A&B Glass – Home Improvements

Fensa Skills Card – Your Reassurance Of Quality Workmanship

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:38:20 +0000

FENSA SKILLS CARD – YOUR REASSURANCE OF QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

As a local manufacturer and installer of windows, doors and conservatories, A&B Glass has been FENSA registered since the organisation was established. FENSA is the largest competent person scheme for the glazing industry and is a passionate advocate for continuously raising the standards within the glass and glazing industry. Furthermore, each completed installation is registered with FENSA and a certificate of conformance is supplied to the consumer.

As a replacement to the previous MTC card, FENSA registered installers now have the opportunity to prove competence with the award of a FENSA Skills Card.

The FENSA card provides a clear identification point for homeowners to check that those who carry the card are FENSA approved installers.

As a consumer considering replacement windows, doors or perhaps a conservatory, you can be confident all FENSA skill card holders have been assessed both in knowledge and practical skills.

A&B Glass Home Improvements, the retail division of A&B Glass Company Limited, dedicated to local installations in Sudbury, Suffolk and surrounding area have recently completed a FENSA knowledge assessment and on-site skills assessment to obtain the FENSA skills card for all our Installers and Surveyors.

For more information or to arrange a free quotation please call 01787 880099, contact us online or visit the showroom at Addison Road, Sudbury CO10 2YW.

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Why I love my new windows

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:50 +0000

Why I love my new windows

Replacing your windows is a significant investment and it’s a job that most home owners will probably do only a handful of times. While new kitchens and bathrooms might feel like a more exciting and glitzy home improvement job, the value new windows bring to a home both in terms of aesthetic and thermal improvement shouldn’t be underestimated. Twelve months ago, Mrs Hill had a full house of Heritage windows and two years ago Mrs Cavendish opted for modern anthracite grey doors and windows on her large family home. We chatted to both home owners to find out the difference the doors and windows have made to their homes.

Mrs Hill comments:

“the kerb appeal of our property has significantly improved. We live on a really pretty little pretty cul-de-sac, all the houses are unique ranging from dorma bungalows right through to the Manor House which presents the focal point at the end of the road. Our house is one of the larger properties, architecturally it’s very pretty, but the windows were an absolute let down. Our neighbours would jokingly comment that our house “let the street down”. We turned to the A&B Glass Home Improvements because we wanted something unique. We didn’t want wooden windows again, the upkeep was time consuming and with two young daughters and a husband that works odd shifts, window maintenance never made it onto the to-do list. So we wanted windows that were in keeping with the period nature of our home but used modern materials. We opted for the Heritage range from the Ultimate Collection, we also chose cream which further accentuates the style and shape of the windows. The installation was seamless and our neighbours watched with envy as our gorgeous new windows lifted the entire property. Another neighbour further down had opted for timber-alternative windows and was surprised to learn that ours look superior and cost a fraction of theirs. It was a job we put off for for a very long time, but in reality it has spurred us onto other jobs, like changing the front door, and landscaping the front garden. Our home is now easily the prettiest on the street.”

Mrs Cavendish opted for anthracite grey windows throughout her home, coupled with a range of new openings including a bi-fold door and sliding patio door.

Mrs Cavendish explains:

“we love our windows, they have really harnessed our ‘marmite’ house. Previously the white windows just looked bland and mismatched against our white façade, it was always the house with potential! Now our home absolutely sings! There’s no question two years on we’d choose the same style from the Tricept Range but it’s the doors that have made the biggest difference to the way we live.

We used to have a really clunky patio door from the lounge into the garden, on paper, it’s a perfect space. It’s a second lounge so it’s ideal for the kids to nip into the garden – but that never happened because the previous door would stick and jam so the kids would traipse through the kitchen with pushchairs, scooters and so on. It was the surveyor that suggested a bi-fold. We imagined it would be super-expensive but was very pleasantly surprised. We recently had our house valued and all three estate agents commented on the gorgeous windows and doors, all agreed that it was a huge selling point when we come to market the property. Every new home we look at now, I’m trying to find that opportunity to put another bi-fold in, it’s changed the way we use our garden, it truly has. We’re no longer put off by properties that need new windows and no question, we’d turn to the Tricept Range again.”

