The Factory and Head Offices of the Hazlemere Group were more than tripled in size in February 2010 by the purchase of another 38,000 square feet factory and offices next door to Hazlemere Window Company Ltd’s Bucks 18,000 square feet freehold headquarters in Wellington Road on the Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe, which incorporates a 4,000 square feet home improvements showroom that is open seven days a week.
This strategic purchase will enable the Hazlemere Group to expand their production of double glazed windows, doors and conservatories, whilst further improving efficiency and productivity by having all manufacturing under one roof. Not only will their high quality bespoke aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling be able to made even faster to meet consumer demand, but also in greater quantities, making Hazlemere Window Company more competitive, and able to increase its already considerable market share in the region.
The first thing Hazlemere did after buying “next door” was to strip out the “new” premises, which in fact are quite old and were in very poor condition. So commenced a massive refurbishment programme which included replacing all the inefficient existing single glazed windows, with high quality double glazed energy efficient, energy saving commercial aluminium windows and doors manufactured by the Hazlemere Group in their existing Wellington Road factory.
Hazlemere Window Company Ltd had to re-plaster and re-wire many of the offices, in addition to putting in new heating, flooring, furniture, fixtures, fittings and new lighting. The new factory floor had to be totally stripped of existing tiles, made level and specially treated before Hazlemere could move in production equipment.
This purchase of the adjacent building means that Hazlemere Window Company is now the largest private property owner in Wellington Road. Not bad for an independently run family business 25 years old!?
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
Those of you who’ve lived in the area for the past 25 years, will have certainly seen any one of our two dozen conspicuous vehicles driving around, or possibly you’re one of 18,000 satisfied customers that the Hazlemere Group has happily serviced during our illustrious time as the leading home improvement specialists.
For those who are new to the area, you may not be aware that Hazlemere Window Company is a well established, family firm first founded in High Wycombe back in 1985 by Stuart Braham and his father George Braham who sadly passed away in 2006; leaving his three sons to operate and develop the business.
25 years on, Hazlemere Windows remains a community focused family firm, despite having grown year on year to become one of the largest employers in the locality. During the 1990’s, we quickly grew into the Commercial and Public sectors, although we’re more renowned throughout Buckinghamshire and Berkshire as suppliers and installers of high quality retail windows, doors and conservatories.
Hazlemere Windows Co. Ltd. Staff 25 Years On
We are extremely proud to say that the Hazlemere Group is still very much family owned and run, with many of the staff who have worked there for years having connections to the Braham family. George Braham’s son, Stuart is very much in the centre of things, being the “middle” one, and is quite literally in the middle of things as Hazlemere’s Chairman and Managing Director.
Alan Braham, the youngest of George’s three sons is one of Hazlemere’s specialist windows and doors consultants, having first served his apprenticeship on the factory floor in the early 1990’s before training to become the vastly experienced expert double glazing advisor he is today.
Alan and Stuart’s older brother Ian Braham, heads up Hazlemere Garage Doors and Hazlemere Blinds who manufacture supply and fit domestic and commercial pleated blinds, whilst supplying and fitting Roller, Roman, Venetian and Vertical made to measure blinds. Ian’s division also supply and fit bespoke garage doors, Fantasia conservatory ceiling fans, remote control and manual commercial and domestic awnings and canopies.
The company prides itself in high quality materials, craftsmanship, and excellent customer service, all backed by Hazlemere Windows own robust fully comprehensive 10 year guarantee. Hazlemere also offers all its customers the option of further deposit and guarantee insurance provided by the Independent Warranty Association.
Hazlemere Commercial, a major Division of the Hazlemere Group, manufacturers, supplies and installs a wide range of architectural aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling in schools, offices, business and commercial building in the UK. Hazlemere Commercial were awarded a £2.3m contract in 2008 to supply aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for the new Bideford College in Devon, the bulk of which was delivered in 2009. This sustainability project involved the use of Sapa re-cycled aluminium to make the aluminium double glazed windows, aluminium commercial doors and aluminium curtain walling. The Commercial Division, LHC, Chas and Exor accredited, continues to go from strength to strength, and in 2009, Hazlemere Commercial were awarded a £1.7m contract to refurbish River Gardens in Fulham, West London during 2010. The highly successful Commercial Division is run by Commercial Sales Director Simon Keegan and Commercial Contracts Director, Barry Matthews.
