August Windows

August Windows http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/ August Windows RSS News Feed Windows Buy Themselves Back A new pan-European report has found that PVC-u Windows can pay for themselves in as little as eight years when assessed against the total cost of ownership.The study found that when the cost of purchase, installation, maintenance repair and ultimately replaced were assessed - 'true' lifetime product cost - PVCu windows delivered significant savings compared to other material types. In comparison the payback period on hybrid wood and aluminium products was 24 years, aluminium alone 14 years and wood 9.Commissioned by the European Council of Vinyl Manufactures ( ECVM ) and conducted by Althesys Strategic Consultants, it also found that on average, initial purchase costs of PVCu could be up to 41% less than aluminium and 36% less than wood.The study carried out last year at locations in Germany in the north and Italy in the south, was based on an analysis of PVCu, Wood, aluminium and wood/aluminium hybrid windows with a U value of 1.3 W/m2k.The eight year payback cited in the report on PVC-u windows is drawn from results from German test sites where the colder climate meant energy consumption was higher so savings through the installation of energy effecient windows were greater. For full results of the study visit <a href="http://www.pvcconstruct.org">www.pvcconstruct.org</a>  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Windows_Buy_Themselves_Back--post--29.html August Window Holds Burglars Off Just prior to Christmas, unfortunately one of our retail customers suffered an attempted break in.We are pleased to report once again that despite being attacked with a spade the opening casement of our window did not give way. The force of the attack was so intense it broke the outer panes of the glass units installed in the same window.We have since replaced the window with an exact copy. We believe it always pays to spend that little extra and have a high security window installed every time. Contact us to ask about the locks used on this window and how they may be beneficial to your home.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/August_Window_Holds_Burglars_Off--post--28.html Triple Glazing - A Consideration? It will not be long before Triple Glazing becomes the common term heard by anyone looking to replace windows. So is it worth it?At the moment, as with any product that is not in mass use, it comes at a premium price over the standard double glazed products however this could change with an upsurge in demand for it. Triple Glazing has been used in certain countries, notably the Scandinavian countries, as the norm for many years and with our increasing need to conserve our energy due to rising costs and insulate our homes to ever increasing levels it certainly has a role to play here in the UK housing market.In its simplest form Triple Glazing does provide better thermal and sound insulation and makes for a much more energy efficient window and when the benefits of warmedge spacer bars, internal gases and improved glass technology are added the effects can be stunning. The downside is the weight of the glass units needs to be accounted for and although friction hinges are automatically upgraded to carry this extra weight certain window opening sizes may just not be practical.We believe at August that Triple Glazing will have a big role to play in the future and yes in the right circumstances it is worth it today. Before you proceed with a window installation it might just be worth having that quotation in Triple Glazed as an option and be one step ahead of the rest.    http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Triple_Glazing__A_Consideration--post--27.html New Porch And A Thank You Would just like to let you know how pleased I am with the porch have just had put on the front of my house. The two guys who fitted it were really pleasant and did a fantastic job. I would recommend you to anyone and intend to do so. Thank you so much. Mrs M Verrechia. (Jefferies Close, Fairford, Glos.)> Thank you Mrs Verrechia for your kind words. http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/New_Porch_And_A_Thank_You--post--26.html Happy Staff At Prestons The staff at Preston's in Kingsbury are happy that their offices are much warmer following the installation of energy rated windows by us this month. We completed the installation of new windows, entrance and fire doors to all three factory units in a week.The company have also reduced their carbon footprint and will save costs on their heating bills by having the products installed!For more information on commercial installations please do not hesitate to contact Ralph Brown here at August either via the contact page or directly on 0121 445 0104. http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Happy_Staff_At_Prestons--post--25.html Neighbours It always enhances a house if neighbouring properties are improved in a similar manner rather than having an ad hoc appearance. Mr and Mrs Plane and Mr and Mrs Silcox of Southam thought this and both have had our top of the range Rehau Edge fully sculptured 'A' rated windows in Rosewood installed in their respective homes.Of course if more than one property is involved in an installation then there is always the chance a discount could be achieved as well!  