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60 seconds with an A&B Glass Window Fitter

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:50 +0000

60 seconds with an A&B Glass window fitter

60 seconds with an A&B HOME IMPROVEMENTS window fitter

If you’ve ever had new doors and windows fitted you’ll know how important it is that the fitting is excellent. Like any home improvement job, you can only really judge the overall performance of your new windows if they’re fitted correctly – the best thermally rated windows are only excellent if they’re fitted well. So we chatted to an experienced fitter called Rob to get the low down on what makes a good fit.

How many years have you been fitting windows?

Over 20 years, thousands and thousands of windows, I stopped counting eventually!

What’s your favourite part of the job?

That’s a tricky one. It’s quite a physically demanding job which can be tough going – but there’s nothing more rewarding than when you show the home owner the completed job and they’re bowled over by your work.

Do you think homeowners expect you to care?

We meet all sorts of people in this job, and regardless of the style or size of the property it’s somebody’s home and we treat every single property with the same respect. We get lots of comments along the lines of “we thought there would be more disruption and damage to the decoration” which always surprises us. Occasionally we might need to patch up some decoration but if the original window has been fitted well, more often than not it’ll come out without damaging plaster work and so on. We always leave a property spotless too, it’s really important to us. Often customers have saved for a long time for new windows and we want customers to enjoy them from the word ‘go’ without having to spend time clearing up.

What should customers look out for when they’re choosing a window company?

Membership of the Ultimate Collection installer network will give them a strong indication about the quality of the fitting as well as the window itself. It’s also really important to know exactly who your fitting team is. We spend a lot of time in people’s homes, so trust is really important. We are always incredibly respectful of somebody’s home. We always advise home owners to keep pets and children clear of our working area. We’re very conscious of health and safety and keeping children away from our work is essential – most people understand that.

What is a ‘good’ fit

The initial survey is really really important. A good survey leads to a good fit, that said, older properties can need a bit more TLC when it comes to fitting. We take our time and we ‘pack’ windows properly to ensure zero movement over time. Occasionally when we remove a window we can see that a previous fit has used a lot of material to fill gaps, if the survey is done correctly and the fitting team are conscientious, then the fitting should be straightforward without the need for excessive use of materials that will degrade over time.

Have you every refused to fit a window?

Very very occasionally a window unit might be damaged in transit. We’re always very open with customers about that, even a minor scratch is unacceptable and we always report damage back to the office and order a replacement, even if that means fitting the damaged unit as a temporary measure. We’re striving for 100% satisfaction on every job.

What’s your final bit of advice for homeowners?

The fitting team in many respects are the most important people in the chain. If you’re not happy with any element of the fit, then speak to your sales contact. Your new windows will last a long time if the job is done correctly.

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What you need to know about changing your windows

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:50 +0000

What you need to know about changing your windows

EXPERT VIEW: what you need to know about changing your windows

Most windows are expected to last ten to fifteen years so in an average lifetime you might expect to change your windows four to five times. But how do you know when it’s time to change your windows and why should you? We deal with lots of enquiries from home owners seeking advice about what to look for in a new window system and what they can expect to spend. So we’ve talked to Tony, our resident window expert to ask him to give his words of wisdom.

“Nobody wants to spend money on home improvement projects they don’t need so I always say to home owners think about the age of the windows, any older than 10 years and I’d think about the security of the windows as much as anything else. Yes, today’s windows will be better thermally, but one of the biggest differences will be the security performance of the window. Typically, we think about what windows look like as much as anything, but in reality they are your first line of defence in keeping intruders out of your homes. It’s very rare for an intruder to break glass to gain access to a property, it’s more likely they’ll be looking for a security weak spot. Always talk to your chosen retailer about security features and don’t be fobbed off, if the security looks shoddy, walk away.

