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

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING WINDOWS & DOORS – UNDERSTAND ENERGY RATINGS

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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Top Tip For Buying New Windows & Doors - Understand Energy Ratings

Understanding a window or doors’ energy rating is highly important, as it’s estimated that up to 25% of the heat within most homes, escapes through the windows.

The energy performance of a window & door is either measured by their u-value or Window Energy Rating (WER). The U-Value is a scientific measure of how heat flows through an element. High U-Values mean more heat flows, so the lower the figure the better.

The Window Energy Rating scheme is a scale designed to tell you exactly how energy efficient your windows are so you can choose the most suitable for your home. The scale was developed to provide a rating system specifically for windows as it takes into account not just U-Values, but also solar heat gain (G Value) and the air leakage rate of all the components of the fitted window.

The scale runs from A++ to E, with A++ being awarded to the most energy efficient windows. ‘C’ is the minimum to satisfy building regulations for windows.

It is required by law that new build or replacement windows need to satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

To have a whole window ‘U’ value of 1.6 W/m²K or lower.
To have a minimum window energy rating (WER) of ‘C’.
To use sealed units with a ‘U’ value of better than 1.2 W/m²K with argon gas fill and warm edge spacer bars.

The window profile and the glazing used will determine the energy efficiency of a window.

Energy Saving Calculator

One of the most cost effective ways of saving energy is by replacing poorly insulated windows, and at Sapphire, all our uPVC windows are made with high-quality Deceuninck profile, which offers excellent thermal insulation. Try the easy to use Deceuninck Energy Saving Calculator to work out how much money and CO2 you could save in the years ahead.

At Sapphire by using the very best profile and glazing, our windows achieve an A+ energy rating.

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

Send Us Your Enquiry

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Request A Callback

Filed Under: Blog Posts

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING WINDOWS & DOORS – RESEARCH THE COMPANY

October 22, 2020 by Sapphire Windows

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Top Tip When Buying Windows & Doors - Research The Company

Ensure you are dealing with a well-established and reputable window company. It is important that you review the company’s background history and online reviews. Ask the following questions:

How long have they been in business? And how long have then been trading under their current name?

Using a well-established company that have always traded under the same name can offer peace of mind and reassurance that post installation you will be dealing with a company that is willing and able to offer customer service for the duration of their guarantee period and beyond. A 5, 10- or 25-year guarantee is not worth the paper it’s written on, if the compony won’t be trading in 5, 10, or 25 years’ time.

Who manufactures & installs the windows that will be installed in your home?

The answer to these simple questions may surprise you as many companies don’t manufacture or install the windows they sell. The answers are important as if there are any issues with your windows post installation, you need to find out who will warrant the product. Will it be the manufacturer, dealer or the installer? This is one of the benefits from choosing a company that manufactures and installs its own windows and doors. If issues do arise, they can be dealt with efficiently under one roof.

Do they have a 5-star review rating online?

Nowadays we are a fortunate as consumers to have a number of means for researching companies online. There are a number of trusted review providers that can help us make the right choice. Platforms such as Google, Yell, Trustpilot, Facebook etc. can offer a great insight into the service we can expect from businesses.

Does the company offer any warranties or guarantees? If so, find out what is covered?

It’s important that you establish what warranties/guarantees are included with your purchase. You will need to determine the length of time and what aspects of the product are covered in the companies guarantee. Ensure that the guarantee is fully comprehensive and covers all aspects of the windows & doors. It should include the frame, glass, handles, letterboxes, hinges, locks, cylinders and the installation itself.

Does the company have any industry certifications?

Since April 2002 all domestic window and door (conservatories are exempt) installations must conform to Building Regulations specifications regarding energy Efficiency, Fire Escape and safety glazing. It’s mandatory for any replacement of windows for doors in a domestic dwelling to be issued with a certificate laying out the above. When you come to sell your home the purchasers’ solicitors will require a copy of this certification to complete any house purchase.

Installation companies need to be a member of either FENSA or Certass in order to process certification for an installation. There is very little to choose between the two organisations as both have been set up for the same purpose. FENSA has the most members and is the longest established. But that’s really where the differences end.

It’s important that the company that you do choose is either a member of FENSA or CERTASS.

Does the company have a showroom that displays their products?

The purchasing of windows & doors is an important investment, one that you may only make once in your lifetime. Therefore, it’s important that you are comfortable and confident with the choices you are making. Although brochures and images of past installations are incredibly helpful in finding the right products for your home, there is no substitution for seeing and feeling the windows & doors for yourselves.

Showroom visits can be helpful in deciding styles, designs, colours, glass specification, handle styles and finishes, letterbox styles and finishes, knocker styles and finishes etc.

It will also allow you to use the windows and doors that could soon be installed in your homes. Make sure you like the way the windows and doors operate and look before buying them, as you will be looking at them and opening and closing them just about every day for as long as you own your home.

Some Fact To Consider About Sapphire Windows:

We were established in 1989, we have been trading under the same name for 32 years.
We manufacture & install our own products
We have 100% 5 start review online across all review platforms.
We offer a fully comprehensive 10 year guarantee
We are FENSA registered which includes a 10-year insurance backed warranty.
We have a showroom which displays all of our products

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

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

Top Tip For Buying New Windows & Doors - Understand Energy Ratings

Energy Saving Calculator

Send Us Your Enquiry

Top Tip When Buying Windows & Doors - Research The Company

How long have they been in business? And how long have then been trading under their current name?

Who manufactures & installs the windows that will be installed in your home?

Do they have a 5-star review rating online?

Does the company offer any warranties or guarantees? If so, find out what is covered?

Does the company have any industry certifications?

Does the company have a showroom that displays their products?

Send Us Your Enquiry

Do you have an enquiry?

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