Greenway Home Improvements

Greenway over the years has developed a reputation as being one of the most forward thinking and innovative designers of conservatories, orangeries and windows. Since we were first established, issues such as home burglaries have become very prevalent and the days when people could leave their doors unlocked throughout the day have long disappeared. In response to this we have in recent times reminded homeowners of the importance of keeping their homes more secure and have improved the locking systems on every product we sell.

Now although all our conservatories, orangeries, replacement windows and glass extensions once placed in the home will offer you the upmost in security, it does not do any harm to add an extra layer of protection. Our composite doors are the ideal solution, as not only will they enhance the aesthetics of your home, but they will also make it that little bit more difficult for intruders to gain unauthorised access to your home.

Doors as a whole in the past could often be opened easily with crowbars and other pieces of equipment. But because times have changed, Greenway has responded to the needs of the modern homeowner by installing front and back doors with one of the strongest locking mechanisms around. Each door sold will not just help perplex a persistent burglar, but they can withstand the most extreme of weathers and continue to look good and stand proud in your home. The uPVC material we use requires very little maintenance, no repainting and will help keep your home warm.

Our doors when opened outwards can bring in an enormous amount of ventilation and the glazing used will utilise the light of the sun and transfer it into your home, particularly during the summer months. Contact us via the website or call us on 0800 163 369 for more information.

Greenway Conservatories, Windows & Doors based in South Wales specialise in the installation of uPVC Conservatories, Orangeries, Double Glazing and uPVC Windows and Doors. In their work they regularly come across poorly fitted inefficient windows. As a company Greenway are keen to help to protect the planet so when they heard of The Windows Scrappage Scheme they immediately decided to support the campaign.

The Windows Scrappage Scheme is a petition to the government which aims to improve the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock to reduce CO2 emissions and cut household energy bills. Up to 25% of the heat generated by a home is lost through the windows. By installing energy efficient windows the amount of heat lost reduces dramatically.

This not only saves the householder or tenant money on their gas and electricity bills but also helps to protect the planet.The Glass and Glazing Federations (GGF) Window Scrappage Scheme would encourage householders and landlords to scrap their poorly insulated inefficient windows for an incentive of £1000 to be used to purchase new energy efficient windows fitted by a professional.

The scheme would benefit all involved, householders would benefit from cheaper gas and electricity bills, the government would be a step closer to meeting their targets to reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and the glazing industry would benefit from increased productivity offering security of jobs in the current market.

Greenway Conservatories, Windows & Doors fully supports The Windows Scrappage Scheme and encourages as many people as possible to visit: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/windowscrappage/ and sign the petition themselves.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Its fair to say as a nation here in the UK we are a very house proud. For many of us living in a nice well presented house is very important. However, if your home is starting to look a little tired and dated it can be difficult to know where to start. The current economic climate has also made many of us very wary about spending money on our houses that we will not see a good return on our investment from. Therefore it is important to plan your home improvement strategy carefully and ensure any home improvements that you do make will add value to the property.

One of the best ways of improving the overall aesthetics of a property is by replacing the windows and Doors. Often if timber framed windows and Doors have not been treated regularly the paint will start to peel off and they can rot and warp. By installing Double Glazing Windows and uPVC Doors you will not only immediately improve the look of your home but your home will continue to look good for many years to come as Double Glazing Windows and Doors only require cleaning with a cloth and warm soapy water in order to keep them looking as good as new no more painting.

Another great way of improving your home is by adding extra living space. The bigger your house is and the more useable living space you have the more desirable it will be. Conservatories have become a very popular way of adding extra living space to a home. They are not only one of the most affordable ways of adding extra living space but they also add a unique room with a light and airy atmosphere which is like no other room in your house. If you do decide to add a conservatory to your home it is important that you choose a style which will complement the existing house.

Gardens are an area of many properties which are often neglected and can spoil the overall appearance of a property. You do not need to be the greenest fingered person in the world to have a nice garden. By ensuring that your grass is cut regularly and that weeds are kept to a minimum you will be amazed at what a dramatic difference it can make to your garden.

