Hazlemere Commercial’s Bideford College aluminium window, door & curtain walling installation in Devon

I’m delighted to say that Hazlemere Commercial, a major division of the Hazlemere Group, are proud of their involvement in the prestigious £2.2m double glazing project at Bideford College in Devon. Working with main contractors, Morgan Ashurst, on this impressive sustainability project, Hazlemere Commercial manufactured, supplied and installed all the commercial aluminium double glazed energy saving windows from Sapa aluminium profiles which had been made from recycled aluminium billet. Find out more about the Bideford College sustainability project

Hazlemere Commercial also manufactured and installed all the aluminium commercial entrance doors and commercial aluminium double glazed curtain walling on this new build project. Hazlemere started on site in the Spring of 2009 with completion in Autumn 2009. As approved suppliers to the London Housing Consortium, Hazlemere Commercial are specialists in bespoke architectural aluminium double glazing products. Hazlemere have expert designers, estimators, surveyors, fabricators and installers, who work with architects, developers, housing associations, property owners and local authorities on major property refurbishments, as well as provide preventative and reactive window and door maintenance to many schools in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, operating out of the High Wycombe Head Offices and main factory.

If you want to know more about Hazlemere Commercial’s pedigree and capabilities, have a look at some case studies of Hazlemere Commercial’s aluminium and upvc window, door and curtain walling installations.

CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors

Hazlemere Windows, Doors & Conservatories are experts at improving homes – an eyewitness account

I imagine I am like a lot of people who prefer to see with their own eyes before believing! Since I joined the Hazlemere Group on 1st March 2008 I have been privileged to have been invited into dozens of satisfied Hazlemere customers homes, so I can personally give an eyewitness account of these Hazlemere’s double glazing and Roofline installations.

I am delighted (and relieved) that another one of my immediate “next door” neighbours in Beaconsfield, Bucks is pleased with their new Hazlemere conservatory. Having taken video and digital images of the entire project for my neighbours Victorian three faceted aluminium conservatory from beginning to end, I am thrilled they are so pleased with the quality of the product, installation and aesthetic result. The Pilkington Activ Blue self cleaning glass conservatory roof on this new conservatory frankly looks stunning, particularly in contrast to the clear glass double glazed windows and aluminium French Doors.

One of the most impressive UPVC conservatory installations I have photographed was in Chalfont St.Peter. We fitted a P shape PVCu conservatory within a picturesque garden, and the customer has furnished the interior to a high standard, so it could act as another living room and dining room. No two conservatories I have seen have been the same size or shape, as every conservatory in aluminium and/or UPVC Hazlemere Conservatories designs is tailored to each clients property and requirements.

A couple of double glazing customers I visited included a lady in Wheeler End, Bucks who had ordered square leaded mock Tudor French Doors with matching double glazed side panels for her period kitchen. She was impressed as not only had Hazlemere Windows matched her mock Tudor windows, but also fitted a bespoke cat flap into the bottom of one of her two square leaded side panels to enable her cat access and egress to and from her kitchen. Another delighted customer I visited was in Lacey Green, Bucks were we had installed a new golden oak UPVC front door and glazed side panel along with matching golden oak UPVC double glazed windows.

It is a privilege to visit so many satisfied customers and see so many different bespoke double glazed products which have been expertly installed by Hazlemere Windows experienced expert fitters throughout Bucks, Berks, Herts, Middlesex and Oxon. I am also proud of the feedback I have had from customers about the level of customer service they have received after installation. Have there been problems, there always are, but it is how a company addresses them that can set them apart from the competition.

The Hazlemere Group has its own dedicated service department, experienced service engineers and vans, so is able to consistently deliver the robust 10 year guarantee it provides to all Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatory customers. The vast majority of the service calls that I have heard about seem to be for blown sealed units, many of which are years old, but we also get calls for broken window and door handles, hinges and locks, many from clients who did not buy their double glazing from Hazlemere in the first place.

