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.

Which double glazing company?

If you’re currently getting double glazing quotes, and trying to find a good double glazing company then in the current economic climate you need to be very careful.

You need to do your research to find the best double glazing firm, but unfortunately there aren’t very many good double glazing review websites to help you. There are quite a few online double glazing quote websites which give you the chance to find out how much double glazing costs, but be careful not to just go for the cheapest double glazing quote.

Cheap double glazing is not always the best double glazing!

In the last 12 months, 10% of uPVC window companies have gone bust, and over the next 12 months there’s likely to be even more companies ceasing trading. And if the company you choose goes bust once you’ve placed a deposit then you may be in trouble. And what about your double glazing guarantee?

Conservatory Outlet carefully vets all its dealers to ensure they are premium quality double glazing installers. All dealers also offer our unique 123 guarantee which gives you the ultimate in peace of mind when purchasing uPVC windows, uPVC doors, a conservatory or an orangery.

Conservatory Outlet has recently tied a deal with recycling company, Dekura, to help process post-consumer waste from its dealer network as part of a major green initiative.

This new initiative has already proven popular with over 100 frames, glass, soil pipes, guttering etc all processed by Dekura every week. This has already resulted in the need for a larger skip to cope with demand and the hope is that this will be adopted further. While vehicles leave Conservatory Outlet full of conservatories, upvc windows and upvc doors, they then return with the post consumer waste, which is sorted back at the company’s manufacturing base in Wakefield.

Many companies have now put into place internal recycling policies as part of good business practice and Conservatory Outlet is no exception. With initiatives such as Vinyl 2010, which represents the commitment of the European PVC industry to sustainable development, product re-processing is the next step to help save the planet and an important consumer message.

Mick Giscombe, head of production comments: “As consumers we are all influenced by green issues and it is important for us and our network of dealers to consider this. If consumers ask about our green credentials then we can give a confident answer, help close a sale and do our bit for the environment. This is all part of the Conservatory Outlet difference.”