Questions to Ask Before Investing in Home Improvements

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make and How to Avoid Them 1. Choosing Price Over Longevity When investing in home improvements such as new windows, doors or a conservatory, it’s sensible to obtain quotations from a few local businesses. However, it’s just as important to understand why those quotes may differ in price. A common mistake homeowners make is choosing the cheapest option - often to save money in the short term or because comparing quotations can feel complicated. While a lower price may seem appealing initially, there is usually a reason it’s cheaper. This might mean lower-quality products, rushed or substandard installation, limited or unclear guarantees, or a lack of care once the work is complete. These issues may not be obvious at first, but they can lead to inconvenience, repairs, or additional costs further down the line. To avoid this, ask each company to clearly explain what is included in their quotation - and what isn’t. Take time to read reviews, look at how long the business has been established, understand the expected lifespan of the products being offered, and what ongoing maintenance may be required. 2. Not Planning for the Future If you’re considering investing in your home, it’s worth asking yourself whether you’re planning for the future or focusing only on what works right now. While it’s natural to look for solutions that meet your immediate needs, it’s just as important to consider how you will find them in the future. What happens when the children move out, or if working from home becomes permanent? A solution that feels convenient today could become limiting or impractical in years to come. Before making any significant changes, take a moment to think five or even ten years ahead. Is the decision going to continue to serve you well, or will it be less suited to you in the future. 3. Choosing a Company Who Communicate Poorly Choosing value over price also means choosing a business that communicates clearly with you. Good communication is essential when someone is working on your home. There’s nothing worse than small misunderstandings becoming big problems when you believe something is included, only to find it isn’t, or has been done differently to what you expected. Be wary of businesses giving vague answers, rushing decisions and not wanting to explain things. Any business that avoids detail or pressures you to move forward before you fully understand what’s involved is not a good choice. A reputable company will take the time to explain your options and make sure everything is clear from the outset. To avoid issues later on, ask plenty of questions and ensure you’re comfortable with the answers before proceeding. Most importantly, make sure all agreed details are clearly set out in writing on your quotation or order form before you commit. Mistakes are easily made but they are avoidable if you know what to look for. Base your decisions on good, clear information that comes from trusted businesses and you should be in safe hands. If you’re thinking of investing in new windows , doors , a conservatory or roofline repairs and want honest advice, we are here to help. 

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Is Your Home As Safe As It Could Be From Intruders?

Ventilation plays a huge role in keeping a home healthy and comfortable, but it’s something many people only think about when problems like condensation or stuffy rooms appear. One small, often overlooked feature that can make a big difference is the trickle vent. So, what exactly are trickle vents? Trickle vents are small openings built into the frames of windows that allow a controlled amount of fresh air to circulate indoors, even when the window is closed. They’re usually found at the top of modern windows and can be opened or closed manually with a simple slider. Why do homes need trickle vents? Moisture, indoor pollutants, and stale air build up in every home through everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes, or simply breathing. If this moisture has nowhere to escape, it can lead to condensation, damp patches and peeling paint, black mould, poor air quality and musty smells. Trickle vents provide continuous background ventilation, helping prevent these issues by allowing moisture-laden air to escape and fresh air to enter. Are trickle vents a requirement? In the UK, building regulations now (since 2022) require the use of trickle vents in most replacement and new-build windows to maintain healthy airflow. They help ensure a minimum level of ventilation without relying on windows being open all day long. Do trickle vents make your home colder? This is a common concern, but they don’t have a significant impact on the temperature of your home. Trickle vents allow only a small, controlled flow of air. They don’t create large drafts, and they shouldn’t noticeably reduce the warmth of your home. In fact, by reducing dampness and improving air quality, they often make a home feel more comfortable. Should you keep trickle vents open? For the best results, yes, especially in winter when condensation is most likely. You can close them if needed (for example, during high winds), but keeping them open ensures a steady flow of fresh air and keeps humidity under control. Trickle vents may be small, but they play a big role in maintaining a healthy indoor environment. They’re a simple, cost-effective way to reduce condensation, prevent mould, and improve overall air quality — all without opening your windows or compromising security.