I have seen a sufficient number of installations to be extremely proud of our designs, expertise, products, installations and after sales customer service. Consequently, rather than just saying we are experts at improving homes….I know for a fact we are, and can produce dozens of witnesses that I have met personally to prove it!

CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements, Windows & Doors

Step ten: Screeding the conservatory floor etc.

Having “waterproofed” a conservatory by fitting the double glazed glass or polycarbonate roof and installing all the double glazing, fitted the Roofline UPVC guttering and downpipes etc. you can then start to make the finishes touches to your conservatory. Ensure all electrical sockets and wiring for conservatory ceiling fans and lights is fitted prior to any plastering, so that the screeding of the conservatory floor can be done as the “final” job.

Many conservatory firms do not have the capacity to totally finish off a conservatory, as not every conservatory company suppliers and fits all you need. Another reassuring thing about dealing with the Hazlemere Group is that you can deal with one company who will not only design and build your conservatory, carry out the entire planning application process, but also supply and fit ceramic floor tiles, conservatory furniture, Fantasia ceiling fans/lights, conservatory flyscreens, plus window, door and conservatory roof blinds.

Hazlemere Conservatories advise leaving a newly screed-ed conservatory floor for 4-6 weeks before laying ceramic floor tiles to ensure it has thoroughly set and dry. Whether or not you plan to fit carpeting, vinyl, wooden flooring or conservatory ceramic floor tiling, do let the screed dry thoroughly before laying any conservatory flooring.

The advantages of ceramic floor tiles is that they are extremely hard wearing and the “coolest” type of flooring on warm summer days. Whilst they are cold in the winter, this can be counteracted by an appropriate rug, again it is all about personal choice and preference. In the case of this Beaconsfield aluminium conservatory installation, the clients chose ceramic floor tiles, and a Fantasia conservatory ceiling fan and light from the wide selection offered by Hazlemere Interiors to finish off their conservatory.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step nine: Fitting roofline UPVC guttering & downpipes

The significant rainwater runoff from any conservatory has to go somewhere, so when this Buckinghamshire aluminium conservatory project neared completion, the importance of a well built professional soak-away that Hazlemere Conservatories ground workers built in step one comes into perspective.

It is vital to have well fitted Roofline gutters, leading to plastic downpipes, which in turn flow straight into sunken plastic pipes that take the rainwater away from both the conservatory and property to a soak-away, located in the most appropriate place in one’s garden, borders or plot of land. By fitting low maintenace UPVC gutters and downpipes, all these will need externally is an occasional wipe down and checking from time to time there has been no build up of debris such as garden leaves in the Roofline plastic guttering.

It is also at this particular stage of building an aluminium conservatory with an exterior brick dwarf wall and interior breeze blocks, that the internal walls are plastered so that they can match the decor of the room this Victorian conservatory has been built on to. At the same time the section of existing exterior brick walls of the house (now enclosed within the conservatory double glazing) are also plastered ready for decorating, so they can match in with the adjoining room and the dwarf wall of the conservatory.

Not all of Hazlemere’s conservatory customers choose this option, many opt for internal brick walls and to keep all the existing brickwork as is, it is ready a matter of choice and preference, and whether one is extending a room or looking to create a separate new one by building a conservatory.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step eight: Pilkington Activ Blue self cleaning glass

Of course you do not have to have a self cleaning glass conservatory roof, but obviously you will then always have to clean it yourself regularly or probably have to pay to have it done professionally. However, obviously all conservatories need a roof, and it always amazes me why anyone would have a polycarbonate conservatory roof. In my opinion, they look awful, stop light getting into the room, get dirty more easily, are not as energy efficient as double glazed sealed units and are very noisy when it rains. Despite this, clients still buy them simply because they are cheaper! I have personally spoken to many clients who come back later kicking themselves they did not invest in a high quality double glazed roof. Adding a double glazed roof retrospectively costs considerably more than installing it initially, so please think carefully before buying a polycarbonate roof for your conservatory.

