1. Remember nothing is “free”
Nothing is free, so whatever the inducement be it “free” installation, no VAT (which of course legally has to be paid by the company you buy from if they are VAT registered), even scrappage schemes, they all might sound good but they all have to be paid for, so will therefore be built into the price of the windows or the “extras”. Ensure you compare a like for like final fitted price.
2. Negotiate
Whether it is on price, or on specification, negotiate to get the best product within your budget, it is always worth trying to explore the options to ensure you are comfortable with the investment decision you come to.
3. Trade windows and doors
If you don’t mind taking a risk, there is a real saving from buying from trade counters and getting a builder to install your windows. However, if anything does go wrong, it is likely to be the fitting, so if you prefer peace of mind then “supply only” is not the way to go, as you should get a far better and longer guarantee on both the product and installation, if you have your windows supplied and fitted by a manufacturer.
4. Be wise about energy savings
You don’t have to get the most expensive windows to get a decent return on your investment, energy savings wise, which is why I personally always recommend buying band “C” energy rated windows. According to Pilkington Glass the money you will save on energy, by buying “A” rated windows rather than “C” rated, is around £600 over 20 years, depending on the size and type of property you have. It is likely your initial outlay to buy “A” rather than “C” rated windows will be greater than £600 anyway, so unless you are happy paying the extra to reduce carbon emmissons (as whilst “C” and “B” are highly thermally efficient, “A” rated windows is obviously the best in that regard), then “C” is currently your better financial option.
5. Conservatories
If you are prepared to do your own groundworks, or know a good trustworthy local builder it may be cheaper to either, do the base yourself, or get a builder who will offer you a guarantee to do the foundations, concrete floor and any dwarf brick walls. If you do go down this route, ensure the base and walls are built exactly to the conservatory manufacturer’s drawings and specifications, as it will end up costing you a packet if they are not, so again weigh up if you are prepared to take the risk or pay a premium to deal with one well established double glazing supplier and installer who offer you the peace of mind you will get by ensuring you get a high quality long lasting product and a decent guarantee that actually means something.
6. Be very wary of cheap windows
Avoid cheap windows, look at the window company, ask yourself how long have they been around and if you are 100% certain they will be around to correct any manufacturing defects or problems with the fitting. It is always a false economy to buy cheap, instead go for a high quality product at the best price you can.
7. Get it right first time
Changing your windows is costly, potentially slightly disruptive and can be time consuming if anything goes wrong, so make sure you get the design and style right first time to avoid changing it in a few years or having problems selling your home if you opt for a frame colour or look that does not suit the house/road. If you are staying in the property for some time it make be worth investing in energy efficient windows or acoustic glass if you live next to a noisy road, railway, school or airport.
8. Bargain, bargain, bargain
This may seem obvious, but I am afraid if you don’t ask (i.e. the right questions, in the right way) you often will not save as much as you could.
9. Buy at the best time of year
If you can wait for new windows, doors, or even a conservatory, the best time to buy is usually around the beginning of December, as this is the quietest time for most UK double glazing companies.
10. Be wary of representatives who put you under pressure
Most national double glazing companies build in massive discounts (and margins!) into their prices to help them afford to advertise and market nationally, whilst paying huge commissions to their commission only sales forces. It is likely the representative you first see will be under pressure to get you to sign before leaving your home. If you do manage to avoid signing on the dotted line expect a call from the sales manager, who normally is also on commission, who may well offer you part of the reps commission to “encourage” you to order.
It is better for you to look for an established local firm with a good name who a) do not use sub-contractors, b) do not build in discounts, and c) whose first price will often be a genuine quote, with anything you can negotiate off, coming out of their smaller margins. Remember, whilst there is always a deal to be done, it does not always have to be on price, it can be on specification.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
Aluminium P Shape Conservatory Built By Hazlemere in 2010
I don’t know about you, but whatever the product is that a company is promoting or selling, I am always wary about testimonials from “satisfied customers”. Some testimonials one reads about or sees on the TV seem to me to be too good to be true, or too perfect. Maybe it is just me, but I am always sceptical about certain “claims” of some companies about their products.
So why should you believe anything I say about Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories? All I can do is give you my word that I have personally been to all thirty-two of the installations featured on the customer testimonials page on the Hazlemere Window Company’s website, the proof being that it was in fact myself that took the 62 different photos over the last two years of the double glazing products that we supplied and fitted. In addition, each satisfied customer featured has kindly signed a release to allow us to use the images I took, and provided Hazlemere Windows with the written testimonials you see alongside each particular installation. If you would like to pop along to our 4,000 square foot High Wycombe showroom in Buckinghamshire, I would be delighted to show them to you if you would like to see them for yourself.
