Archives for October 2020

View Our uPVC Window Colour Options

October 29, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

uPVC Window Colour Options

Whilst white uPVC windows remain popular due their clean and sleek aesthetics, as well as lower price point, an increasing number of customers are now opting for a colour choice for their new windows.

Our colour collection has been specially designed to help you put together the perfect colour palette for your home. Every home is different, and our beautiful range of colours takes its inspiration direct from nature to harmonise perfectly with your home and its surroundings, ensuring it stays looking good for years to come.

We offer beautiful authentic ‘wood like’ finishes to replicate a traditional timber window. Whilst we also offer smooth matt finishes, which offer true aluminium alternatives. Whilst looking good, all of our finishes are also extremely durable to our climate.

We offer three colour collections: Traditional, Heritage & Premium.

Our ‘Traditional colour’ collection prices slightly above white uPVC & is available as standard on our traditional sash casement, flush sash casement & tilt & turn windows.

Our ‘Heritage Collection’ is available as standard on heritage flush sash casement. There is a slight cost surcharge for the colour on traditional sash casement & tilt & turn windows.

Our ‘Premium collection’ is available for an added cost surcharge on traditional casement sash, heritage flush sash & tilt & turn windows.

Please see below table to find out what colours are available for each window system.

Traditional Casement Sash

Heritage Flush Sash

Tilt & Turn

Filed Under: Blog Posts

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING WINDOWS & DOORS – CONSIDER WINDOW QUALITY

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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Top Tip When Buying New Windows & Doors – Consider Window Quality

New windows and doors can vary in quality. From entry level trade products to high end products such as bespoke and hand-crafted windows and doors.

If you budget allows, ensure that you look for bespoke, made to measure and high-quality windows & doors.

There are several aspect that can affect the overall quality of your new windows & doors.

It all begins with an accurate survey. Your replacement windows & doors should be made to measure for your openings. An accurate survey is vital to the overall quality of your installation.

Following survey, your new windows & doors will need be fabricated. Some companies fabricate their own windows & doors, whilst the majority purchase their products from volume production trade suppliers.

The material that are used in the production of your new windows & doors have a huge impact on the overall quality. Find a window company that doesn’t skimp on costs and uses the best components for their products.

Windows and doors are primarily made up of the following components;

Window/Door Profile
Glazing
Ironmongery such as handles, hinges, letterplates etc.
Locking Mechanisms.
Steel Reinforcement – windows and doors should also have sufficient steel reinforcement to ensure that they don’t sag over time.

Last but certainly not least is the installation. A well made product would be nothing without a high quality install.

Some companies directly employ their installers, whilst others use sub-contractors to carry out the work. This is important to establish.

Companies that directly employ their installers are often considered the better option as the installers are paid regardless of how many windows and doors are installed per day. Sub-contractors are paid per window or door, therefore this can reduce the overall quality of the installation as the work can be rushed. A good quality window & door installation will take time & skill.

We hope that the above will help you understand all the aspects that can affect the overall quality of your new windows & doors.

Some Facts To Remember When Considering Sapphire Windows:

We directly employ our surveyors, all have over 40 years experience in the industry.
We manufacture our windows & doors ourselves. As fabricators we can guarantee that all of our products are bespoke and made to measure for your property.
We know the value of using the very best materials and production techniques. Through continual research and development, we ensure that each component that makes up our product is of the highest possible standard. This gives us total confidence that we are supplying and installing a high-quality product that’s been built by us, to last.
We directly employ our installers. Our installers are highly skilled & experienced and take their time to ensure our windows & doors are expertly installed.

You may also want to consider reading the following useful hints & tips:

Filed Under: Blog Posts

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING WINDOWS & DOORS – COMPARE PRICES AND FINANCE OPTIONS

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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Top Tip When Buying New Windows & Doors – Compare Prices & Finance Options

Be Wary Of "Special Offers"

Be careful when companies offer special offers or fictitious discounts that are due to expire unless you place your order immediately. Don’t be fooled by “special” offers or fictitious discounts. Unfortunately, these old-fashioned high-pressure sales tactics do still exist in parts of our industry.

