Government says no to Double Glazing Scrappage Scheme - make do with Green Deal

Despite individual window companies offering customers 'scrappage scheme' discounts on double glazing, there's been no official Government campaign like the motor trade scheme the window companies have, and continue to copy.

However, after being petitioned by the glazing industry, the Government has finally responded.

Whilst it says it won't entertain an outright national scrappage scheme for replacement windows, even though it admits the cost of a full house installation could be on a par with purchasing a new car, it expects "double glazing will be one of the measures that can be installed under the Green Deal".

The Green Deal is a scheme where energy companies and high street stores will be required to finance insulation and other energy efficiency measures in homes upfront. The costs will then be paid back by the homeowner through their energy bills based on the energy savings they make. Effectively, the homeowner doesn't benefit from cheaper energy bills, but does get the value of the improvements.

Key properties that will be targeted are those that are difficult or expensive to heat - properties without cavity wall insulation and residential areas of fuel poverty.

Local authorities are helping the Government identify those homes and areas that will benefit most from a Green Deal.

It's not all bad news for homeowners then (or the double glazing industry which was hoping for a welcome boost to sales on the back of a nationally recognised scheme) but in the meantime, there will always be window companies offering superb individual money saving offers including their own scrappage schemes and finance options.

If you're interested in offers, keep a close eye out for VAT free offers. There are quite a few about now but expect the number to increase the nearer to December we get, ahead of the VAT increase to 20% in January.

Are you interested in getting a local scrappage scheme style discount when replacing your old windows and doors? Then visit WindowQuoter and get your instant online quote.

Don't give your details to just anyone!

WindowQuoter.co.uk was the UK's first online pricing website for the double glazing industry - over 10 years ago and we're still the original and best.

Now, you can use WindowQuoter for your online double glazing quotes with even more confidence thanks to a new level of security encryption when you're entering your location details - exactly the same level as used by the high st banks and credit card companies.

You'll see your browser bar turn green - see picture above - (or see the locked padlock symbol depending on your browser) when you use WindowQuoter.

Remember!

- The 'GREEN BAR' means that your details are being collected via a high-security encrypted connection as used by the high st banks - it's the best available!

- We take your privacy very seriously - most other online quoting websites don't even tell you who they are!

- Never leave your details on un-secure window websites.

WindowQuoter is a FREE online service provided by Price Engines Ltd - Data Protection Registration number: Z4974297.

How to measure your windows for a double glazing quote

How to measure your windows for a quote.

To make the most of our online double glazing quoting service WindowQuoter or to arm yourself with as much pertinent information as possible when approaching a double glazing company, you'll want to be able to take reasonably accurate measurements of your existing windows and doors.

Arm yourself with a good tape-measure - preferable a 2mtr plus size (we're thinking about door heights here or larger windows) and something to record the measurements on.

Remember - these measurements are only to get an approximate quote with. When you're ready for a double glazing company to come and fit your windows, they'll take their own survey measurements (which usually includes taking 3 height and width measurements per window). If you're planning on fitting your own, see below.

For 'flat' windows, you'll need the width and the height, usually taken from between the plastered edges. It's worth measuring each end and basing your quote measurement on the larger figure. WindowQuoter works in cms. If you're approaching a window company directly, although they's prefer cms, they'll probably accept measurements in inches too.

Openers appear with in the overall window dimension; only the number of openers will affect the price of that window.

For a bay window, treat each 'panel' as a separate window and measure each panel.

If you're thinking of replacing a flat window with a bow window, Measure the overall 'hole' the window will be fitted in and then specify the number of facets (steps). Facets are usually equally spaced for aesthetic reasons. Remember a bow window will require a roof as well as a new cill board so costs will be higher. That said, it's amazing the difference a bow window can make to the amount of light allowed into your room.

For doors, both entrance, patio and french - again, you'll need to measure the width and height from the wall plaster edges. If your door has a glazed or solid panel above / at the sides, then include these in your measurement.

There's no real need to go climbing ladders and hanging precariously from the guttering to measure your windows. However, an older property may have one or two surprises which is why we'd recommend getting the professionals in for a supply and fit quote and allowing them to do the final measurement.

