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It would be an obvious point to make that having new uPVC doors and uPVC windows fitted would provide several benefits to your house as a whole. The addition of these new features would undoubtedly increase the value of your home and the good news is that they do not have to detract from the external styling of the property either. In fact, by adding something like a porch, conservatory or orangery you not only compliment the building but also add more room and in many cases a touch of elegance to your house.

Energy efficiency is also another good reason for having new uPVC windows or uPVC doors fitted. This measure helps to save the environment by reducing your carbon footprint but it can also save money in your pocket by reducing energy bills.

The one overriding feature that I believe is the most significant point to take into consideration, though, is the added security features that modern uPVC doors or uPVC windows have to offer.  Not only do you benefit from the most modern and sturdy of materials but the equipment is likely to be fitted with good locks and bolts and even something as seemingly insignificant as internal beading can prove to be a useful addition to security.

Here we will look at some of the more significant features that modern uPVC doors and uPVC windows have to offer.

Internal Beading
At the end of the day a double glazed window is not designed to survive a sustained attack. After all, the emergency services need to gain quick access into your home if need be, but the idea of having modern windows fitted would be to deter the opportunist thief.  Older double glazed windows had the beading fitted on the outside of the glass, meaning that a potential burglar could pop out the plastic seal around the frame with a screwdriver and literally remove the entire unit.

Nowadays internal beading is fitted pretty much as standard which takes away this option.  If somebody wanted to break into your house with modern uPVC windows fitted they would literally have to smash the glass thus creating a lot of noise and bringing the attention of the neighbours to the fact that something was wrong.

Fire Safety
Having new uPVC windows fitted opens up the opportunity to make the house safer in the incidence of fire as well as improving the security of the property.  If you use a company that offers a bespoke design service you can make sure that they run through all the features and benefits of fitting windows within certain areas of the property that would allow for a quick escape during the rare instance of a fire in the home.  By having new windows fitted you are not only benefiting from all the points above, but it could also be the difference between life and death for you and your family.

Modern Locks and Bolts
Older doors in particular only have one lock that clicks into the frame at the middle of the door, making it easier for an intruder to force his way into the property.  The newest doors however have things such as multiple locking points, barrel locks with an anti drill design and anti-lift pins and hinge protectors, literally designed to prevent a would be burglar from lifting doors (especially in the case of an older conservatory or sliding patio door) right off their hinges.  These many added security features of modern uPVC windows and uPVC doors have evolved over the last 20-30 years of trial and error.

A process of developing technologies that would beat the ever increasing ingenuity of the burglar has led to the development of ever more secure locks and bolts to be added.  A burglar tends to be opportunistic and will deliberately seek out a soft target.  The best way to send out a message to them is to have new windows and doors fitted so they do not even give your property a second glance after noticing how the fittings look rock solid from the outside.

To explore your options the best step forward would be to book a session with a company that offers a bespoke design service.  There are a few good companies out there that offer this and not only will you be able be able to come up with a plan that suites the style of your building, takes into such external factors like a risk assessment of your property to determine the weak points but will also take into consideration your budget.

The North West’s leading double glazing provider, Planet South Lakes urge landlords in the Lancaster and Morecambe area to consider fitting double glazing throughout their properties in order to maximize the energy efficiency of each property.

From the 1st of October 2008, all landlords in England and Wales are required by law to provide an energy efficiency certificate for their rented properties.  Similar to the Home Information Packs (HIPs) which sellers must provide for the potential buyers of a property, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), details the energy efficiency of a properties heating, insulation and double glazing. Each property is then rated on a scale from ‘A’ to ‘G’, ‘A’ being the most efficient.

This Energy Performance Certificate enables potential tenants to consider the energy efficiency and expected fuel costs of a property before they decide to go ahead with the rental.  This scheme is good news for tenants, especially in light of the energy price hike; however, landlords have mixed feelings over the EPC scheme.

The EPC must be produced by an accredited energy assessor and looks at areas such as wall and loft insulation, boiler and central heating efficiency and of course, whether double glazed windows are fitted throughout the property. The EPC is valid for 10 years and must be provided free of charge to prospective tenants.

The Lancaster and Morecambe Bay area is home to some 20,000 students attending both the university and St. Martins College in Lancaster.  This large number of students means rented housing is always in demand and landlords have a range of health and safety criteria to comply with, along with this new certificate.

The new Energy Performance Certificate now means landlords will have to make sure their properties perform well in the efficiency ratings in order to ensure their properties are re-let quickly.  Landlords have to find new tenants frequently, meaning if the energy efficiency of their property is high they’re more likely either retain their tenants or re-let their properties quickly.

The large Victorian terraced houses which are common place in both Lancaster and Morecambe are popular properties in the student rental market due the large number of bedrooms they have.  Many of these properties do not feature double glazed windows throughout; which will have a detrimental effect on the energy efficiency rating of the property.