As a consumer you should be given a fair and reasonable price and time to make what will be a very important decision. Special offers or discounts do not exist.

Compare Like For Like Quotations

Compare what the companies have priced for. There are several factors that could affect the price of your new windows and doors. It’s important that if you are obtaining more than one quotation (we recommend that you should), that you are getting like for like quotes from each company. Some factors that can affect the price are as follows:

Product quality.
Frame thickness.
Window/Door colour.
Fully fitted? Or partial installation?
Allowance for internal window cills.
Glass specification.
Window/door styles.
Handle, letterplates, knocker colour, styles and finishes.

Windows and doors are an investment for your home. The cheapest is not always the best. If you want a product that looks great, performs well and lasts the test of time, expect to pay a little more.

Financing Your New Windows & Doors

Purchasing windows and doors can be a substantial investment, therefore flexible finance options can be helpful in spreading the cost in a convenient way and at a manageable pace that your suits your lifestyle and personal circumstances. To find out more about he flexible finance options we have available please click here!

When obtaining quotations and looking for finance options, remember to compare the total amount that will be repayable at the end of any lending term.

Customer Deposits

It’s common practice for window companies to request a deposit when taking an order. The percentages required can vary. If you decide to place an order that requires a deposit payment, it’s important to remember the following:

It is vital to check the company protects your deposit. This is done using a deposit protection scheme. Ensure that your deposit is safe otherwise you run the risk of losing your deposit if something happens to the company.
Check your contract/purchase agreement for your rights to cancel. Reputable companies normally offer a 7 day or 14 day cooling off period. Therefore, you have a right to cancel and have your deposit back if you cancel within the time frame specified in the agreement.

At Sapphire Windows, we do not require any deposit payments. Our motto is based on trust. If you make the decision to trust us to carry out your windows & door installation, we trust that you will pay us when we satisfactory complete the work.

You may also want to consider reading the following useful hints & tips:

Filed Under: Blog Posts

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING WINDOWS & DOORS – CHOOSE THE RIGHT STYLE

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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Top Tips For Buying New Windows & Doors - Choose The Right Style

Most window companies are able to offer a variety of window styles to meet your individual needs and express the uniqueness of your home.

These styles may include casement, vertical sash, flush sash, tilt & turn, bay, bow, and bespoke-shaped windows.

There are also a variety of door styles to consider, such as residential doors, composite doors, French doors, sliding patio doors and bi-folding doors.

It is important to consider room function and location when choosing the style of your windows and doors. You should consider obstacles in your room and the outdoor space they open up into.

Why not visit a showroom and see for yourself which styles are best suited for your home? It’s important that you ask about the following:

Window & Door styles
Colour options
Glazing options
Hardware styles
Hardware finishes

Window Styles

At Sapphire Windows we offer four different window styles: Traditional Casement Sash, Heritage Flush Casement Sash, Tilt & Turn & Vertical Sliding Sash.

Traditional Casement Sash

Heritage Flush Sash

Tilt & Turn

Vertical Sliding Sash

A Traditional Casement Sash & Heritage Flush Casement Sash window function in the same way. The difference between the two is their appearance. A traditional window sash sits proud of the window frame, whereas, a heritage flush window sash sits flush with the window frame. The window frame for both options are 70mm deep for increased mechanical strength and thermal performance. Both windows achieve an A+ window energy rating.

Tilt and turn windows can be fully opened inwards, allowing for better cleaning of the entire frame and glazing – both on the inside and on the outside. What’s more, they can be tilted inwards for excellent background ventilation, or fully opened from the side for maximum ventilation.

A vertical sliding sash window looks and operates differently. As its name suggests, the top and bottom window sashes open vertically (up and down). Both sliding sashes can also tilt inwards for easy cleaning. The window frame is thicker than a standard window; our vertical sash window frame is 128 mm deep. Vertical Sash Windows achieve an A widow energy rating.

Window Opening Configurations

Considering the opening configuration is an important decision, as it affects the suitability of the window for yours and your homes needs.

Considerations should be given to obstacles in your room and the outdoor space they open up into.

The main function of a window is that it opens, therefore, it’s important that the handle is placed in a suitable location for ease of opening.

Below are some examples of the most popular opening configurations for each window style.

