Wiltshire residents have endured a few heatwaves this summer. While that may mean trips to the beach, days out at the park with the family and long, lazy walks by the river, it also means your home is frequently becoming an oven.

Modern homes, particularly those with double glazing, offer excellent insulation which is perfect for keeping the house warm and heating bills low during the winter. But when the summer rolls around, keeping cool becomes a challenge. 

Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do to keep your Wiltshire home cool this summer. 

Avoid opening windows 

This might seem counter-intuitive. It’s hot, so why wouldn’t you want to let some of the warm air out?

But in truth, by opening your windows, what you’re actually doing is letting the hot air in.

Instead, keep curtains on south facing windows drawn, in order to keep too much heat from radiating through your windows. 

The exception to this is if you have sash windows. If you do, open the top and bottom an equal amount. This will create a convection effect, with the denser, cool air entering through the lower opening, while the lighter, warm air is pushed through the top. 

Insulate your home 

You read that right! Again, it feels like the opposite to what you need. After all, insulation is what keeps your house warm in the winter. But in the summer, it works the opposite way around and prevents the hot air from entering your home. As long as your home is well insulated, the warm air won’t get in and the cold air won’t escape. 

Reflect the heat 

When sunlight is constantly shining through your windows, it creates a greenhouse effect, with the warm air, heated by the sunlight, having nowhere to escape.

You can avoid this by installing solar reflective glass on any south-facing windows which get the most sunlight during the day. This can also be retrofitted as a film applied to the glass. 

Switch off electrical products 

Nowadays, we have so many electricals in the home and it’s just a habit to leave them on standby when they’re not in use.

However, this could be generating unnecessary heat in your home. When not in use, power off games consoles, televisions, and computers in order to eliminate the heat they generate in your home. 

By following the above tips, you should be able to enjoy a cooler home this summer, so even when the day is at its hottest, your Wiltshire home will still offer a bit of respite from the hot summer sun. 

If you’re looking for a new front door for your home in Salisbury or Wiltshire, there are so many options to choose from.

And now, with the versatility of composite doors, there are even more choices available than ever before.

Whatever look you’re going for, there’s a composite door to suit your home and taste. And, thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques, composite doors offer unrivalled strength and durability.

But what is a composite door? 

Materials used in a composite door. 

Materials used in the composition of the door include: 

• A solid timber core 
• uPVC 
• Glass reinforced plastic

These materials are layered together and glued under high pressure to create a solid but versatile material. 

What is Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP)? 

Glass reinforced plastic is a polymer that has been reinforced with glass fibres.

This gives it additional strength but also flexible, meaning it can be moulded into a wide range of finishes, whether you want a traditional timber-effect finish or something with a more contemporary twist. 

Benefits of composite doors 

Composite doors are rapidly becoming the preferred alternative to both uPVC and timber, and for a number of very good reasons: 

• Ease of maintenance: Unlike timber, there’s no need to regularly stain your composite door. Simply wipe it down regularly with warm, soapy water and it will look brand new for years. 
• Increased security: The strength of the composite material makes the door far harder to force entry through than many of the other doors available on the market. Combined with advanced locking mechanisms, this makes them the ideal choice for those looking for complete peace of mind. 
• Versatility: Composite doors are available in a much wider range of styles and finishes than uPVC and can be used to recreate the traditional look of timber but without the maintenance concern. 
• Increased thermal efficiency: The thermal efficiency of composite doors will help to keep your home warmer while also reducing your energy bills. 

At Spire Glass, we offer a wide range of composite doors with styles available to suit any home. Do you live in the area of Salisbury, Wiltshire, or Hampshire? Get a free online composite door quote.

When it comes to buying a new front door, there’s a lot you need to consider. Here are some of the things you might want to think about before you purchase your new front door. 

Material 

There are a range of materials available for your front door and each one carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages; it’s important that you are aware of the characteristics of each in order to make an informed decision. 

uPVC

This is probably the most popular choice of material for a front door.

uPVC is strong, durable, easy to maintain, and with a range of customisation options available, it is easy to find a uPVC door with the right look for your home.

If you don’t want the traditional white uPVC, you can opt for a timber-effect finish. You can also choose the colour and style of the stained glass in your door. 

Composite 

Composite doors are rapidly becoming the first choice among homeowners and with good reason.

