What on earth is Shadow Chancellor George Osborne up to in an article in the Times today suggesting that there could be a run on the Pound? He “accuses” Gordon Brown of being irresponsible with the British Economy, yet irresponsibly suggests “We are in danger…..of having……a run on the pound.” Is he trying to bring Sterling to its knees? Does he want the Tories to inherit a failing economy? The Tories would do well to bring back the Statesmanlike and respected Kenneth Clarke, who focuses on policies and not personalities like Mr Osborne. Could it be Mr Osborne’s own lack of policies and personality he is covering up for by criticising everyone Else’s?
CATAGORY|Commerce, UK Politics
Hazlemere Windows and doors received the following unsolicited letter from Mrs Titchen of Lacey Green today who had a UPVC Door and frame in Golden Oak wood effect finish and windows fitted last week. To get thank you letters so soon after installation is great, especially out of the blue. Here is the body of Mrs Titchen’s letter in full unedited:
“Thank you very much for our new windows and front door, fitted last week by John and John. We are delighted with the quality of the new windows. I would like to thank you and your firm for the efficient way the project was organised. During the fitting the team of the two Johns worked hard and left both inside and outside in an immaculate state. They were friendly but unobtrusive and it seems the fitting went well. Please pass on our thanks to them. We love our choice of door! Many thanks, yours sincerely, Helen Titchen”
CATAGORY|Windows & Doors
Nowadays greenhouses and conservatories are everywhere. These were first developed as a farming tool in the 17th century as a status of wealth. Subsequently they have influenced contemporary house designs ever since – so where did these elegant practical conservatories originate?
The first ever greenhouse, or “glasshouse” to use its “proper” name, was built around 30AD for the Roman emperor “Tiberius” to satisfy his desire for cucumbers when out of season. In Roman times glass had not been invented, so the spectrum was actually meticulously formed using tiny pieces of translucent sheets of mica.
The first greenhouse with glass angled windows and a glass roof, was developed in 1500 by Jules Charles, who was a French botanist who constructed a glass outhouse so he could grow tropical plants. He initially built it in Holland, where growing exotic fruits and plants was a symbol of extreme wealth.
Beeton’s dictionary of Industries and Commerce miss-informs its audience that the first green house was actually erected by Soloman de Caus in 1619 in Heidelburg and used to cover 340 oranges which had been transported into the village – however records of the first glass sheeted houses have been found earlier. Oranges were, at this time, a new fruit and orangerieswere developed to combat the frost. The orangeries were awkward buildings, which had a removable roof, developed and used to keep the exotic fruit trees at the right temperature all year round.
Experimentation with glass walls went on during the 17th century as the glass house came into vogue throughout Europe. The glass houses varied in style to satisfy the aristocracy’s taste for decadence and better quality of glass meant these structures had a masterful presence in the period’s design style. An example of such opulence is the Palace of Versailles which was designed by Philibert Le Roy under the instruction of Louis XIII in 1624. Eight years later, in 1632, Louis XIII obtained the seigneury of Versailles from the Gondi family and enlarged the château, which included the construction of a huge orangerie more than 500 feet long, with a southern exposure for light and heat.
By the mid-nineteenth century glass became plentiful and the cost of the glass houses fell. This was an age dedicated to illustrious glass houses, which competed against each other for recognition of wealth through bold design and elaborate choice of glass. The practical significance of these early houses for growing a vast range of foods was yet to be discovered and at that time were mainly used to display and to grow oranges.
By 1825 the idea had spread through North America (the first recorded greenhouse in America was in 1737 and designed by Andrew Faneuil) and was growing increasingly popular all over the world. The majority were heated by furnaces; however, some remained built into the ground like the earlier “pit” designs and were heated by south facing windows without the additional aid of fire.
Today, the immensely elegant glass buildings of yesteryear are designed from state of the art materials to create living spaces that are used for everything from dining rooms to kitchens; from playrooms to gyms.
The Channel Four TV series and magazine Grand Designs in 2008 featured the Decagon House in Oxford, a unique design largely taking queue from the old green house design. Mark Austin, Marketing Director of Hazlemere Commercialwho supplied the glass for the Decagon House design influenced by Moroccan tents, states: “Greenhouses are an example of fantastic glass design, adapted to become useful and traditional outhouses for growing food. The nature of use of glass in these buildings has also influenced house design. It is really great to see how glass is used in less obvious contemporary design, which makes our work much more interesting.”
Homeowners have conservatories that are separated by doors from the rest of the house while others create vast openings that allow the conservatory extension to blend seamlessly with the home’s interior. Replica Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian models, finished with detailed architectural features, compete for popularity with stunningly contemporary glass rooms where the emphasis is on creating impact from clean, simple forms. Where will the glasshouse story end? What we do know is that the footprint glass houses have left, will go on influencing house design in innovative and unique directions.
