The specification of all sealed units installed by Hazlemere Window Company Ltd in High Wycombe includes Planitherm Total+, a high very high quality glass coating that improves the performance of double glazed and triple glazed sealed units. As their website explains “Planitherm is a new generation of energy saving window glass and the most energy efficient available. Its advanced coating technology reflects radiated heat back into the room, rather than allowing it to escape through the windows. At the same time, Planitherm allows free heat and light from the sun to pass through the glass.”

The result of this technology is lighter, brighter, warmer and more energy efficient homes, which according to Planitherm themselves “is 3 times more efficient than single glazed units and at least 25% more efficient than most currently installed double glazing. Planitherm glass uses advanced coating technology to capture free energy from natural daylight called solar gain to help heat UK properties. The advanced coating reflects heat back into the room, meaning less energy is needed to heat any property fitted with thermally efficient glazing such as Planitherm to the desired temperature.”

“Planitherm helps fenestration system achieve their optimum energy ratings as the product combines with virtually any window frame to achieve a Window Energy Rating (WER) of C and its unique properties mean an “A” rating is easier to achieve. Planitherm maximises the amount of natural light into the home, without the haze or tint effects associated with some older double glazed windows. Planitherm helps to virtually eliminate internal condensation and reduce draughts and cold spots in and around windows.”

It is not just the glass that makes a double glazed or triple glazed window or door energy efficient, it is the quality of the energy rated window system, warm edge spacer bar, gaskets and standard of installation. The important thing for UK property owners is to get the best possible combination of system, glazing and fitting, as this is what really helps home owners save energy and therefore reduce heating bills.

A Corner Section of a 70mm Wide Triple Glazed UPVC Window System With 36mm Sealed Unit

Top quality UPVC triple glazing, with a U-value of 1.0 W/m²k, is around 40% more thermally efficient that standard “A”-rated double glazing and 60% more thermally efficient than standard “C”-rated double glazing. This is a great benefit to UK home owners bearing in mind that between 2003-2009 gas prices (i.e. heating bills) rose by an average of 14% each year. Unfortunately, this trend does not look likely to reverse, or even slow down, despite the recent slight reduction by the big 6 energy companies of electricity prices by around 5%.

Going forward, future Building Regulations (which currently dictate a minimum 1.6 W/m²k U-value) are likely to call for windows used in new build homes and replacement windows to have a U-value of 1.4 W/m²k by 2013, and 1.2 W/m²k by 2016 to reduce carbon emissions from the UK housing stock. By investing in high quality UPVC triple glazing, with a U-value of 1.0 W/m²k or better, UK home owners are essentially future-proofing their home.

Triple glazing supplied and installed by Hazlemere Windows is all but identical to their “A”-rated double glazing with the main difference being the internal bead, so aesthetically there is little or no difference. The internal bead has been specially developed to enable a wider 36mm unit to be fitted into a standard 70mm profile. By using a 36mm triple glazed sealed unit, as opposed to the 44mm sealed units of other fabricators, Wakefield based UPVC manufacturers Conservatory Outlet has been able to develop a subtle bead that blends in with the overall aesthetics of the window and retains its concave form (sloping in towards the sealed unit). When a 44mm sealed unit is used in a standard 70mm profile, the internal bead often has to protrude from the frame of the sash, or “overhang” to allow for this much wider sealed unit. This can look rather clumsy and compromise aesthetics in my opinion.

Triple glazing is genuinely worth the added investment for 5 main reasons. Firstly, triple glazing is approximately 40% more thermally efficient than “A”-rated UPVC double glazing so the savings are going to be far higher, potentially in the region of £10,000 and 30 tonnes of carbon over the next 20 years. Secondly, “more comfortable” triple glazed windows and doors will further reduce draughts and cold spots in a room that currently has less thermally efficient windows and doors. For instance, research has shown that if it’s -5°c outside, and 21°c inside a home, the surface temperature of the inside pane of the triple glazed windows will be no less than 18°c. With single glazed windows the inside pane would register at a mere 1°c and standard double glazed windows would reach no higher than 11°c.

Thirdly, triple glazed windows and doors can reduce the impact of exterior noise. They do reduce noise and are not sound proof, but the extra pane of glass, being of a different make up to the two external panes, does help toward acoustic insulation. Fourthly, triple glazed windows and doors could save each UK home owner over £10,000 during the next 2 decades, which is not inconsiderable when the rising costs of fuel are taken into consideration. In many cases these savings could even offset the cost of having triple glazing installed in a home (over the recommended lifetime of the product).

