Quickly turn a garage into a sun lounge - the versatility of Bi-folding doors

Turn a garage into a sun lounge / casual use room simply and easily by ex-changing the garage door for bi-folding doors.

Just one idea that shows the versatility of these amazing exterior doors - Bi-folding doors are a set of individual upvc or aluminium door panels (usually full length glass) joined together with special hinges and hung on an enclosed rail system so that each panel folds back on itself. This means you can open the whole expanse or just one or more of the panels to suit yourself and the weather.

Just like the old wooden interior dividing doors of old.

Bi-folding doors are great for opening up your home to the outside - dining alfresco is easy when you've got all the convenience of the kitchen at your disposal - you don't even have to clean off patio tables and chairs - you can sit at your regular table and enjoy the outside without walls or barriers.

Bi-folding doors are as weatherproof as normal patio and french doors and just as secure. They're also remarkably energy efficient and can be specified with coated glass just like any other upvc window of door in your home. Because each panel is individually hinged, you can use just one panel as a normal entrance door, without having to open the whole thing.

They're also available in more than just white.

And it's not just garages that can benefit from bi-folding doors. From replacing a set of patio doors to opening up an entire outside wall to enclosing a swimming pool, Bi-folding doors tick all the boxes - long guarantees, low maintenance, energy efficient, easy to operate, versatile and secure.

If this all sounds a bit too good to be true, well it isn't. True, the cost of a 3 panel bi-folding door (the span and number of individual panels can vary depending on your property) is more than an equivalent normal patio door but remember with the bi-fold you can open up the entrance fully or partially at will, and the integrated track system means there's no step into the garden, like you often get with normal patio and french doors. The track system also means no more effort than that to open a normal door is required.

For added functionality, why not think about incorporating an outside awning across the span of the bi-fold doors? That way, you can enjoy the outside without the glare of the sun, keeping your interior cool whilst also protecting furnishings from fading. Chose an awning option with lights or heating and you'll be able to enjoy your outdoors even when the sun's gone down.

Click here to get your instant online bi-folding door quote. It's very straightforward. Simply type in the measurements of the span / area where the door is to be fitted and select how many individual panels you'd like the door to incorporate (there's a guide to tell you how many panels are possible within the opening you've entered), and you'll get an instant online quote there and then.

Same with Awnings - Click here to get your instant online awning quote. Enter the dimensions, choose options like power or manually wound, if you want to incorporate lights or heating etc and get an instant online price guide.

photo credit: 5 Star Windows.

Patio Awnings and conservatory blinds – not just for summer

Patio Awnings and conservatory blinds – not just for summer.

If you thought Patio Awnings were just for summer, then think again.

The latest designs come with optional extras like lighting and heaters so you can still enjoy your patio or garden long after the sun has gone down and the night chills.

And you won't have to rely on fine weather for your next garden party as an awning makes running for cover from rain and showers a thing of the past.

Todays patio awnings are available in a range of designs and most now come with remote operation as standard so you can retract or extend your awning from the comfort of your own chair. When you choose a powered awning, you can also specify wind and sun sensors so that should you accidently leave your awning extended and it becomes windy, the awning is automatically retracted to avoid damage.

The same is true for the sun sensors. Forget to extend you awning and a sun sensor will automatically extend your awning to protect interior furnishings from fading as well as offering shade to outside planters – very useful if you're on holiday.

You can now get instant online quotes for your patio awnings. They're completely free of charge too. You just type in the dimensions of the awning you'd like, add other options like heating and lighting etc and you'll get an expectation of the cost there and then. Quotes include fitting and installation.

To get your instant online quote for a patio awning, go to www.awningquoter.co.uk.

Earlier I mentioned conservatory blinds. Again, these are often thought of as a summer accessory however, well fitted blinds can prove a bonus in the winter too.

As the evenings draw in, the sunlight comes into homes at a much lower angle. You'll have noticed that driving home in the evenings can be quite a trial with the sun low and in your face.

Blinds can cut down on the glare of evening sunlight, making your conservatory a much more pleasant place to be.

Also, depending on the type of finish used, certain blinds have thermal properties that can reduce heat loss and reflect it back into the conservatory. Reducing your heating bills and again, making your expensive conservatory a much more used part of the house.
This is especially true if you intend to use your conservatory a lot in the evenings. Perhaps you use it as a home office? Whatever you use it for, the right blinds will make a difference.

As with Patio Awnings (above), you can actually get an instant online quote for your conservatory blinds. Just type in the dimensions of your conservatory, the style of blind you'd prefer, and you'll get an instant online price there and then.

Just go to www.blindsquoterexpress.co.uk and try it now.

If you enjoyed the ability to get an instant online quote without a pushy salesman having to call, then you may be interested to know that we can also offer instant online quotes on: double glazing, conservatories, fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, driveways, roofs, garage doors, even car turntables for your driveway.

Use the links at the side or visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for a complete round up of the online quote services we offer.

Automatic retractable awnings - the benefits of

I was just asked to recap the main benefits of having Awnings and Canopies that automatically retract, from a visitor to our Awning Quoter website - instant online quotes for awnings.

There are two main benefits and they are associated with two very good reasons for having an awning in the first place.

Firstly, having automatic retractable (and extendable) awnings means that even if you're not at home, if the sun comes out, your awnings will extend and protect your home furnishings etc from the fading effects of strong sunlight.

Secondly, when used in conjunction with a small wind speed sensor, if the wind gets too strong, then your awning can be automatically retracted to prevent damage from the wind if you've left it out etc.

Of course, there is another reason for choosing the automatic extending and retracting awnings - you can set them to the right position from the comfort of your chair or hammock.

Now that's what I call putting technology to good use.

Don't forget, you can get an instant online quote for your Awning plans without the need for a salesman to call. Our quotation website includes remote control retraction / extending as well as other options like heating and lighting so you really can make the most of al-fresco dining and entertaining opportunities afforded by the professional installation of an awning from our approved UK network of Awning companies.

Click here to visit awningquoter.co.uk and get your instant online quote now. It only takes a few minutes to get an online price based on your measurements and specifications.

For other instant online quotations, please visit our home improvement quotes website which offers online quotes on everything from double glazing to conservatory blinds.

Awning Quoter makes debut

Our newest home improvement quoter website - Awning Quoter - went live earlier today.

The website offers instant online quotes for a range of different sized window awnings, perfect for enjoying the outdoors or using to protect fabrics and furnishings from outside light.

All our Awning quotes include power and wind/sunshine sensor options so the only choices you have to make are whether to include heating and lighting, both of which extend the usefulness of your awning investment.

The awning materials themselves are all UV rated.

Visit Awning Quoter now and receive an instant online quote for your perfect outdoor awning.

Our Awning Quote service now covers Eire (Ireland) as well as the rest of the U.K.

Click here to visit Awning Quoter by Price Engines - the 'quoter family of websites.