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26.11.12

So Many Conservatories Ready For Next Generation And Will Be Cheaper Second Time Round.

Around the country there are so many conservatories that are in desperate need of a replacement.

 As the standard guarantee on a conservatory is a 10 year from any installer there is a lot that are out of guarantee, unmaintained , unsightly, not very well insulated and still just about standing.

Not only that but the ones that have been either done badly or or wrong will start being detrimental to the home they are attached to.

Double glazed PVC conservatories were considered a luxury only a few could afford,  then  planning relaxed on them and the prices came down enough for them to start popping up in virtually every other garden.

The only problem with the conservatories that were installed so quickly over a short space of time is that the majority were in white PVC and some used cheap materials. The building regulations on conservatories aren't the same as within the house boundaries so they don't need to fall in to insulating guidelines.


Most earlier conservatories used the cheaper versions of the polycarb roofing panels which are useless at withholding any heat at all.



There are improvements on the panels but they are still a mile off the A rated glass units installed today. Which have the added bonus option of them being self cleaning.

The glass in the frames will usually be toughened safety glass as this is the normal mandatory rule of glazing in a conservatory as the dwarf walls fall short of the 800mm height requirement.

The new A rated options of glazing will make massive differences in the winter months and also help keep cool in the summer. Altering the style of roof such as gable conservatory roof can give a different dimension and outlook.

Sun Damage  

Sun damages PVC  throughout the year and older versions of roofs and their parts start to perish and become brittle,  therefore creating problems with the rain.

The PVC  is constantly expanding and contracting throughout its 10 year guarantee and moving all the time. Newer second generation PVC roofing systems are manufactured to withstand far more weather through innovation and design.










Cheaper To Replace Second Time

With an already standing base to build off then the cost of having the lower building work carried out is not there.
 As long as the base is level and has sufficient drainage for the escaping rainwater and no sign of damp or water damage it will fine.

The average cost of a simple average sized base is going to have cost around £ 4000 to 
£ 5000 so its a good saving initially. 

It will also have the advantage of speeding up the job as the only thing that needs carrying out is to De construct the existing conservatory and install the new one. 

No more waiting around for the weather to pick up so builders can turn up to start digging and laying bricks.

So many people move in to a property and accept that the conservatory they have acquired is there for the long term. Even though they can only use it in the warmer months of the year.

There is also the option of styling the conservatory space in to a new more modern style of hybrid orangery with columns and internal soffits for small sunken spotlights creating an environment you want to be in.

Upgrading a conservatory is an investment in usage of space and investment into a better lifestyle through out the home.


Company information

More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @    Southport Doors & Double Glazing

Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean


Glass Packers, Failed Double Glazed Units, Service Calls.

From an installers point of view there are problems that have been around which seems forever concerning glass packers and costly failed double glazed units. Not only in money but in unnecessary measuring and fitting time.

There are a few systems which have attempted to address the problem, but the fact is that a 28mm double glazed unit will need a glass packer that accommodates a 28mm DGU with a 2mm overhang and the allowance for the compression of the gasket once the internal glazing bead is clipped in.





Most systems allow for the width of the unit and don't take the compression or overhang in to consideration. Therefore on installing the glazed unit all of the glass may not necessarily be sitting on the packers all the way along. 




Usually due to either fitters not checking or bothering or that the disruption of banging on the window to clip the bead will disturbed the packers. 
It may even be that all the glass wasn't sitting right in the first place due to toe and healing or a slightly misshaped DGU.

With really hot sun on the glass during summer months sometimes also in sunny winter days the glass with will heat up and over a course of time if not sat correctly will eventually begin to slip and the compound holding the 2 panes to the joining space bar will reveal a small hole. 

This only needs to be a fraction of movement and reveal a pin hole,  and as the window systems are designed to allow water in and drain themselves through their chambers so there will always be a certain amount of water inside the window at any time. This water condensates inside the chambers on heating up and makes its way into the Double glazed unit. 



Only a very small amount of water need get into the are between the 2 panes to create a full pane condensation effect. Seems like a simple flaw to fix in the first place rather than argue about guarantee times on the glazed units or fork out for a replacement and send installer to go round - measure up first -  then go back and install. 


