point locking system properly.  If your  windows and doors are not closing properly, try using a vacuum cleaner in those hard to see parts of the framework, as there could be a piece of grit or dirt caught that is causing a problem.

Cleaning and maintaining uPVC windows and doors is much easier than trying to maintain other types of windows and doors and remember that well maintained front doors for homes create a good first impression. That is not to say that uPVC back doors , uPVC patio doors and uPVC French doors should not be maintained also – these are the doors that are used most often in the majority of homes.  If you keep in mind what you should use on these windows and doors and also what you should not use, you should have very few problems with your uPVC doors and windows for many years.

There are many advantages to uPVC windows, but the argument rages on as to whether uPVC windows or replacement  windows are environmentally friendly or not.  There are many differences between timber and uPVC windows and that is without even starting to throw the various advantages and disadvantages of an aluminum widow into the mix.

The process that is required to make PVCs is highly toxic and this in turn leads to toxic by-products.  On top of this, the point is made that the biggest problem with regard to uPVC windows and doors is their disposal at the end of their useful life – which seems to range between 10 and 30 years.  Some say that PVC is very easy to recycle but others counter by pointing out that in practise very few PVC windows are recycled because of the difficulty in separating the component parts.  Neither can it be incinerated because of it’s composition.

uPVC windows discolour !!  Some go yellow and while this is bad enough, others go a sort of  pink!  There are various reasons put forward for this discolouring problem, but without going into too much unnecessary detail as to the cause, the remedies are few.  You cannot paint PVC  windows, and anyway,  isn’t the lack of need for painting one of the main reasons you wanted UPVC windows in the first place?

Very bad weather or severe extremes of weather can cause cracking, expanding or warping to your double glazing, PVC windows.

PVC windows are not that flexible in design or in execution – this can hamper the creative artist in you when you are designing your rooms!

uPVC windows are simply not as pleasant on the eye as traditional windows.  Again this is a claim that is hotly disputed by the PVC fanclub.  In many case the argument is dependant on the  type of building the windows are going into.  If they are being inserted into a new build, modern structure that allows for the wide, bulkier window frame that PVC windows by necessity provide, then they will look well.  However if you are putting them into your turn of the century (19th to the 20th century that is), attractive brick, terraced residence, maybe they won’t fit in quite so brilliantly.

Once you have fitted uPVC double glazing or triple glazing windows, whether you install them yourself or get an installer to do it, no matter what type and style of window you install, they cannot be easily taken apart if they are in need of repair.  By this we do not mean simply changing a pane of glass, rather more structural repairs.  This can make them more expensive to maintain, as against a traditional window, which a regular carpenter or handyman will have a go at.

So there you go – food for thought if you are thinking about dumping those timber windows on the woodpile and investing in some shiny, spanking new PVC ones.