Hertfordshire Double Glazing Doors & Windows. Herts suppliers and installers of aluminium and PVCu doors, windows and conservatories

Hertfordshire's Web Site, is geared to providing information about Hertfordshire. It has excellent 'Business to Business' links as well has a good A-Z of Hertfordshire based companies

The major consideration for most home owners is budget. Getting the best value for money and not being over-sold by a persuasive double-glazing salesman!

Take a little time to work out your priorities in relation to doors and windows. For instance, you can cut costs by reducing the number of opening windows. Great crime prevention but imagine not being able ventilate a room in hot weather or escaping a fire. There is however legislation relation to fire escape and your window sales person ought to know the rules and regulations.

Locks are a very important issue, always get the best locks you can afford and ensure you ask what comes as a standard with the windows of your choice and then check whether you can upgrade to a better quality locking system. Equally if you opt for the standard locks, double check with your insurance to ensure they are the acceptable standard.
Shoot bolt or SAC bolt locking systems are generally advised for added security and security chains fixed to doors might at to your safety. Also adding options like fire escape hinges will improve the quality of your windows.

The area that you live will dictate the the type of window and door you may install. If you live in a conservation area check with your council before you replace any doors and windows.

There may be rules that you have to preserve the general look of your street and have to replace your windows ‘like-for-like’. If this is the case then it is highly likely you will be required to use timber / hardwood windows rather than PVC-U. If your home is a listed building similar rules will apply.

So, it is accepted that whilst you have a choice about the type of windows you wish to purchase, your council may have to be involved in your choice!

There are a lot of designs for windows and doors on the market today and it is difficult to decide which one will look good on your home.

Not only styles but various materials to choose, again these are dictated by your budget.

PVC-U Windows & Doors (also referred to as upvc, pvc, pvcu)

PVCu double-glazing is probably the most popular material for replacement windows. They are virtually maintenance-free, excellent value and come in various styles and designs. Even very convincing wood grains are available.

There are a few technical points that can be addressed if you are interested in PVCu windows.

Ask your representive if the windows come fully welded orare they mechanically fixed. Fully welded is usually preferred as there will be no risk of the fixings splitting.

Also will the window will be internally or externally beaded.? It is generally accepted that internally beaded windows are less easy to break into, making your house more secure.

Make also sure you check whether the frames you choose are steel or aluminium reinforced. This will improve the strength of the window, as PVCu has the tendency to expand in south-facing windows.

Aluminium Windows and Doors

Aluminium windows were once the more popular replacement option but the surge of PVCu window suppliers has the costs of PVCu has pushed aluminium windows down the ladder. Aluminium has a whole set of advantages of its own. The windows can be made with very slim intersections that are strong and will not twist. It only has around a third of the expansion of PVCu, making it a very rigid construction.

Just like PVCu it is a virtually maintenance free option, but the insulating capacities of aluminium windows are not as good as PVCu. The windows are also more expensive than the PVCu option.

Timber Windows

Timber windows are still a specialist job in terms of the manufacture, although they give your home a quality traditional feel in keeping with the traditional style, they are usually bespoke by a joiner and the costs are generally higher than for PVCu windows.

Timber windows can of course be painted and virtually any design can be made this is an important consideration when the look of your home needs to be preserved.

There are also many choices of wood, timber windows are made in pine, cedar and a variety of hardwood, this is the strongest option. Be mindful that wooden windows will need more maintenance than the PVCu ones. Ask what quality and even the brand of finish, paint or varnish.

Make sure you choose the best quality timber you can afford and that secure joints are being used. The ‘mortice-and-tenon’ joint is the most popular of joints and don’t be afraid to ask for specifications of a technical nature, as it will make you understand how your windows work.

In order to get the best draught-proof windows, make sure draught-proof strips are being used.

Which Style?

If you are not sure which style to choose, have a wander around your immediate neighbourhood and look at the different styles fitted in people’s homes. Some houses will for example have white PVCu windows and doors, others might have PVCu but with the wood grain effect and others might have leaded windows , not forgetting the traditional wooden box sash windows that either might have been installed originally or indeed replaced exactly the same with new timber.