Who are the best window installers in South Wales?

Who are the best window installers in South Wales?

So, you’ve decided that you need new windows and doors, but who do you choose to install them?

A simple internet search can return hundreds of results. With all installers claiming they are the best.  There are larger national installers and then there are local installers.

The choice can sometimes be overwhelming, but with some research and consideration, the task can be made easier.

Here are 6 top considerations to make when making your choice:

  1. Are they certified?
  2. Do they offer warranties and guarantees?
  3. See examples of their work
  4. Ask for family and friend recommendations
  5. Check out their online reviews
  6. What is the quality of the windows and doors they’re installing?

 For more detailed information to help you make your choice, head over to our top tips page 

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GRP Composite Doors Vs. Solid Timber Core Composite Doors – Which is Better?

GRP Composite Doors Vs. Solid Timber Core Composite Doors - Which is Better?

Firstly we feel that it’s important for us to note that we manufacture and install GRP composite doors. As a business, we decided to go down the GRP route as we believe they are the best doors which are best suited for our client base. That being said, there are advantages and disadvantages for both GRP and Solid Timber, and it’s our aim to provide our unbiased opinion on both composite door options. 

Visually, GRP Composite Doors & Solid Timber Core Composite Doors are very similar. Both are classed as composite doors and both use uPVC outer frames. Composite doors have become increasingly popular in recent times, and are a superior alternative to uPVC doors. Aesthetically, composite doors have been designed to replicate timber doors, however, they are cheaper than timber and require little maintenance.    

GRP Composite Doors predominately use a 44mm door slab, whilst Solid Timber Core Composite Doors use a 48mm slab.

GRP Composite Doors

GRP or Glass Reinforced Plastic (fiberglass) Composite Doors typically filled with foam, making them highly thermally efficient.

The outer layer of a GRP Composite Door is made of two GRP skins bonded to a solid frame which is then filled with high-density foam insulation.

The main GRP Composite Door suppliers in the UK are Distinction Doors & Doorco.

GRP Composite Door Pros

  • Excellent thermal efficiency
  • Excellent security
  • Superb Sound insulation
  • Cheaper than Solid Core Composite Doors
  • Excellent Weatherproofing
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Standard colours available are White, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Anthracite Grey, Chartwell Green, Rosewood & Golden Oak. Standard colours have a minimised chance of scratching.
  • The choice of colour is unlimited as the door can be painted in any bespoke RAL colour.

GRP Composite Door Cons

  • When opting for a bespoke RAL colour, the paint finish can be scratched. Therefore, doors are supplied with a touch-up pot of paint if required.

Solid Timber Core Composite Doors

Solid Core Composite Doors are a relatively new product in the industry and are made from multiple layers of laminated timber with either uPVC, ABS or Fibreglass Skins.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) skins provide a robust thermo-plastic door skin, making them incredibly durable.  These skins are designed with ‘through colour’ so scratching is minimised.

As Solid Core Doors are mainly made of timber, the door slabs are heavier than GRP Composite Doors.

The main Solid Core Composite Door Suppliers in the UK are Solidor & Endurance Doors.

Solid Timber Core Composite Door Pros

  • Good thermal efficiency
  • Excellent security
  • Superb Sound insulation
  • Excellent Weatherproofing
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • ABS skinned Solid Cores minimise the chance of scratching.

Solid Timber Core Composite Door Cons

  • Less choice of colours available.
  • More expensive than GRP Composite Doors

We hope that the above information helps you decide which type of composite door suits you best.

Once you do decide, it’s also important to remember that you choose a reputable door installer that will provide a high-quality installation service for your new door.

 

Improving Homes Throughout South Wales

Both our showroom and fabrication facility are located in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. We cover the whole of South & Mid Wales and provide quality products in a variety of modern and traditional styles that meet homeowners’ requirements for energy efficiency, safety, and security.

We’re ideally located to serve homes in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Neath Port Talbot & Glamorgan. See our locations page to see where we work. 

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The Green Homes Grant in Wales

The Green Homes Grant in Wales

“Does the Green Homes Grant cover Wales?

The Green Homes Grant announced by the Government does not cover residents in Wales.

The Green Homes Grant gives homeowners in England vouchers to help cover the cost of energy efficiency improvements to their home – such as low-carbon heating systems, insulation, or double glazing to replace single glazing.

Please be wary of any companies that tell you that the Green Homes Grant is available in Wales.

Whilst the grant only covers England, there are other financial support schemes available for residents in Wales for windows & doors.

The following information applies to residents in Carmarthenshire, however, there may be similar assistance available from other local councils.

Houses into Homes

An interest-free loan, available to properties that have been empty for a period of 6 months or more. This loan can be made up to £25,000 (subject to available equity), which has no monthly repayments. A loan to sell is repayable at the point of sale or at 2 years from the approval date, whichever is sooner. The loan to let is repayable 5 years from the approval stage.

https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/housing/empty-properties/houses-to-homes-loan/#.X9ivdtj7TIU

Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant

This is grant funding offered by the Welsh Government, through the Valleys Taskforce initiative, offering up to £20,000 grant for properties that have been empty for 6 months or more. This is restricted to the Aman and Gwendraeth Valley only. There is no means of testing for the grant, but will only offer a grant assistance of 85% (15% applicant contribution), up to a maximum of £20,000. This grant is non-repayable, provided the applicant resides in the property themselves for a minimum of 5 years, after completion of the works.

https://gov.wales/valleys-taskforce-empty-homes

If you have any queries regarding the above or would like to talk to us in more detail regarding some of the financial support available, please feel free to call un 01269 596480.

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Working Safely During The Covid-19 Outbreak

Working Safely During the Covid-19 Outbreak

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Think About Lead Times – Plan Ahead

Think About Lead Times - Plan Ahead

A question that many of us fail to consider or ask early enough during the buying process is the product lead time.

When buying windows & doors it would be wise to plan ahead, as many of the top-rated and most reputable window & door companies in your area are likely to have lengthy lead times.  

Try your best to plan ahead to avoid letting your choice of windows and doors be dictated by the installation lead time.

As of October 5th 2020, a poll undertaken by the Double Glazing Blogger found that out of the installers that were surveyed, 80% had lead times of 8 weeks or more. Here’s a bar chart on their findings.

We are a generation that has become accustom to Amazon next day deliveries, therefore we can sometimes forget that tradespeople have lengthier lead times.

In the case of high-quality windows & doors, these aren’t off the shelf products. The best windows & doors are hand crafted, made to measure and bespoke for your homes, therefore there is a longer production process involved. Also, the most reputable companies are likely to be busier and will have a larger order book to fulfil.

Please remember that your windows & doors could be in your home for the next 30 years, therefore it is worth waiting a few extra weeks for your ideal choice of windows & doors.

TOP TIP: Let quality, price and service dictate your buying decision as opposed to quick lead times.  

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