Jason Bradshaw is the Operations Director responsible for all Hazlemere’s aluminium and UPVC conservatory installations, building works and Hazlemere’s dedicated experienced window and door installation teams. All the five board directors are based at Hazlemere’s Head Offices in High Wycombe, Bucks.
So 25 years on this growing family business is a highly respected FENSA registered company, ISO 9001:2008 accredited and Investors in People approved, employing its own expert consultants, designers, estimators, surveyors, fabricators, installers and service engineers. Consequently, the Hazlemere Group are able to control the entire design, estimating, manufacturing and fitting process, along with having sufficient in-house back up to provide the levels of after sales service required by developers, local authorities and end users alike, as well as being able to offer professional expert preventative window and door maintenance, along with repairs and replacement to schools and commercial properties.
Hazlemere Window Company Ltd are members of the Energy Saving Trust, British Fenestration Rating Council and are licensed/approved Pilkington energiKare Partners, plus were the first company in the UK to design, manufacture and install an “A” rated aluminium dual frame aluminium window system, as endorsed and approved by both the Energy Saving Trust and the British Fenestration Rating Council. Hazlemere’s energy rated, energy efficient, energy saving window range also includes an “A” rated UPVC window system.
When the Braham family started this business 25 years ago, I am sure they never envisioned the rapid growth and the amazing support they would receive from the local community, which has fuelled their success and been the bedrock of their continuing business growth. Consequently in 2009, Hazlemere Windows Board of Directors unanimously agreed to purchase the adjoining 38,000 building adjacent to Hazlemere Windows existing Head Office, Factory & Showroom in Wellington Road on Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe.
This strategic acquisition has enabled the Hazlemere Group to invest in the future, whilst continuing its steady growth by streamlining its manufacturing, further improving quality control and remaining highly competitive in the fenestration industry – not bad for a family run business with strong community ties that has steadily grown from humble beginnings to become the largest independent double glazing manufacturer and installer in the region today.
See how Hazlemere home improvement’s rich history and experience can help transform your residential or commercial property. Our friendly team look forward to hearing from you!
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
When the weather turned milder after the “Big Freeze” in December 2009/January 2010 it would be foolish to think that such Arctic conditions will not occur again. If you remember back to that time, you will no doubt recall having noticed the areas of your property that are exposed to the elements, like doors, fireplaces and windows that let in freezing draughts or where cold penetrated and consequently heat escaped.
In the “old days” front and back entrances were covered up by a large thick curtain being drawn across the door when closed to keep out the cold and draughts, but nowadays we have tended to abandon curtains for double glazed doors. However, the recent low temperatures exposed any flaws in thermally inefficient doors and windows, many of which were fitted years ago and consequently are not in the same league as the high quality energy rated products available in today’s marketplace.
Two important tips for keeping out as much of the draughts and cold as possible is to ensure both sides of your letterbox are shut. The other (assuming you have a double glazed door) is to lift up the door handle as if you are going to lock the door. The engages the rubber gaskets, giving your property the best possible seal against the elements. You will be amazed the difference remembering this simple tip will make in cold weather. If you have a wooden door, you can fit draught excluder to all the edges to reduce draughts and put a sausage dog to block the cold coming through the door threshold.
One option is to go back to installing a hanging curtain which you can draw in the coldest winter months, but if you buy a modern thermally efficient insulated double glazed door, there is no need to have to resort to such “old fashioned” measures, unless you want to as heavy, thick lined curtains that drape onto the floor do act as an excellent, though slightly unsightly and inconvient barrier to the cold if you have wooden entrance doors, or early double glazed doors that are not as thermally efficient as some modern equivalents, such as high quality composite doors which are now the amongst the best at providing insulation from the freezing cold.
