Double Glazing Replacement Windows – Finding an approved supplier in Huntingdonshire
Selecting your double glazing or replacement windows
Having made the decision that it is the right time to replace your windows and outside doors, before you go rushing headlong into a reasonable sized double glazing investment, take your time, think it through, and choose your windows and window frames with care.
Replacing your windows with double glazing is likely to make a positive impact upon your comfort levels, and generate some worthwhile savings on your fuel bills but can totally enhance the look and style of your property.
Today’s double glazing styles cover the practicalities of being fully functional and energy saving as well as being elegant in order to compliment the style and features of your home. In theory, you could be living with this decision for say the next 25 years of your life, so it is worth taking a deep breath, and planning the installation with care.
- Take your time and plan,
- Decide and understand what you need and want,
- View similar installations
- Take sound advice from the professionals.
- Don’t make your choice simply on price – you often get what you pay for
Avoid problems where possible – choose approved suppliers and fitters in Huntingdonshire
Just read a local paper some time or speak to the office of fair trading to see how many people every year get into a nightmare scenario by simply taking the first double glazing installer who offers to get the job done or by purchasing replacement windows that were not “fit for purpose”. I have even come across people whose installation did not meet building regulation standards and have had to have the whole job re-installed and those who 2 years on are still trying to get the completion certificate.
Decide what you want and get an approved supplier and approved double glazing installer that is FENSA accredited. If you are not sure then just go to the FENSA website and look up the installers and/or suppliers to see if they are registered.
Having selected installers with FENSA membership you can generally forget about building regulations and completion certificates as they are allowed to self certify and if the supplier is a member then the products should carry the energy rating labels so that the product is covered.
Increase the Energy rating on your double glazing if you can
When you are choosing your double glazed windows, do remember to look at the energy rating. The higher the rating A (being to top and G being the least energy efficient) the greater the level of insulation the windows offer and therefore the greater the potential savings on energy costs.
Don’t skimp on getting what meets your needs – You can always take the job in stages and get some done now and the rest later.
No two companies are going to be the same so do not be afraid to shop around – We went for casement windows but they open at the base and push outwards rather than opening from the side. It was our second company quoting who offered this as they noticed that my partner is very small – and she can’t always easily reach the latch on windows – now she can reach all of them – simple but thoughtful.
Look for Double Glazing Installers in Huntingdonshire
What window style is for you?
The style of window that you go for should reflect both your personal tastes and also the period and design style of your home. Most of the quality double glazing suppliers offer ranges based upon the traditional styles of windows – remember that a completely different style may radically change the exterior appearance of your home.
This may of course, be a good thing, but just be aware that it may alter the visual appearance, add to the overall security, and add to the resale value or saleability of the property.
If you want to retain the same type of windows as you currently have, then in most cases this should be possible. Most replacement window companies offer:
- Sash windows – these are the type that you see on a lot of period and period style houses that open up and down wards with one frame in front of the other.
They look superb on period style houses and the modern ones do not have the sticking and rattling problems of the originals, nor do they still require weights and a cord to make them function any longer.
- Tilt and turn windows – This is a style that many of us associate with double glazing replacement windows. These tilt and turn so it makes them better where say you can’t open a window outwards (maybe on to a pavement) – they are also great for cleaning (don’t need to pay out for a window cleaner any longer!) and good for controlling ventilation levels.
- Casement windows – what most of us think of as a normal window – opens outwards either left-hand or right-hand opening. Simple and effective.
- Bay windows – If you want space, light and additional design features to your home then a lot of us opt to have double glazed bay or bow windows installed, adding a new dimension to any room and a face lift to the house exterior.
It is worth noting that if you are replacing a “flat window” with a bay or bow window, you may need to check with the local authority first.
Replacement window frames.
Hardwood Timber frames can be very attractive and have good insulating properties, and if you happen to live either in a period property or conservation area, may be the only choice.
Timber frames can still be to exterior deterioration and will require maintenance similar to that required on standard wooden window frames – sanding, priming, filling, patching and repainting. Timber frames are attractive, and are ideal for bespoke installations where the windows are not standard sizes but they are also most often, expensive.
Aluminium frames were around as about the earliest and are strong and virtually maintenance free but since the introduction of UPVC / PVC-u window frames, they have decreased in popularity which has caused prices to rise and availability decrease, which also may restrict your choice of supplier.
The UPVC / PVC-u replacement windows are by far, the most popular choice today and as a result have probably also become the most cost effective solution.
They are maintenance free requiring only an occasional wipe over with a damp cloth.
When first introduced they were thought of, by some as aesthetically inferior because of limited colour and style, but thanks to improvements in technology, the styles and designs have become elegant and complimentary to property styles, and the choice of colours is now much greater, including wood grain effects.
Search for an approved supplier in Huntingdonshire – We cover all the following areas:
Huntingdon, Ramsey, St Ives, St Neots, Abbots Ripton, Abbotsley, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Alwalton, Barham, Bury, Bluntisham, Brampton, Brington, Broughton, Buckden, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Chesterton, Colne, Connington, Coppingford, Covington, Denton & Caldecote, Diddington, Earith, Easton, Eaton Ford, Eaton Socon, Ellington, Elton, Eynesbury, Farcet, Fenstanton, Folksworth & Washingley, Glatton, Godmanchester, Grafham, Great Gransden, Great, Little and Steeple Gidding, Great Paxton, Great Staughton, Haddon, Hail Weston, Hamerton, Hartford, Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey Hilton, Holme, Holywell, Houghton, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Paxton, Molesworth, Morborne, Needingworth, Oldhurst, Old Weston, Perry, Pidley, Sawtry, Spaldwick, Somersham, Southhoe & Midloe, Stibbington, Stilton, Stow Longa, Tetworth, Tilbrook, Toseland, The Offords, The Raveleys, The Stukeleys, Upton, Upwood, Wansford, Warboys, Waresley, Water Newton, Winwick, Wistow, Woodhurst, Woodwalton, Wooley, Yaxley and Yelling.
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