When considering your window design, just remember the maximum sash sizes are as follows:

Traditional Sash – 1200mm x 1500mm (Top Hung) & 900mm x 1400mm (Side Hung)
Heritage Flush Sash – 1200mm x 1200mm (Top Hung) & 700mm x 1400mm (Side Hung
Tilt & Turn – 1500mm x 1500mm
Vertical Sash – 1600mm x 3000mm

Traditional Casement Sash & Heritage Flush Casement Sash

Tilt & Turn

Vertical Sliding Sash

These designs aren’t exhaustive. As window fabricators as long as we adhere to the maximum sash sizes, we can create a window design bespoke for your home.

Consider Equal Sighlines

Not only do we want our windows to function efficiently in our homes; we also want them to look good whilst doing so. In order to do this, it’s important to design windows that are symmetrical and have equal sightlines.

A popular design choice to ensure equal sightlines are achieved, is to incorporate what we call dummy non-opening sashes. They look the same as a top or side hung sashes, however, they don’t have any handles or locking mechanisms in order to function, therefore, they are entirely an aesthetic design decision. Fig 1. shows two side opening sashes either side of a dummy non-opening sash. Fig 2. shows two side opening sashes either side of a standard fixed light.

We hope this information helps you make an informed decision on which window styles and configurations are the best suited for your and your home. We would also suggest popping into our showroom to see the differences for yourself.

Find a window company that is willing to discuss and show you the options available to create the perfect windows & doors for your home.

You may also want to consider reading the following useful hints & tips:

Filed Under: Blog Posts

uPVC Vs. Aluminium Vs. Timber Windows & Doors

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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uPVC Vs. Aluminium Vs. Timber Windows & Doors - Choose The Right Material

It’s important to explore which window and door material is the best fit for you and your home. Material choices include- uPVC, Aluminium or Timber.

uPVC

uPVC windows and doors are the most popular replacement in the UK, and for good reason. They look great when made and installed well. uPVC windows are also cheaper than both aluminium and Timber. They are the most thermally efficient, maintenance free and have a long-life span of approximately 35-40 years. They are available in a range of woodgrain colours and styles to suit most house types.

Aluminium

Aluminium windows and doors are known for their strength and durability. Aluminium’s inherent strength allows the use of slimer profile offering smaller sightlines. These benefits make aluminium an excellent option for bi-folding doors. Aluminium has a life span of approximately 45 years and are more easily recycled than uPVC. They are also very low maintenance. Aluminium, however, is a more costly option than uPVC. Another downside to aluminium, is that it is a considerably poor insulator. Its thermal performance is also inferior to uPVC.

Timber

Timber windows and doors, although looks beautiful when well made, they are prone to swelling and rotting, and require regular maintenance to maintain their appeal. Houses in conservation areas are often required to replace their windows with like for like timber replacements. However, some planning authorities are willing to relax the rules for uPVC and aluminium when designed as timber replicate windows, such as Flush Sash.

You may also want to consider reading the following useful hints & tips:

Filed Under: Blog Posts

info@sapphirewindows.info

55-57 Wind Street, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18 3DT

Archives for October 2020

uPVC Window Colour Options

Traditional Casement Sash

Heritage Flush Sash

Tilt & Turn

Top Tip When Buying New Windows & Doors – Consider Window Quality

Top Tip When Buying New Windows & Doors – Compare Prices & Finance Options

Be Wary Of "Special Offers"

Compare Like For Like Quotations

Financing Your New Windows & Doors

Customer Deposits

Top Tips For Buying New Windows & Doors - Choose The Right Style

Window Styles

Traditional Casement Sash

Heritage Flush Sash

Tilt & Turn

Vertical Sliding Sash

Window Opening Configurations

Traditional Casement Sash & Heritage Flush Casement Sash

Tilt & Turn

Vertical Sliding Sash

Consider Equal Sighlines

uPVC Vs. Aluminium Vs. Timber Windows & Doors - Choose The Right Material

uPVC

Aluminium

Timber

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Flexible Finance Options Available

Past Projects Gallery

Our bespoke windows & doors have the potential to transform your home. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out some of our past projects and see how we have transformed homes across Wales.

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