If you still don’t believe me, you can always ask the customers themselves, or other customers you know have had aluminium or UPVC windows, doors or a conservatory supplied and fitted by Hazlemere. I am proud and delighted that every one of the twenty-nine installations featured on our website is a) genuine and, b) by a satisfied Hazlemere customer, pleased enough with both our products and service to recommend us to others. View and read what 32 different customers think about Hazlemere Window Company
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
With more than 20,000 satisfied customers over the last 25 years, Hazlemere Window Company must be doing something right! It certainly helps that they are independent double glazing manufacturers, supplies and installers of bespoke high quality replacement aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling, with a reputation for hard wearing durable good looking products.
Some of Hazlemere Windows Staff Outside their High Wycombe Cressex Showroom
Another reason why customers choose Hazlemere Windows is their 4,000 square feet home improvement showrooms within their 56,000 square feet premises on Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe, Bucks. Clients can not only see the products they will have installed before they order them, but have the reassurance of being able to compare what they do get to what they chose. All Hazlemere window, door and conservatory customers also benefit from their fully comprehensive ten year product and installation guarantee.
Hazlemere Windows were established in 1985, so have 25 years of experience and expertise, supplying and fitting UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories, as well as UPVC cladding, guttering, fascias and soffits. The Hazlemere Group also supplies and fits made to measure commercial and domestic blinds, garage doors, flyscreens, plus manual and remote control awnings and canopies. The Hazlemere Group is family owned and run, and is now a major employer in the region, employing designers, consultants, surveyors, fabricators, installers and service engineers. View some recent customer testimonials
Its product range includes french doors, sliding patio doors, front and back doors, composite doors, commercial doors, UPVC doors, aluminium doors, replacement double glazing, UPVC conservatories, aluminium conservatories, vertical sliding sash windows, horizontal sliding sash windows, box sash replacement windows, bi-folding aluminium sliding doors, aluminium casement windows and UPVC windows.
Hazlemere Garage Doors supplies and installs quality bespoke electronic remote control and manual GRP garage doors, steel garage doors, wooden garage doors, ABS Garage doors, up and over garage doors, side hinged garage doors, roller shutter garage doors and insulated sectional garage doors.
Hazlemere Windows offers free professional home improvement help and advice, no obligation quotations and a free initial site survey. You can contact them on FREEPHONE 0500 011561 or by email info@hazlemere.co.uk or visit their website www.hazlemere.co.uk
Their head Office, factory and showroom (which is open seven days a week) is located on Wellington Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3PR OPENING HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm; Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 10am-1pm
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
This week finally saw the publication by the UK Government of the new Building Regulations for existing and new dwellings. I downloaded the online version of L1B “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings” as these major changes come into effect now for all property owners in England and Wales who will be installing windows and doors from 1st October 2010. The main purpose of these far more onerous requirements is to legally obligate UK home owners to fit high performance energy efficient energy saving windows and doors if on or after 1st October 2010 they a) replace existing any windows/doors, b) have an extension or c) build a new premises. There is currently no obligation to replace existing windows, even if old highly inefficient single glazed rotten windows, although who is to say that the incoming Government will not introduce a requirement for property owners to install energy rated double glazed windows in order to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, cutting energy consumption and heating bills.
Having had a brief look at the approved documents L1B on conservation of fuel and power, the big change as far as replacement windows and doors is concerned is that any windows installed on or after 1st October 2010 must now have a Window Energy Rating (WER) of at least band C (currently E) or a combined U Value of 1.6 W/m2K, and doors a combined U Value of a maximum of 1.8 W/m2K. There appears to be a (yet to be fully explained) exception where replacement windows can not meet above for appearance or building character reasons, where a centre page U Value of 1.2 W/m2K may be accepted. The exemption applies only where the energy efficiency requirements would “unacceptably alter the character or appearance” of existing dwellings. However, I suspect this will literally be the exception, rather than the rule!
Another requirement of L1B for existing dwellings is that insulated cavity closers should be fitted by installers where appropriate. Other things that are of note include the fact that whilst the Window Energy Rating method of compliance is now established as shown in both the HM Government L1B and L2B approved documents for new and existing dwellings there is an additional U value method added to L1B as requested by the double glazing industry. However this has been set at 1.6 W/m2K which is extremely stringent given that most A rated windows are at this level.
At one time it was proposed that conservatories less than 30m2 be included in this revision of the building regulations, but thankfully for anyone looking to build a conservatory next few years it looks like common sense has prevailed and conservatories under 30m2 still keep their exemption, conditional on all the existing external windows, doors and walls being retained or replaced, plus the property’s existing heating system not being extended into the conservatory.