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
A Modern Double Glazed House
By installing modern energy saving double glazing we cut massively down the energy lost through single glazed windows. Fitting high quality thermally efficient double glazing saves money on heating during colder periods of the year as double glazing is designed to keep the warmth in as well as the cold out.
In addition, double glazing gives added security when installed in any property, as double glazed glass is a lot more difficult to break through, making the job of burglars more difficult. This is often down to toughened glass, combined with robust frames and locks.
House purchasers expect double glazed windows as a pre-requisite, not only for the above reasons, but the value and saleability they add to the property. Properties without modern energy efficient double glazing will not only have a poorer Energy Performance Certificate rating, but be less likely to sell for the full asking price, given the purchaser will have to factor in the amount of investment required to fit double glazing to make the property better insulated and secure, so if they do make an offer to buy, it is likely to be a much lower one than you would like if you have not invested in double glazing.
There is also the cost of on-going maintenance and redecoration, which is vastly reduced if double glazing is already fitted, as modern double glazed windows and doors require very little maintenance to keep them looking like new. All in all, why on earth would home owners not want energy saving double glazing that cuts heating bills down, insulates and protects the home, thereby making it a) warmer and safer, b) a better long term investment and c) consequently easier to sell in the future?
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
As we start a new decade there remains no shortage of double glazing window companies looking for your business. However, you will no doubt want to make sure you choose a double glazing manufacturer, supplier and installer that is professional and reliable. So here are a few tips and things to consider to make sure any double glazing you buy lasts more than a decade!!
In these recessionary times, quite rightly, nobody wants to pay more than they need to, so it is important you do not put yourself under financial pressure by spending more than you can afford. Consequently, it is wise to get two to three quotes from different companies, not just for a price comparison, but more importantly for value for money, service and quality reasons. Following a visit by a sales consultant, a written quotation should be provided on a no obligation basis, then left with you for you think about in your own time and space, without you being in any way pressured to sign. Don’t fall for any “but if you sign today” gimmicks.
It is important you only deal with FENSA registered companies. The FENSA scheme ensures any window and door double glazing work is compliant with building regulations, so therefore should be proven and safe. You can check online on the FENSA wesbite to ensure that each of the companies you plan to obtain quotes from are FENSA registered.
With household energy costs soaring as energy becomes a more valuable resource, the Government and environmental groups are urging us to become more energy efficient for the sake of our planet and increasing financial outlay. Modern energy saving double glazing is now essential for any property. So if you are fitting your double glazing for the very first time, or wishing to replace older less energy efficient windows, finding a reliable company to manufacture and fit your windows is more important than ever, as high quality technologically advanced products are costly!
It is therefore a good idea, when chatting over new window requirements with a double glazing company, to ask them what written guarantee they will provide you with, plus more importantly, how they will “guarantee” to deliver it, both in the short and long term. It is probably worth asking how long have they been in business? Plus find out if they can produce genuine recent (and past) testimonials from satisfied customers that you can check up on. Also, do they have a showroom so you can see what you will get before you order?
Check who is actually going to make your double glazing (and where!), does the company have its own surveyors, fabricators, installers and service engineers (and are they all qualified and experienced?), or do they just sell to you and do the fitting, and maybe sub everything else out to who will do the work cheapest?
It is worth your while dealing with experienced expert manufacturers and installers, who will want to ensure (for both their own and your sake) that they both make and fit your made to measure replacement windows and doors correctly, as they will not want to have to return to correct any installation defects that arise, any more than you will want them to!
By taking your time in selecting a reliable double glazing company, you will help ensure that the windows and doors you have installed in your property are fitted properly and offer value for money over their lifetime, as in the long term, as long as you stay for a decent period of time in your property, the cost of energy efficient replacement windows will be offset by energy and financial savings.