“We are often asked about the virtues of triple glazing over double glazing. It’s a really difficult one to answer. We would always advise people that a modern double glazed unit is going to give you fantastic acoustic and thermal performance compared to a window installed a decade ago. There was a big movement towards triple glazing a couple of years ago, it was the latest thing and yes, of course, a triple glazed unit will give you better warmth and reduce outside noise even further, but in reality these are incremental differences. If you’re budget won’t stretch to triple glazing don’t lose sleep over it, the majority of home owners that chose an A&B Glass Home installer are still choosing A-rated double glazing.

“Increasingly people are turning to coloured frames to create a statement on their property, but if you’re not quite ready for colour, or your property simply doesn’t lend itself to colour, be rest assured white is still the most popular choice in the UK. The tendency might be to chose a window that’s exactly the same style as you have already, top openers are popular for example, but do you need them? The purpose of a window is mainly to let light flood into your home so think about the amount of frame versus actual glass. I spend a lot of time looking at window installations and I always hate to see windows with big bulky frames, especially if you’re introducing a top opener and the glass to plastic ratio just looks odd. We always looks for symmetry with window design too, an installer will be able to align your windows so all the openings are symmetrical and configured in the most appropriate way for your property.

Much like any investment, be absolutely sure your retailer has asked you all the salient questions about your property, if they’re just replicating what you’ve already got, that’s fine if it’s what you want but there will often be many other options that could transform you home so it’s worth challenging your retailer and exploring all the options.

“Don’t just think of new windows as a functional spend. Windows can dramatically transform a property, but it’s important you find the right retailer to do the job.”

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How to choose the right windows

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

How to choose the right windows

Choosing the right replacement windows can be a daunting prospect. Do you go for something similar? What’s the difference between double glazed and triple glazed – is it worth it? Do you stick with white or go for colour? Questions, questions, questions…

Navigating your way through this minefield is made easy by contacting your local A&B Glass Home Improvements installer, with an approach firmly rooted in guidance and advice, the installer will explain clearly the different options and choices available taking into account things like the style and age of your property, your attitude towards colour and the look of timber.

Increasingly home owners are turning to colour as a way of creating a feature out of the windows, anthracite grey is increasingly popular amongst home owners that want to create a real style-statement but it’s not right for every property. Period properties lend themselves beautifully to soft creams and heritage colours. But the beauty of windows from a A&B Glass Home Improvements installer is that you can pretty much have any style of window you like – white on the inside, colour on the outside. Woodgrain is incredibly popular if you’re looking for a traditional window but with all the low maintenance qualities of PVCu.

The debate between double glazing and triple glazing is one of personal preference and budget. The ultimate future proof window is triple glazed but equally the double glazed windows supplied by your Ultimate installer are incredibly thermally efficient ranging from ‘C’ to ‘A’ in terms of their thermal grading – there’s no question that both the thermal performance and sound insulation qualities of your new windows will be incredible compared to what you have today.

Also consider how your windows functions, do you need top openers or would a full opener be more suitable for your needs? What about ‘tilt & turn’ for ultimate versatility, incredibly popular in Europe, tilt & turn windows do exactly what they say they do you giving you the ability to easily get to the external glass for cleaning. Also consider your handle choice. Choices used to be limited to white, white or…white. But now home owners are opting for alternative colours including contemporary chrome or traditional brass.

Also give careful consideration to security. Apart from keeping warm air in and cold air out, your windows are designed to keep you safe.

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New year, New home – A guide for home movers

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

New year, New home – A guide for home movers

Many of us decide to move house in the new year – indeed it’s often having a house full of friends and family over Christmas that finally tips you into the “we need more space” decision. But finding the house with the perfect south facing garden, or the best schools isn’t the only consideration, often people move house with very little consideration given to the need for new windows and doors. These top tips should give you food for thought in your quest for the perfect new home.

