VANTAGE WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES' NEWS - 2010
Plastic Fantastic
December 2010
PVC continues to be an ideal building material. It does out-perform timber and other rival materials across the board. It's not toxic, it does not support fire, it's sustainable and 100% recyclable and it lasts an extremely long time. uPVC windows look fantastic (and are available in a wide range of colours). They are virtually maintenance free and easy to look after.
Bespoke Wooden Windows
November 2010
In a previous news edition written during February of this year, I reported that Vantage Windows & Conservatories was branching out 
by fitting wooden finger arched windows in Douglas Fir on behalf of the Baptist Church in Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire.
The traditional carpenter we found has carried out an absolutely superb job in respect of making the bespoke Douglas Fir finger arched windows and on a similar note, our wooden window fitter has equally done a superb job in fitting them.
We will be completing the supply and installation all of these windows by the end of this year. The Reverend and the congregation have commented on the fact that not only do they look beautiful the insulation properties of the Church has been improved enormously.
We would like to promote the fact that although 99% of our work is uPVC related, Vantage Windows & Conseratories is now regarded as experts in the field of supplying and fitting bespoke wooden windows.
If anybody is interested in receiving a quotation for individually built wooden windows to suit Grade I, II and III Listed Buildings or individually designed architectural properties, then please contact Vantage Windows & Conservatories in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
New Energy Rules will Force Landlords to Upgrade Properties
October 2010
According to an editorial in The Times on Tuesday, 2nd November, Chris Huhne, Energy Secretary will shortly be announcing measures as part of the Green Deal to improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s 26 million households. Tenants will be given the right to force their landlords to update their homes with loft and cavity wall insulation, double glazing and new boilers under these Government plans to increase energy efficiency.
Gut the Costs of Your Energy Bills By Replacing Those Less Than Energy Efficient Wooden Windows and uPVC Windows Fitted Prior to 2004
September 2010
With the costs of energy increasing at an alarming rate, the benefits of replacing those less than energy efficient wooden and uPVC replacement windows that were fitted prior to 2004 have never been more apparent.
Window Energy Ratings were first introduced in 2004 to demonstrate the energy efficiency of replacement uPVC windows. Now is the time to check out how you can reduce the costs of your household energy bills and also the effects on climate change by installing energy efficient replacement uPVC windows.
A major source of heat loss is through walls and windows so DOUBLE GLAZING, closing curtains, cavity and loft insulation can prove to be COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY.
Never has there been more a pressing need to INVEST IN DOUBLE GLAZING to cut down on heat loss and REDUCE THE COST OF ENERGY BILLS.
Government Rejects Suggestions to a Scrappage Scheme
August 2010
A Scrappage Scheme petition was raised last year, calling for the following:
"This scheme would allow householders and landlords to scrap their old poorly insulated windows for a cash incentive of £1,000 to be used against the purchase of new professionally installed energy efficient windows. The scheme would allow for an improvement to the existing housing stock to reduce carbon and CO2 emissions and cut household energy bills. The scheme to be open only to companies which professionally install windows with a 'C' window energy rating (WER) or above and that responsibly recycle the existing windows that are removed."
Vantage Windows & Conservatories was in favour of the scrapping scheme and signed up to the petition.
The Government said:
"Given the high cost of replacement windows (typically £5,000 to £10,000 for a small home), the marginal improvement in performance, particularly when replacing like for like double glazing windows and given that band 'C' windows will be the minimum standard permitted by Building Regulations from October 2010, a window scrapping scheme is unlikely to be cost effective on energy efficiency and carbon savings grounds."
Nigel Rees, Glass & Glazing Federation, reports that on a national scale, energy efficient windows can reduce emissions by 10% from dwellings and reduce national domestic energy expenditure by 10%.
Mr Rees refused to be beaten and, because the glass and glazing sector is well positioned to help the Government to achieve an energy efficient country, the GGF is committed to lobbying the Government to this end.