Fifthly, a 3rd pane of glass, by definition, makes a triple glazed sealed unit much harder to break than a double glazed sealed unit – especially when the middle pane is made of toughened glass. What’s more, all Hazlemere’s “A”-rated UPVC triple glazed windows are internally beaded and the glass unit can only be removed from the frame by a person who is inside the premises.

Despite having a pub layout, it is quite small and has no room for pre-dinner or post-dinner drinks. In fact the management warn patrons in advance they will not be able to arrive early for their table as there is no where for them to stand, let alone sit. For those on the first sitting (be it for luncheon or dinner) are also told in advance that their table will need to be vacated at the very latest by either 2.15pm or 8.30pm depending on whether you have booked for lunch or an evening meal. Such is the demand for tables, that customers are willing to put up with the “house rules”.

There is a decent sized car park adjacent to the Hand and Flowers, situated at 126 West Street, Marlow on the Medmenham/Henley Road on the right hand side as one drives away from the centre of Marlow. Space inside the hand and Flowers is cosy and certainly is not somewhere to take children, not just because of the lack of space, but also the price tag. The Hand and Flowers is not somewhere you would go for a regular meal out, as a three course meal without any drinks is going to cost you between £40 and £60 a head, depending on what you choose from the A La Carte meal. In the evenings there appears to be no set menu, so a couple should expect to pay £120 if they want a bottle of house wine to wash down their meal.

Having said all the above the quality of every course was exceptional (as you would you expect), and the service top notch, even if a dozen hand cut Hand and Flowers chips do cost £4.00 (but are very tasty!). In terms of value for money the food was magnificent, and for a special occasion very much worth the trip and investment. It is certainly a very different dining experience and one can see why the Marlow restaurant (as it is not a pub, but a restaurant) is so sort after. I will be returning to the Hand and Flowers but next time I am going to let someone else pay!

Aluminium Windows

If your current windows are looking past their best then it may make financial sense to get them replaced with aluminium windows. Old draughty windows can contribute massively to heat loss within your home, creating huge energy bills in the process.  Not only are aluminium windows incredibly energy efficient, they are also very durable and strong ensuring that they will last well into the length of your stay within the property.

Aluminium Doors

If you are worried that your current external doors are not up to scratch then replacement aluminium doors offer the prefect alternative.  Available in numerous colours you can really smarten up the appearance of your property creating a huge amount of curb appeal.  Again strength and durability are the main advantages for choosing aluminium which is what you need if you are looking to improve security.

Aluminium Conservatories

If space is at a premium within your home, then an aluminium conservatory may be just the thing you need to give you a little extra room.  There are so many ways in which you can utilise your new conservatory, whether you are looking for a new play room or the children or a space to sit and relax the possibilities really are limitless. Again they are available in numerous designs and colours so you can get them to match your brand new windows and doors.

Conservatories in Oxford, conservatories in Aylesbury and conservatories in Reading can transform an ordinary looking home into an extraordinary property. Without it your home may fail to arouse the attention of tenants, however with a conservatory you could be inundated with a deluge of viewing requests from people.

The modern tenant expects the best, not second best. Therefore it is your responsibility to ensure that your property provides everything they need and more, such as a conservatory. The extra space it gives them will come in extremely handy especially if they want to invite their friends and family round on a regular basis. The warm atmosphere created inside a conservatory is impossible to resist.

Filled with natural light it will undoubtedly become the key feature of your home and will be enough to capture the imagination of everyone who lays their eyes on it. It can’t fail to put a smile on your face.

If at some point in the future the housing market does pick up and you’re more inclined to sell the property rather than rent it, then you can expect to attract a higher seller’s price than you would previous to the extension being installed. This gives you even further incentive to make the purchase of a conservatory a genuine consideration.

Exploit the rental market or sell for a profit with a conservatory.

Aluminium conservatories share many of the same qualities that UPVC provides with some added extras on top. Aluminium is one of the most durable and strong materials in existence so is ideally suited to conservatories as you can rely on it to stay strong in the face of harsh conditions. This means that it will provide you with value for money and offer guaranteed longevity.

It also promises you energy efficiency as it will utilise warm air from the outdoors and transfer it inside so that you never have to over-rely on your heating. The cost of heating a conservatory will never become too much of a financial burden for you to bear and you are guaranteed a warm and comfy atmosphere at all times of the year.