They offer unrivalled versatility with a broad selection of styles and colours to choose from. Choose a timber-effect traditional finish for a period or character property or opt for something more stylish and contemporary for a modern home.

The materials composite doors are made from also make them extremely durable and strong, with little maintenance required to keep them looking fresh. 

Timber 

This is a traditional choice, favoured by owners of older homes.

Timber is an excellent choice for anybody looking for a classic look for their home, however it is more difficult to maintain as timber requires treatment in order to protect it from the elements and prevent damage occurring. 

Security 

Although you want your front door to be welcoming and inviting to guests, it also needs to deter intruders so security is a key consideration when purchasing a new front door.

Secure by Design is a programme supported by the UK police which focuses on ‘designing out crime’. Any door carrying the Secure by Design accreditation will offer the highest standard of security available on the market. 

Cost 

Of course, different doors come at different costs, with certain styles costing more than others.

While composite doors offer slightly more benefits compared with uPVC, they generally come at a higher cost.

If budget is a consideration, uPVC may be the better choice as it will enable you to enjoy the benefits of excellent security and a stylish new look but for a lower cost. 

If you’re looking to replace your front door, our online door quote tool will show you how much your door could cost – and if you’re happy to continue, Spire Glass will be able to install your new front door, serving Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Dorset.

A conservatory is a fantastic addition to any property.

It gives you additional space in your home and can serve many functions, from a dining room or additional sitting room, to a playroom for the kids.

They give you the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and get the benefits of plenty of sun, while also keeping you sheltered and protected from the unpredictable British weather. 

However, with all that glass, there is a trade-off.

The sun beating down on the glass warms the air inside, while the insulating properties of the glass trap the heat inside, creating a greenhouse effect. This can make it very uncomfortable to sit in, and at a time when you most want to be enjoying your conservatory.

Luckily, the temperature in your conservatory is quite easy to manage and by following these tips, you can keep enjoying your conservatory, even in the most unforgiving sunshine. 

Solar controlled glass

Double glazing is now available with solar controlled glass.

This is a specially coated glass that allows the sunlight to pass through, while deflecting around 50% of the heat.

It can be fitted to the panels likely to receive the most sunlight, meaning you can still enjoy the view and get the benefits of the sunlight, without baking. Solar controlled film can also be retro-fitted to the glazing, offering the same effect to conservatories already installed. 

Blinds 

Blinds allow you to control the amount of sunlight, and therefore heat, entering the room.

By angling the blinds relative to the direction of the sunlight, you can protect your conservatory from the heat at peak times. Closing the blinds at night and while the conservatory is not in use will also prevent the interior from heating up in the early morning sun, before you get a chance to enjoy the room. 

Ventilation 

Opening a door to allow the warm air to escape and a cool breeze into the conservatory is a quick way to get some relief from the heat.

However, you can also have windows fitted with vents above the glass. This allows the air to circulate throughout the day, keeping it cool, while also preventing any build-up of moisture inside.

During a heat wave, it’s also a good idea to open the door for a time before you go to bed to allow the warm air to escape and create a good starting temperature for the next day. 

Shade 

Careful planning of your conservatory’s location before its even built will give you an advantage when it comes to keeping it cool.

If the planned area is south facing, it is likely the sun will be beating down on your conservatory for most of the day.

You may want to consider a more sheltered location or moving the conservatory to the side of the house where it will get fewer hours of sunshine.

You could also consider planning to install the conservatory beneath the shelter of a tree to provide some additional protection.

At Spire Glass, we’ve been expertly installing windows and doors across Salisbury and Wiltshire for many years. When it comes to conservatories, we’re able to provide advice and guidance to get you along the way. Get in touch today.

Composite doors are still very much the new kids on the block and, unlike uPVC which has been around for a long time, are relatively unproven, particularly when it comes to security.

But if you are considering a composite door, maybe because you want a more unique finish to your home, and you’re concerned with security, you really shouldn’t be. 

Security Benefits of a Composite Door

All composite doors have been manufactured since standards were introduced, meaning they all conform to the same security and safety standards as the most modern uPVC doors.

They also offer some additional security benefits, including: 

• Stronger material. Composite doors are much thicker than uPVC, making it harder to force entry. 
• Reinforced glass. The strong, structural frame of the door and the reinforced glass, means the glass will not fall out of the door if broken; it will shatter but remain in place. 
• Multi-point locking system. This runs down the edge of the door and hooks onto the frame in multiple points when the lock is engaged. 

