Conservatory Specifications - Conservatory Windows
Windows Introduction
The different types generally tend to be:
Casement Windows -
Tilt and Turn Windows -
Sash Windows -
Bay Windows
Security of your Windows
It’s a cruel reality but being broken into is a common occurrence. So why not take that extra bit of time when purchasing your windows to ask the following.
Are the windows reinforced?
Reinforcement is metal inside the frames for the hardware to screw into. This means that you are optimising the hardware strength and not how strong the plastic is that the hardware is screwed into.
Do they have shoot bolts or espag locking?
In general shoot bolts do exactly what they say on the tin and shoot out into the keeps attached to the corners of the frames. This means that the corners of the frame, which are the most vulnerable to a crowbar, have a locking point sited next to the hinge for extra strength. Espags end to be like mushroom headed cams that sit under keeps and don’t offer the same level of security.
Don’t forget if you really want to push the boat out on the ground floor ask for locking handles and laminated glass.
Safety of your Windows
Being secure is one thing but also being safe is an another. It is now necessary to fit egress hinges or fire hinges to your second floor windows. I would suggest as well that it is also common sense, who knows which room a fire will start and where you have to get out of. Egress hinges are different to normal window hinges as they allow the window to push out to 90 degrees to allow you to climb out. But in addition to the egress stay the window design must allow for a minimum opening.
Maintenance of your Windows
PVC windows have obvious advantages over wooden windows. They don’t need to be painted and are not subject to peeling. But what about adding self cleaning glass. There are two options on the market. The first option is to have a non-stick coating treatment added to your glass to allow the dirt to slide away. The second and latest option is to incorporate a chemical process within the glass that uses sunlight, and a chemical reaction to break down the dirt and then uses rain to wash the muck away.
Think you can’t afford it just ask you’re glazing company or only have those hard to reach windows done.
Heat Efficiency
Currently there is a revolution going on with in the window industry as to how to grade your window system. The window frames can differ in thickness from 55mm to 70mm the number of chambers in the frames can differ giving more thermal breaks and making the frame more thermally efficient. Since the 1st April 2002 all windows in England and wales including replacement windows had to comply with the building regulations on emissions and have a BTU rating of 2 or less. Scotland is 1.8. Most do and this is achieved by using low emission glass.
Style of Windows
As a rule of thumb and if you are unsure about what replacement window goes where ,stay with the same colour and style that you currently have. A nice way to alter your window design subtlety is to just drop the transoms by 100mm. But don’t forget about those fire regulations.
