Author Archives: GMGlass_Admin

Saving on Energy Bills

Glass Glazing Services Domestic Commercial Kitchen Bathroom Verandas

Thermal EfficiencyIt’s generally accepted that the energy crisis will prompt people to try to save on energy bills. As most people know, the home’s windows and doors are a major source of draughts and warm air escaping. Windows and doors are becoming a priority to designers, affecting sectors like new builds and commercial constructions. There is a requirement for more insulation and sealing with wider use of things like foam sealant tapes.

Refurbishments of existing housing are increasingly being fitted with modern sealing solutions achieving greater energy efficiency. Retrofits are favoured where possible, as they are more sustainable than demolishing and rebuilding. Applying insulation here is important as around 25% of heat loss occurs through windows and doors. There is a definite need for new houses to be built to higher thermal standards. Architects and property specifiers are being urged to consider the airtightness and thermal efficiency within buildings.

Ventilation is also crucial, and trickle vents are an extremely cost effective way to meet Part F requirements. This is mandatory with for example home extensions, replacement windows or new builds. Even where people benefit from low energy home improvement schemes, they frequently have to agree to trickle vents.

Some apply simple measures with cheap products like window film, which is a plastic coating that is placed on the glazing, and shrunk using a hairdryer for a tight fit. If windows are single glazed, it’s worth considering getting double glazing. Aluminium double glazing is fast becoming popular for homes as it’s energy efficient, bespoke and long lasting.

A fairly easy way to improve the thermal efficiency of your windows is to hang thermal curtains and blinds. These are great as they stop warm air from leaking out and cold air from entering the home. They also protect the indoors from strong heat and sunlight in the summer. No doubt many people will come up with their own unique ideas and ways to keep warm while keeping bills manageable.

Outdoor Glazed Buildings, High Quality Glass & Glazing Services Domestic & Commercial, Manchester

What are the Advantages of Modular Wiring Systems?

Glass Glazing Services Domestic Commercial Kitchen Bathroom Verandas, Splash-Backs Partitions Table Tops & Breakfast Bars

 

Modular WiringWe hear the word ‘modular’ used a lot these days, especially within the construction industry. Components of systems such as air conditioning are manufactured off-site and assembled in situ for instance. This practice has grown in popularity and is a convenient, time saving and less costly way of doing things. Modular wiring systems have also become the ‘go to’ process for many sectors within the electrical industry. Those working in the industry have come to realise that hard wiring is pretty time consuming, which of course means more expensive.

Modular wiring represents state of the art wiring systems supported by forward thinking technologies. Renewable energy projects and prefab buildings are perfectly complimented by these systems. Green energy within electrics has experienced incredible growth, and shows no sign of slowing down. However, in areas where traditional wiring is the dominant feature, growth has been somewhat stagnant.

One aim of innovations like modular wiring systems has been to reduce carbon emissions and consumption of energy. Minimal installation time is a big advantage, being reduced by around 70%. Production of completely pluggable systems has been a game changer, simply plug in, connect and ‘hey presto’. Modular wiring systems have already featured in some of the highest profile settings, such as St Bart’s Hospital and the Olympic Stadium. They are now accepted by specifiers as an exceptionally viable solution.

These systems are so reliable, and there are far fewer things that can go wrong, unlike traditional systems. They can now be found in hospitals, schools, residential spaces and retail units. Major companies such as Telesys Lighting Services Ltd incorporate modular wiring systems into what they offer. The main advantages of modular wiring systems are:

  • Fast, simple installation
  • Money saving
  • Convenience
  • Reliability
  • Eco-Friendly
  • No wasted materials
  • Less problems on-site

Outdoor Glazed Buildings, High Quality Glass & Glazing Services Domestic & Commercial

5 Reasons for Getting a Veranda

Glass Glazing Services Domestic Commercial Kitchen Bathroom Verandas, Splash-Backs Partitions Table Tops & Breakfast Bars

Veranda InstallationVerandas and other types of sheltered garden building, are all the rage these days for several reasons. The most obvious is of course the virus and the huge role fresh air plays in keeping us safe. This is because virus particles are dispersed in fresh air and are less effective at infecting people. This is why the government advises that meetings and other activities should be done outside. Of course this isn’t always possible, especially with the unpredictable UK weather, sun one minute and rain the next. Planning family get togethers or meals out can be difficult without risking cancellation when the weather changes.

Glaziers, builders and veranda companies have been inundated with orders, as businesses attempt to keep customers coming. Just about every bar or restaurant on the high street has some form of sheltered covering outdoors. Apart from staying safe from the virus, there are other advantages to verandas, including:

1. More Space

Verandas act as functional extensions for the home, allowing people to enjoy their gardens all year round. Verandas can be fitted with lighting and heating for a comfortable and versatile solution.

