DIY conservatory yes or not?

So you’re thinking: ‘I reckon I could build a conservatory’.

Stop! Erecting a conservatory is not the job for a DIY amateur. This is for the serious professional, skilled in the use of the correct materials and how to put them together with health and safety regulations.

Nipping up to your local builder’s merchant/DIY superstore to buy polycarbonate roof glazing might seem easy. Well, to insulate your conservatory properly you need to be a master craftsman. It is not a case of simply placing the glazing into position, then refer to the roof plan to locate the right positions, knock on the PVC cappings and think you’ve created a seal. If you’re handling glass, the process will be even more complicated.

Your windows and doors may arrive unglazed which is often quite normal to prevent glass from breaking during the installation. I’ve seen far too many DIYers thinking the glazing process shouldn’t be difficult as most doors and windows come with what is called a ‘knock-in’ glazing bead. All they have to do is immerse the glazing bead in warm water to make it more flexible and easier to position – and on goes the silicone sealant.

They apply it to the joints, following their ‘plan’ as they fit the internal PVCu trims to the roof eaves beam, ridge and glazing bars.

So, their DIY conservatory is nearly complete and weatherproof – or so they think. It’s when the splits, cracks, leaks, joint and seal problems begin that things get a bit sticky. Oh, and that’s not to mention the cost and waste of money. In nearly every case, when last resorts fail to patch up, they have to call in a trained expert who will invariably have to take down everything, send to scrap and begin again.

You might be a dab hand with a paint brush, screw driver, hammer and a few nails; you might be good at knocking together some wood to make reasonable cupboards but when it comes to the job of a trained professional with years of experience, forget DIY for building a safe, warm, functioning conservatory.

Do the sensible thing and call in a reliable, reputable company.

When do I need to change my windows?

Has the time come to replace the windows of your home? Have you discovered a few annoying things like cracks in the glass or moist? If you are considering whether it is necessary to change your windows, here you have a list of the things to watch out for that will tell you if you need to give your al local ‘windows man’ a call. And don’t forget: when windows are getting beyond their lifespan, they might be increasing the size of your utility bills.

Cold temperature

When you sit by your window and you feel colder there than in the rest of the room, then you probably have a worn out window. This usually happens because the area around the window is not well sealed and can’t keep the cold out. Sometimes the problem can be addressed by replacing the sealant but, sometimes, the whole window is just too old and needs a complete replacement.

Frost

If your windows constantly have frost during the winter, it’s time to replace them. This is normally due to an air leak that cannot be repaired with caulk.

Stuck Windows

When your windows start to get stuck, it’s time for a change. This happens a lot to wooden windows due to the cold and hot temperatures contracting and expanding the materials. After many years the problem becomes impossible to fix unless you replace your windows. As the window has lost its original shape you’ll be getting water and air leaks.

Wear and tear

Have a good look at your windows: look at the materials, the glass, the wood, the frames. If you spot any signs of rot you should replace them. If you don’t address this problem early, it can get to the point where your frames will just crumble apart.

Moisture

When moisture makes its way through the window you get mould or ‘mildew’ over time. This can be hazardous for the family and animals so the window will need to be fixed in order to rectify. If the repair cannot be done effectively, then you will need to replace the window.

So, do some home window shopping now – and give them the attention they – and your home – deserve.

If you need a hand, we'd love to help you with your new windows design and advice. How about a chat with us for some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities?

Andrew N.

The best DIY security for doors

Tubular latches, euro cylinders, bolt keys… when it comes to security locks for our doors, most people get confused with the wide range of possibilities. Security doors are always a great and wise decision and each of them will have different needs. Is it a front door, a kitchen or back door? Maybe you need a door for your garage or shed? And there is also, of course, offices, holiday flats and gardens.

All these things make it very important to have a good professional with you who can advise the best materials, add-ons and type of security door. But if your are looking for a bit of security or privacy around your house, it’s a good idea to know 3 of the most important locks that can make your life – and DIY - easier:

• Security combi bolt: a combi-bolt is a lock with usually 4-digit encoding. This feature gives you around 10,000 different possible combinations. This kind of lock is easy to install and you can even do it yourself for your shed or garden door.