Company information

More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @    Southport Doors & Double Glazing

Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean 


22.11.12

Do PVC Window Handles Really Need Key Locks?

No matter which brand of PVC window you choose to opt for,  and no matter who is fabricating the windows whether it be a mass producer or a small outfit who operates locally chances are that there will be key locks on the handles.

With all the greatest intentions of breaking into a modern second generation windows sash it would be very difficult to achieve, if not impossible.

As long as it is a high specification window and it incorporates a composite multipoint locking mechanism using a combination of roller cams and shoot bolts , once located and fully closed down it is not able to be manipulated. In fact it is virtually impossible to even gain a view of the locking points to start attempting a break in.

The fact is that most people don't actually use them through either giving up trying to find the keys all the time or the fact that they don't want to have a panic when trying to escape in the  event of a fire.



So why the key locks ?


Peace of mind or insurance purposes.?


Many customers and secure minded home owners like the peace of mind that the handle is locked and that they have done everything possible within their simple day to day routine of securing their home.

The reality is that the handle locks are usually the first part of the handle to give way. 

The idea of a push button to open the window handle and an automatic click of the button to indicate a locked window replaces the old opposite style of pushing to lock when closed.

Ultimately these replaced the old cock spur handles on the very early PVC windows in the late 80's early 90's.



Some thoughts are that they will get a reduction in home insurance because they state to the windows have locks on them. 

But this came around first when old timber windows were very easy to break in to and added security bolts and key locks were introduced.

Insurance companies now class the majority of windows to have a secure multipoint locking systems as the majority of windows have been upgraded somehow since the the late 80's even in aluminium windows.So where is the benefit ? some rare insurance policies may mention it brings a small discount but the size is minimal.

There is an argument for someone breaking the glass of a sash and pulling the handle open, but breaking glass on windows isn't a method burglars prefer these days as DNA and threads off clothing is evidence. And with it being a very noisy technique and difficult to break a double glazed unit without causing cuts due to its construction and the way in which they are held and stuck together.

It just seems a bit strange that the part of the window handle that gives up first and the part that is not necessarily covered for 10 years is still incorporated into the window. Most manufacturers only giving 12 months as standard. Is this a service call out for replacements we really need considering the amount of window handles being installed ?

If it doesn't add security value or financial benefits or even an operational advantage in using them, why do we still have them ?


Company information

More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @    Southport Doors & Double Glazing

Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean 


20.11.12

Finish off PVC windows without a load of damage inside



With So many people having new PVC windows installed it sometimes leaves an unsightly internal cill board that has been a bit neglected over time with cracks, poorly filled cracks, unprofessional sanding and painting and doesn't finish off the entire look that you were hoping for.

A replacement internal window board can be the answer for a lot of customers who don't mind re plastering and painting around the edges of the boards as they are difficult to remove with causing plaster damage.

Timber would normally be the best product to use at this stage and many still prefer it, but there are now new laminate wipe clean, anti warp, anti scratch internal window boards that can finish off any look of the internal side of a PVC window.






Alternatively to that there is the availability of a PVC cover board which is the route many people choose to go down.



They can be cut easily to the shape required and stuck down with a good grade adhesive. They also come with matching ends to cover over any cut ends.

The only flaw with these cover boards is that they are not as easy to keep as the laminates. But offer benefits in cost, ease of installation and are quicker to install. 

They also wipe clean just as easy as laminates and as long as they are not scratched or have hot cups put down on them will look as good in 10 years time no problem. 

The capping boards come with a lip that hangs down at 90 degrees that covers the front profile of the existing unsightly timber cill board.


Company information

More technical information on varying types of doors, windows and conservatories can be found here as we have been collecting knowledge and giving the professional finish for 23 years. Contact us or browse our website @    Southport Doors & Double Glazing

Interesting links:

New Rockdoors | PVC windows  | ultimate conservatories | high security door products 

More advice and posts on :

What is PVC ? and what does it stand for ?

combating condensation

Tips on how to re seal your own windows and get a professional guide

The professional view on how to sell your house and what areas to address

What benefits are there with PVC windows

Are the locks secure in your doors? check this post to see what we mean