Once you begin to realise the potential of aluminium it makes sense to look into other aluminium-related products such as our aluminium windows and aluminium doors. The beauty of aluminium can be retained without you needing to get your hands dirty as it is maintenance-free and isn’t susceptible to the weaknesses evident in traditional timber such as rotting, warping etc.

We back up our confidence in aluminium by providing you with a 10 year guarantee on all products created using this most unique of materials. New to aluminium? Familiarise yourself by visiting our High Wycombe showroom today.

Energy Rated, Energy Saving Replacement UPVC Windows Are An Important Investment In Any UK Property

From a long term financial standpoint alone, reducing spending on ever increasing heating bills and ongoing decorating are real economic benefits delivered from having double glazing installed. Studies have found that approximately 25% of heat generated (and in summer air conditioning) can be lost through old, leaky single glazed wooden, crittall or metal windows. Double glazed windows dramatically increases any property’s insulation. When ecological considerations are taken into account, fitting double glazed windows are a no brainer, as not only do they save money on electricity and gas bills, but nowadays they also can be re-cycled at the end of their lifetime, so are consequently extremely environmentally friendly.

It is a fact that UPVC windows are the best selling replacement windows in the UK, mainly as they offer highly efficient performance and great insulation. UPVC window and door frames do not rust or corrode, nor need constant maintenance like hardwood window frames. Like UPVC window frames, powder coated aluminium framed windows and doors will not rot, are extremely strong and do not fade.

Durable and robust, high quality “A” rated UPVC profiles are ideal for the weather conditions here in the UK, so perfect for replacement windows and new build property projects. All the “A” rated UPVC windows supplied and fitted by Hazlemere Windows also have low E argon filled softcoat thermally efficient sealed units, plus “easy clean” fire escape are fitted as standard, all opening vents have a lockable night vent facility, plus all double glazed aluminium and UPVC windows and doors are fully guaranteed for ten years, and there is no call out charge during the warranty period.

If any sign of rotting and general wear and tear is evident in your windows and doors then you need to get them replaced and the sooner the better! With a wide variety of windows and doors now on offer from installers up and down the country you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a replacement.

A particular and growing favourite amongst many homeowners are aluminium doors and aluminium windows as they have a great strength to weight ratio. They are also specifically built to see off even the harshest of weather conditions, with no slight becoming evident on their original appeal. This means that you get guaranteed value for money as maintenance comes at very little cost.

Aluminium also has advantages as it comes in a wide choice of colours, styles and designs, making it easy for you to find a window to suit the existing appearance of your property. Because of the thickness of aluminium it can also help cut the amount of outdoor noise that manages to creep into your private living space, hence why aluminium conservatories have also risen to prominence.

Other problems such as condensation will also be eliminated once you replace traditional timber for aluminium and the cost of your energy bills will be a fraction of what they once were.

Make aluminium your home improvement material of choice and you will forever be grateful.

Sapa Crown aluminium sliding patio doors are the more technologically advanced version of double glazed Sapa Monarch Monaframe patio doors that have been serving the UK marketplace for more than two decades. The energy rated Crown aluminium patio door has much thinner sight lines that it’s Monaframe predecessor. In addition this high quality aluminium double glazed product has the major advantage of a thermal break, helping to return a maximum combined U-value of 1.8 W/m2K making them highly energy efficient, and therefore excellent replacement doors for saving energy. The latest slimmer aluminium double glazed design is much less pronounced, yet has a strong outer frame, which enables a property to benefit from more glass, more light and more solar gain.

High Wycombe based independent double glazing manufacturers Hazlemere Window Company fabricate and install the Sapa Crown Sliding Patio Door, which are superb products for bringing together the inside of any UK home with the outside. Engineered for strength and stability, these wide opening doors with their robust, yet slim aluminium frame design allow property owners to enjoy the best views possible, whilst allowing in the maximum amount of light. These aluminium double glazed doors have been designed with a multipoint lock system and additional security features, making them an excellent secure barrier to any would be intruders.

Sapa Crown aluminium sliding patio doors can be manufactured and installed in 2, 3 or 4 double glazed sections (i.e. panes). The two double glazed section version has one fixed pane and one sliding. The three double glazed section version has two side fixed panes with the middle pane sliding, whilst the four double glazed section version has two end fixed panes and two central outwardly sliding panes, opening up the centre of any room for maximum ventilation, access and egress. To find out more about energy rated slim aluminium double glazed patio doors, click here