• British standard sashlock: your British Standard Sashlock can be locked and unlocked with a key both from the inside and from the outside. You can get them with a roller latchbolt that will make the lock suitable for doors that have been both left and right hand hung. It usually comes with two keys.

• Deadbolt: here we have a very effective locking mechanism because it cannot be opened unless you rotate the lock cylinder. This is the main difference with a spring-bolt lock or night latch, which can be opened by applying force to the bolt. You can see a deadbolt usually complementing a night latch in those front doors to buildings.

With these three important locks you can do a bit of DIY around the house, garden or office. However for your best security doors and windows don’t hesitate contacting a few of your local traders. They can give the best advice and provide unbeatable results. And when it comes to your security, it pays to get the best!

We'd love to help you with your new security doors and advice. How about a chat with us for some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities?

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

The advantages of double glazing

While doing my 2010 review, and going through all the paperwork, emails and old notes; I noticed how many times during the past year I had been asked about the advantages of getting double glazing windows fitted. Do I recommend them and why? Is it worth investing in them? Well, after many years in the trade, and having seen many problems derived from single glaze windows, I think it definitely is worth it. Here you have my three favourite reasons to get double glazing in your property:

A safer home

Windows made with a single sheet of normal glass can be dangerous. When hit, those windows will break into long and sharp pieces that are a potential risk. Double glazing gives you the opportunity to choose a glass that is safer on breaking and double glazing is also less likely to break at all. Your choices here can go from security glass to shatterproof, giving you and your family a safer home.

Be secure

So, we know that single glazing is very easy to break. Certainly a thief knows this too. The process of letting themselves into your home is as easy as breaking one of the window’s panes. However, security is closer related to the frames you use and the locking systems you can fit. A double glazing window can have one of many different frames that ensure security in the home. Don’t forget to choose good locking systems that secure form the inside.

Saving energy

Did you know that fitting double glazing in your home can help to reduce heat loss by up to 50%? That means cheaper energy bills, a warmer house, less condensation and a smaller carbon footprint. If you have got big or bay windows in your house, the difference can be dramatic.

In case these three points are not enough, think about the great styles you can get with double glazing, the ease to maintain (even reduced to zero with PVC-U windows) and the years they will last.

If your New Year’s resolutions include improving your home, don’t think twice about getting double glazing. Ask the expert, shop around for windows and make sure you find the best supplier you can – a good tip is to always ask for testimonials.

Wishing you a happy, warmer, safer and more stylish home!

We'd love to help you with your new windows design and advice. How about a chat with us for some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities?

Don’t just dream...get a porch fitted to your home

One fine day you found yourself thinking how wonderful a porch would look at your front door. You would choose some warm tinted wood for the floor and a nice matching door flanked by windows where you would hang baskets with flowers. In the warm months those baskets would sport some campanulas with Christmas bells and by autumn you could see yourself filling them with Fragrant Panama roses.

Then you think about the cold months, standing in front of your door – from the inside! – thinking how that porch you imagined in summer would be perfect for stopping cold drafts from coming through the door or warmth escaping from inside.

Well, the advantages of a porch go further than these. Cold, mud and humidity are brought into your house every time someone opens the door and lets themselves in with soaking coats, dripping umbrellas and soiled wellies. Many people come to me because they want advice on how to stop this from happening (without stopping all visitors!). A porch is the best option.

Add quirky little wooden shoe boxes, decorative coat hangers and umbrella stands; make a cosy porch that will keep you warm and clean inside and give your house facade a noticeable revamp. Add plants and flowers and a few sensor or dimmer switch lights.

Every home is different and can benefit from a porch. Security doors in composite and well insulated windows in PVC-U will need very little or no maintenance, adding more security and warmth. So, just like fashion, you can blend in with the existing look or add character by making a statement. The possibilities are up to you, give me a call to chat further.

Porches are us! We'd love to help make your dream a reality, we'd love to advise. How about a chat or some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities?

