Category: House & Home

Many of us are continuously looking for ways to remain environmentally friendly. But as we’re sure you know this can be a tough and at times fairly time-consuming task. This is where aluminium windows and doors can be of great value to you and your home. In this post we will be walking you through the ways in which aluminium windows and doors are one of the most sustainable options out there, and why all of their many other great attributes may fit your home perfectly. 

Durability.

The first thing we should discuss is how long you will be able to have your aluminium windows for before they need replacing. A lot of windows need changing after around 25 to 35 years, which is great. However, with aluminium windows, you’re looking at potentially 45 years before they’ll need changing.  

Not to mention in those 45 years they will barely need any maintenance. Aluminium is a highly durable metal that unlike most will not rust over time, all you need in order to clean them is a mild detergent, water and a cloth.

Energy efficiency.

Gone are the days of aluminium windows and doors being bad insulators, with new technologies and designs we are now able to obtain increased thermal efficiency.

Reduced frame thickness in our aluminium windows helps to prevent heat loss from your home, while the insulated timber blade our aluminium doors are constructed around helps the door to retain heat wonderfully.

In addition to those features, you can also get the windows with double and triple glazing which of course helps immensely with energy efficiency. 

Safe and secure.

One of the most important features you need indoors and windows is a secure build and design in order to ensure your and your family’s safety. Aluminium on its own is a very durable material, so naturally, when used in windows and doors it creates a very secure and sturdy design. 

Our aluminium doors are of a very thin design yet one of the strongest. With both Winkhaus AV2 Slam Shut locks and point locking points as standard, you’re getting one of the most secure doors available. Our aluminium windows are Q mark certified meaning they meet the standards for both Standard Window Performance and Enhanced Window Security. 

It also goes without saying that both our aluminium windows and doors meet the Secured by Design standards as required by the UK police initiative, meaning you can feel totally secure in your home and then some.

Environmentally friendly.

Aluminium is 100% recyclable. Not only that but as mentioned earlier it lasts almost 10 years longer than other types of windows on the market, meaning that even though you will be recycling them, when it’s time to replace them, you won’t need to do it as frequently. 

This may not seem like it would make a difference but it actually saves a huge amount of energy and resources, as the process of recycling isn’t done as much and of course, the product isn’t being produced from scratch using raw materials.

Aesthetics.

There has been quite a rise in popularity with aluminium doors and windows, and that is mainly down to the fact that they come with a sleek look and feel. Aluminium windows can have very slim frames giving you a minimalistic look, which can be perfect for modern homes.

Another benefit of having thin frames is that it means you get more of the actual window pane on view, in turn allowing more light into the house and giving you a better view of the outside. 

We also provide the option to powder coat our aluminium doors and windows in essentially any colour you want, plus you have a range of designs to choose from. So, trying to match the style of your house can be done effortlessly. 

Finally, if you’re in need of new windows or this post has inspired you to look into some new home improvements, do get in touch with us here at Elglaze. Our team are happy to help with any queries you have. 

When designing your home, it’s good to remember that your doors and windows are the main exterior features. Not only that, but they are the features that allow you to express yourself and represent your household. This can, of course, be done through the design of the door itself, the type of handle, letterbox or porch you choose. But one of the most effective ways of bringing the design of your home together is with the colour choice of those features. 

Much like you do when considering the design of your windows and doors, it’s worth taking into account the style of your house and the kind of aesthetic you would like to create when choosing the colour of them as well. Now, this may sound like a lot to consider and can even be slightly daunting. But luckily, you’re in the right place. In this post, you will be introduced to the most popular colours elglaze provide and why specific colours may work best for you and your home. 

Chartwell Green

We’ll begin with talking about Chartwell green. This colour works beautifully with an older cottage style house. Chartwell green windows and doors are the perfect complimentary feature to homes with lighter coloured bricks and bonding and also look fabulous on houses painted in either white or cream. Sliding sash windows look especially good in this colour, and our range of ‘Solar’, ‘Pluto’ And ‘Polaris’ doors creates a cheerful cottage look.

Anthracite Grey

Anthracite grey is a trendy colour now and has been for quite a few years now; in other words, it’s tried and tested! This colour more or less works with nearly every style you can think of, and it does so while remaining classy and sophisticated.

That being said, if you want to go above and beyond with your house’s exterior design, this colour looks incredible on a modern styled home. For example, dark brick with light bonding or rendering with white paint over the top alongside Anthracite grey windows and doors creates a harmoniously chic design, which can be enhanced when paired with our doors from the ‘Corvus ‘Halley’ ranges, as well as our modus windows.

Cream

Cream is a beautiful colour to have if you want something subtle and classic. This colour is excellent for houses with light or deep red bricks and light bonding. It’s the perfect way to brighten up the exterior of your home and, in turn, creates a friendly and inviting feel to the design it. If you think your house may be missing that defining feature to make it complete but don’t want to go too over the top, this could be the colour for you. 

Black on white, similarly to cream, is another classic, however with black doors and windows, you can make a statement. As we’re sure everyone knows, Black is a colour that genuinely looks good on and with almost everything. When it comes to using black, however, as mentioned earlier, though it does go with nearly everything beautifully, it is very much a colour you use on a house when wanting to stand out. 

Whether it’s a new build or a Georgian townhouse, black windows and, more notably, a black front door allows your house the chance to stand out from its surroundings. With the right style of door in this colour, you can truly make a centrepiece for the exterior design of your house that you can’t take your eyes off of.

A noteworthy mention

Something also worth quickly mentioning is that you can get a different colour on the inside of your door from the outside, meaning that if your hallway wouldn’t suit Chartwell green but the outside of your house needs it, that issue can be quickly solved. 