The problem comes from when the old windows were installed from the outside on older properties, particularly where there is no cavity. The inner wall can have a smaller hole than the outer wall so that when the frame was put in, it butted up against the inner wall brick.

When replacing these types of installations, the window company will usually have to chisel out the inner brick to match the opening of the outer brick. The window company will have the expertise to carry this out at the time of installation including any remedial plaster work once the hole has been finished.

One last point regarding the actual depth of the frames, if you have an older property, then you may benefit from the wider frame widths (70mm / 65mm) as these are designed to butt up to existing plaster surrounds yet still cover the cavity and extend into the putter wall to the correct depth.

Slimmer frame widths are usually only used in newer properties where plaster lines and cavities were designed around slimmer frames to begin with. Check with your window company what they recommend. Remember, most have had years of experience and most likely will have come up against every eventuality possible.

As tempting as it may be to think you can get away with a supply only quotation, remember the measurements are all down to you. Get it wrong and there's no comeback on the window manufacturer. You could be left with a very expensive pile of scrap upvc. Also, when fitting your own windows, it's worth remembering that it will be up to you to apply to the local council for the installations energy efficiency certificate, which is playing an increasing role in how your home is rated for services, especially when you come to sell your property - now or in the future.

Having your windows manufactured and installed by a window company means that the energy efficiency certificates are taken care of - the window companies having passed rigorous tests to be able to certify their own installations.


*Please note that the above guidelines are only intended to allow homeowners to enter reasonably accurate measurement into WindowQuoter for the purposes of getting an online quote or advising Double Glazing companies of the approximate measurements for initial quoting purposes.

If you're measuring for replacing and fitting windows yourself, you may need to take further advice from the manufacturer before they proceed with your order on the best measurement points, depending on the age and style of the existing windows.

All supply and fit orders should be measured by the companies surveyor, to ensure correctness. This probably won't be the case if you're ordering supply only windows and doors where any mistakes are usually your responsibility.

photo credit: Mulad

Protect yourself from pushy doorstep double glazing salesmen

Door-to-door home improvement salesmen have a bad reputation. In terms of popularity with the general public, they probably rank somewhere between traffic wardens and politicians.

Here at Home Improvement Quotes, we’ve been working for over a decade to help homeowners like you get the best of the dreaded cold-callers.

We do this in two ways – firstly, we supply you with free guide prices before you ever talk to a salesman, so you can be confident that you’re getting a good deal. Secondly, after you get a quote we’ll help you get in contact with up to three local or national home improvements companies, so you can compare a range of quotes and services, rather than just plumping for whichever one happens to knock on your door.

When salesmen do call, though, you want to protect yourself as much as possible, and that’s why we’ve put together these tips on getting the most from home improvement salespeople:

1 - Take the pressure off - Never be pressured into signing 'on the doorstep'. A genuine home improvement salesman will give you time to make a decision.

2 - Be patient - Even if you're tempted by special offers that have to be signed for on the day. Once you've signed a contract, you have limited cancellation rights.

3 - Your right to cancel - if you've signed a contract you later regret, then act fast. A contract is legally binding document with criteria in place to stop you breaking your end of the of the 'bargain'. Check The Consumer Protection Regulations 1987.

4 - Make a short-list - Comparing quotes is the most important part of the process - compare what different companies are offering - cheapest may not be best. Check their literature or website and look for companies that are members of local trade associations, which may offer their own guarantees.

5 - Preference services - If cold calling gets on your nerves, there are a number of preference services which will remove your phone number from circulation or address. Most local councils provide stickers for your home stating 'no cold callers' which may offer you additional peace of mind for vulnerable residents.

WindowQuoter is an online service where you enter your own approximate measurements and get a price in seconds. We're happy to call you and confirm your details and if you'd like to get your online quote confirmed by local vetted installers, then we can offer that service to you also, completely free of charge.

We'll even protect your 10% deposit if you go ahead with one of our recommended companies for the installation, independently of the installation companies own guarantee's.

Visit WindowQuoter today and see how much your double glazing, porch or conservatory installation will cost you.

