uPVC Windows Guide

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.

Double glazed sash windows are installed in various properties due to their durability and the lure of windows that are maintenance free. There are many homeowners who want to replace their sash windows due to weathering, deterioration or for a change in style. After carrying endless window repairs to old timber sash windows, or perhaps trying such ventures as installing secondary double glazing, many property owners may opt to replace their old sash windows with newer versions, but there are those homeowners who choose standard casement windows instead.

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 replacement 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. Window 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,  double glazed timber or upvc sash windows , with authentic features such as brass sash window locks, 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.

If you have older timber sash windows in your residence, then you are very lucky.  These sash windows have an elegance about them that is hard to replicate in more modern windows, no matter whether they are made of timber , uPVC or some other material.

These windows may have been part of your residence for a long time and with proper care and attention should last for many more years. The one problem that can arise with older windows is that their security measures may not be up to scratch.  Quality sash window locks are an important part of present day sash windows but could well be missing from your period windows.

•    Home security is much more important in the present day than it was twenty or more years ago.  While your windows apparent lack of security may be a problem that you need to address, there are solutions available to you.  You can find suitable window locks for your home and have them installed, thereby improving immensely the security of your home.

•    If you do decide that you want to install window sash locks then you will want to find locks that integrate with the existing hardware that is on your windows.  For example if you have brass latches or keepers already fitted on your windows, then it would make sense to find brass locks, if that was possible.  If your windows are of a certain vintage you would hope also to be able to find antique locks instead of having to fit modern brass versions that would not look right.

•    Salvage yards are a great place to source old and decorative window locks for sash windows.  As sash timber windows were more relevant in bygone days, there is a lot of salvage relevant to them in storage in these yards, waiting to be found by you.  However these may not be the cheapest locks you will find and it may also be difficult to find enough of the same matching types of locks to be able to do every window you have in your home.  One answer to this problem is to source good quality antique reproduction locks.  These would probably be a much cheaper option, will definitely be in good working order and you will be able to purchase any amount you want.

•    Probably the best place to start looking for a suitable type of sash window lock is online.  From the comfort and privacy of your home you can peruse all different types of locks for your windows, see if their measurements fit the size of window sash lock you are looking for and whether they match your existing hardware.  Contact the manufacturer is you have any specific queries regarding the locks they are marketing and if you do purchase online, before you confirm your purchase check that the shipping costs are not very expensive.  If you are purchasing a large quantity of metal locks they could be quite heavy and expensive to mail.

Whether you purchase from your local hardware store merchant or online, you should have your locks in your possession within a short space of time and all you have to do is install them in order to make your home much more secure and your sash windows looking well.  Sash window locks are available in most styles and materials, so whether you have timber, aluminum or uPVC  windows, there is surely an available quality and attractive lock out there that will suit your purposes.

There is no doubt that uPVC windows are now the most popular type of window above all other windows on the market today.  If that is a fact, then the question has to be asked why it is so.  In this article we will outline five reasons why homeowners are choosing uPVC double glazing above a timber or aluminum window or any other window type that is available on the market.  By the time you have finished this market, we hope that you will have an understanding of why double glazed uPVC windows are leading the world in window production.

1. Energy efficiency:  Nowadays the sight of a monthly fuel bill arriving through your mailbox is enough to cause tremors of fear in many people.  Fuel cost are rising constantly and on top of that there is continual talk of ‘polluter paying principles’ and ‘carbon taxes’.  It is very important for all of us to have houses that are as energy efficient as possible.  Older type wooden window frames simply do not have the proper ‘U-factor’ capacity to seal your residence properly.  The ‘U-factor’ is a measurement of the rate of transfer of heat through a material.  Quality double glazed uPVC or vinyl windows with a low ‘U-factor’ are highly energy efficient and these windows will assist you greatly in slashing fuel costs in your home.

2. Range of styles and colours available:  There used to be a standard joke regarding a PVC window that it was available in two colours – white or white!  While that joke may have had a certain ring of truth to it about ten years or so ago, things have changed dramatically in the production of these products since.  They are now freely available from most established window manufacturers and double glazing window installers in a large variety of styles and colours.  One of the most popular choices by homeowners presently are the wood-grain finish windows, which can look like light or dark timbers and are very hard to distinguish from real timber at any distance.

3. Home Security:  Not that long ago security in the home was not top of a homeowners agenda – in fact many people were quite comfortable with leaving keys in their doors at night, or leaving their front door unlocked.  All of this has changed unfortunately and homeowners require now that their doors and windows are secure at night- time and when they are away from their property. uPVC double glazing doors are very strong and durable and quality windows have excellent uPVC window handles and window locks built into the framework of the window unit, which gives them added strength.  In addition to this double glazing is much more difficult to break through than older windows with single glazing, so most homeowners are going for the more secure option.

4. Window maintenance: One of the main advantages of uPVC as a material is that it requires very little maintenance from the time it is installed in your home as a window frame, until the time that you decide to change your windows again.  A uPVC double glazing window requires cleaning, as any window does, but other than that there is very little maintenance needs to be carried out.  On the other hand, if you want timber windows to last, they need regular re-painting and maintenance and even this may not be enough to stop them warping and leaking if you are living in a damp climate.

5. Re-sale value of your property:  Many homeowners are not thinking about selling their property when they install their uPVC windows.  However there may come a time when for work reasons you want to change location, or maybe you simply will want to downsize, and this is when you will be glad if your have installed uPVC double glazing windows.  Over seventy five percent of people questioned in a survey, when asked to rate the important points they looked for when they were purchasing or renting a home, put the fact of the home having uPVC windows as one of the main factors.  Having uPVC double glazed windows installed in your home will help you to sell or rent it and will help you to obtain a better price.