CATAGORY|Conservatories
In 2007 Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories became the first company in the UK to design, manufacture and supply a dual frame aluminium window system that achieved an ‘A’ Window Energy Rating. OK, but what does this mean for the environment, and more importantly, homeowners?
Nowadays we are all encouraged to do “our bit” for the environment and are accustomed to the energy efficiency labels that should be on all white appliances, as these indicate if we are purchasing an energy efficient environmentally friendly product, or not!. Energy efficient models not only reduce carbon emissions but also save money on electricity and gas bills!
The Government have now set higher standards for the thermal efficiency of windows and doors, so make sure the windows and doors you choose should carry the highly recognisable energy efficiency labels called Window Energy Rating (WER).
Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories have always promoted the energy efficiency of their new generation aluminium windows and doors, and tested these to ascertain what level on the familiar A-G scale they could achieve. Quite simply, the higher the rating, the more thermally efficient the window system is. Using the latest state-of-the-art materials Hazlemere manufacture an aluminium window system which provides homeowners with the highest possible ‘A’ rating. Endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust, Hazlemere’s range of Eco-windows offers homeowners a real choice of energy efficient, environmentally-friendly products.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, nearly a fifth of heat lost from un-insulated homes is through the windows. Investing in Hazlemere’s Eco-friendly window systems makes a significant contribution to reducing this which in turn helps to keep homes warmer. Using less energy to keep you warm not only reduces your carbon emissions but saves you money as well!
However, achieving energy efficiency as a window is only part of the story for homeowners concerned with the overall environmental impact of what they buy as well as saving money. Hazlemere’s Eco-friendly windows are made from aluminium which has a very positive environmental story all of its own. Apart from having a long life in use, once it reaches the end of its life it can be infinitely recycled. Recycling aluminium uses just 5% of the energy needed to produce the original material, plus the finished product has all of the same qualities as the original, which means it can be recycled time and time again.
Wherever we look we are being encouraged to recycle; plus asked to consider what happens to the products that we own once they have reached the end of their life, as well as making environmentally friendly choices in terms of energy use. The same scrutiny can now be applied to the replacement double glazing we buy, and with Hazlemere’s Eco-friendly windows and doors, homeowners can rest assured they are doing their ‘bit’.
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Saving Energy, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
A Hazlemere Lean to Conservatory Increasing Amount of Quality Living Space
If you can’t move but could really do with extra living space, your only option is to re-configure your existing space if your live in a block of flats from the 1st floor up, unless of course you can buy/rent the flat next door and knock through! Ground floor flats with a garden or patio space that belongs to them, at least have the opportunity (subject to planning, landlords permissions etc.) of extending.
A conservatory may well be the least expensive and easiest option to give your the extra room a growing family might need, especially if the property has negative equity and/or you have decided you can not afford to move. Not only is it easier to get planning for a conservatory (sometimes all you need is to obtain a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Development from your local council), but a conservatory is less disruptive and faster to install than an extension, whilst adding elegance and value to your home.
Conservatories offer excellent living space and of course bring a lot of natural daylight into your home. A conservatory gives a tremendous feeling of extra space and is far nicer aesthetically than a brick extension! If you need extra living space, then it might well be researching the benefits of building a conservatory onto your home.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements
When the Victorians first dreamt of growing exotic plants in glass houses they could hardly have imagined that they were starting a lifestyle trend that continues to this day as conservatories.
Today, the immensely elegant glass buildings of yesteryear are designed from state of the art materials to create living spaces that are used for everything from dining rooms to kitchens, from playrooms to gyms and kitchens to offices.
Homeowners have conservatories that are separated by doors from the rest of the house whilst others create vast openings that allow the conservatory extension to blend seamlessly with the home’s interior. Replica Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian models finished with detailed architectural features compete for popularity with stunningly contemporary glass rooms where the emphasis is on creating impact from clean, simple forms.
But how exactly do you make the leap from the building of your dreams to the reality you can live in every day? Speak to any homeowner that has embarked on a building project and they will almost certainly be able to regale you with enough horror stories of when things have gone wrong to put you off for good. Certainly building a conservatory is a major building project which is why you need to find a company that has a proven track record in what they do, shares your vision, your enthusiasm and, most importantly, appreciates your budget and is prepared to work with you to minimise any possible disruption.
