We’ve got some great deals on at our Conservatory Outlet showrooms in Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria this January.

There’s 35% off the entire range of energy efficient windows and doors, orangeries and conservatories. And you can just pay a £99 deposit and nothing for 12 months.

But you’d better be quick, these deals cannot last forever!!!

Greenpeace has welcomed European Commission proposals to put billions of euros of structural funding into installing double glazing and solar panels across Europe.

The Financial Times reports that the commission is expected to ask member states today (December 3rd) to allow local authorities to use EU funds to pay for energy-saving measures in low-income households, such as energy efficient windows.

According to the commission, the move would create new jobs, reduce energy consumption in Europe and bring down household bills.

Frauke Thies, of Greenpeace, said the plans were a big part of the European move towards using energy more efficiently.

She added: “For low-income households, energy costs are still making up a large share of the domestic budget.

“These sorts of households might hesitate to make investments in double glazing or putting in a more efficient boiler.”

The very latest highly engineered uPVC windows give you the opportunity to choose from hundreds of design options. The slender frames needed to achieve a slimline look have the same front to back dimension as traditional timber which means it is possible to remove your old windows and replace them easily and efficiently.

Showers…storms…drizzle…We hate to break it to you, but the average rainfall in the UK is between 700mm a year in East Anglia and 3,000mm a year in the Scottish Highlands. That’s a lot of potential for leaks, puddles or even worse.

Today’s uPVC windows are technically superior, too. Multi chamber construction helps control noise and heat loss. High levels of weatherproofing and intruder protection keep you safe from the worst of the British climate - and secure in your home. Plus there’s a sophisticated choice of finishes from white through to wood effects that have virtually no maintenance.

Whitegrain uPVC windows are also extremely tough. They feature high-impact uPVC frames with fusion welded joints and corners. This makes them robust and strong so they’ll last a lifetime. All the fixings and hardware are tested to breaking point to ensure the multi-point locks, shoot bolts and locking handles offer maximum protection by gripping the frame securely. For added peace of mind quality uPVC windows are internally beaded so the glass cannot be removed from the outside. All of this means your home can look beautiful and remain a sanctuary for you to enjoy in peace and comfort. It’s an investment we feel you deserve.

Special escape hinges, where fitted to the side opening windows, allow them to be opened to a 90 degree angle, providing an exit facility in case of fire. All side openers have the ability to be moved away from the frame, providing what are called ‘easy clean’ feature – meaning you can clean difficult to reach upstairs windows from the inside of the house. You can also have your uPVC windows hinged from the top or side, either left or right, as tilt and turn or with trickle vents, which allow air to enter while the window is fully closed and locked.

You’ll also welcome another great attribute of uPVC windows, as casement uPVC windows can be left slightly ajar to allow air to circulate – yet the multi point locking system remains 100% fully engaged. Called the ‘night vent’ feature and it’s standard on most reputable casement windows – perfect for ground floor windows or people who like to feel safe while asleep.

Choosing the right uPVC windows for your home can significantly help reduce your carbon footprint and save yourself money on energy bills.

In today’s tough economic and environmental climate, we as the householder have two ever increasing issues to deal with. Not only does the spiraling cost of fuel mean that our utility bills keep on growing, but these days most of us have a social conscience, and are all mindful of the harm we are doing to the planet from our daily activities.

We can’t of course stop global warming overnight, but by taking small steps, collectively we can make a difference. Whilst we can’t do anything about the price of fuel, we certainly can help limit our bills by reducing the amount we use. They may not come along very often, but there are certain win-win situations in life. If you are thinking about having replacement uPVC windows, you are genuinely facing one of these choices.

The level of insulation offered by any given window is made up from a combination of the insulation of the frame, and that of the glass or ‘sealed unit’ that is used. But other factors such as frame size and air leakage are taken into consideration, so all in all it’s quite a difficult calculation to understand.

That’s why the government has introduced the Window Energy Ratings scheme. By using the same ratings system that items such as fridges and washing machines have been using for years, it is now possible to rate a window from any given supplier. The finished window combination is independently tested, and awarded a rating from A to G. Those achieving a C-rating or above are allowed to display the Energy Saving Recommended blue label, demonstrating they have been designed, manufactured and tested to provide a good level of overall thermal efficiency.

