Tag: windows

Signs your windows aren’t fit for purpose any more

Signs your windows aren't fit for purpose any more

Windows are a vital part of what keeps a home happy, safe and comfortable. They help you manage your climate, maintain the temperature in the home to stop it from becoming too hot in the summer and too cold in winter, and protect you from rain, allergens and much more. However, most people aren’t aware of when it’s time to start looking at replacing them. Here, we’re going to look at some signs that it may be time to wave goodbye to your current windows.

High energy bills

If you’ve noticed a steady increase in your energy bills, your windows may be to blame. Windows play a crucial role in maintaining your home’s thermal envelope. Older windows, or those with damaged seals, allow heat to escape during the winter and let in unwanted heat during the summer. This forces your heating and cooling systems to work harder, consuming more energy and driving up your bills. Replacing old or inefficient windows with modern, energy-efficient models can significantly reduce your energy consumption.

Condensation inside the window

Condensation inside your windows, specifically between the panes of glass, indicates a failure in the window’s seal. Double or triple-pane windows are designed with a sealed space between the panes that is often filled with inert gas to improve insulation. When the seal is compromised, moisture can infiltrate this space, leading to condensation. This not only obstructs your view but also shows that the window is no longer providing effective insulation. The presence of condensation can also lead to more severe issues like mould growth and frame deterioration, so replacement double glazing may be necessary. Replacing windows with broken seals is essential to restore both the aesthetic clarity and insulating efficiency of your windows.

They’re difficult to open and close

Windows that are hard to open and close are more than just a minor inconvenience; they can be a sign that the window frames are warped, the hardware is worn out, or the windows have settled improperly. This can occur due to age, prolonged exposure to the elements, or poor initial installation. Oiling your window hinges may work temporarily, but if it keeps happening, it can become a significant issue. Additionally, windows that don’t close properly can leave gaps that let in draughts, moisture and pests. Replacing these windows ensures smooth operation, enhances security and improves overall comfort.

They’re leaking or draughty

Leaking or draughty windows are a major indicator that it’s time for replacements. When windows allow air or moisture to seep through, they fail to provide a proper barrier against the external environment. This can lead to higher energy costs, as your HVAC and central heating systems must compensate for the air exchange, and can cause damage to your home’s interior, such as warped wood, mould and mildew. Draughts are often a result of poor sealing or frame damage, which can occur over time or due to poor installation.

New windows for the home may be an investment, but it’s likely to cost you a lot more if you continue to live with windows that let in the cold, moisture and worsen your air quality.

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3 signs you need to replace a window in your property

3 signs you need to replace a window in your property

Windows can be one of the last things we think about when it comes to regulating the temperature in our homes. Often, a sign they’re on their way out is loss of heat – your home (and you) will feel colder as a result and your energy bills could be sky-high. Let’s look at 4 reasons it might be time to replace a window at home.

They’re difficult to open and close

There’s one major reason to replace a window, and that’s if you can’t open or close it any more. Why? You’ve lost an essential escape route should you need it, if there’s an emergency. If you don’t want to invest too much money, think about utilising electric window openers instead. They can be a cost-effective and safe solution.

Windows can become difficult to open for a few reasons. The first is that it might be painted shut – especially if it’s an old single-glazed affair. Other reasons might be down to a warped frame  – prevalent on uPVC windows, which can expand and contract in hot weather. It may be time to look at opting for a new installation in this case.

They’re completely worn out

There are certain signs your windows are worn out, such as rotten wood, warping or failed double-glazing units (you’ll recognise this if it looks like the inside of the panels is misted up). These are all huge indicators that they need to be replaced.

Once rot sets into a wooden frame, it’s nearly impossible to keep it in good condition. Rainwater will often be let in and then cause more decay.

Sometimes, lesser quality uPVC windows end up discoloured over time – and couple this with expansion due to heat and possible misting of glazing, and you’ll soon realise they need to be replaced – you may also notice:

  • water leaks
  • condensation
  • cracks
  • chips
  • holes
  • scratches

If your windows are starting to fail.