It is therefore important to choose a company that you are certain will be around to handle any service issues that do arise during the guarantee period, so if years later you get the odd broken handle, lock or blown double glazed sealed unit, the repairs are carried out professionally under guarantee at no cost to you. Going for short term “savings” on cheaper installations can prove costly to you later if the company you went with purely to “save money” is no longer around to give you the customer service and deliver on their “guarantee” which you will want to last a decade. So, take your time to research the double glazing companies you have requested a quote from carefully, invest wisely, taking any potential medium and long term ramifications into consideration before selecting your investment partner of choice.
CATAGORY|Retail, Windows & Doors
If you are not already, I am hoping you will soon be aware of the Government proposals to drastically revise Part L of the Building Regulations in 2010. As, if these proposals do come into effect on 1st October 2010 as the Government plans, they will affect all existing English and Welsh properties, whose owners wish to install replacement windows in the future.
In addition, property owners looking to build an extension or a new property after 1st October 2010 will have to ensure that the extension or new building is at least 25% more efficient than current new buildings have to be, which will obviously have a cost implication, although not every component of a building will have to improve by 25%, but overall it will have to, so some elements clearly are going to have to be made/built to a higher specification to deliver the substantial energy efficiency savings these proposals are looking to achieve.
Pilkington published “Bulletin 9″ in September 2009 as a “guide to help architects, specifiers and the glazing industry to understand the new proposals and how these changes affect their industries.” It would certainly be worth your while to read Pilkington’s Bulletin 9 which summarizes all the proposed Government Building Regulation Part L changes to existing/new dwellings, existing/new buildings, listed buildings, new conservatories and building in a conservation area.
If these proposed changes are adopted (which given the Government’s carbon reduction targets seems likely), the implications for homeowners, as well as commercial and public buildings are enormous, as from 1st October 2010, no property owner will be legally allowed to install windows that have do not have a British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) energy rating certificate of “C” or above.
Currently therefore, the vast majority of retail double glazing products being sold in the UK (which are band “D” or below) will become obsolete overnight, as property owners will only have until a deadline of 30th September 2010 to have completed their installation with these less energy efficient products. Many homeowners who may have started their window refurbishment programme using these double glazing products, will only have until 30th September 2010 to install “matching” windows to those they already have if these proposals go ahead as planned.
Consequently, there may well be a rush by property owners to order replacement windows in time to ensure they are supplied and fitted before the deadline. Demand in this situation would be likely to outstrip supply, so it will be worth keeping a close eye on whether or not these proposals are adopted, the decision on which will hopefully be announced by the Government by Easter 2010, giving property owners the time to order aesthetically matching identical products before the cut off point should they wish to.
Normally having “C” rated or above double glazed windows does cost more, so these Government proposals will have the effect of overnight pushing up the cost of replacement windows for everyone in the land, as the most energy saving, energy efficient windows are more expensive due to the higher specification required, so that they comply with the strict energy rating standards set by the British Fenestration Rating Council.
Although higher rated energy rated windows cost more (than less well rated ones), they do have significant environmental benefits as they reduce your carbon footprint by cutting emissions, save on your energy consumption (consequently reduce your energy bills). So, although the initial outlay may be a bit more, the long term gain offers a decent return on your investment in terms of saving money on your heating bills when you install energy efficient double glazing.
You can find out more about the current Building Regulations in England & Wales on the Pilkington website as well as on the planning portal.
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
Whether you have a single glazed window in a property or a single glazed window with secondary glazing or a modern double glazed window, or even a super duper triple glazed window, they all perform the same function of forming a barrier between the elements and the interior, in effect acting as transparent walls.
A cross section of a wall can either be a thick slab of building material or normally two walls with a cavity in between, as these double walls provide insulated protection between the interior and exterior. The air between the walls allows the outside wall to be cold while the inside surface of the wall can be at room temperature.
For example, when building a conservatory, it is important to remember that the double glazing you choose for the sides should be as energy efficient as possible, as you want it to perform the same task as double brick cavity insulated walls as far as possible. Whilst a conservatory can not be as energy efficient as a brick built extension, you will save on your heating bills by opting for Low E Argon filled sealed units with a thermal break. Yes, these cost a bit more, but you need to remember the double glazed windows and doors are acting double walls, so the higher the specification you go for, the better energy efficiency you will get.