Energy ratings don’t just now apply to fridges, boilers and windows – they apply to your entire home. When you come to sell your house, you will need a Homebuyers Information Pack, or HIP for short. As well as your heating type and things such as loft insulation, the windows in your home contribute hugely to the overall rating.

Choosing to save energy and the environment is a lifestyle choice and it’s not always easy. As with energy saving light bulbs, the changeover in the short term might even be slightly more expensive.

It is however a change that will benefit us and our children for years to come. So if you are thinking about replacing your windows, choose the latest energy rated uPVC Windows.

PVCu Windows recycled at Conservatory Outlet

Mick Giscombe, the Head of Production at Conservatory Outlet has made great strides over the last few months in increasing the number of uPVC windows being sent for recycling.

‘When our vans delivery brand new conservatories, windows, and upvc doors to our Conservatory Outlet dealers, we always bring back scrap uPVC window and door frames which have been removed from people’s homes’, said Mick.

Many of the uPVC windows and doors installed in the 1980’s and 1990’s are being replaced throughout the UK, as people look to add more energy efficient windows and doors with higher specifications for security and design.

Conservatory Outlet is keen that other manufacturers and installers in the UK follow our lead and ensure that this post consumer waste does not go to landfill, but is sent to specialist recycling companies for reuse.

32 top tips for buying double glazing

PVCu Double Glazing can be a wise long-term investment, Conservatory Outlet have compiled 32 insider tips and secrets to help you get the very best out of your investment.

1. If you can’t afford to replace all your windows, choose the rooms that cost you the most money to heat.
2. Be aware that double glazed windows come in a variety of sizes and styles, this may affect the overall price dramatically.
3. Ask whether the supplier can offer energy rated windows.
4. Sometimes planning permission may be required, especially in areas of conservation and listed buildings.
5. Having an advert in the Yellow Pages does NOT mean the company is reputable.
6. Being the biggest advertiser does not mean they are the best choice.
7. Speak to friends and contacts and ask for recommendations.
8. Remember, companies in the UK can be closed and then re-open under a different name, so be careful.
9. 10% is the usual deposit for uPVC windows.
10. Larger deposits may be required for larger or unique jobs.
11. Ask the company if they offer any finance options, like buy now pay later.
12. Withhold the final payment until the work is 100% completed to your satisfaction.
13. Do not go for the cheapest quote.
14. Haggling too low may cause the less professional suppliers to sell you short later down the line.
15. Get the best that your budget can afford.
16. Ask the supplier how long the delivery and installation will be.
17. Try get the delivery date fixed into the contract.
18. Also ask for an estimated completion date once they are on-site.
19. Always pay deposits by credit card, as this will afford you some level of protection under the Consumer Credit Act.
20. If possible, pay with credit card for the entire project, this will give you a 30 day period to make any claims.
21. Double check any contracts before you sign.
22. Be sure of what you want BEFORE you speak to the salesman.
23. Be specific in your dealings with the sales person. A specific requirement and a specific quote is the only way to avoid problems later on.
24. Avoid national companies if you don’t want the hard sell.
25. Check for FENSA accreditation and make sure that all products carry the safety standard kite mark.
26. Find out how long they have been in business.
27. Check with Companies House to verify.
28. Ask them what guarantees they offer.
29. Are they insurance backed, lifetime or limited?
30. Ask which quality standards they use/are associated with.
31. Ask about public liability insurance.
32. Will the fitters and the company be covered if something should go wrong?

If you follow all of the above, you should have a safe and pleasant Double Glazing experience, also, at the end of the research process, use the double glazing company checklist below for extra peace of mind:

Ask yourself: Has the Double Glazing Company given:

1. Full and honest information.
2. Samples
3. Installations locally to look at
4. Recommendations.
5. The small print
6. Acceptable levels of deposits and payment terms
7. Full drawings and specification (if you don’t have them prepared first).
8. Time to think!