Ensuring that your home is well presented can make it a much more enjoyable place to live. It can give you a real sense of pride and can make it more desirable to potential buyers if you decide to sell in the future

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Take a walk along any suburban street in Wales and you will notice that many of the houses to some extent use uPVC in their construction whether it be uPVC windows, uPVC doors or uPVC conservatories. If you had walked down the same street fifty years ago there would have been no uPVC at all it has transformed our homes.

uPVC has been used in construction of windows and doors since the 1960s. However it is only really in the last 20 years that its popularity has taken off here in Wales. It has grown in popularity very quickly and UPVC windows now account for over 85% of all new and replacement windows taking over from timber framed windows.

When you look at its qualities it is not surprising it has become so popular for windows, doors and conservatories. It is highly durable and tough with a life expectancy of at least 35 years, far longer than traditional timber framed windows. It is also very low maintenance, it only requires cleaning with an appropriate detergent from time. unlike timber which requires painting every couple of years to prevent it from warping and rotting.

Then there are also the aesthetic benefits of uPVC. When uPVC windows, doors and conservatories first became popular they looked great in modern houses but many owners of old properties complained that it looked out of place in their traditional properties.

Fortunately the designers soon got onto it and you can now get uPVC windows, and uPVC conservatories in a range of different styles. From sash uPVC windows which are made to look like traditional timber framed sash windows with all the benefits of uPVC to Victorian uPVC conservatories which are very popular in both old and new properties.
When you look at the benefits of uPVC for the construction of windows, doors and conservatories it is not surprising that they have become so popular.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Everyone knows how important it is to try reduce energy bills to help the environment as well saving money in your pocket. Purchasing the latest energy saving products could go some way towards helping us to be a little more green. It seems like every time we open a newspaper we read how gas and electricity prices are once again set to increase – with prices being quoted at over £2000 a year. Global warming is getting worse and it is all our responsibilities to do our bit to look after the planet.

Old windows and doors, especially timber windows or aluminium windows are one of the weakest spots in many homes in terms of energy efficiency it is predicted that between 25 and 40 percent if the heat in a home could be lost through inefficient or rotten windows and doors.

uPVC Double glazing is an energy efficient product that can be used throughout the year to insulate homes and an ideal way to keep properties warm, without the need to have central heating systems running for long periods of time.

Greenway specialise in energy efficient replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Newport, Bristol and parts of Gloucester providing you with a great range of styles to suit a variety of modern or traditional homes that will help to retain the heat in your home throughout the winter months.

Greenway will advise you on which style and colour of replacement windows and doors best suit your home and budget.

Replacing your windows and doors may seem like an expensive task, yet Greenway will be able to offer you a very competitive quote when looking at replacement windows and doors.

With the latest energy efficient double glazing being an obvious choice, Greenways windows will help with noise reduction and keep heat in your home throughout the cold winter months. Not only does this help you to save energy but it will save you money in the long term by cutting down ulitity bills.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Nobody likes to spend money when they do not have to and more so now than ever in the current credit crunch we are all looking to save money. One such expense which many people debate is whether to install replacement windows and doors or not. There are several considerations which you need to think about to determine if you need replacement windows.

One of the most important factors which you must consider is safety and all too often this is surprisingly overlooked. If there was a fire in your house often windows would be the only means of escape therefore particularly first floor and above windows should be easy to open. Often old wooden windows will have been painted so many times that they can no longer be opened and this is a serious safety risk.

Unfortunately it is a sign of the times that we live in that security needs to be a consideration. Locks on older windows and doors are often flimsy and can easily be broken. It is important not to only consider the main front and back door but consider all the external doors in your house such as French doors and patio doors.

It seems like every time we open a newspaper we read how gas and electricity prices are once again set to increase. Or how global warming is getting worse and it is all our responsibilities to do our bit to look after the planet. The windows and doors are one of the weakest spots in many homes in terms of energy efficiency it is predicted that between 25 and 40 percent if the heat in a home could be lost through inefficient windows and doors.

Many people do not realise that their windows and doors are actually inefficient but if any of the following factors sound familiar then the likelihood is that your windows could be improved. Is double glazing used in your windows? Are your windows more than 20years old? Do your windows suffer from condensation, and do you get little pools of water on your windowsills? Are the windows warped or rotting and can you feel drafts around your windows? Are your windows easy to open and can they be locked easily? These are just a few of the factors which indicate that your windows may need replacing.