What security standards should I look for?

If you remain unconvinced, there are a number of standards against which doors are tested.

Any composite door you buy should conform to and carry the badge for the following standards: 

• PAS 24. This is an accreditation which has been agreed by both the police and insurance companies and is assurance that your door meets the highest standard of security. PAS 24 accreditation alone is enough to buy with peace of mind. 
• CE Mark. This mark tells you that the door conforms to the requirements of EU regulations
• Secured by Design. This is a UK Police initiative focusing on crime prevention through product design. 

Additional Security Measures 

There are, of course, other things you can do to further secure your property.

The two most common are a spy-hole and door chain.

Door chain

A door chain allows you to reduce the opening of your door to just a few inches and prevents somebody from forcing entry once your door is unlocked and opened. 

Spy-hole

A spy-hole integrated in your door will also allow you to identify who is on your doorstep before opening the door. Tradesmen can show their identification through the spy-hole, so you can be confident they are who they say they are before opening the door. 

If you’re considering purchasing a composite door for your home, security really shouldn’t put you off.

Providing you follow the above guidance and your door carries the standards described, you can be assured that your new composite door will offer the very best security currently available.

Spire Glass will be happy to discuss your options further and provide you with a quote for your new composite door. Get in touch to find out more.

There are a number of reasons why you would want to consider replacement windows. But whether you’re looking for a fresh new look for your home, or you want to reduce your heating bills, there are a lot of things to consider.

Luckily Spire Glass are here to help you cut through some of the jargon and get to grips with what you need to know when buying replacement windows. 

Why Replace Your Windows 

As we said, there are a number of reasons you may wish to replace your windows, but there are a few you may not yet have thought about. Here are some of the reasons you may want to consider replacement windows: 

• Sudden spike in heating bills. If you’ve noticed your heating bills rising unexpectedly, it may be that you have damaged windows that are allowing the heat to escape. If your windows are still in warranty, you will benefit from speaking to the installers to have them repaired or replaced. But if they are older, it is almost certainly time to replace them. 
• Large areas of rot. Wooden frames, particularly if they are not properly cared for, tend to succumb to the elements over time. One ailment suffered by wooden frames is rot. Small areas of rot can be repaired, but in the case of larger areas, it may be better to simply replace the window altogether. 
• Security. If your old windows are damaged, you may find it difficult to close them properly or even be unable to lock them. You will certainly want to consider repairing or replacing these windows for the sake of the security of your home. 
• Increased energy efficiency. Because of advancements in technology, newer windows offer increased energy efficiency in your home. So, if your windows are more than ten years old, even if they’re not damaged, you may still benefit from replacing them and enjoying further reductions on your fuel costs. 

What to Consider When Choosing Your New Windows 

Once you’ve made the decision to replace your windows, there are many options to choose from and it’s important that you make the right choice for you and your home. Here are some of the things you need to bear in mind when choosing your replacement windows. 

Material

There are several materials to choose from, each of which offers its own unique set of benefits and a distinctive look for your home. 

• Timber. If you want a classic look for your home, timber windows are the perfect choice. You can still enjoy the benefits of double glazing while maintaining a traditional appearance for your home. On the downside, timber frames tend to be more costly than alternatives and are more difficult to maintain as they require regular painting in order to protect them from the elements. 
• Aluminium. Aluminium is stronger and more durable than other materials. It also allows for a greater area of glass as the frames are thinner than timber or uPVC frames. Because of their appearance, they create a strong contemporary look that is a perfect fit for modern homes. 
• UPVC. uPVC is by far the most common window material and with good cause. It is durable, easy to maintain and offers excellent security. It also slightly more effective than Aluminium when it comes to energy efficiency, which makes it the perfect choice for those wishing to reduce energy bills. What’s more, you can now buy uPVC windows in a range of styles and finishes, so you can still get timber effect, with the benefits of uPVC. 

Style 

As well as the material, you also need to consider the style and find the look that is right for your home. Replacement windows are available in a wide range of styles to complement the look of your property. 