Finally, at elglaze, we have a team dedicated to helping you find the right colour and finish for your house and will work closely with you to find the right match for the features of your home’s appearance. So, if you find yourself needing more expert insights, elglaze may be the team you need.

Sometimes patio doors just don’t cut it. By all means, we love patio doors at Elglaze, but if you compare them to bi-folding doors, it’s clear that bi-foldsd can be the superior option. Here, we outline 5 reasons these doors can be a good home improvement option.

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The majority of us will have spent that last year and a half inside, which is a lot more than we would have hoped for. Now, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we can, hopefully, find our way back to the great outdoors.

As a result of us spending more time inside, it should come as no surprise to find the home improvement sector has boomed over this period. Let us outline three ways in which you can utilise space better in your home.

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It can always be challenging to decide on the right window style for your property. As it stands, there’s a lot of detailed and quite frankly, a confusing amount of information out there regarding windows. With the sheer number of window options out there, it’s no wonder we can find ourselves confused. If so, do not worry, you’re not the only one. Over the next few minutes, this post will better depict the different styles of windows and provide you with information on popular choices in the UK.

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Warmer months are just around the corner and for many this results in overheated conservatories. We all know conservatories are beautiful spaces through every season of the year. However, an overheated conservatory is not so desirable. Unfortunately, this can be incredibly uncomfortable, which leads us to abandon the room entirely—what a waste of space. Continue reading »

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One of the first things someone does when passing your home is they take quick glance at your front door. It can say a lot about a house. A front door is often the centre point of any home, so it’s worthwhile you make the correct choice. It can make or break someones first impression of your home.

At first sight, a front door might seem like any other door you come across, but depending on which style you choose, there’s a lot more going on under the surface than you might think.

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Although days are getting longer and slightly warmer, being in the UK means we often get freak weather patterns and unexpected cold spells. As you’re probably aware already, condensation in a conservatory occurs more frequently in the winter months. The reason being is the outside air is cold outside while your home is nice and warm on the inside.

By not mitigating condensation, we open up our homes to excess moisture and the build-up of mould.

What causes condensation in your conservatory?

Condensation in conservatories is a common problem, but why does it happen, and how can you prevent it?

Here, we’re going to outline some top tips to help prevent condensation in your conservatory.

In the UK, we tend to keep our homes extra warm and cosy in the winter by turning up the heating and keeping the windows firmly shut. Unfortunately, this is a recipe for disaster when it comes to condensation in your conservatory.

When a conservatory lacks ventilation, it results in moisture build-up in the air, commonly known as water vapour. As the vapour condenses to water by hitting colder glass panes,  a build-up of droplets in the corners of your windows or doors is often visible. These droplets are condensation and can eventually be quite problematic.

Six tips to help prevent condensation in your conservatory

The good news is you aren’t required to make too many changes to help stop condensation in your conservatory. Some steps are more involved than others, but all have their place on our list. Let’s have a quick look at how to prevent condensation in your conservatories.

Ventilation is a top priority!

Keeping your windows open slightly throughout the day with the heating on low will help air pass through the conservatory. We often frown upon draughts in our home, but in this case, they are more beneficial than detrimental. You can also specify trickle vents in the windows when buying a new conservatory. These offer ventilation with very little heat loss.

If you have the budget, you can also invest in a ceiling fan. Doing so will circulate air around the room more efficiently.

Keep the clothes drying rack outside of the conservatory

It might be pretty tempting to dry your clothes on the radiator during the winter months or on a drier inside the conservatory. However, this will increase moisture in the air and consequently cause condensation in your conservatory.

It can be beneficial to dry clothes outside on the line to help prevent this from happening. If you use a tumble drier, make sure there is plenty of ventilation (ideally vented to the outside), so moisture can escape.

Limit how many plants you have to help control condensation in your conservatory

Having a few too many plants in your conservatory can cause humidity in your conservatory to rise. If you’re a plant lover, we understand this tip may be harder to follow than others!

Get hold of a dehumidifier if you can

If condensation is persistent, then purchasing a dehumidifier can make a world of difference. This device will draw moisture out of the air to help reduce the chances of condensation forming on the conservatory’s windows and doors.

Replace your windows

If you are in a position to do so, then replacing your home or conservatory windows and doors will probably be the best option. A sign of poor insulation is the build-up of condensation on windows and doors.  Unfortunately, this can cause moisture build-up and eventually lead to dampness and mould formation. No one ever wants to see or deal with this and it can be a major cause of damage to your home.

Opting for windows with higher efficiency ratings is probably your best bet to reduce condensation and even save on energy bills.  At Elglaze, our team is on hand to help you make the best decision for your home. We have a vast range of windows you can view here.

Replace your old conservatory roof with a solid tiled rooftop

Not only does a tiled roof look more contemporary and appealing to the eye,  there’s also less cold glass for condensation to form on. It will undoubtedly make your conservatory warmer in the colder months and cooler in the warmer months. A win-win situation!

If you’re interested in upgrading your conservatory or replacing an old roof, you can find out more about our conservatory range here.

At Elglaze, we go above beyond to be the best installers of high-quality uPVC and aluminium windows, doors, and conservatories to homes in Cambridgeshire and further afield. It’s always been our aim to offer fair prices for high-quality products.

Let’s be honest; when thinking about planning permissions and conservatories, the lines between the two become pretty blurred. Any building regulation can be a complex matter unless, of course, you are well versed in the planning system.

This post will outline some of the main things you need to consider when thinking about building a new conservatory, replacing an existing one, or upgrading your current conservatory roof. It will also point you in the right direction of some light bedtime reading (the planning portal and government guidelines!) if you wish to learn more about the nitty-gritty requirements.

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