Choosing your conservatory roof…

Last week we did a blog on the different conservatory styles available on the market. As you will have seen there are quite a few different styles to choose from and you need to be sure that you choose the right style that best suits and enhances your home. We hope that you found our blog useful and that it gave you some pointers in the right direction.

Once you have chosen the style of your new conservatory, your next big decision will be what type of roof to choose. We provide a lot of conservatories in Berkshire, Surrey and the whole of the South, and our customers are always asking for our advice on which conservatory roof will be best for them.

Below we have shared the advice we give to our customers in the hope it will help you also.

Basically there are two main types of conservatory roofs to choose from:

1. Poly-carbonate: a poly-carbonate plastic sheet is very strong, light weight and easy to install. It is also extremely weather proof and is a much more affordable option. Although it is a clear roof, it is not as transparent as standard glass would be. As a result this can limit the amount of light that it lets into your conservatory. Another disadvantage of choosing a poly-carbonate roof is that it can be noisy when raining.

2. Pilkington Active Blue Glass: this roof is great at slowing down the amount of solar gain that gets into your conservatory. Solar gain is the amount of heat that is let in, which means that by choosing this type of roof you will keep your conservatory at the perfect temperature all year round; so cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This roof has a blue tint to it – and it is this tint which slows down the heat getting in. Another great feature of the Pilkington Active Blue Glass is that it has self cleaning glass. The glass has a coating which means that when it rains it conveniently washes away any dirt, leaving it nice and clean once again.

The roof that you choose will depend on a multitude of factors such as your budget, how easy maintenance you want it to be, where your home is etc… Be sure to consider your options carefully as a new conservatory is an addition to your home which you will want to enjoy for many years to come.

At Jewel Windows, we provide windows, doors and conservatories in Surrey, Berkshire and the whole of the South. So if you need any advice or are looking for a quote please feel free to contact us. Go to www.jewelwindows.co.uk for more information.

How secure are your windows and doors?

At Jewel Windows, we understand how important it is for you and your family to feel safe and secure in your home. You want your windows and doors to be as secure as possible to keep unwelcome visitors out and to give you complete peace of mind. That is why we advise that when looking for new windows and doors make security your number one priority!

Obviously windows and doors are a popular point of entry for burglars, whether they break the glass or your window or door simply has not been shut or locked properly, it can sometimes leave your home vulnerable. Whether looking for quality windows and doors company in Woking, Guildford or London, at Jewel Windows we cover the whole of the South and guarantee our customers the highest standards of security available on the market. That is because we are part of a scheme called ‘Secured by Design.’

This scheme has been set up by The Association of Chief Police Officers to focus on crime prevention for homes and commercial premises and has security standards for a vast range of products, including windows and doors. The objective is to reduce burglary and crime in the UK and we are proud to part of such a great scheme. Be sure to ask your window company if they too are part of this scheme and if they have had a certificate issued by The Association of Chief Police Officers to state that their windows and doors have undergone sufficient testing to prove that they will withstand a burglary attempt. This will ensure that you are getting the most advanced locking systems available and the highest level of security possible!

Another point to remember if replacing windows is to install ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 Windows of Enhanced Security. You could also consider using laminated glass for windows that are in vulnerable areas such as on the ground floor and accessible windows such as those above a flat roof. The benefits of laminated glass is that it holds together when someone attempts to break in or if it shatters.

Small windows and sky lights are often easily forgotten when it comes to security, so ensure you remember to put locks on these also as if a burglar can get their head through, with a little bit of effort their body can follow.

We hope you find this useful and that it helps you to make the best choice when choosing your quality windows and doors company in Guildford, Woking, London or wherever it may be. If you are in the South please feel free to contact us at Jewel Windows for a quote by emailing info@jewelwindows.co.uk.

Bi-folding doors – all you need to know!

Bi-folding doors are extremely popular at the moment. For those of you that don’t know bi-folding doors are folding doors that can open up an entire wall of your home, giving you an "inside outside" option, and turning your garden into another room. Bi-folding doors also allow light to flood in, opening up the space between your garden and your home.

Bi-folding doors are extremely popular at the moment and they have lots of great benefits which explain why they are in such demand.

Benefits of bi-folding doors:-

• Unique living environment: Bi-folding doors will allow you to create a unique living environment that compliments and enhances your home and are available in both uPVC and aluminium.

• Let light flood into your home: Bi-folding doors allow natural light to flood into your home whether completely open, partially open or fully closed, which will really help to brighten up your home.

• Low maintenance and durable: They are virtually maintenance free, need no painting and will not warp or shrink. They are also weather rated and thermally efficient.

• Added value to your home: The majority of homeowners are choosing to stay put in today’s economic environment, many are looking for ways to improve and add value to their home. By adding bi-folding doors you will make your home much more accessible to the garden, which could totally revamp the way you use it.

• Security: Bi-folding doors have an extremely advanced security locking system to give you total piece of mind. Being a quality windows and doors company in Surrey, we offer the highest standards in locking systems.

• Flexibility: Bi-folding doors have a fantastic flexible design that allows them to be fully opened, partially opened or fully closed and can provide a seamless connection between your internal and external living spaces. Their ability to fold both outwards or inwards also makes them perfect for opening up smaller living spaces and for connecting your home with the garden.

• Wide range of designs: Due to advances in technology there are now all many different design options you can choose from. This includes a large range of colours, with finishes in metallic or even a wood effect. With so many options you are sure to find the perfect bi-folding doors to enhance your home.

At Jewel Windows, we are a quality windows and doors company in Berkshire and we supply and fit bi-folding doors throughout the South. Contact us for a free quote today. Go to www.jewelwindows.co.uk for more information.