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While most buyers of double glazing
are looking for replacement windows to help reduce their energy costs,
or because their old windows are rattling in their frames, there's a
whole class of buyers who are 'trading up' - replacing perfectly good window frames
for the sake of having the windows they want. They may be looking to
replace all of their windows with a different style, or trying to
restore their home to its architectural period.
And then there
are the homes that were fitted with the first wave of double glazed
windows in the 1960s and 1970s. The original windows that featured
double glazing as an energy saving measure were aluminum framed and
conformed to the best energy standards of their day. There have been
enormous advances since then - in materials, techniques and styles. For
many people, it's time to upgrade to the new standards, even if the old
windows are still holding firm. There are other reasons that
people turn to replacement windows as well. Last spring, for instance,
my mother decided it was time to replace the mullioned casement windows
in her kitchen. She's always hated them, but they came with the house -
and were brand new when she bought it. She shopped around for months
until she finally found exactly what she wanted - a full three
three-sided greenhouse window with shelving built into the window
frames. Each pane is double glazed, and the entire effect is stunning.
Her choice of replacement window transformed the entire kitchen. Whatever your reason for seeking replacement windows, the following advice can help you choose the right ones. Prioritize your needs Think
through your reasons for replacing your windows and place a priority on
each. There are many choices of materials and styles of replacement
windows available, and each has distinct advantages over the others. If
you're concerned with restoration, for example, and want authenticity,
then wood framed double glazed windows will probably be at the top of
your list. If your primary need in replacing windows is affordability,
then PVCu framed windows are a far better choice. Do your research Research
windows and styles, certainly, but also check into the companies that
you choose to do business with. Ask around to friends who've replaced
windows about their experience with particular suppliers and
contractors. Invite three to four companies to your home to get an estimate Don't make a choice based on one double glazing price quote.
After you've checked around, choose three or four companies that have a
good reputation and have been in business for some time and make an
appointment for them to come to your home. They'll need to see the
scope of the job to give you a reasonable estimate of the price to do
it. Always have your windows measured by a professional Don't
order based on your own measurements, no matter how reliable you think
they are. Choose a company that will take the measurements themselves,
if for no other reason that it then becomes THEIR responsibility if any
of the windows ordered don't fit the space for them. Finally,
don't assume that you're stuck with the same look you've got.
Replacement windows can make a spectacular difference in your home's
appearance and value. Barring prohibition for historical or council
reasons, you can have that picture or bay window you've always wanted.
It's all a matter of finding it.
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