These are five of the top reasons why homeowners are continuing to make the change to uPVC double glazing windows.  Some homeowners who have construction or home improvement consider the options of fitting cheap uPVC windows themselves.  These windows are not cheap in the sense that they are of inferior quality, but if you are willing to install DIY double glazing in you can make considerable savings.  So if you are considering changing your windows, or if you are in the process of planning or building a new residence, get a double glazing quote and weigh up the uPVC double glazing cost against the many benefits that these windows could bring to you and your home.

Since the introduction of uPVC windows into general construction many years ago, homeowners who have traditional timber sash windows have been caught in the dilemma of wanting to keep the traditional look of their windows, but also wanting the advantages that uPVC sash windows would have to offer in terms of insulation and thermal capacity.  Recent developments in technology have allowed uPVC window manufacturers to come up with a design for a uPVC sash window that appears to tick all of the boxes.

These new windows that are vertical uPVC sash windows look like they have wooden window frames and act in the same manner as vertical timber sash windows have always acted.  By integrating the traditional design with modern technology the manufacturers have created a window that will pass as a timber window and yet has the maintenance-free attributes of a uPVC sliding sash window.

uPVC or vinyl windows have always had the advantage of not requiring painting every 5 – 7 years, which is in contrast to their timber counterparts.  Having to re-paint windows has always been an issue that owners of homes with sash windows have always found irksome, as sash windows are particularly tricky to paint, given the fact that they often have 6 over 6 panes of glass and an inordinate amount of framework.  In addition to this uPVC  double glazing window frames simply need a wipe down with a soft cloth in order to look fresh and very little further maintenance is required apart form some light lubrication of moving parts.

An Elegant uPVC Sash Window

While uPVC sliding sash windows look as if they operate the same as  traditional sash windows, they have the added advantage of being able to tilt inwards and this helps the homeowners to clean the glazing without overstretching and putting themselves in danger.

Security in uPVC double glazed windows is on the whole much improved in uPVC sash windows also.  In addition to traditional sash window locks, quality uPVC windows have multi point locking systems built into the frames, which makes it much more difficult for an intruder to gain access via the windows of the home.  Old timber sash windows in the main had simple window locks that were and are easy to force.  As a rule uPVC double glazed sash windows will have tougher glazing, usually double or triple glazed, and this is difficult to break also, without creating a lot of disturbance.

Since the introduction of uPVC windows, many different styles have been brought into production and it is quite easy for a homeowner to   find a sash window style that compliments their home and other existing glazing such as in an existing conservatory.  The range of colors that is available for other styles of sash windows is also available for uPVC double glazed sash windows and these include wood grain effects.

The best place to commence your search for uPVC sash windows is online, as it offers the greatest range for you to choose from, all from the comfort of your own home.  Compare prices and the different features available, check out the ‘R-value’ of different window units  (their resistance to heat loss) and take shipping costs into consideration before you confirm your purchase.  Get several quotes for your new windows and do not be rushed into making a decision.  uPVC window  prices are usually very competitive and with some research you should be able to find cheap upvc windows that are of excellent quality.

For many homeowners who have been frustrated with a lack of development in regard to uPVC sash windows, the wait may be over.  They can now look forward to a highly insulated window product, which requires little maintenance, but which retains the traditional elegant style of their present timber sash windows.  uPVC sash windows are here to stay!

Residing in some countries does not present a problem with regard to insulating your residence, whereas if you live in a country with a damp or cold climate, then you will know that insulating your home is a priority. There are many different aspects to home insulation that need to be looked at as part of an overall package, and but one of the most crucial sections is window insulation.  To this end uPVC windows are the windows that consistently comes out on top when consideration is given to window insulation properties.

Proof of this point can be made by looking at countries like Great Britain or Ireland, where a major percentage of the windows fitted are uPVC windows.  The reason for this is that these countries have the type wet and mild climate that a uPVC window is ideal for insulating against.  Another point to make with regard to a mild, wet environment is that timber windows suffer greatly in this weather, unless they are regularly maintained and re-painted.

If you have studied the benefits that a uPVC window can bring to your home and are considering installing PVC windows, you should also take into account the following points.

Have a budget in mind before you start negotiations with any suppliers of uPVC double glazed windows.  In relation to this point, you should also bear in mind that the cheapest quote you will get is not necessarily the best.  There are a large amount of these window suppliers both online and offline and quotes they will give you for uPVC window prices will have to be weighed against each other carefully.  However, if you do proper research and take your time selecting a suitable product, you may well find cheap uPVC windows that still have all of the attributes that you expect form a good quality window.

Not only is a PVC window excellent at helping to insulate your property, but it will also make your home more secure.  A lot of burglars enter a home through a window and having quality windows locks and quality uPVC window handles does help ensure that you make illegal entry to your home difficult.

As you are taking the step of installing uPVC windows in order to improve the insulation of your home, you should give serious consideration to the various types of glass and seals that are being offered with the windows you are purchasing.  Keep in mind the window energy rating (R-value) of the PVC-u window.  This is a numerical value given to a window that takes into consideration the energy balance of the unit (window and frame).

Considering the many advantages of uPVC windows it is easy to see why they are the most selected window by homeowners in studies carried out.  There are many suppliers of PVC windows online and also offline in your own geographical area.  Type ‘uPVC window’ into a search engine and you will not be short of choices and look up local suppliers to compare what they have to offer.  You can narrow the results you will get from the search engines by inserting ‘ uPVC sash windows ‘ or other more descriptive terms.