The GGF has now appointed a leading firm of political lobbyists - GK Political - watch this space ....
Tax Threat For Homes That Waste Energy
July 2010
Another piece of pointless bureaucracy
Analysis: Ian King, Deputy Business Editor, The Times, 20th July 2010
"Oh no. Just when buyers thought they had escaped Home Information Packs - which happily, were axed by the new Government nine days into office - along comes another piece of pointless bureaucracy to throw grit into the wheels of the housing market.
In theory, a penalty rate of stamp duty on people buying poorly insulated homes sounds fine, a worthy contribution to the noble cause of emissions reduction..
In practice, it will be one of those ideas that should never have emerged from the think-tank. Rather than enourage buyers to make their new home more environmentally friendly, it is more likely to deter them from buying that property altogether. This may, in turn, condemn millions of people living in such homes - and who cannot afford to replace windows, boilers and so on - to staying there indefinitely.
The alternative, offering a rebate once buyers have made changes is complex. Moving house is stressful and expensive enough. Couple it it with the need to spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on renovations, followed by a time-consuming application for a stamp duty rebate, and many will not bother. Or, rather than the hassle of making renovations, they may take the extra hit in stamp duty - preventing the very thing that the Government hopes to achieve.
Stamp duty on housing, is in any case, objectionable. It is a tax on labour mobility and, in deterring people from moving, prevents Britain's housing stock from being used more efficiently. Using it as a stick to beat people into doing what ministers want would be even worse.
The Colourful Choice
May 2010
Vantage Windows & Conservatories has noticed over the course of the last year or so that our clients are looking to replace their windows and doors - not because they are no longer ineffective - but because they would like to update their homes with colourful options.Because Vantage Windows & Conservatories guarantee that all old uPVC frames are recycled and could well be a window of the future, then the decision to replace existing fully-functioning uPVC windows and doors doesn't seem such an extravagant choice to make. There is a positive side in respect of the environment because newly replaced windows and doors will be far more energy efficient.
The popular choices are, of course, Rosewood and Cherry (sometimes referred to as Light Oak) but grey, black and cream are also some very popular choices. You will find the prices for Rosewood and Cherry uPVC windows, doors and conservatories here on the Vantage Windows & Conservatories' website but you will have to contact us direct if your choice is to be grey, black or cream.
It's important to point out to you that when purchasing uPVC frames from a reputatable double glazing company like Vantage Windows & Conservatories that the colour will last. This is because the colours will have undergone exhaustive scientific testing to ensure outstanding performance.
Building Regulations Part L 2010 - Conservation of Fuel & Power
April 2010
This year could very well be an important one to the world of double glazing because it's anticipated that on the 1st October Building Regulations Part L 2010 (Conservation of Fuel and Power) will come into force. The impact that this will have on uPVC manufacturers and suppliers will be greater than has ever previously been experienced. It will mean when Building Regulations Part L 2010 comes into force that all double glazing companies will be required, by law, to fit windows with at least a 'C' window energy rating.
These Part L regulations will bring to customers' attention the importance of purchasing energy efficient windows which in effect will save money on fuel bills and cut emissions.
VANTAGE WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES already has everything in place ready to comply with the new Building Regulations Part L which, in turn, will satisfy Building Control.
Energy Efficiency & Window Energy Ratings
March 2010
Window Energy Ratings offer added value to environmentally and money conscious home owners because energy efficient windows cut fuels bills and they also reduce harmful carbon emissions.
To achieve the 25% increase in the 2006 performance levels, it is highly likely that there will have to be an amendment to Building Regulations for England and Wales, Part L.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has set significant reductions in target CO² emissions and windows will play a key role in achieving these targets.
The expected changes are due to come in force in October 2010 and it’s expected that a ‘C’ rated window will become the standard for replacement windows in existing homes. Anything less than a ‘C’ rated window will no longer be a choice. Replacement sealed units will also be affected by these changes.
This means that the forthcoming new legislation will have an impact on suppliers and consumers alike.