Hazlemere Conservatories is a High Wycombe based conservatory specialist with a penchant for helping their customers create distinctive conservatories and so know that the dream doesn’t always match the reality. “During the 80’s and a large part of the 90’s conservatories were being stuck on to what seemed like just about everyone’s houses. Looking at many of the conservatories that were built during this era, you could perhaps be forgiven for thinking they’ve been there far longer. However building materials evolve, and in the last 10 years there has been a considerable step-change in the quality of conservatories that are available. Today’s buildings should look good well into the future as long as they are designed and built with modern materials as an integral part of your home.” (Graham Kiddle, Senior Conservatory Consultant at Hazlemere Conservatories)
According to Hazlemere, one of the crucial keys to a successful conservatory build is about determining from the outset if you expect to use the room all year round. If you do then heating it needs to be as big a consideration as keeping it cool in the summer. With advances in glass and framing technology it is indeed possible for your conservatory to provide a snug retreat in the winter and a cool haven in the summer but the specification has to be right. The only way for a company to determine what your conservatory’s exact specification needs to be is to conduct a detailed site survey which will take into account the position of the conservatory in relation to both your home and the direction of the sun upon it.
Glass is available that reflects the sun’s heat and is particularly useful in South facing conservatories. Tinted glass is also an important consideration if you want to use your conservatory to watch television or use a computer. Effective opening vents in the ceiling of the conservatory will allow hot air in the summer months to escape quickly. These essential vents can be manually or electrically operated and some companies offer automatic rain detectors to ensure vents close as soon as it begins to rain.
Installing electrics for a fan will help to disperse warm air upwards in the summer but can also be reversed in the winter to keep the warm air down rather than letting it escape upwards.
Heat extractors are a highly effective way of removing warm air at the hottest times of the year and help to control humidity. Air exchange systems work in a similar way but with the added benefit of bringing warm air back into the building as well. Opting for air conditioning is always an option although it can be expensive to run and will require more on-going maintenance.
One very important consideration for any conservatory is the need for roof blinds. They provide a very effective barrier to solar gain and heat loss but to look good and work simply they need to be made and installed professionally. Don’t underestimate the cost of these blinds because they are essential and should be considered as an integral part of your conservatory and not an optional ‘add-on’.
The experienced professionals at Hazlemere Conservatories advise that although with so much glass in a conservatory, heat loss is inevitable, it can be minimised to ensure that you can use the room all year round. Just as glass can be specified to reflect the sun’s heat, there are also reflective coatings that keep the heat inside a conservatory which is invaluable in colder north facing buildings.
You need to consider how you will heat your conservatory before you begin to ensure relevant works are carried out as the building work progresses. To heat your conservatory you can opt to extend your existing central heating system or you can install an independent heating system just for the new area. If you do plan to extend your existing central heating then you should install individual room thermostats to ensure that you can increase the heat in the cooler conservatory area when you need it without affecting the heating in the rest of the house. If you opt for an independent heating source then consider low level wall mounted radiators or underfloor heating for the best aesthetic effect, both of which are easily installed as part of the main build programme.
Whilst the choices to be made are undoubtedly complex, an experienced conservatory company will be able to guide you through the best combination of options for your particular conservatory and ensure that the cost of making it useable all year round is built in to your quote from outset and thus avoid adding ‘extras’ in at a later stage.
By taking the time to ensure that you have considered all of the available options you stand a good chance of having your dream conservatory and enjoying the glass house legacy the Victorians left us.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements
President-Elect Barack Obama’s “landslide” win with more than double the number of Electoral College votes than John McCain, is totally out of proportion to the number of votes each candidate received. With the destiny of Missouri’s 11 electoral college votes still to be decided, Senator Barack Obama has 65 million votes to Senator John McCain’s 57 million votes, yet Obama has 364 electoral college votes to McCain’s 162, a very disproportionate number, but that is how the system works in America, with whoever gets 270 electoral college votes the winner.
In 2000, the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Vice-President Al Gore actually got 48.38% of the votes, compared to George Bush’s 47.87% share of the vote. However, President George Bush crawled over the finish line with 271 electoral college votes to Al Gore’s 266 by controversially “winning” Florida’s 25 electoral college votes by only 537 actual votes, with the Supreme Court denying the Democrats a recount.
The American system is not unlike our first past the post system, where it is not unusual for a UK goverment to be elected with a minority of all votes cast, with 324 MP’s needed for a Commons majority of the 646 MP’s. Having said that both system’s seem to work, as proportional representation is likely not to give a majority mandate to govern. Nevertheless, for a Conservative country, the U.S.A. have swung dramatically in historical terms to the left, with the Democrats also winning majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The great thing about Obama, was he was first past the post with the most, so has a genuine mandate to implement his policies, lets hope he does and the “change” he and his administration bring about is for the better and not just for change’s sake.
CATAGORY|American Politics, UK Politics
Self-cleaning was once described as “an impossible dream”, but now thanks to an intensive research and development programme by the World’s leading glass manufacturer, Pilkington self-cleaning glass is neither fiction or an old wives tale. Yes it can even deal with bird droppings!