Fortunately, Buckinghamshire based Energy Saving Trust members, Hazlemere Window Company has been manufacturing, supplying and fitting “A” rated aluminium windows since they became the first UK double glazing company to design and install a dualframe “A” rated aluminium window back in 2007. Since then Hazlemere have been supplying and installing both UPVC and aluminium A rated, B rated and C rated double glazed windows – all of which have been certified, tested and approved by the British Fenestration Rating Council who issue the Window Energy Ratings (WER’s). These energy saving, thermally efficient products have also been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. Download a Factsheet about the 2010 changes to Part L of the Building Regulations explaining how these affect you and your property now
If you would like free expert help and advice regarding the implications for your particular property of the higher energy performance standards required by any fenestration products you need to install in your property (be they replacement double glazed windows and doors or windows and doors for an extension/new build) on or after 1st October 2010, why not Freephone one of Hazlemere Windows and Doors experienced consultants on 08000 825825
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
“Tackling climate change is one of the biggest long-term challenges we face. That is why on this occasion we need the building industry to comply with the new regulations much more rapidly than normal. These new regulations, combined with those in 2002, deliver a 40% increase in energy efficiency standards in just four years, and cut householders’ fuel bills too” – Yvette Cooper, Housing and Planning Minister, 22nd February 2006.
Hazlemere Windows has been supportive of Part L since its inception in April 2002. We also acknowledge the escalating issue of global climate change, and in particular, the need for us all to reduce our carbon footprint in the UK.
Although Part L has been mandatory for over eight years now, we are constantly asked from customers and clients about the key elements of Part L and how it affects their commercial or domestic property. With this in mind, we wanted to give a brief but highly essential introduction to Part L.
When did Part L come into effect?
Part L came into effect under the Building Regulations on the 1st April 2002, and is only applicable to residents in England and Wales. Part L concerns ‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’ and was delivered on the 6th April 2006 to ensure compliance with the legal obligations set out in the European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPBD is a new performance standard based upon target carbon dioxide emissions rates for buildings.
How does Part L affect your home or business?
If your business carries out electrical installation work in England and Wales, you will need to be coherent with the elements of Part L, as well as being reliable and efficient to guarantee your work complies with these strict requirements. It is also likely that you’ll be inspected by the Local Authority’s Building Control (LABC).
The other option you have is to self-certify your work. In order to do this you must be a member of a government approved self-certification scheme. The self-certification schemes have now been widened throughout England and Wales for Part L, with more scheme operators approved to assist with the rising applications. If you are a member of a Government approved competent person’s scheme, the LABC is obliged to accept your self-certification.
What should you do guarantee your property is Part L compliant?
There are a number of guidelines within each Approved Document (L1A, L1B, L2A, L2B), which will need to be considered, depending on the type of work you are carrying out and the building within which you are working. There are four clear Part L sections your business needs to adhere to. Although the requirements are fairly prevalent, the guidance provided in Approved Document L are dissimilar for each section:
1) L1A – Conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings.
2) L1B – Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings.
3) L2A – Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings.
4) L2B – Conservation of fuel and power in existing buildings other dwellings.
In what instances would your business be exempt from Part L?
– If work has started before 6th April 2006 in accordance with a building notice, full plans, initial notice or amendment notice.
– Full plans are not required to be deposited; a contract is entered into before 6th April 2006, provided that the work is started before 1st October 2006.
– Full plans have been deposited and approved before 6th April 2006, provided that work is started before 1st April 2007.
– A plans certificate or plans certificate combined with an initial notice has been given to a local authority before 6th April 2006, provided that the work is started before 1st April 2007.
Hazlemere Windows would be happy to discuss Part L with you in more detail, or how your property can benefit from replacement windows, doors and conservatories.
Download a two page PDF explaining how the changes to Part L of the Building Regulations coming into effect on 1st October 2010 may affect decisions you are making about your property now.
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Windows & Doors
Independent Buckinghamshire based double glazing manufacturers, suppliers and installers, Hazlemere Windows, have more than tripled the amount of factory and office space they own in Wellington Road, on Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe.
The Hazlemere Group have achieved this substantial expansion and growth by purchasing the next door premises to their existing 18,000 square feet freehold head offices, showroom and factory site. Having already been in business in South Bucks for over 25 years, Hazlemere Window Company Ltd have built up a highly successful home improvement company by manufacturing bespoke aluminium windows, doors and conservatories (and blinds), as well as supplying and fitting UPVC windows, doors and conservatories, cladding, guttering, fascias and soffits, made-to-measure garage doors and conservatory blinds.