By installing double glazed replacement windows and doors you will be able to solve all of the above issues. Double glazing improves the security, safety and efficiency of a home making it a very worthwhile investment that in the long run will save you money on your gas and electricity bills. Double glazing has also proven time and again to be very popular with potential house buyers and can therefore add value to your property and make it easier to sell.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Durability of UPVC
• UPVC Replacement Windows are tough, durable and made from a material which the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has given a service life of at least 35 years.

• UPVC Replacement Windows and doors are low maintenance so they do not need to be painted and maintained over their lifetime like windows made from alternative materials such as timber. This reduces the requirement for working at height.

• With advanced design and styling, including a wide range of natural colours and textures, UPVC Replacement Windows and doors can be specified to perfectly complement every housing type from traditional to modern.

• Over 80% of home owners and tenants prefer UPVC to any other option.

UPVC is Safe & Secure
• UPVC complies with all the latest health & safety and security requirements including, when specified, compliance with Secured by Design, the UK Police initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing out crime’ by use of effective crime prevention and security standards for a range of applications.

• The UPVC industry leads the way when it comes to continuous improvement of security, health and safety measures integrated into its windows and doors and advanced locking mechanisms meaning high levels of safety and security.

UPVC is Environmentally Sound
• UPVC manufacturing processes go beyond the strictest UK and EU legislation through a Voluntary Commitment by the PVC industry to sustainability.

• UPVC Replacement Windows and doors are low maintenance through out their service life compared to alternatives. This avoids the ongoing environmental damage associated with the cleaning chemicals, solvents and paints needed to protect and maintain windows and doors made from other materials.

• Good environmental life cycle performance.

Versatility of UPVC
• UPVC is an inherently tough material yet it can be processed to accommodate virtually any design requirement allowing aesthetic integration with all building styles and locations.

• A virtually limitless choice of designs and the ability to tailor the UPVC installation to specifier and architects needs mean UPVC also offers great versatility in all types of housing project.

• Advanced locking mechanisms mean high levels of safety and security, whilst a range of tilt and turn options bring the benefit of fresh air ventilation whilst acting as a robust deterrent to opportunist theft.

Economical & Energy Efficient of UPVC Replacement Windows
• UPVC Replacement Windows and doors provide exceptional cost effectiveness especially energy savings from heating your homes.

• The Northern Consortium of Housing Authorities in the UK carries out regular surveys of the cost of window systems and this shows UPVC’s continuing economic benefit both in capital and maintenance costs – typically around 30% compared with softwood alternatives.

• The British Fenestration Rating Council www.bfrc.org rate windows of different materials on their energy efficiency and is recognised within the industry as a key marker on energy efficiency.

• Continuous development has led to considerable improvements in thermal efficiency – with significant savings on home heating costs, reductions in energy loss and a commitment to sustainability.

UPVC is Sustainable
• UPVC is the world’s most researched polymer with numerous life cycle analyses conducted in the UK and the EU indicating the material is as sustainable as any other option.

• The major ingredient of UPVC is common salt – an abundant natural resource. UPVC window products are fully recyclable at the end of their life.

UPVC is Recyclable
• UPVC Replacement Windows are being recycled at the end of their service life in to other useful products.

• The industry has developed highly successful recycling systems for UPVC, including construction materials and has targets to recycle increasing quantities of UPVC every year across Europe

• In the UK the Recovinyl Scheme has developed an infrastructure of 130 collectors and 30 recyclers of UPVC construction materials to recycle products at the end of their service lives.

• A study by the Government funded Waste and Resource Allocation Programme (WRAP) suggests that some alternative materials are practically impossible to recycle efficiently, due to the paints, solvents and putties used to install and protect them during their service lives.

• In 2007, the UK recycled 42,162 tonnes of post-consumer PVC, which includes windows and doors and also flexible products such as flooring and cable.

Advantages of UPVC Replacement Windows
• UPVC Replacement Windows are available in many colours, depending on the manufacturer, with many offering a variety of colours, from white to green and also offering wood-effect models.

• In the fifty years since PVC was first introduced for windows and doors, the material has benefited from continuous improvements in manufacturing as well as advanced engineering and profile design.

• The BRE “Green Guide To Specification”, updated in 2008, UPVC Replacement Windows have been awarded an ‘A’ rating for domestic windows and an ‘A+’ rating for commercial windows, proving the environmental credentials of PVC replacement windows. www.thegreenguide.org.uk.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Autumn is fast approaching the leaves are falling off the trees, the air is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. Before long it will be winter and it is important that we are all fully prepared. For many older people particularly the winter can be a scary time with the long dark nights and it is important that we all feel safe in our home. By checking the security of our homes now we can ensure that we have a safe and happy winter.