How to keep warm, dry and secure in Lancashire

It’s Sunday morning and you’re enjoying a bit of a sleep in, snuggled under the duvet. Why not? Aha, then you receive a text from your friend: ‘Hey, have you seen the snow?’

Snow? You jump out of bed and wish you hadn’t. You’re already shivering when you peer through the curtains – with a distinctly damp chill in the air. It’s coming from the puddles on your windowsill.

Your single glazed windows have a lovely film of condensation which is busy running onto your sill. The window frames don’t look well sealed, not like those intact PVC-U ones you see. So, to add to the cheer, the draft coming through the window edges is making your bones feel cold. The heat from the radiator is making its way windwards, you could say. You groan at the thought of your next energy bill.

Oh well, you wipe away the water, shiver a bit more whilst words like durability, security, warmth float through your mind. Don’t look too hard at the mildew spotted peeling paint, and with a longing backward glance at the duvet you restrain yourself from turning up the heating dial a notch or two. The winter stretches on...and on. Look, if you’re up here in snowy, blowy Lancashire, it can be a really icy, dicey stretch.

This is getting ridiculous, all this draught, heat escape, cracking, flaking, discolouring and repainting. The pounds you’re throwing away might as well pay for new windows. Oooh, double glazed, airtight, watertight, secure tight. To put it in a nutshell: a nice tight fit, a one off cost and the job done: double glazed windows in PVC-U and four creature comforts:

- heat stays in

- cold stays out

- no more re-painting

- super low maintenance.

Oh, and a warm Sunday morning lie in, Lancashire snow, wind and rain et al.

We'd love to help you with your new windows design and advice. How about a chat with us for some free tips tailored to your home and your necessities?

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

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

How to choose my new doors?

You’ve decided to change the doors in your home and you want good quality that will last. Doors need to look good, be secure and in harmony with your home. Well, to give you some advice from someone who’s been in the business more years than I can remember, go for composite doors.

The great thing is, modern, well crafted composite doors give fantastic performance and there’s a much wider range of styles to choose from compared with traditional wooden doors.

Well, how about gothic style for history lovers? Or the sleek lines of super modern? Plastic, glass, PVC U, fibre glass, aluminium...it’s all yours.

So, what exactly are composite doors? The term refers to the materials and components that have been used in the manufacturing of these doors, making them so resistant to our infamous weather!

Ok, let’s get choosing:

1. Take a look at what’s on offer. Choose a reliable and experienced supplier, one who will monitor and inform you of progress from start to finish.

2. Look at style. Match your doors to the existing style of your home. Go for the expert supplier, not just the cowboy who will be keen to sell anything.

3. Pay attention to colour. The colour of the door frame should match or compliment the colour of your window frames.

4. You want to feel safe. So avoid a company that tries to dismiss this necessity or sell you a cheap, inferior product.

5. Get several quotes. The cheapest deal is not always the best. Factors like company image, background and staff appeal can be the greatest indicators.

Well, hope this helps because composite doors mean noise reduction, low maintenance, good insulation, secure locking, great on cost.

Need any more tips? I’m Andrew - give me a call and I’ll do my best to advise.

How to buy my windows? Tips for great window shopping

New windows are a style show. They’re great for bringing a taste of luxury to your home, outside or in. Lighten up your life, make a statement with windows; make everyone take a second look…

Warm talk

Replacing your old windows is not just about the look of your home, it’s about…English cold out, warmth in. PVC-U windows are the way to keep warm, with the heating thermostat low. Weather seals and thermal insulation guaranteed.

Safety first

Unwanted visitors are not just about rodents, insects and foxes. With the latest locking, modern windows mean burglars go elsewhere; they can’t be bothered to hang around.

Keep in shape

Style is not just about clothes, make-up, jewellery. What’s the point if you go out looking good, leaving behind shabby windows? Tilt and turn, casement, sash, reversible, white or woodgrain. Get thinking, get real, get fabulous new windows.

Sound asleep

Noise is not just about a random horn or dog bark. Next door neighbour music, loud voices, heavy traffic, undesirable singing, dressed in golden silence, deliciously coated with modern double glazing.