2. Shelter from Rain

Rain, strong wind and other forms of unpleasant weather are no fun, but verandas and glazed canopies are a practical addition. You can enjoy the garden, read a book, have a cuppa, check your phone etc without getting wet.

3. Raised Property Values

Alfresco living is growing like never before and it’s an accepted fact that home additions like this raise the value of any property.

4. Party On!

A sheltered structure like a veranda is an ideal way to extend outdoor parties and barbecues. Let the British weather do its worst, the fun will continue.

5. Keeps Floors Clean

A veranda will stop your floors and carpets from taking the brunt of mucky shoes. Slip off your shoes before entering the home and they will stay dry! Timber decking will also last better when protected from rain etc.

High quality veranda installation is available from Greater Manchester Glass, contract us on 0161 222 0901.

    

Outdoor Glazed Buildings, High Quality Glass & Glazing Services Domestic & Commercial, Manchester

Stunning and Versatile Window Systems

Glass & Glazing Services for Domestic Commercial Customers, Kitchen Bathroom Splash-Backs

When windows in or near conservation areas need replacing it can be a little tricky, due to the requirements involving the look of the surrounding properties. Houses and other buildings in these places have a particular character and appearance which has to be preserved. This does not leave much room for manoeuvre where improvements or modifications are needed.

These locations are identified by the Local Authorities as having a definite architectural quality or historic interest and planning permission must be sought before any changes are made. Local Authorities are responsible for maintaining the integrity and look of a conservation area, and must adhere to strict guidelines. The upgrade should compliment the environment, and retain its special qualities.

Replacing windows in conservation areas has to be done with exceptional care, and will probably need a planning application before proceeding. This is to ensure that the rules about modifying these properties are adhered to. Windows are a major design feature of these homes, and must be sensitively dealt with when needing to be replaced. The original timber frames are preferable, but where these have rotted, there is a risk of damage to the rest of the building.

It is sometimes possible to get approval to fit UPVC double glazed window systems in conservation areas with agreement of the Local Authority. Where permission is given, it will usually be on the proviso that any window replacements do not differ too much from the originals. Fortunately the look and charm of these timber windows can be beautifully replicated with a UPVC substitute. This means an energy efficient, low maintenance and attractive result, as achieved within many projects completed by Trade Window Services. Give them a call on 01702 557137 with any queries or to arrange a quote.

Partitions, Table Tops & Breakfast Bars, Frameless Made-to-Measure Glass, Coloured Glazing & Curtain Walling

3 Basic Steps For Keeping Your Windows Sparkling

Eco-Friendly Glazing for Shops, Schools, Restaurants & Public Buildings, Frameless Made-to-Measure Glass

Most people know that high quality UPVC double glazed windows, doors and patio doors are virtually maintenance free, which is a major advantage. There is no tiresome painting or treatments to do regularly, although there are a few small steps you can take to keep them looking pristine. Cleaning these window systems is a fairly pain free process, and fast too, leaving you lots of time to relax and look at the view.

Certain designs such as Tilt and Turn windows from specialists like Profile 22, are created not only with safety in mind but ease of cleaning also. Other styles have exceptional streamlining such as Optima Flush Sash. These leading windows and doors are available in Wickford from reputable installers Essex Trade Windows.

A few tips for keeping your UPVC windows, doors and sliding patio doors in tip top condition include: –

1) Dirt & Debris Removal
Sometimes there are ledges or nooks and crannies around frames where leaves or other debris can build up. To clear this you can use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, or even just a soft brush to avoid scratches..

2) Soapy Warm Water
Weak dish soap in warm water and a soft, clean cloth is an excellent way to remove dirt from UPVC frames. Abrasive cleaners such as cream cleaners, solvents or rough materials are not recommended as they could damage the surface finish. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away excess water.

3) Cleaning External and Internal glass
This is best done on a cloudy day, as sunshine could cause streaks as the window dries. Dust the windows first to get rid of any particles and debris. There are a number of preparatory products on the market including eco friendly versions. Alternatively make up your own solution with a mix of water and white vinegar [a cup of each mixed and put in a spray bottle]. Paper towels, kitchen roll or even newspaper are great for wiping and drying off the spray.