Your windows should let in fresh air, sunlight and not much else. Old fashioned timber framed windows often have flimsy locks. Ideally you should fit uPVC replacement windows with multipoint mortice locks. But if your budget will not run to this then you should at least fit key operated locks to your existing windows. Again if the budget will allow fit double glazing replacement windows rather than single glazing as it is much tougher and harder to break than single glazing.

Double glazing will also help to lower you gas and electricity bills as it is far more energy efficient. uPVC replacement windows are generally seen as the most secure windows available on the market, but they do actually vary in quality. Look out for uPVC replacement windows that have multipoint locking systems and an internal beading system so the glass cannot be removed from the outside and ask about the energy ratings for the window – the best rating being ‘A’ rated – which is supplied to all uPVC Replacement Windows from Greenway, in South Wales.

Your front doors, back doors, french doors and also patio doors are the other major weak spot in your home. Ideally your front door should have a high security deadlock. Also any glazing within the doors should be double glazed, both these features come as standard on most good quality uPVC doors. Consider installing a spy hole and a security chain so you are able to see who is outside your home before you let them in. Letter boxes should be no closer to the lock than 400mm and an internal cover plate is also a good idea. It is easy to only focus on the front and back doors but you also need to think about patio doors and French doors too.

Research shows that patio doors are actually one of the favourite methods for many burglars entering your home. Anti lift devices and extra locks are available for patio doors which can help to make them more secure. Ask your local Greenway representative for details of doors specifications and security features.

There is nothing worse than not feeling safe in our own homes and by taking some precautions now you can be safe in the knowledge that you have taken precautions to improve the security of your home.

Greenway Home Improvements, part of the Conservatory Outlet network, specialise in the design and installation of uPVC conservatories, orangeries, energy efficient double glazing, replacement windows and doors throughout Cardiff, Bristol, Newport and parts of Gloucester.

For the latest in home improvements, a new conservatory or just replacing those old wooden windows and doors visit www.greenwayupvc.com or call Greenway free on 0800 163 369.

Living in an older property is a dream come true for some people. Many older properties have features which modern properties lack such as beams, high ceiling and original fireplaces. No matter how people try to give modern properties a traditional look it will never look as good as the genuine article. However there are also draw backs to living in an older property. Fortunately modern technology can solve many of these. Common complaints about older properties are that they are draughty, expensive to keep warm and outside noise can be an issue. Installing double glazing can solve all these issues in one go.

The great thing about double glazing is that not only does it make your home a more enjoyable place to live but it also a good investment as it adds value to the property and makes it more desirable to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell. Older windows tend to be draughty and as they are single glazed they allow the heat from inside the house to escape.

Therefore to keep your house warm you must generate more heat which will increase your gas and electricity bills. By installing double glazing you will reduce the amount of heat lost considerably therefore allowing you to turn your heating down and save you money on your utility bills.

You may be wondering how double glazing works? It is quite simple really as the name suggests. There are two panes of glass and a  gap is left between them and they are then sealed. It is the gap which acts as an insulator and keeps the heat inside the property. The gap also acts as a sound barrier and helps to reduce outside noise.

Living in an older property is a fantastic experience and you should not be put off because it does not have all the mod cons of a modern property. Many of the modern technologies such as double glazing can now be installed into older properties.

For the latest offers on replacement windows, double glazing and our secure uPVC doors call us free today on 0800 163 369 or request a free quote online now!

Does My Door Need Replacing?

If you have a broken door, especially a crack in the pane, the following information will help to relieve your concerns.

If the glass is damaged below approximately waist height then it has to be toughened to the British Standard. This can be achieved by heat treatment to toughen the glass, laminated glass or adding an approved plastic safety film onto the glass. Either way it must meet building regulations.

The red area is critical location and needs to be fixed or a Replacement Door ordered.

The regulations were implemented based on risk analysis of the hazards and possible injuries from glass at vulnerable locations.

A swinging sheet of glass (whether in a door or window) is more likely to sustain damage and more likely to cause injury if damaged, than a fixed, or limited opening PVC Window.

But if your door does need replacing, we can provide quality Double Glazing at great rates.