Think ahead

Up to the minute technology is not just about iPads. You want your windows sparkling as new in years to come, without thinking about heavy repair or painting. PVC-U adds durability, resistance to cracking, flaking, discolouring. Great stuff.

Strict authority

Being certain is not just about the image of a company. Accreditation by leading industry benchmarks (FENSA, VEKA matrix 70, GGFi) means choosing colours, glass, accessories and finishing touches, without that niggling, ‘how do I know for sure…?’

Be yourself

Your house is not just a place to eat and sleep. This is your home, your special place, your privacy, invitation, space, restaurant, nest, your wind down, wind up. It’s you. Help your home reflect your life; make it happen, make it visible…

…make new windows your choice, your chance, your character.

For any queries about window choice for your home, just ask…that’s what I’m here for, to pass on my knowledge because, well, windows are me.

How to choose window and door styles

Winter is around the corner and your windows need replacing. You also want them to look attractive and in harmony with your home so chances are you are looking for good, professional advice.

Keep in mind the style/period of your house. People looking for a change in windows and doors often don’t realise manufacturing parameters or they may have a style in mind that would not suit the property. My advice is to have windows in keeping with the ones that were fitted when the house was built. There have been trends of styles over the last few decades and all too often you see houses that have been changed and the new windows don’t match the property. And don’t forget regulations such as fire escapes and ventilation which can also dictate designs.

Does it always follow that someone with an Edwardian town house should have Edwardian style sash windows fitted? Well, this kind of house would probably not look too good with ultra modern ‘tilt and turn’ style. So how about PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows to match the original timber ones? However these are a premium window and you might find that a casement one with a 50/50 transom - or other configuration to replicate existing - and mock sash horns, is a better financial option. As budget is another important factor, this may not cost as much as you fear as there are some good alternatives to suit different budgets.

You could also compliment the style of your home with windows and doors that bring in the feeling of fresh air and sunshine, whilst keeping out the cold.

A chat with a good supplier who knows his stuff is worth gold. Ask them to talk these factors through with you and recommend what is best, without taking away your opinion and choice. It’s well worth sourcing out someone who is experienced and knows what they are talking about, rather than just selling to you.

Winter, warmth, winter style, hey, here we come.

It’s a Salford Winner!

So the man in charge of the BBC relocation to the North has said that he will be moving to Salford. Yoo, hoo! Well, he was ridiculed a bit wasn’t he, when he comes from Burnley and was keeping his roots firmly down south in London town.

Well, Peter Salmon is moving, he has revealed, although he hasn’t made it clear...er...when. Still, never mind, the sentiment is there and it’s one up on the scoreboard for Salford.

Furthermore, he knocks all those old stereotypes about the North being a pretty run down, miserable place to live. So, good on you Peter, let’s give it to them straight: Salford has some of the best businesses around and it throbs with the stuff of life.

Now that’s not to knock London and the south or infer any kind of inverted snobbery. But Manchester has a lot on offer and it’s embedded in its genes, for heaven’s sake.
Look at the number of entertainers that hail from Manchester, the literary giants, good old Coronation Street. Wait a minute, wasn’t that around long before Eastenders? It has great people, affordable and some pretty stylish housing.

Hey, look at the fantastic trades people that keep it intact: the electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, bathroom and kitchen people and those that give homes a stunning exterior, installing upmarket windows and doors. Yes, it’s even sunny enough in Salford to have a conservatory!

Well, the list is endless – talking of sunny conservatories, I guess the tiling and furniture people come next...

What can I do with my conservatory?

Wow, look at that super sized conservatory in your new home! Hey, is that a conservatory sitting in your garden looking rather...er...forlorn?

So you’re a self confessed DIY addict? Bravo! You have the perfect tools to hammer away, with a dream of a room: yes, get thinking conservatory.

Conservatories are fantastic places to transform into workshops as they are little private oases within the home and so versatile.