• Casement Windows – Casement windows are characterised by the fact that they open outwards. They are incredibly versatile and can be installed in almost any home, in a wide range of materials and finishes. 
• Flush Sash Windows – The operation of a flush sash window is the same as a casement window, but they have the look of traditional sash windows, making them a good fit for older properties. 
• Sliding sash windows – These look and operate the same as traditional sash windows and are the perfect fit for older homes. 
• Tilt-and-turn windows – These are a good choice for windows which are high up, in the upper reaches of a property or on a high flat as they can be opened to 90 degrees, enabling them to be cleaned from the inside.

If you would like to discuss your replacement windows, or to talk through your options in greater detail, contact Spire Glass today and speak to a member of our team. 

Secondary glazing is something that may often be overlooked by homeowners.

When considering upgrading or replacing current windows, double or even triple glazing comes to mind.

But in some cases, secondary glazing could prove to be a cheaper alternative that’s just as efficient as double glazing.

In this article, we’re going to be discussing the benefits and reasons to get secondary glazing for your home. We’ll be discussing;

• Listed Buildings
• Heat Retention
• Noise Cancellation
• Security
• Budget

Listed Buildings

If your property or home is a listed building, you find yourself in a tough position as there’s not much you can do to make changes to your home.

However, secondary glazing is a great option for listed buildings whereby a second pane of glass is added to an already single glazed window to improve the overall energy efficiency of the property without making any changes that would be detrimental to the listing building regulations and instead would comply with them.

Heat Retention

Adding secondary glazing to a property enhances heat retention throughout the home.

Simply because by adding a secondary glass pane that is sealed correctly and improves heat retention, the heat has nowhere to escape and thus eliminating draughts.

And in turn, this helps to cut energy costs per month. 

Going from single glazing to secondary glazing, you will instantly see the difference and reap the benefits of improved energy efficiency, elimination of draughts and ways for heat to escape as well as saving money on energy bills.

Noise Cancellation

When installing secondary glazing noise cancellation can be improved up to 80% simply by adding a second glass pane to the single glazed window.

Sound waves have then a harder time getting through two glass panels as opposed to one and if you live in a built-up congested area or live close to the main road, you will instantly hear a difference.

Security

Secondary glazing provides increased security as they are securely fixed in a strong aluminium frame, making break-in attempts much harder and becomes tougher for potential burglars to break and enter into the property.

Budget

Overall the budget needed for secondary glazing is considerably less than that needed for buying and installing new double glazed windows.

The reason for this is because the installation time is much less than installing new windows, it’s effectively fitting an extra window pane to the already installed single glazed window. So the time on the job is much less and that is reflected in the price too.

Get in touch with us today to see if secondary glazing could benefit your property, and how Spire Glass can help.

Our team are on-hand and happy to help, discuss your budget and needs to find the best products and services available for you and your home.

As we enter a new decade, you’re probably thinking about upgrading your property. 

If you’re looking to replace your windows and doors in this new year, you may want to consider window and door trends appearing in 2020.

In this blog post, we have put together our top industry trends for windows and doors for 2020.

Some of which include:

• Sustainable windows and doors 
• Large glass windows 
• Bi-fold doors
• Glass extensions
• Black window frames 

Sustainable windows and doors

2019 saw a shift towards green energy consumption and reducing the cost of energy bills. 

With help from technological innovation, the move towards choosing energy-efficient windows and doors made from eco-friendly material to provide heating, cooling and lighting are an essential component in sustainable building design. 

uPVC windows became a popular choice in 2019 to minimise the effect on the environment by lowering carbon emissions and promoting greener energy. Sustainable windows are not going anywhere soon and are sure to increase throughout the new decade.

Large glass windows 

The demand for large windows and less frame has seen a rapid increase in popularity among homeowners in 2019 and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Large glass windows have many advantages. Some of the key benefits being; an increased flood of light entering your home as well as providing you with significant landscape views. 

Living spaces with floor to ceiling windows is the trend to look out for in the coming months for 2020. 

Bi-fold doors 

With no surprise, bi-fold doors are on the list of window and door trends for 2020 and are set to continue to be a top choice for doors in the coming months. If you’re looking for a way to increase light into your home and extend your view into the garden, bi-fold doors are certainly the way to do it.  

Glass extensions 

The growth for outdoor living and natural light has driven the demand for stunning glass extensions and is at the top of most homeowners 2020 wish list. 

The popularity to create a living space with a wall of glass for captivating views of the garden and sky has significantly increased over the last few years, with modern glass extensions and contemporary architecture becoming ever more popular. 

