Posts Tagged ‘home improvement’

What Should You Look For When Buying New Windows?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Windows are everywhere: from the windows on your home, to the windows on your car and even the windows into your place of work, we are surrounded by glass (or what looks like glass) and a seemingly never ending range of frames, mechanisms and blinds. So when you come to buy some new windows for your home, how are you supposed to know what you need or even what you want when there is such a huge choice?

While you may be wise to go down to a reputable company’s showroom, to give yourself a bit of a head start, here is a quick round up of what you should keep an eye out for:

Security

Security is a concern for most people, no matter where they live, especially with windows being the No.1 entry method of criminals carrying out a robbery or home invasion. So when you shop for your windows make sure that they have a very high security rating. Ideal Windows and conservatories windows for example come with a BSI Nova Kite mark, meaning they are proven to be effective beyond the highest security testing standards.

Frame

When choosing a frame, as soon as you are satisfied with the security rating, you should be thinking about frames. Most companies offer a range of finishes which will work with your properties colouring and setting. These should come in materials such as aluminium, hardwood and UPVC. UPVC Windows for instance are particularly strong and durable. In some cases you can even get these materials in a range of colours. Say you have a red brick house you will be able to get a hardwood frame with a black or white finish to compliment your naturally red bricks.

Glass

Glass is of course the main feature of your window. You should be looking at Double Glazing Prices at the very least. Though it is possible to find triple and even quadruples glazed windows in particularly cold climates. Ask what gas is held in the gap, as having an Argon gas filling helps greatly with your insulation. Also, with a transparent metallic film built into the glass you will be able to cut out much of the harmful rays the sun can deliver. Ask about these things when researching.

Noise

One of the best things about double glazing is that it has natural noise reducing qualities. Explore the level of noise reduction your windows offer you.

Cleaning

With such great advances in window technology of late, most new windows are now particularly easy to clean. If you live in a flat, not on the ground floor and don’t want a window that swings inwards, you would benefit from finding windows that require little cleaning. Some even clean themselves!

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Why You Should Pay Attention to the Construction Industry

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

The UKs construction industry is at its lowest rate of growth for 8 months. The recession hit this industry in more ways than most other industries and is still at a low point in its history. It was expected to make some kind of improvement on its position from last year but is still at a very low level of growth. As a homeowner or developer you can guess why you should have your eyes and ears open to the latest construction purchasing managers indexes and the general fortunes of building services in your area. Be careful who you trust, because you never know quite what’s going to happen in this volatile environment.

At Least you’re Safe With Ideal

Ideal Windows and conservatories have none of these wider construction industry concerns fortunately, so your business is safe with us. What we are concerned about though is the fortunes of our customers who employ our services as part of a wider construction project. When you are in talks with a building firm over a contract, do your research and try to speak to some of their past clients. Not just from a workmanship point of view, but with a view to finding out as much information as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for guarantees.

Discount Opportunities

Looking at the current problems from a different angle, you could use this as an opportunity to take full advantage of a construction firm looking for as much work as possible – they may offer you a discounted rate to choose them over a competitor. As a consumer you are in the strong position, especially when the construction companies are at a disadvantage. Next time you are having a house built (which you are having fitted with some nice UPVC Windows provided by us) make sure the construction company is good and that they are offering you a bargain price.

One word of warning though: some construction companies with real problems may in extreme circumstances dump a lower value job for a longer, higher value one. Imagine someone wanted you to mow their lawn and offered you £10. Then someone else came along and offered you £15 a lawn to cut 10 lawns. You would be tempted if you were strapped for cash to forfeit your reputation to stay afloat.

Always check your contracts are valid, especially when dealing with large values and nervous building contractors.

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Uncertain House Buyers Should Stay and Extend

Monday, July 19th, 2010

With government spending cuts and tax increases around the corner and with an already dodgy housing market leaving people afraid to make a move, now is the time to extend instead of selling. The sheer stagnant uncertainty of the market is making more and more people stay where they are and is making buyers and sellers afraid to act on every little trend that comes and quickly goes – any badly timed decision has the potential to leave you burned.

Luckily there are many opportunities to extend, remodel and add to your home with Ideal Windows and conservatories. Unless you are forced to move due to work commitments or maybe have a growing family, the current climate is a great excuse to save yourself the hassle of moving and work with what you have. You can choose to increase the value of your home now while the market is ‘doing its thing’ and by the time the market has improved, your home will be in pole position to be snapped up for way more than you would have received during the crisis.

Even simple improvements can significantly increase the value and the desirability of your home. For example, Ideal Windows and Conservatories currently have an offer for July: either, buy 4 windows and get the 5th free or get a free UPVC door when you buy 5 windows. Imagine your home emerging from the housing crisis quagmire as the waters recede and the number of buyers grows. Your new improved home will be a step ahead of those who spent months and maybe even years trying and failing to sell their unimproved home. Use your time wisely and you will be rewarded.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for home-owners: 42,000 home loans were granted in May, up 2% from April according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. While this is an upward trend, there could easily be another dip after the spending cuts and tax increases. However, this figure is 15% higher than May of 2009, meaning that over a longer period the trend is more positive.

Take advantage of the time you will spend waiting for the market to improve. Make the shrewd decision to add to your property and increase the value of what you will have to offer when the market is more favourable.

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