Branching Out To Wood
February 2010
You may be interested to hear that Vantage Windows & Conservatories is currently in the process of fitting some Wooden Finger Arched Windows in Douglas Fir on behalf of the Baptist Church in Pinchbeck.
If you are a follower of my news items and updates on this website, you will already know that we have replaced the side of the Church from wood to uPVC shiplap and also fitted replacement windows and doors in white uPVC. There's a whole load of before and after photographs in the "Before & After" section.
Because the main church building is listed, we were refused permission to replace these windows with uPVC. But where there's a knock-back there's always an opportunity and we set out our stall to find a solution to the Church's window problem.
We are absolutely delighted to inform you that we have now managed to find a traditional carpenter with the expertise to make bespoke wooden windows at an affordable price and a fitter with the expertise to fit them. Again, at an affordable price!
This is good news to anyone in the market for replacement windows for a property in a sensitive area or a property that has a listed status because, due to the lack of local companies capable of supplying and fitting bespoke wooden windows, the price they charge can be somewhat excessive to say the least.
Vantage Windows & Conservatories are now in the market offering bespoke replacement windows at an affordable price.
For further information please contact us on the usual number - 01775 670111 - or by email on christine@vantagewindows.com
Launch of New Coloured, Foiled Window & Conservatory Range
January 2010
Vantage Windows & Conservatories is delighted to announce the launch of our new coloured, foiled window and conservatory range. The colours to choose from are:
- Black
- Cream
- Ivory
- "Origin" White Woodgrain
White woodgrain foiling offers the traditional beauty of wood with the low maintenance, long-lasting benefits of uPVC wrapped up in a product that has the Vantage renowned quality of finish. The result is a stunning window that's suitable for all market sectors, not least the heritage market.
White Woodgrain uPVC is something very unique and will most certainly add value to your home.
Break In News
January 2010
With credit crunch burglaries on the increase, it’s time to fight back.According to HOME OFFICE statistics, 14% of homes still don’t have window locks and 18% don’t even have adequate front doors.
36% of burglaries occur in properties with unlocked doors and windows.
DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC. VANTAGE WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES advise you to remember to lock your windows and doors at all times – even when you are inside your home or garden.
Easing the Fears of Credit Crunch Crimes
January 2010
Vantage is now offering extra security measures to ease the fears of credit crunch crime.
The HOME OFFICE is recognising the correlation between a recession and acquisitive crime and has launched its burglary prevention campaign.
Although LINCOLNSHIRE is, thankfully, a County with relatively low crime, home owners have to be aware that burglaries are on the increase and need to be on their guard and to take the Home Office’s advice in respect of keeping doors and windows locked at all times.
One of the biggest benefits of investing in quality uPVC frames in the modern world is one you cannot see or feel …..
Hopefully, you will never need it but, if you are unlucky, then you’ll be so pleased that you invested wisely.
VANTAGE WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES are continuing to offer competitively priced replacement windows, doors and conservatories with enhanced security built into every frame. This is one of the greatest defences you will choose for your home.
As uPVC specialists, we only sell high security goods that include advanced mechanisms like hook-locks, shootbolts and multi-point locking. Together with the toughness of uPVC itself this means that any good quality frame is far more secure that a conventional timber one.
The advice is genuine – not all double glazing companies are the same – there’s a huge difference in quality – and we at VANTAGE firmly believe that security is not something you can skimp on.
If you are looking to replace your windows and doors, check out thoroughly the double glazing companies’ security specification – yes, a cheaper quote is good for the bank balance but buyer beware because a cheaper product could mean inferior security standards.
VANTAGE WINDOWS & CONSERVATORIES will continue to supply and fit windows, doors and conservatories that offer exceptional security with a combination of high tech locking mechanisms and steel reinforcements to ensure that your home is safe and secure at an AFFORDABLE PRICE.
For FREE expert advice and FREE design service, please contact us on 01775 670111 or why not in this high tech world send us an email - rodney@vantagewindows.com |