Pilkington Activ, the World’s first self-cleaning glass has a unique dual action that harnesses the forces of nature to keep the glass free from organic dirt, providing a surface that requires less cleaning, whilst also at the same time delivering clearer, better-looking windows.
The secret of Pilkington Activ is a special coating that reacts with ultra-violet (UV) rays from natural daylight (which works even on overcast days and during the night) to break down and disintegrate organic dirt.
Organic dirt generally comes from livings plants and creatures (i.e. tree sap or fingerprints or bird droppings, whilst inorganic dirt comes from non-living sources (i.e. cement or plaster dust etc.). The special coating needs 5-7 days exposure to daylight to activate fully. Self-cleaning glass really is no myth, as its special coating breaks down organic dirt, whilst reducing the adherence of inorganic dirt.
When rain water runs down self-cleaning glass it washes away the loosened dirt away (both organic and inorganic), as the special coating causes water droplets to spread out to form a “sheet”, enabling dirt particles on the surface to be easily picked up by water and washed off the glass. Inorganic dirt will only be removed by water. Compared with conventional glass, the water on self-cleaning glass dries very quickly, reducing unsightly streaks or marks.
The special coating on Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass can break down even heavy deposits of organic dirt, but does need UV light reaching the glass to enable the breaking down process to work. So during long dry dusty spells, or if windows get heavily soiled, it is advisable to clean the glass using a hosepipe to replicate rainfall or a soft cloth and warm soapy water to enable the process to start all over again. Please note that a period of reactivation may be required, which again is typically 5-7 days.
The beauty of Pilkington Activ’s special coating is that it lasts the lifetime of the glazing itself, as it will not be worn away or rubbed off under normal conditions. The coating is integral to the glass, it will not flake or discolour, and can only be affected if the surface itself is damaged, for example, by abrasive cleaners or steel wool. The coating is environmentally friendly, containing harmless chemical substances already found in the home (i.e. in bath oils and toothpaste). In fact as only small amounts of cleaning agents are ever needed, self-cleaning glass is kinder to the environment that normal glass, which needs regular cleaning.
Self-cleaning glass can be installed on almost any exterior application, such as windows, conservatories and glass roofs. It can be installed vertically or at an angle of at least 10 degrees, although most efficient at an angle of 30 degrees or more. Self-cleaning glass is ideal for inaccessible windows where organic dirt normally collects like skylights. Specialists and authorized Pilkington suppliers Hazlemere Windows, Doors & Conservatories advise that self-cleaning glass will prove ineffective if installed under an overhang or in a position where daylight and/or rain cannot reach it, as it has been designed for exterior use only.
Self-cleaning glass is an excellent long term investment, as over a period it will save time and money, plus from the cleaning standpoint it is far safer than ordinary glass windows, particularly for conservatories.Pilkington self-cleaning glass can be combined with other glass products in insulating glass units to provide benefits such as thermal insulation, noise reduction, solar control and fire protection. Pilkington Activ is available in toughened or laminated form for increased safety and security. It is therefore safe to say that self-cleaning glass is no longer fiction, but fact!
CATAGORY|Pilkington Glass, Self Cleaning Glass
Hazlemere Windows have agreed to be the “Official Clubhouse Sponsors” of Beaconsfield Football Club for the next three seasons. Beaconsfield SYCOB (as they are known) play at Holloways Park, which is located almost on junction 2 of the M40 Motorway at Beaconsfield, Bucks. As with Burnham Football Club, Hazlemere Windows used to have a high street Showroom in Beaconsfield New Town for many years, so it was a logical step to continue supporting the community via grass roots football.
Slough Town FC ground share with Beaconsfield FC, bringing in much needed revenue. The modern Clubhouse at Beaconsfield Football Club incorporates excellent facilities, taking bookings of up to 120 persons for wedding receptions, parties and discos etc. It has a stage for a disco or band etc. and a fully equipped kitchen. Hazlemere Windows have six advertising boards at the ground, two either side of each goal and two outside the stadium.
CATAGORY|Football
By achieving the majority of the popular vote in the American Presidential Election, and a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have a mandate to make a difference after 4 years of a lame duck President, who got in for his 2nd term via a controversial result in Florida, that many still question to this day. I can only hope that Barack Obama turns out to be a man of action as well of words, otherwise the massive expectancy could eventually turn against him.
The great thing is that the American People have voted in an African American for the first time in their history, which is terrifically refreshing and exciting. His energetic 21 month campaign certainly merits his big win, so lets hope he can unite what is clearly a divided America, with well over 50 million of the American Electorate voting for John McCain. Will they accept the result? If they don’t embrace change, Barack Obama’s base could almost guarantee him a 2nd term now, given the sweeping endorsement that winning over twice as many Electoral College votes over Senator John has given him. Congratulations President Obama!
CATAGORY|American Politics