This Buckinghamshire aluminium conservatory has been fitted with Pilkington Activ Blue Double Glazing, which has a special protective “blue tinted” layer to reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of solar energy that is transferred into a conservatory. Fitting self cleaning glass is a major benefit to conservatory owners, as many conservatory roofs are difficult to clean due to restricted access.

Given the southerly aspect to solar gain of the Beaconsfield conservatory project, Hazlemere Conservatories client wisely invested in Pilkington Activ Blue Self Cleaning Glass to assist with reducing excess heat during hotter days. The great benefit of this excellent product is that a special coating on the glass reflects back the suns rays to prevent unwanted solar gain, producing a more comfortable environment within a conservatory.

Pilkington Activ Blue to me has that clear blue sky look, yet still lets in plenty of daylight, and is a very attractive looking product. Other Conservatory roof glazing products offer green tints, bronze tints etc. but whichever roof you choose ensure it is a) double glazed, b) thermally efficient, and c) glazed appropriately in relation to the aspect of your conservatory to the sun. My advice would be to seek independent advice, plus have a look at the various double glazing options offered by Pilkington, the brand leader in the manufacture of high quality glazing products.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step seven: Installing the conservatory double glazing

Whether you are planning a UPVC or aluminium conservatory, it is essential to opt for energy efficient, energy saving double glazing to ensure you have the option to use your conservatory all year round. Investing in modern energy efficient double glazed sealed units is essential, and yes the best costs a little more, but oh how you may regret it in the winter if you opt for just “standard” double glazing, or worse still a polycarbonate roof! Whilst double glazing will never be as effective as insulated double skin cavity walls, remember that you want it to be performing the same role as near as possible, so go for Low E Argon filled sealed units with high quality frames and glazing, so do your research to ensure you do not end up with a room you can only use in the summer or on sunny winter days!

This Victorian three faceted aluminium new conservatory was ordered with a Pilkington Activ Blue double glazed roof, which has a special protective “blue” layer to reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of solar energy that is transferred into a conservatory. Pilkington Activ self cleaning glass is a major benefit to conservatory owners, as often conservatory roofs can be difficult to access for cleaning.

The crowning glory of any conservatory should be its glazed glass roof, as this is what differentiates this room from any other in a property. Amongst the significant benefits of using aluminium as a building material is the fact that it is lightweight, yet extremely strong and very environmentally friendly as can be re-cycled again and again. Double glazed conservatory sealed units are heavy, so need a strong supporting roof frame which can cope with the weight. Consequently, one should really use aluminium conservatory frames rather than UPVC when building conservatories with large roofs. A good quality UPVC conservatory roof should have metal re-enforcing bars in them for this very reason, so when planning and building a conservatory you should carefully consider the different conservatory roof options before ordering your conservatory.

Give specific thought to which double glazed sealed units you have fitted to the windows, doors and roof of your conservatory, so that they reflect excess heat in the summer, yet give you a warm and energy saving environment in the winter. This Buckinghamshire conservatory owner has fairly exposed aspect to the sun for sufficient each day to warrant the investment in Pilkington Activ Blue self cleaning glass to assist with reducing the solar gain during hotter days.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step six: Erecting the aluminium Monaframe casement window system and Monarch conservatory frame

Having concluded all the major building works on this Beaconsfield conservatory project, Hazlemere’s conservatory installers carry out a quality check, before starting to erect the aluminium conservatory frame. Clients can in fact opt to have any of Hazlemere’s bespoke aluminium conservatories made in any RAL colour to match their existing window and door frames or personal requirements. In this case the client chose to have their Victorian aluminium conservatory manufactured in white, to blend in with the existing window and door frames.

The Monarch Monaframe aluminium casement window system that Hazlemere Conservatories used on this Victorian conservatory installation is fully weatherstripped and all component profiles incorporate thermal barriers. The Sapa Monaframe system’s capabilities and range of options, including those providing structural performance, are particularly comprehensive and can accommodate most fenestration requirements, hence the reason why Hazlemere use it.