Draughty windows

Tina Turner never turned those into a song, but often when a window needs to be replaced, you’ll notice more in the way of drafts and cold air coming into your home. This might increase your energy bills considerably – as much as 25% in some cases.

Drafts happen when a window won’t shut properly or if the locking mechanism is not working any more, this can cause issues too. Whilst it’s not energy bill friendly, it can also cause potential security issues too – with burglars possibly finding an easy way in if a window can be forced.

Windows are letting water in

Whilst windows are essential to let the light in, you want to keep the moisture out as that can spell disaster. Damp that gets in between double glazing panes can cause issues in and around the window and frame – not to mention causing dampness on walls too. Of course, condensation can be wiped away quickly, but once it starts to build up you’re storing up a lot of problems with water ingress and mould that can then require a lot more home maintenance over time. It might be best to take out and replace the window completely and undertake remedial work on the water damage before it gets too bad.

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The benefits of revamping your interior with fresh window blinds

The benefits of revamping your interior with fresh window blinds

When it comes to interior design, window coverings and treatments can have a pretty significant impact. Although we don’t tend to look at our windows that often, the effect they can have on our homes shouldn’t be underestimated – especially if you’re looking to elevate the aesthetics and comfort of your home.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your entire home or just improve a couple of rooms in your house, incorporating or refreshing your window blinds can come with many different advantages.

Improved privacy

Window blinds give an enhanced sense of privacy when compared to other window coverings. This is because you can fine tune just how much of the window you want to reveal. It’s not like curtains where you open them up to reveal everything bit by bit. So, if you want to completely block out everything, you can do it with blinds; however, if you want to allow just a bit of light in, you can do so without fully revealing a part of your home.

Better light control

Because you have more control over how much of your windows you’re showing, you can control the amount of light coming in as well. Don’t want any light? You can do that with blinds. Want a bit of light to evenly spread across your room? You can do that with blinds too.

Again, it’s not like other window covering options where you must reveal a part of your room or let in too much light into a specific area of the room. With curtains, it’s hard to control the amount of light because it beams into a part of the room with no filter or control. With shades, it’s the same thing. You block out all the light from the upper part of the shade, but don’t have much control over the bottom part because of how most shades work.

In short, blinds give you much better control over how much light enters your home. And because it’s evenly spread across the entire blind, it creates a more uniform distribution of light throughout your rooms.

Energy efficiency

One of the more underrated aspects of blinds is their ability to lower energy bills. This is because good blinds are great at both blocking sunlight during the summer months, and also creating a barrier that acts as another layer of insulation.

In the summer, it’s important to have a relatively thick window covering because it helps to block direct sunlight. If your window coverings are too thin, then there’s not enough of a barrier to prevent the heat from entering through your windows. In general, blinds tend to be quite thick which greatly helps to reduce indoor temperatures. This ultimately means that you can spend less on air conditioning during the hotter months of the year.

There are similar benefits during the winter as well. Since your blinds can create a thick barrier between your home and the outside, it helps to keep the cold out of and the warmth within your home as well. It’s also great at blocking draughts, which can be a huge problem during the winter if there are vulnerable cold spots around your windows and frames.

Ultimately, installing blinds isn’t going to completely transform your energy efficiency because you’re probably already using some kind of window covering. However, if you plan to live in your home for the next couple of years, then installing some thick new window blinds will certainly improve your energy efficiency and make an impact on your heating and cooling costs.

More durability

One of the great things about blinds is that they’re often a lot more durable than shades and other window coverings. Blinds can be made from a variety of materials, and they’re also suitable for areas like your bathroom where the humidity might be higher. Moisture-resistant blinds are also a good option if needed, and general blinds can stand up to wear and tear a lot better than your average curtain.