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5 Reasons you should invest in a conservatory for your home More Space and Comfort Create an extra living space in your home to enjoy. A conservatory can work for many purposes whether it becomes an entertainment space, relaxation pod, home office or something else, you can enjoy the comfort of a larger home. 2. More Natural Light With large windows and glass roofs, conservatories provide beautiful views of your garden and bring the outdoors in. They offer a tranquil space filled with natural light, perfect for relaxation year-round. 3. Increase Kerb Appeal A well constructed and aesthetically appealing conservatory can add value to your home when it comes to selling. It is an enticing space that can encourage buyers to consider purchasing a property. 4. Fully customisable and cost effective extension Conservatories are often more affordable and faster to build than major structural extensions, and often don’t require planning permission. Plus, you can fully customise the style and design of your conservatory to suit your needs and the aesthetics of your home. 5. Thermal efficiency Constructed with double or triple glazed and thermally efficient windows and doors, conservatories provide an energy saving space to enjoy all year round.

Improvements in the manufacturing and materials of modern windows and doors can significantly improve thermal efficiency, saving you money and contributing more to protecting the environment. Modern options include wood, PVCu, aluminium and composite GRP, each offering unique benefits. Whilst many homes were originally built with wooden windows and doors, the features and manufacturing of modern materials have improved vastly to offer better insulation and durability. Wood is a natural insulator and retains heat very efficiently, but older windows/doors often suffer from moisture and insect damage, reducing efficiency. At Insulation Services, we offer windows and doors crafted from Accoya wood . Accoya is sustainably sourced from responsibly managed forests and has a low carbon footprint. Due to the unique properties of Accoya, it is indigestible to a wide range of pests, providing a highly effective barrier to insect infestations. Further checks have been undertaken to ensure accoya wood is trusted not to swell, shrink or distort, remaining highly durable for 70 years plus. Since 2002, new regulations require new windows and doors to be double glazed, replacing the single pane glass commonly used in older homes. Double and triple glazing combined with thicker frames, significantly improves the heat retention and thermal efficiency of modern windows. A more cost-effective choice that still offers excellent energy efficiency is PVCu. Thanks to its multi-chambered frame, air is trapped inside to reduce heat transfer. The material itself is a low thermal conductor, helping your home stay warm by limiting heat loss. PVCu is also highly durable and weather resistant. It doesn’t absorb water, so it’s less likely to warp or lose shape over time. Its lightweight design puts less strain on hinges, helping your windows and doors function smoothly for years to come. For those wanting slim sightlines and maximal glass space whilst ensuring thermal efficiency, aluminium is a great choice. Similarly to PVCu, aluminium windows feature chambered profiles that trap air to reduce heat transfer. Because aluminium is naturally a good heat conductor, a thermal break is incorporated to further minimize heat loss, ensuring aluminium windows meet modern energy efficiency standards. Composite GRP is currently the top choice for thermally efficient doors on the market. These doors are made by compressing multiple materials under high pressure. They typically feature a solid timber inner frame (though not all models include timber) and a high-insulation foam core, all encased by a thick glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) skin on both sides—usually thicker than a standard PVCu door skin. Some of our doors also offer an optional steel mesh embedded within the foam core for added strength and security. While thermal efficiency is important for saving money and protecting the environment, proper ventilation also plays a key role. Adding trickle vents to window frames ensures a steady flow of fresh air between indoors and outdoors. This continuous ventilation helps prevent moisture and condensation build up, reducing the risk of mould and damage inside your home. Another effective way to reduce energy consumption in your home is by adding more windows. Roof windows offer a variety of styles to brighten your space with natural light, helping to lower your electricity usage. In summary, upgrading to modern windows and doors offers significant potential to reduce energy costs and support environmental sustainability. Advances in manufacturing mean that all new windows and doors now meet high standards of thermal efficiency. While some materials offer superior performance, there are affordable options and styles available to suit both your budget and the character of your home. Additional features like trickle vents can also help protect your property by preventing moisture build-up, while roof windows are a great way to increase natural light and reduce reliance on artificial lighting.