Note: Many companies are now offering their own independent 'scrappage schemes' for double glazing, where replacing old windows with new energy efficient double glazing will earn you extra discounts. Don't forget to ask your installers if they're offering this.

Read more about protecting yourself from pushy door to door double glazing salesman by clicking here.

Merry Christmas from everyone at WindowQuoter

Merry Christmas from everyone at WindowQuoter.

Our offices may be shutting over the Christmas holidays but you'll still be able to use our online quoting website to get your instant online quote for double glazing, entrance doors, conservatory or porch when it suits you - 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Now you might think that double glazing is the last thing that would be on your mind during Christmas but you'd be wrong. Our online quoting websites serve over 3000 homeowners every week, regardless of whether it's Christmas, New Year, Easter or the Summer holidays.

That includes hundreds of visitors over Christmas and Boxing Day.

So have a good holiday and if you're thinking of treating yourselves and your home in the New Year, Window Quoter will be ready to help you. Just type in your own measurements, pick your styles and number of openers etc and you'll get an online price guide in seconds, completely FREE.

Click here to try Window Quoter for yourself now.

Environmentally friendly, energy efficient double glazing

30% of your homes heat loss occurs through the windows and doors, so when you're shopping for new or replacement double glazing, it makes sense to invest in the most thermally efficient installation you can afford.

Of course nothing is simple and double glazing companies will throw an array of figures and industry standards at you to convince you that their product is better than everyone else's but how do you really know what all that jargon stands for?

We've put together a quick and handy guide over at our parent blog - www.home-improvement-blog.co.uk. It covers everything from BFRC (the British Fenestration Ratings Council) to Energy Index Values.

In the meantime, if you're thinking of having new double glazed windows fitted in your home or maybe old windows replacing, then the first place to start is to get a range of quotes for comparison. WindowQuoter can help that process by giving you an instant online quote for your double glazing without the need for a salesman to call.

Click here to try WindowQuoter for yourself - it only takes a few minutes but could save you pounds.

Pets out of the way - on Double Glazing installation day

The next time you've got your friendly local home improvement company round doing a spot of double glazing installation or loft converting - not to mention kitchen fitting or converting your garage - it might be a good idea to remove your pets to a safe, quiet out-of-the-way location.

Not that we're suggesting you put your pet in the shower as happened to our furry feline friend in the picture above.

No - despite the best efforts of your home improvement company, the occasional loud noise can be like a firework going off to a pet. Worse still, the inquisitive little animals can easily trip workmen up - not something you want when there's glass or worktops being carried around or even get in half opened spaces during construction.

Have you ever tried to get a pet out of somewhere that you can't physically reach into? They have a nasty habit of pleasing themselves when they come out.

So save yourself some possible time and trouble, your home improvement company some possible hazard and your pet some definate inconvenience by considering shutting them away in a quiet corner of the house or even perhaps consider holiday kennels for those few days.

It will all help make your home improvement as stress free as possible.

Welcome to Window Quoter - the Blog.

A warm welcome to WindowQuoter - the blog.

Developed by Price Engines Ltd over 10 years ago, WindowQuoter was the first website to offer homeowners instant online quotes for Double Glazing, Replacement Windows, Doors, Conservatories and Porches in upvc, wood or aluminium.

Since then we've added other home improvements to our online range of 'Quoter websites, keeping to our promise to offer homeowners instant online quotes, backed up by a nationwide network of vetted and approved home improvement companies.

Our online quotes are completely free, no obligation etc and no salesman will call - you do it all from the comfort of your own home.

If you do take up our offer of having your online quote verified by up to 3 local companies near to you based on quality and price, then you'll also benefit from:

* Only vetted and approved local companies
* The best price without haggling (since our companies know they'll be up against 2 other companies)
* All Quotes backed by our unique Deposit Protection scheme (click here to read more)
* Completely free service but you could save pounds (our recommended companies save on traditional marketing costs and pass those savings onto you.
* Unique feedback service - let companies (and us) know how they did.

We'll be using this blog to bring you the latest news and developments from the double glazing world.