Just make sure you’re getting your blinds from a reputable and trustworthy source. Services like ABC Blinds & Awnings are a great option if you’re looking for someone to pick and install excellent blinds, but you can also do it yourself if you have the tools and some DIY knowledge to complement them. However, we highly recommend contacting a service to help you install the blinds for peace of mind, especially if your windows are a little higher and difficult to reach.

So, if you want a durable window covering that you know will last a long time, consider installing some blinds and replacing your existing coverings. They’ll last long and be a great investment for the future of your home!

Less maintenance required

Compared to other types of window coverings, a good set of blinds is actually surprisingly easy to clean and maintain.

With something like curtains, you need to unhook them from a rail, throw them into a washing machine, dry them, and then place them on the rail once again. Depending on the type of system that you have and how high your windows are, it could take a significant portion of the day to maintain your curtains.

You can avoid this kind of maintenance completely with blinds. With blinds, all you have to do is dust them every so often. It’ll kick all the dust off the blinds, and you can vacuum it all up once it settles on the floor. Alternatively, you can use a damp cloth and run it over the blinds to remove dust and give the blinds a quick clean. You’ll need to be careful with flimsy blinds, but sturdier ones will have no trouble being wiped clean by hand. For blinds that are too high to reach, a telescopic duster works wonders too.

In short, if you hate cleaning your curtains or maintaining your shades, then consider switching to blinds for easier maintenance.

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The hype around vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial style kitchens

The hype around vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial style kitchens

Why are people talking so much about vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial style kitchens at the moment? Are these features just fads that will soon go out of fashion, or do they offer lasting value to a property? In this post, we’ll examine why so much attention has been directed toward these three interior design features; uncover their long-term potential to both beautify and add practical functionality to homes.

Vaulted ceilings

Vaulted ceilings create an airy and open environment in any room. Their natural lighting helps make any space seem larger and more welcoming, often featuring exposed beams or wooden accents to give any room rustic charm. In addition to looking fantastic, vaulted ceilings can act as natural air conditioners on hot summer days.

Popular light fixtures to elevate vaulted ceilings

Chandeliers, pendant lights and recessed lighting are popular fixtures for vaulted ceilings. Chandeliers add luxurious flare while providing ample illumination for a room, pendant lights add ambience while recessed lights offer bright illumination in an area. No matter which fixtures you opt for – proper illumination will highlight a vaulted ceiling’s beauty!

Floor-to-ceiling windows

Floor-to-ceiling windows invite natural light into your home, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Furthermore, they’re great for taking full advantage of outdoor views by bringing nature indoors. And when combined with appropriate treatments, they can even be used to regulate temperatures as well as provide privacy when needed.

Made to measure curtains for floor-to-ceiling windows

Make the most of your floor-to-ceiling windows with custom-made curtains designed specifically for your window sizes – adding colour, textures and softness to the room! Made to measure curtains are an ideal way to dress windows with unusual shapes or dimensions, creating a perfect match with options that include sheer cotton cloth, rustic raw linen and luxurious velvet fabric. Made to measure curtains can also be designed to fit neatly around corners and curves such as bays without the need for gaps between window frames.

Industrial style kitchens

Industrial style kitchens often combine materials such as stainless steel, wood, brick and stone / ceramic into a unique arrangement to create a modern, edgy yet sophisticated space. Not only can this combination be attractive, but it can also be decidedly practical. The open-plan layout often used in industrial style kitchens gives you the space to move freely around the room. In addition, this design offers the opportunity to explore a range of storage options; kitchen islands, strips of open shelving, tall freestanding cabinets, overhead hanging pan racks etc. Industrial style kitchens are great spaces for entertaining guests, as it provides enough room for people to mingle freely while food is being prepared – all without anyone feeling confined or restricted.

Overall, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial style kitchens provide multiple opportunities to add attractiveness and functionality to a home. From design statement to practical features, these three additions can help make anyone feel more satisfied with their home décor. With the right design elements and chosen materials, these features can become the focus of any property!

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