Black window frames  

Although white windows may be the more traditional choice when purchasing new windows and doors for the home, black is certainly the new colour to watch out for in 2020. Black window frames blend well with any interior or exterior decor and look stunning on both traditional and modern homes. 

Watch out for the extension of darker colour pallets in 2020, with grey becoming a more popular choice of colour for windows and doors. 

Windows and doors from Spire Glass Limited

Here at Spire Glass, we provide quality double glazed windows and doors throughout Salisbury, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. 

Get your free online quote today.

It is no secret that gardening has a strong correlation with improving mental health among adults.

But why is it so effective? 

According to the mental health charity Mind, the benefits of gardening include; 

• Improved mood
• Reduced feelings of stress and anxiety
• Help you feel more relaxed
• Improve physical health 
• Improve confidence and self-esteem
• Help you become more active 
• Help you build new connections 

In this article, we focus on how gardening can help with mental health and how it’s benefits can improve the overall quality of your life. 

Gardening can help improve your mood

Not only can gardening be fun, but it can be a great way to boost your mood.

Regular exercise is well known to reduce the effects of mental health. By maintaining your garden, the act of digging, pushing a lawnmower and raking leaves can all be a great form of exercise.

Whilst gardening is a gentle form of exercise, it provides an effective workout whilst putting minimal strain on the body – unlike weight lifting at the gym. If you’re someone that has a fear of gyms, this may be the perfect fitness routine!

Natural daylight can lift your mood

Exposing yourself to natural daylight is a great way to improve your mood. Sunshine can trigger the hormone serotonin which acts as a mood stabiliser that helps us feel more positive and productive.

During the winter months, this is sometimes a lot harder to come by. It is therefore important to expose yourself to a safe level of sunshine to help stabilise your mood.   

It can give you a sense of  personal achievement

We all feel good when we have achieved a set of goals – big or small. Setting yourself small daily targets in the garden can be a great way to boost your self-esteem and create a sense of purpose in your life.

Regularly maintaining your garden can give you a sense of achievement once all jobs on your to-do list has been completed. This can increase your level of self-efficiency which is a great way to improve anxiety and depression. 

It can be a great way to make new friends

Gardening can be a positive way to build a close support network that can help you with mental health.

If you’re struggling with confidence issues, joining a community gardening project is a great way to socialise and make new friends. Having a support network can be a crucial part of the recovery process. 

You can search for local community activities through networks such as meetup. This is an online space which has been designed to bring people together through trying new hobbies or doing what you love! 

Connecting with nature can be a great way to bring peace to the mind 

Being outside is a great way to bring inner peace within the mind. By creating your own outdoor space that you feel comfortable being in, you provide yourself with a safe, comfortable place where you can fully relax.

If you are located in urban areas and have little exposure to greenery, try creating plant pots of flowers. This way, you can make an area on your patio or balcony which exposes you to a hint of nature. 

Bifold doors have taken the home renovation industry by storm becoming one of the biggest interior trends of 2019.  

But why have they become so popular? 

For homeowners looking to increase natural light into their home and extend connectivity with the garden, bifold doors are the perfect option. 

Our top three reasons for purchasing a bifold door  include:

• Light 
• Security 
• Insulation 

Increase light

The large surface area of glass used in bifold doors allows more daylight to enter your home. If you live in a property that struggles obtaining natural daylight, bifold doors are a great way to increase sunlight into your home. When open, bifold doors can be used to bring the outside in by allowing you to enjoy your garden and the sun from the comfort of being indoors. 

Improved security

Not only are bifold doors great for improving  the appearance of your home, but they are also extremely secure. Unlike french doors, bifold doors have various locking systems built along the sliding track in which they run. Therefore, bifold doors provide the utmost security keeping you and your family safe from intruders breaking into your home. 

Energy efficient

You may assume that having a wall made of glass would be less energy efficient. However, with the advancements of modern technology, all Spire Glass bifold doors benefit from uPVC and double glazing to offer fantastic thermal efficiency. You will find that installing bifold doors will increase the thermal efficiency of your home, making your gas bills cheaper and keeping you warmer in the winter. 

Ready to purchase a uPVC bifold door? 

Here at Spire Glass we have a range of bifold doors available in a variety of folding configurations and styles. If you are looking for a way to open up your living space and create a greater sense of space and light then get in touch today to get your free quote on a set of uPVC bifold doors.