 

Coloured Glazing, Curtain Walling Functional & Energy Efficient, Fire Resistant Safety Glass for Schools & Public Buildings

Protect Your Home With High Quality Guttering

Glass & Glazing Services for Domestic Commercial Customers, Kitchen Bathroom Splash-Backs

 

High quality guttering delivers a range of benefits for your home, protecting it from water damage and its consequent expense. Gutters do a great job by diverting rainwater safely, so avoiding problems like damage to windows, flooring, furniture, décor and foundations. They function well, but need to be maintained if they are to provide the maximum benefits, and not become clogged. Of course, there are many things to worry about these days, but life before gutters must have been a bit problematic!

The first gutters came about in around 3,000 BC, and were made from wood, stone or brick. Ancient civilisations fashioned these early gutters to drain water from one area to another. As you might suspect, the Romans were the first to use this form of water channelling.

Gargoyles on buildings were usually functional as opposed to simply Gothically decorative, and were used to guide water away from important parts of the structure. These were replaced in the 1200s by more practical lead, clay and wooden gutters. Modern gutters come in materials like steel, UIPVC, aluminium and copper, and in a choice of shapes.

Get your gutters cleaned by specialists such as Chelmsford Roofline, to limit the risk of accident, and obtain a professional result. Falls from ladders are a major reason for trips to A&E, ask any NHS worker. Over the years specialists who clean and maintain guttering have found thousands of children’s toys up there. These have included balls, frisbees and shuttlecocks, not to mention lunch boxes, Barbie dolls and toy cars.

Gutters can be a haven for pests like mosquitoes, which love stagnating water, another reason to keep them clean. Strangely, earthworms are often found in gutters too, leaving many people puzzled. They are thought to be carried up there on birds feet or via the wind as eggs, but nobody is sure about this.

 

Partitions, Table Tops & Breakfast Bars, Frameless Made-to-Measure Glass, Coloured Glazing & Curtain Walling

Exciting Developments in North London

Commercial Glazing for Shops, Schools, Restaurants & Public Buildings, Frameless Made-to-Measure Glass

 The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has announced the formation of a new panel to speed up domestic building on public land. Sites at the top of the list include Enfield’s Meridian One, and St Ann’s Hospital in Haringey. This panel, which will replace the previous group, disbanded in 2017, will run for four years, and consists of 29 developers, contractors and housing associations. This second London Development Panel [LDP2] will ensure that London’s public assets play a major role in addressing the affordable housing shortage. It has the potential to facilitate up to £20 billion of development according to the mayor.

A process will exist whereby sites are submitted by public bodies, and developers who have bid will be shortlisted after completion of an initial questionnaire. Once on the shortlist, candidates will be invited to prepare a thoroughly detailed tender.

Enfield in North London is set to use the LPD for the development of it’s Meridian One Scheme, master planned by Karakusevic Carson Architects. The borough took the majority decision not to use a single master developer for the project. Council leader Nesil Caliskan stated that the council within the project was ’genuinely new for a local authority’. Saying that the council would be able to oversee and take control of the development.

St Anne’s Hospital in Haringey, owned by the GLA, will receive similar LPD attention, and will include 50% ‘genuinely’ affordable housing. This has been a welcome move, as the St Ann’s Redevelopment Trust (StART) has held an extensive campaign aimed at securing affordable housing for the site.

There are also plans by Transport for London for three car parks in Harrow to be converted into 100% affordable homes. Underused public sector land provides an extremely satisfactory solution with regards to delivering new homes for North London. It also of course signals good news for the construction industry as a whole along with specialist suppliers and plant hire companies.

Coloured Glazing. Curtain Walling Functional & Energy Efficient, Fire Resistant Safety Glass for Schools & Public Buildings

Fire Prevention in All Environments

Environmentally Friendly Fire Fighting Chemicals, Extinguishers, Foam Suppressants, Fire Hazard Control

Every fire has the potential to be devastating in one way or another, but certain fires have widespread effects, caused by their fuel source, size and location. Fires which start in factories, nuclear plants, airport runways and forests can be catastrophic and have far reaching consequences. Specialist fire fighters dealing with these incidents, need to be experienced in controlling blazes and preventing explosions in a range of situations. It is imperative that these fires are extinguished as quickly as possible in order to limit damage or injury. By their very nature some fires are extremely difficult to handle, such as petrochemical fires, where there could be a variety of chemicals present at the same time.

Fire fighters are trained to respond in the most effective way, and to pre-empt the fires progression path. Their in-depth knowledge of emergency procedures in tackling these major fires frequently averts potential disasters. Another consideration when fighting fire in these settings, is the chemicals used to put out the blaze. The appropriate substances and methods must be used while staying aware of the safety of all concerned.

Forest fires cause significant damage to vast areas where conditions are hot and dry, spreading swiftly across the land and perhaps changing direction, even jumping across roads or rivers with the help of wind. They are responsible for extensive damage to surroundings including property and wildlife. They can have a number of causes such as human carelessness, intentional ignition or lightning.