The knock on effect of a low energy efficiency rating means landlords will struggle to let and re-let their properties year after year.  Staying ahead of the game is paramount to maximizing profits in the highly competitive student rental market and having double glazed windows throughout will ensure your property will be in high demand from potential tenants.

Planet South Lakes can provide a bespoke quote for full or part double glazing throughout the Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Carlisle, Lancaster & Morecambe Bay areas. Planet highly recommends the new ‘A’ Rated double glazed window units which have an unsurpassed energy efficiency rating.

For more details contact Planet South Lakes on 0800 612 2255.

With fossil fuel supplies dwindling and sustainable energy in its infancy, our wasteful ways have become not just a political football, but a global emergency. Awareness of the issue has reached new heights over the last decade, but a cavalier attitude to energy and energy-saving still persists. Each time a light is left on, a window left open and an unnecessary boilwash done we sap the national grid of its precious power for no reason other than carelessness. There are a few very simple ways in which we can make our homes more energy-efficient, less expensive to run and still maintain the all mod con lifestyle to which we’re so accustomed.

Lighting is probably the most consistent drain on your energy supply, and it’s easy to forget how much you rely on it, especially during the dark days of winter. Energy-saving lightbulbs may be slightly more expensive to buy, but they last a lot longer. Halogen bulbs usually run with 35 watts of power, but you could be greener still with a 9 watt candle, and lend a dickensian mood to your home into the bargain. Switch lights off not only when you leave the house, but as you leave each room.

Washing machines can waste an enormous amount of energy. If you wash clothes at lower temperatures not only will they last longer but you will hugely reduce your energy expenditure. Next time you buy a new washing machine – or any other appliance for that matter – look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Any product carrying this logo has met strict criteria on energy efficiency and will therefore cost less to run and reduce carbon emissions.

Boilers play a huge part in our energy consumption, typically accounting for around 60% of domestic carbon emissions. How old is your boiler? If it’s more than 15 years old, then it’s probably time to look for a new one. Fit a high efficiency condensing boiler and you could save around £200 per year on your bill. A new boiler works by recovering the heat that it would traditionally have wasted, making it around 15% more efficient than a conventional boiler. British Gas offers a comprehensive range of new boilers as well as a boiler maintenance service to ensure it is kept in good working order.

Half of the heat that escapes from your home is lost through the walls and the loft. It stands to reason that you could make huge energy savings by installing insulation, or looking into how efficient your current insulation is and improving it. Have you ever thought how much heat you could be losing through that rickety letterbox? Fitting a brush is a simple measure you can take to prevent such heat loss. Double-glazing and pipe insulation are also highly effective energy-saving methods.

The North West’s leading double glazing provider, Planet South Lakes urge landlords in the Lancaster and Morecambe area to consider fitting double glazing throughout their properties in order to maximize the energy efficiency of each property.

From the 1st of October 2008, all landlords in England and Wales are required by law to provide an energy efficiency certificate for their rented properties.  Similar to the Home Information Packs (HIPs) which sellers must provide for the potential buyers of a property, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), details the energy efficiency of a properties heating, insulation and double glazing. Each property is then rated on a scale from ‘A’ to ‘G’, ‘A’ being the most efficient.

This Energy Performance Certificate enables potential tenants to consider the energy efficiency and expected fuel costs of a property before they decide to go ahead with the rental.  This scheme is good news for tenants, especially in light of the energy price hike; however, landlords have mixed feelings over the EPC scheme, which all EU member states must comply with by January 2009.

The EPC must be produced by an accredited energy assessor and looks at areas such as wall and loft insulation, boiler and central heating efficiency and of course, whether double glazed windows are fitted throughout the property. The EPC is valid for 10 years and must be provided free of charge to prospective tenants.

The Lancaster and Morecambe Bay area is home to some 20,000 students attending both the university and St. Martins College in Lancaster.  This large number of students means rented housing is always in demand and landlords have a range of health and safety criteria to comply with, along with this new certificate.

The new Energy Performance Certificate now means landlords will have to make sure their properties perform well in the efficiency ratings in order to ensure their properties are re-let quickly.  Landlords have to find new tenants frequently, meaning if the energy efficiency of their property is high they’re more likely either retain their tenants or re-let their properties quickly.

The large Victorian terraced houses which are common place in both Lancaster and Morecambe are popular properties in the student rental market due the large number of bedrooms they have.  Many of these properties do not feature double glazed windows throughout; which will have a detrimental effect on the energy efficiency rating of the property.

The knock on effect of a low energy efficiency rating means landlords will struggle to let and re-let their properties year after year.  Staying ahead of the game is paramount to maximizing profits in the highly competitive student rental market and having double glazed windows throughout will ensure your property will be in high demand from potential tenants.

Planet South Lakes can provide a bespoke quote for full or part double glazing throughout the Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Carlisle, Lancaster & Morecambe Bay areas. Planet highly recommends the new EnergiMAX double glazed window units which have an unsurpassed energy efficiency rating.

For more details visit: www.planetsouthlakes.com or call Planet South Lakes on 0800 612 2255.