Mind the kerb – sometimes the exterior appearance of a house falls flat even before you’ve stepped over the threshold. But if everything else stacks up – the location, the price, the number of rooms – think about changes to the exterior façade that might improve it – is the brickwork fussy? Do the windows look dated and cluttered? Is the front door past its best?

Window dressing – new windows can be a sizable investment so it’s important that you look at windows closely. Arguably it’s kitchen and bathrooms that will grab your attention first, but if you’re buying a house with old windows, not only will your new property be less than thermally efficient, but you should also think about security. If you’ve found the perfect property and you’re concerned about the windows and the need for replacement then talk to an Ultimate installer – they’ll happily give you advice.

Door to Door – a lovely new front door is the perfect way to put your stamp on a property. It’s also an opportunity to think about the security of your front door too. It’s always worth checking the security features of all your doors – front and rear. Very few people actually go to the trouble of changing locks on doors when they move in – but you must, undoubtedly there will be keys to your property in circulation that you don’t even know about. Better to be safe than sorry!

Brrrrrrrrrrr – is that a conservatory or a fridge? – conservatories are a fantastic addition to a property – perfect for bringing the outside in. But if that outside is freezing cold, or boiling hot, then older conservatories will struggle to cope and you’ll end up with a huge fuel bill just trying to keep your conservatory ambient. But don’t let this put you off a house with a conservatory, increasingly home owners are replacing tired old conservatory roofs with a more thermally efficient solid roofs – ask your local A&B Glass Home Improvements installer to have a look at your conservatory and see if this roof-swap can be achieved.

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Winter Warmers

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

Winter Warmers

Whether you love it or hate it – winter does signal the start of some great events. But as we all give our heating the official switch on, it’s definitely time to reflect on just how cosy your house actually is.

As you prepare for a busy period of entertaining, consider these home improvement jobs while you dust off your Christmas tree!

There’s nothing like the first frost to make you realise how inefficient an older conservatory can be. Conservatories from yester-year are more often than not too hot in the summer and during winter become Baltic. Conservatory transformations are becoming increasingly popular – simple and fast, in next to no time an A&B Glass Home Improvements installer member can have you enjoying your conservatory as if it was new.
Santa’s calling – ok, so he doesn’t usually come through the front door – but now is the perfect time to think about how inviting your front door actually is. A festive red, or sublime blue is a perfect addition to any entrance way and will certainly set the right tone for your home as guests come calling. Have a look at the bespoke PVCU door collection and add some sparkle and cheer to your front door.
Thermal upgrade – extreme temperatures, hot inside and cold outside give most windows a run for their money, but if you’re waking up to cold draughts around your frames or your window ledges are saturated, then it might be time to think about new windows in the new year. Always a sound investment, windows really are critical when it comes to managing heat loss from your property. If nothing else it’s worth talking to a member of the Ultimate Collection Installer to get some advice – with no hard sell, they’ll be only to happy to talk you through the latest window innovations.
Nobody likes cleaning out the gutter but perhaps you could multi-task and pop some festive lights on your house at the same time – but cleaning out your gutter from all those autumnal leaves is a must do job. The extra weight of wet leaves sitting in your gutter will do them no good but cleaning them out as soon as the last leaf has fallen will save you heaps of time in the new year.

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How to choose the right doors

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

How to choose the right doors

Wide-span openings are very on trend. Blending the garden into the home is common place amongst home improvers looking for a seamless transition between the indoors and out. In this instance bi-fold doors or sliding doors are a great option. Bi-fold doors are perfect if you want to completely eliminate any sense of glazing between outside and in. But be sure you want that look. You can design in a ‘slave’ door that gives you the ability to exit your property without the need for operating the entire bi-fold. If a bi-fold is right for your project, then really think about the way the bi-fold operates and where the bank of doors will sit – left or right. Consider your eyeline from your property and how the bi-fold will impact that view. Small opening also lend themselves to bi-fold doors, it doesn’t need to be an ocean to make good use of a bi-fold door, often a small opening, can be made to feel much bigger if you completely eliminate any frames associated with other styles of glazing.

