How to get a porch? Go walkabout

‘To porch or not to porch’. I often find when a customer first visits they don’t really know where to begin or how to go about choosing a new porch. Not surprising when there’s so much choice around nowadays.

They know they want a new porch; they want the front of their home to look more stylish. Or maybe warmth, light, space, drafts, noise or security are the overriding concerns.

The problem I find is that they may not have actually taken a good look at what is around in their street or locality first. I think this has to be the number one step. Comparing porch’s styles and what looks good on a particular house can change vision quite dramatically.

So, often my first approach when anyone wants advice for a new porch is to send them away. I get some pretty surprised expressions, of course. But it always gets people thinking. Well, that’s exactly what I want them to do.

Every home has its own character and style, that’s why porches tend to be individually designed and made to measure. So, I will probably begin by asking you to start looking around at what looks good with what home. Ask yourself whether you want to look different but not out of place or identical to your neighbour? Is there a particular style that looks good on a detached two doors away but you’re not so sure how it would fit on your semi?

Start thinking about door designs to complement your vision. Perhaps a solid panel door or with patterned glass in white or woodgrain PVC-U or the colour range of composite?

Okay, all a bit baffling. So my advice first is to take a walk around, then pick up the phone or call in to see me and let’s get opening doors. Remember, for the best porch, go walkabout!

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Let us help you with your porch design: windows, doors and advice. Just have a chat with us and we’ll give you some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities.

How to get the best security doors

Safety doors…you close that door behind you after a day at work and close out the dark, rainy cold. Well, you know what a Lancashire winter can be like, with bitter arctic blasts...and then there’s that tucked-safe-inside sense of home, warmth and security.

So many of your neighbours have had those...er...uninvited ‘people’ just letting themselves in - and trashing the place. They’re not graceful and they’re not fun; they wreck, steal, nick, loot and pinch your possessions. Thankfully you have decided on composite doors.

Yes, there is an alternative which is easier and a lot less on the pocket: protect yourself from this unruly lot by having new composite doors fitted. Best advice I can give you is to get doors with the latest police approved locking systems with enhanced security and made from high performance materials.

Hey, being security conscious doesn’t mean looking dull; these composite doors are your stylish alternative to wood, they look great. Durability is wonderful, withstanding our harsh climate, needing no continual painting or varnishing and in lots of different styles and colours.

We’re talking home safety here; what’s the point of going cheap and then those not so welcome guests come round hammering, chiselling, smashing – and grabbing.

Best bet in my opinion is to go for a company with BSEN ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) accreditation and who are also accredited by leading industry benchmark names such as FENSA, VEKA matrix 70, IPWFI.

Put it this way, I’ve been around in windows and doors for a while now and I’ve seen a lot of the mistakes and yes, it always saddens me when I see the regret, the wasted hard earned cash and upset faces.

That’s life, I guess – and best to get it right first time...for a blissful sense of security.

Let us help you with your home security: windows, doors and advice. Just have a chat with us and we’ll give you some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities.

Tel: 0161 737 3503
Fax: 0161 737 3505
Email - andrew@balmoralwindows.co.uk