A glass for every conservatory and budget.

Glass technology has being keeping pace with the popular and rising demand for glass roofs in conservatories. This increase in demand may be due to more homeowners viewing a conservatory as an extension to their living space rather than the addition of an occasional room for the Summer.

So when homeowners are discussing their conservatory specification for a quote, it's worth remembering the options are that readily available.

For example, you can now specify glass roofs (and side panels to) with anti-glare coatings, which reduce the suns glare. These coatings are very useful in roofs and do not affect the light levels.

You may prefer to combine anti-glare properties with coatings that reflect the sun's heat carrying waves. This blocks the suns energy keeping conservatories cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter by reflecting warmth back into the interior of the conservatory.

reduces energy bills

It reduces energy bills in both heating and cooling with it's improved U-values, just like a-rated energy efficient window coatings.

Finally, you can also specify coatings which help keep the glass clean by encouraging self-washing. Ideal again for roofs, these durable coatings work by encouraging organic matter to break down in the sunlight so that when it rains, the rainwater washes off the dirt accumulation. The glass surface is usually hydrophilic which means rain water runs off without leaving water droplets which can dry and leave unsightly spots.

Of course all these different options come at a cost but it's worth knowing in advance what is available and discussing with your preferred conservatory company if they offer these coated glasses.

We've noticed some incredible deals on offer around the country at the moment, for example free upgrades to glass roofs from the normal polycarbonate roofs, which could make extra coatings a very worth while exercise in your future comfort and enjoyment of your conservatory - all year round.

Self Cleaning windows explained - are they worth it?

Self-cleaning windows have been available for a little while now, but over the years we’ve seen plenty of fads, fashions and must-have new features come and go. We want to know, are self-cleaning panes here to stay – and are they worth the extra money?

Self cleaning glass is available from a variety of glass makers under a number of different brand names, but they all work by the same basic principle: the glass has a fine coating which reacts to sunlight to break down dirt particles on the window, and then when the window is rained on, these loosened particles are washed away easily. The coating also causes the water to run off the window in sheets, instead of as droplets as you would usually expect.

Self-cleaning glass is an option offered by many of the double glazing suppliers in the Home Improvement Quotes network. If you go to WindowQuoter.co.uk we can help you find up to three recommended double glazing suppliers in your local area.

But do they work?

The short answer: Yes! Self-cleaning windows have proved themselves to be extremely successful in reducing, or even removing, the need to have the window cleaners in. The self-cleaning coating does indeed work as advertised, and this is one glazing innovation that is proving to be very popular.

Are there any drawbacks?

There are one or two. Some marks can take a little while to break down, and using strong chemical window cleaning products to remove stubborn stains could damage the self-cleaning coating, so you need to remember to only use soapy water when washing your windows. Also, after picking up dirt from the window, rainwater can run down the pane onto the frames and occasionally the dirt can be deposited onto the window sill. This can be particularly troublesome if you have white uPVC frames.

Are they worth the extra cost?

Clearly, this will depend on your circumstances, your budget and how often your windows generally need cleaning. Typically, self-cleaning glass will add around 10-20% to the price of your window units, but will also reduce your future window cleaning bills, and possibly could add some value to your home.

Generally, self-cleaning glass is worth its weight in gold for the difficult to reach panes – in particular conservatory roofs, loft skylights and other such windows. Also, if your house has lots of windows it’s well worth considering self-cleaning windows, as they can easily work out to be an economical choice when considering the cost of regularly getting the window cleaners in.

Conclusions

It may not yet be time for window cleaners to start hanging up their mops and checking the classifieds, but with self-cleaning window technology continuing to improve and prices growing ever more affordable, self-cleaning glass is here to stay – and well worth a second look.

To find guide prices and suppliers for all kinds of windows, go to WindowQuoter.co.uk