The Monarch system can come internally or externally beaded and exceeds BS 6375: Part 1 Severe Exposure Category 2000, so is ideal for use as an aluminium conservatory frame, particularly as aluminium has been tried and tested over many years in building projects, has a known long life and inherently durable when used in conservatories which are exposed to temperature differences, moisture and sunlight.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step five: Laying the conservatory concrete floor base

Having completed the exterior brickwork of this Beaconsfield aluminium conservatory, finished the interior breeze block dwarf wall and laid the Celotex insulation and damp-course for the conservatory base, Hazlemere Conservatories ground team take delivery of ready mixed quick drying concrete, whilst one of Hazlemere’s experienced bricklayers lays the conservatory concrete floor base by hand.

The ready mixed concrete is transported from the cement lorry to the back garden conservatory site by wheelbarrow, then careful levelled off to produce a uniform flat conservatory floor. The brickwork step up to where the white aluminium French Doors will be fitted, will be finished off later in the project using paving slabs. This Buckinghamshire conservatory concrete base is left to set before the next major stage of the project gets underway: the erecting of the white aluminium double glazed Victorian conservatory frame.

Hazlemere Conservatories next step during the building of an aluminium conservatory is to take check measurements to ensure that the foundations, concrete base and dwarf brick walls have been built in accordance with the approved scale plans, as it is to these plans that each bespoke aluminium conservatory frame to accommodate the double glazing is manufactured and installed.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step four: Finishing the conservatory brick dwarf walls

Hazlemere’s experienced bricklayer completes the conservatory dwarf wall and damp coursing before the insulated concrete conservatory floor is laid. Within this concrete base Hazlemere Conservatories are fitting thick Celotex insulation boards, as ordered by the client to assist in keeping the floor and conservatory warmer during the colder Winter months.

All Hazlemere clients buying a conservatory have many options and choices of finishes. One of the important aesthetic decisions is whether to have a plastered finish inside the dwarf wall or a natural brick finish. In this case, as the client wishes to match the finish in the adjoining dining room, the internal dwarf wall and the existing host wall will have a plastered finish, to enable the client to have matching paintwork inside the conservatory and dining room.

CATAGORY|Conservatories

Step three: Starting the conservatory build proper

One of Hazlemere Conservatories remits is to try and match as near as possible the bricks in any new conservatory dwarf wall to the existing house. This is not always as easy as this may seem, as occasionally certain bricks are not made anymore, or the older bricks are a different size to the matching bricks that are available, as, when building a brick dwarf wall for a conservatory it is important to match the courses in existing brickwork, so that the new conservatory appears an integral part of the property. Prior to the delivery to site of the cement mixer and building materials, Hazlemere conservatories protect the clients driveway with wooden boards laid on top of protective plastic sheeting.

With regards this particular aluminium Victorian conservatory Hazlemere Conservatories are constructing in Beaconsfield, Bucks, matching sized bricks were able to be sourced. Naturally, no bricks are an exact match due to the different periods of exposure to the elements, but a matching brick will in time weather to become a better match.

The concrete base of the conservatory is laid after the brick dwarf walls have been completed. A thick insulation layer is installed on-top of the concrete base, prior to the floor being screed-ed. By having this base insulation fitted this Hazlemere conservatory client will most enjoy the benefits in the Winter months, by keeping the conservatory interior warmer than it would have been had no insulation been installed within the conservatory base.

During the early stages of building this aluminium conservatory, a qualified electrician was required to relocate one exterior outside light and an exterior 13 amp socket to outside of the agreed location of this South Bucks conservatory project. The electrician will be required again once the building works have been completed to run the electric cables for the remote control Fantasia conservatory ceiling fan and light, electrical sockets and the electric Dimplex convectional conservatory heater.

CATAGORY|Conservatories