Are we tempting your imagination? Hold tight, there’s more: how about surprising the handyperson in the house with a DIY room? Good resistant and durable materials like PVC-U for the doors and windows will make the whole thing so easy; they never need to be painted; they are easy to clean and the finish doesn’t crack or fade. Seriously, the 4x4 of windows.

Or, for the budding musician, think of some good insulation with acoustic foam and double glazing in the windows. Those elements will reduce the noise and keep the room warm in the middle of winter. Sound cosy? Well, sound it out. If you prefer dancing to music, then swap the foam for mirrors. To keep the conservatory fresh, but well insulated, casement windows could be the thing, and they look really beautiful too.

With a bit of research and planning and good old imagination, you can have a new place to practice your favourite activity, literally a stone’s throw from your own living room. Oh of course, and keep the family happy. Well, just think, no more groans from jamming on the guitar strings, drilling, jiving, crooning. Oh, the peace of such a haven.

Yep, that’s what you call a treat. Now for the real tasty bit; it won’t cost a fortune because your use-it-for-whatever conservatory is already there… perfect!

Salford here we come!

The BBC relocation offer for the TV presenters is described as a Rolls Royce package – and they don’t want to go! What is wrong with Salford? With a neat canal side development at Salford Quays and top-flight executive penthouse apartments, this is the Canary Wharf of the North. That they should be so lucky.

Well, surely anyone can see that Salford is a dream of a place to live? With a polished landscape, gleaming with glass skyscrapers, office blocks galore, sport, superb hotels and buzzing shops, it’s the new leisure capital of the North West! No wonder, people want to keep their windows and doors shining with the rest. Go on, create a real Her Majesty, the Queen of England style Balmoral home.

Just reflect for a while... a sparkling new conservatory to catch the summer sun and dine in style? Ooh, a stunning front door that just spells Welcome, Royal Family or not? Oh yes, wonderful windows that are simply a Scottish Balmoral breeze?
When you go out and enjoy Salford’s fabulous piazzas and restaurants, return to a soft, sun glowing conservatory – even if the sun is in short supply.

Now Salford Quays is by no means all this great northern rock of a town has to offer. It’s is a city on the move and its future looks exciting. Curtain off the drizzly rain or watch it trickle in a slide down generous glassy panes, transform dull winter cloud to soft colours of calm, be Victorian, Edwardian, Queen of England, anything you like.

200 miles North West of London, who can resist Salford... one minute urban buzz, the next greenbelt tranquility. And Balmoral Windows to tempt, warm and delight...

Look, some 220,000 people who are proud to call Salford their home can’t all be wrong!

Your Conservatory Glowing Romance

You have a stunning conservatory with Edwardian charm or the grace and style of the Victorian era...Well, summer is the season to enjoy it, so add vitality! How about woodgrain windows, the elegance of timeless rosewood, or calming golden oak…

Choosing a themed conservatory setting is the perfect place for an exciting romantic meal. Well, think takeaway! But…what can be romantic about a delivered meal? How about eating in your Edwardian conservatory, or surrounded by your Victorian atmosphere – calm and space and so close to the fresh outdoors.

Yes, we all know summer is a bit temperamental in Britain but no matter; you have a conservatory. With so much gorgeous dusky late evening light filtering through beautiful glass, how inspiring is that?

Decorate your conservatory with tea candles or paper lamps (just as you would do outside) then lay some blankets and cushions on the floor. Amy Hiller at ‘Yay, Cakes!’ in Hertfordshire – a home made cakes business – has brilliant ideas for this:

‘For a romantic meal in a conservatory you could choose pink and create a menu of all sorts of foods you might not usually think to eat. If you get an Indian takeaway, you could choose tandoori chicken with pilau rice or a pinkish curry.’

Oh, and don’t forget a refreshing glass of rosé to go with the desert. Amy’s choice for a pink pudding would be a strawberry cupcake topped with lashings of strawberry icing and pretty decorations...

Summer is about lively colours and fun so think pink and think conservatories: glasses, serviettes, even ice cubes – well, even the Edwardians would surely approve of that!

Try it, and send us your comments: we’d love to hear how it goes!

For more on conservatories visit: http://www.balmoralwindows.co.uk/