Hazlemere's NEW Factory Windows and Doors Refurbishment Nearing Completion
Having acquired the adjacent industrial space in January 2010, the Hazlemere Group subsequently refurbished large sections of the rather run down premises, right next door to their existing well established base. The substantial investments in this new premises included the replacement of all the existing single glazed metal framed windows and doors, with energy saving, energy efficient
aluminium commercial windows, doors and curtain walling.
These new Wellington Road premises in High Wycombe have had new toilets, flooring, walls, ceilings, heating, lighting and electrical cabling added, under a massive upgrade of the 38,000 buildings, which were in a rather poor condition after years of lack of investment. Hazlemere Commercial Windows and Doors intend to use these new industrial premises to undertake the bulk of its manufacturing going forward, which will make there products and service more efficient, more productive and even more competitive.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Home Improvements, Windows & Doors
Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories 4,000 sq. ft. High Wycombe Cressex Showroom
As part of their 25th Anniversary Celebrations, Hazlemere Window Company are inviting home owners to a “Bucks Fizz, Champagne, Cheese & Wine Offer Open Weekend” on Saturday 8th (10am – 4pm) and Sunday 9th May (10am – 1pm) 2010.
This special weekend is an opportunity to enjoy a glass of chilled Bucks Fizz, champagne, soft drink or a freshly made cup of real coffee. This event is being held at Hazlemere’s 4,000 square foot High Wycombe Showroom in Wellington Road on Cressex Business Park. Visitors during this open weekend will be able to take advantage of Hazlemere’s genuine special offers.
Anyone is welcome to bring their own window, door, awning, blinds, canopy or garage door measurements for an “on-the-spot” estimate. Alternatively, they can download the Hazlemere Quick Window Estimator, fill in their requirements and take them during opening hours to the experts in Hazlemere’s High Wycombe Showroom. The professional assistance provided on a no obligation basis by Hazemere’s experienced home improvement experts helps householders plan and budget for necessary improvements.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Windows & Doors
70m Bideford College Sloping Curtain Wall Installed By Hazlemere Commercial
Hazlemere Commercial completed the design, manufacture and supply of a seventy metre long sloping aluminium double glazed curtain wall window roof light at Bideford College in March 2010. This impressive glazing feature is part of this sustainability project built by main contractors Morgan Ashurst, who approached
Hazlemere Commercial windows and doors in High Wycombe to design, fabricate and install all the windows, doors and curtain walling in a £44m redevelopment of Bideford College on the existing site of the college in Bideford, North Devon.
All the window frames were made using 100% recycled aluminium billet, and were fitted with solar control glass. The 70m sloping curtain wall was made in Hazlemere Commercial’s factory in High Wycombe, Bucks, before being installed by Hazlemere’s expert team of experienced fitters at Bideford College in Devon.
CATAGORY|Windows & Doors
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Reveal Fixed Secondary Sliding Window Example
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Horizontal Sliding Secondary Window
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Vertical Sliding Secondary Window Example
When looking to improve the existing windows your property, your preference in my opinion should always be high quality energy rated energy efficient UPVC or aluminium replacement double glazed windows, as these are not only better looking aesthetically than secondary glazed windows, they add more residual value, given they are more thermally efficient than single glazed windows that have been retro fitted with secondary glazing.
Consequently, my first choice would always be modern energy rated replacement double glazed windows, as their performance if “C”, “B” or “A” rated can not be matched by existing windows that can not achieve one of these energy ratings awarded following testing by the British Fenestration Rating Council, then endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. If however, circumstances dictate that your local authority planning department will only allow you to replace the existing windows in your property with like for like windows (i.e. single glazed wooden sash or crittal windows) because it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, or in a conservation area or it is a listed building, then secondary glazed windows are an essential option which will enable you to reduce heat loss and cut down on external noise.
So although double glazing or even triple glazing is preferred for sight lines alone, secondary glazing is a good second choice when external double glazing is not “allowed” as your first choice because of the current UK planning restrictions. Secondary glazing to match your existing window configurations as far as possible is nowadays available, as has been designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Consequently, Bucks based Hazlemere Window Company supply and fit secondary glazed window systems that are horizontal sliding, vertical sliding, side hinged, lift out, fixed, butt hinged, clip in, clip out or combination units (i.e. side hinged and lift out secondary glazed window systems). Also available is a heavy duty double glazed secondary glazed window system, where noise and/or heat loss is a particular problem and added insulation for a particular property is needed. Find out more about the benefits and types of secondary glazing
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
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