UPVC Conservatory With Cavity Brick Dwarf Wall
If you need convincing, go into a greenhouse in winter, which you will find not warm, even if heated! Given this, why would you want to put up with single pane windows on your property, especially when you know money and energy is pumping out of them? Nowadays, builders layer walls with brick, plywood, sheetrock and studs etc., then finish the job with a layer of insulation, so why would you want the windows in your home to be any different?
In the past builders made a hole in a wall, filled it with a frame and then put in a layer of glass. Glass is no match for what the elements can throw at you. Nowadays, modern replacement double glazing does the same thing we ask of our double walls. The outer pane is dependent on the weather, whilst the inner pane depends more on what the room temperature is. The only reason the inner pane can keep warmer drier air in, is because the outer pane acts as the first line of defence.
As well as being more aethestically pleasing, and adding value and saleability to your property, today’s energy rated double glazing will also pay for itself over time if you stay in the property long enough. The money and energy saved by installing energy efficient, energy saving windows will help off-set the initial investment outlay. To ensure you get double glazing products that do save you significant money off your heating bills, make sure you install windows that have a British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) rating of “C” or above. The most efficient double glazing in the marketplace as endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust and the BFRC is either “A” rated aluminium windows or “A” rated UPVC windows, whichever you think best suits your property. If you are thinking of investing in double glazed windows, don’t settle for less than “C” rated or above, as in my opinion, BFRC “C” energy rated double glazed windows will deliver you the best possible return on your investment.
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
To assist homeowners take their own window and door measurements, Hazlemere Windows have produced a “Quick Windows & Doors Estimator” This guide, designed to enable you to take your own accurate measurements, can be downloaded from their website, and once completed, brought into Hazlemere’s High Wycombe Showroom on Cressex Business Park (which is open 7 days a week) or posted, or faxed, or even scanned and emailed.
One of Hazlemere Windows experienced expert window and door consultants will then take your measurements and come up with a no obligation “on the spot” estimate. Should you then want a firm no obligation written quotation for you to consider in your own time, they will arrange a convenient time to come and have a look at your property to ensure that the quotation is priced accurately, and that the product(s) you have chosen is right for your home, plus of cause that it will fit!
The other reason why it is important a windows and doors consultant does carry out a free survey of your property is so that they can provide you with professional advice on you what you may or may not be required to have to comply with current building regulations, such as toughened glass, sufficient trickle vents where appropriate, obscure glass and fire escape hinges in upstairs bedrooms etc.
One of the reasons why Hazlemere Windows, Doors & Conservatories came up with the customer focused “Quick Window Estimator” was to provide potential new clients who are unaware of our “No Pressure Promise” with a free home improvements estimating service without them having to the run the “risk” of having the unwanted presence of high pressure salesmen from other double glazing installers in their home, when all they are looking for is an indication of costs.
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
There has been alot of online activity from consumers to find out whether or not there is in fact a government national windows scrappage scheme. Such a financially helpful scheme would not only assist hard pressed householders, during these recessionary times, but also act as an incentive to property owners to fit the latest technologically advanced energy efficient energy saving double glazed windows, as well as be a much needed boost to double glazing installers, challenged by rising raw material costs and a mature declining market.
Two national double glazing companies currently have their own sales and marketing “discount” schemes to try and generate new sales under a “national scrappage scheme” banner. However as Renegade Conservatory Guy points out on his blog it was only a matter of time before they “created their own window scrappage scheme”, and going by some of the comments by consumers on his blog on the subject, some seem very unimpressed by such clear marketing ploys.