Similarly, sliding patio doors are also a really versatile way to add interest to your glazing, particularly if you’ve got the opportunity to create a wide opening. In some ways sliding patio doors are even more flexible than a bi-fold. By sliding one door entirely back you can still create a light, ‘indoor/outdoor’ space but unlike a bi-fold, sliding doors allow you to still retain some separation between your spaces – perfect for those cool, summer evenings where you want to enjoy the garden but without feeling completely exposed.

Traditionally, French doors, with two outward or inward opening doors were the first choice for doors at the rear of a property. Mostly used in double-width openings, French doors often benefit from glazed panels at the side, a great way to flood your home with light. One of the considerations when choosing French doors, particularly if they are in high traffic areas, is how to secure your doors to eliminate them from slamming shut. Cabin hooks are often used allowing you to fix your doors open, but in some circumstances, a sliding patio door might just fit the bill.

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Unraveling planning permission and building regulations

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

Unraveling planning permission and building regulations

In broad terms planning permission deals with the practical and visual impact of your proposed extension and building regulations deals with the compliance side of your extension – so does your extension have suitable drainage, is it structurally sound, is the work being carried out safely and so on.

But in recent years, government has made it much easier for us to extend our properties, encouraging us to improve our properties therefore reducing the burden on the housing stock issue. So in many ways it’s never been such a great time to extend.

Conservatories and glazed extensions have always been incredibly popular because these types of structures have generally not required planning permission, although there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, your conservatory must not be higher than your existing roof, it must not extend beyond the front or side of your existing property, if you have an existing extension, your new conservatory must not cover more than half your land – it’s this final point that can be hard to figure out, so it’s always worth getting your A&B Glass Home Improvements installer to come and give you advice first.

One of the other major factors to consider regardless of whether you’re going for a conservatory or a solid-roof extension is whether you want to knock through to your existing property and enjoy open-plan living. If you’re using the same heat source as the rest of your house, which you probably will, you will definitely need Building Regulations approval.

The best thing to do is talk to your A&B Glass Home Improvements installer and get their guidance. They will be very familiar with the local planning office in your area so they will be able to give you precise guidance.

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Making the most of your home extension

A&B Glass Home Improvements — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:02:46 +0000

Making the most of your home extension

These simple steps should get you well on your way to a stress-free extension:

Sit it out – you’ll have a clear idea what you want to use your extension for – whether it’s dining and entertaining, relaxing, playing or a combination of it all. But, before you consider the design and shape of your new space, think about repurposing existing rooms – often extensions and conservatories, especially those that lead into the garden are a really good ‘play’ space so think about how you can create the perfect indoor/outdoor room.

Size it up – extending your home is all about meeting your family’s needs today – but think about what space you might need in the future. If you’ve got small children they’ll no doubt enjoy bobbing in and out of the garden, so creating an extension that allows for the safe passage of tiny tots is essential. But those little ones soon grow up so think about how your extension can change to meet your future needs. There’s a huge tendency to go for open-plan living, but make sure you zone your space efficiently so all of your family member’s needs can be met.

Solid or Glass – traditionally extensions are considered to feature a solid roof, typically made up by a builder on site. But times have changed and today, your local A&B Glass Home Improvements installer will be able to give you fantastic guidance about what roof is right for your needs – whether that’s a fully glazed conservatory or sun room style. But if you’re looking for a more traditional extension a solid or part glazed/part solid roof might suit your needs better.

See it to believe it – choosing an A&B Glass Home Improvements installer has many benefits. First, your chosen retailer will be able to give you a full and accurate price for your job – no hidden extras or scope for grey areas! Second, your retailer will give you an accurate start time, advise on the appropriate Building Regulations or Planning Permission required for your job and may be able to give you an artistic impression of what your extension will look like – what could be better?

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