Airport runway fires are recognised as requiring the utmost speed, due to the amount of possible casualties among passengers and crew. Dry chemicals and fire fighting foams are used by trained teams to quell these fires.

ABC Macintosh are experts in products which successfully bring any category of fire under control. Not only that, the fire fighting solutions they produce provide excellent performance, yet will not damage the environment in any way. Call them on 01536 260333 for more information.

 

Fire Fighting Solutions for Petrochemical, Nuclear Fires, Domestic Fires, Forest Fires, Airport Runway Fire, High Quality Fire Attack Systems

Are You A Softy?

Domestic & Commercial Glazing & Glass Products, Splashbacks, Shower Screens & Mirrors

carpet signedThe importance of flooring is sometimes underestimated, when for instance planning a home redesign, or redecoration. Decisions about carpets and flooring are often overlooked and left until the end of the work. Yet your floors have a major role not only in the look of your home, but type of floor, design, texture and colour will have a big impact on your living experience.

Your floors are the first thing people see on entering your abode, they cover the largest area of each room and are the most costly to replace in the future. This means careful consideration is required before choosing which flooring you will have. They are the foundation for your home’s design style and once you have settled on the perfect flooring for you, you are free to make other decisions. These choices are made easier when you know your proposed type and colour of floor, such as style and colour of furniture, lighting and general theme.

Flooring is ideal for creating the desired atmosphere from luxurious, cosy and decadent to elegant, pristine and sophisticated. Some love the softness of a carpet especially under bare feet, noise reduction and warmth are also factors to consider when making these choices. Carpeting nowadays is increasingly hard wearing, stain resistant and pretty easy to keep clean.

If your lot are heavy on carpets, like to wear shoes indoors, eat wherever they please or your pets keep forgetting they are house trained, you might think about vinyl, wood or laminate flooring.

Vinyls and LVT, which can cleverly replicate the look of stone, marble and wood, come in a vast array of colours and finishes and are a great flooring option. They recreate the look of materials which are extremely pricey, yet LVT is affordable, warmer and quieter. It is also tough and a dream to clean, highly usable in just about any room of the home, giving beautiful and impressive results.

Wood or laminate flooring comes in many shades, effects and finishes and has many practical advantages. Modern laminate is robust and is available in a range of cutting edge designs. Plus versatility is added by the placement of rugs, which change the whole feel of a room. Call Wood Street Carpets to book a FREE consultation on 01245 358900

Professional Glazing Services for Hotels, Schools, Shops & Commercial Buildings, Double Glazing Specialists

Mobile Friendly Sheds Website

Wide Range of High Quality Metal, UPVC and Wooden Sheds, Garden Storage Sheds, Garages & WorkshopsPrestige_Takubo_Sapporo_7_x_6_Storage_Shed_1

More and more business owners are turning to SEO specialists like Autus Website Design and Marketing in order to get the very best from their company websites. Autus have recently carried out a full overhaul and redesign for their clients SM Garden Sheds. This shed company have an excellent long standing reputation for uncompromisingly high quality products and services. They have strict procedures when sourcing their garden storage buildings too, often involving extensive travel. Only when they are happy that a product comes up to certain levels of performance, will it be accepted as part of what they offer. Constant monitoring also ensures that there is no lowering of quality once the shed is added to their range. They deliver exceptional customer service, and can advise on most aspects of garden storage, drawing on their vast knowledge and experience.

This high profile company wanted a website which would reflect their high standards, and forward thinking approach. After consultation with Autus, the website was redesigned, and an upgraded, custom package of SEO was put in place incorporating Responsive Design software. Visitors to the new website will be delighted with the speed and ease of navigation wherever they are, using their smartphones and tablets.

The new mobile friendly website is as aesthetically impressive as it is functional, and now ticks all the boxes with regards to the demands of search engine giant Google. In order to be successful and reach a wider audience, a website needs to maintain a prominent position within Google rankings, and a mobile friendly website is crucial in order to attain this. There is no longer a choice here as websites which do not have Responsive Design capabilities are now automatically downgraded by Google, giving their business competitors an edge.

Autus offers a seamless solution, with a package of SEO services uniquely tailored to each customers needs, along with an ongoing awareness of developments on the horizon. Many clients of Autus have taken advantage of their skills, in the knowledge that any pending changes to search engine requirements will be picked up on and acted upon.

Visit the new website or call SM Garden Sheds on 0845 601 6299

Simple Assembly Instructions, Foundation Kits & Accessories, Free Delivery to Most Parts of the UK