Sadly, there is no government windows scrappage scheme……yet, but you can join the campaign led by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) by signing up the the number 10 petition submitted by Nigel Rees of the GGF. So far 1,730 have signed the following petition, which has a closing date of 24th March 2010. “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to introduce a window scrappage scheme in the UK to improve the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock.” Sign the petition
Obviously, if a government funded national windows scrappage scheme did ever come into being, it would hopefully act as an incentive to install energy efficient energy saving “green” windows. Under the proposed GGF scheme it is hoped that householders will be encouraged to scrap their old poorly insulated windows in return for a £1,000 grant towards the installation costs of new, professionally installed, energy efficient double glazed ones. The benefits to consumers would include the £1,000 saving, a facelift for their property, lower energy bills and a reduction in their carbon footprint as a consequence of more energy efficient homes. Both the environment and Government carbon reduction targets would also benefit with the reduction of emissions from the existing housing stock.
Consequently, the Buckinghamshire based Hazlemere Window Company fully support the GGF’s call for a national window scrappage scheme, particularly after the proven success of the national car scrappage scheme, which reportedly has accounted for one in five of all new car sales over recent months!
The GGF is a recognised authority for employers and companies within the flat glass, glazing, window and home improvement industries and is a trade association for companies that make, supply or fit flat glass and related products. The GGF also provides helpful information for homeowners, professional specifiers and anyone seeking professional and unbiased information on any aspect of glass and glazing in the UK. The GGF is a promoter of energy efficient glazing and the GGF’s Carbon Calculator enables homeowners and others to see how much money and carbon can be saved by installing new energy efficient windows.
Energy efficient windows (EEWs) can make a massive difference by improving the thermal performance of the existing UK housing stock. Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of the GGF, commented recently that “Energy Efficient Windows (EEWs) have a huge role to play in improving the thermal performance of the existing housing stock”. “EEWs can reduce emissions by 10% from dwellings nationally and reduce national domestic energy expenditure by 10%.”
In a recent online press release entitled “Will the GGF proposed national scrappage scheme save our planet” the issue of dealing with PVCu waste was rightly raised, suggesting that if the proposed scheme is adopted, it is anticipated that this would trigger an upturn in demand for the latest generation of double glazed windows and doors. No doubt any upturn in sales would trigger questions about the disposal of old PVC windows and doors in an environmentally responsible way. Despite the fact that it is often said that PVC is not recyclable, this is not the case. Firms like Ecoplas recycle PVC. As the press release states “There is a range of methods already available for deriving residual value from used plastics products. In fact, PVC, like all other thermoplastic materials, can be recycled relatively straightforwardly.”
Managing Director of Ecoplas, Ian Tippett commented on the recent proposal. “Whilst I feel it is a good idea to incentivise homeowners to make energy efficient changes, it is equally as important to prevent post consumer windows and doors going to landfill. Our company specialises in this area and it is both environmentally beneficial and cost effective. At Ecoplas we have the capability to process old window frames and convert them to reusable material which can be used as a raw material in the manufacture of new building products. We are keen to expand our operations in this area and to support companies wishing to show a real commitment to deal with their post consumer waste responsibly”.
Whilst the GGF proposed window scrappage scheme will obviously not save the planet, it would, if introduced, send the right signal to consumers that the government is committed to encouraging and supporting energy efficiency, reducing the UK’s carbon emmissions and helping homeowners save energy. So, lets have a government national windows scrappage scheme please!
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
Bideford College 70 Metre Roof Light During Installation by Hazlemere Commercial
Hazlemere Commercial’s £2.2m contract to install
aluminium commercial doors, windows and curtain walling at Bideford College in Devon is on schedule for completion early in the New Year, whilst the main contractor is not due to do the final handover until the Autumn of 2010. Now the vast majority of the energy saving double glazing has been fitted, the internal works can get underway at a pace.
One major feature of this sustainability project is an aluminium sloping curtain wall 70 metre rooflight. All the commercial aluminium window and door frames on this redevelopment project have been fabricated by Hazlemere Commercial using 100% re-cycled aluminium billet. Working in conjunction with main contractors Morgan Ashurst on this £44m exciting project (funded under the Governments’s Building Schools for the Future scheme), Hazlemere Commercial’s team of experienced fitters, installed the aluminium curtain walling, commercial windows and doors to an agreed timetable.
CATAGORY|Windows & Doors