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Neighbours--post--24.html 5 STARS FROM RATED PEOPLE FOR AUGUST WINDOWS Dear Neal, Congratulations - you've just got a fantastic rating! You have been rated by Philippa: <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">Comment: August windows were fantastic from initial quote through to completion. Every single person I dealt with either on the phone/email or in person, was friendly and efficient. They did everything they said they would and cost less than the other quotes we received. Great job, would highly recommend them. Overall rating: 5.0 Stars  </td></tr></tbody></table> Kind regards, Michael Duff Customer Operations Manager <table style="border-bottom: #d7dccd 5px solid; background: #ffffff; border-top: #d7dccd 2px solid"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 20px; width: 600px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px"><table><tbody><tr><td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; width: 600px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px"><img align="right" src="wlmailhtml:{587EF8D5-3D8C-464F-BED9-9DC9AD9AFDEC}mid://00000296/!x-usc:http://www.ratedpeople.com/docoFile/4986" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; height: 80px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" alt="" />  </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/5_STARS_FROM_RATED_PEOPLE_FOR_AUGUST_WINDOWS--post--23.html Thank you for your kind words about your conservatory Mr Jackson Dear NeilAt long last the floor has now been laid in the Conservatory and we are able to start using it. I just wanted to say we are delighted with the end result and are very aware this was only achieved by you and your team including all of the sub contractors you appointed, all were highly skilled and professional and extremely pleasant.From my very first contact when I spoke to Jo in your office I felt sure I had picked a good company, this feeling was reinforced after a visit from Rob, He was not pushy, he presented us with an excellent deal and it was then I was sure I had made a good choice.Therefore I have no hesitation in recommending August Windows to anybody requiring a conservatory in the future and am happy for you to use this recommendation as you see fitPlease convey my thanks and good wishes to all concernedRegardsPhilPhil Jackson  Colwell Drive Witney OX28 5NW   http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Thank_you_for_your_kind_words_about_your_conservatory_Mr_Jackson--post--22.html Blinds and Curtains Don't want to puncture holes in your new windows when re fitting net curtains etc? Take a look at our special range of window blinds designed specifically to slide behind the glazing bead of your existing windows. Neat, tidy and exclusive these blinds really stand out from the rest and can be supplied and fitted by one of our partner companies Tudor Rose at very competitive prices.They also offer a full range of curtains, tracks and blinds to compliment your new or existing windows - take a look at the website or enquire via our contact page.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Blinds_and_Curtains--post--21.html Timber Windows To meet the needs of the environmental concerns of one housing association recently August Windows have supplied and installed high quality hardwood windows from a fully sustainable and traceable source. All our timber windows meet the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council ensuring that the timber used is being replaced on an ongoing basis.As with the windows installed on this project all can be glazed with energy rated double glazed units and be installed pre finished so no decoration and sealing works are required on site.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Timber_Windows--post--20.html 'A' rated windows and the cowboys Despite all our efforts as an industry unfortunately we still have a small selection of cowboys among us.To compound this we also have a small band of salesman who do not have a full technical appreciation of the products they are selling and often, although generally unintentionally, mis-inform customers. It is clear to us that many consumers are being sold 'A' rated windows and are simply not getting them - however they are totally unaware that what they have installed probably would not even reach a 'C' on the ratings scale. Now there is no problem with a 'C' rated window if that is what the customer asked for and had priced accordingly but there is if they were lead to believe it would be a higher rating!At August Windows we would implore all customers to ask to see the energy rated certification of the products they are buying and ask for a certificate to be issued to them once the job has been installed to confirm the nature of the windows purchased. All reputable companies will be happy to do this for their customers.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/A_rated_windows_and_the_cowboys--post--19.html Energy Rated Windows and Condensation As autumn descends upon us we frequently will receive calls from customers, for whom we have fitted our 'A' rated windows during the year, concerned about condensation on the OUTSIDE of their glass.This is perfectly normal with new high performance windows. In essence it simply shows how well they are working as they are not letting any heat through to evaporate that moisture, which was obviously happening on the customers original windows.What confuses more is the fact that it may not occur on every window or even every pane in a single window as slight differences in atmospheric conditions around that window will make a difference. We can get very scientific about this but I am sure we would bore everyone to death! The moisture soon evaporates during the morning and the important thing is there is nothing to be concerned about and no fault exists with the products.In our articles section on this website you can see a photograph of this happening in action.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Energy_Rated_Windows_and_Condensation--post--16.html Rising Energy Bills The news is constantly full of it and with winter approaching with good reason. Lets face facts - Electricity and Gas bills are going to continue to rise for the foreseeable future, we are a long way off yet renewable sources being able to provide anywhere near the country's present needs.At August Windows we believe the approach has to be different, not just because there is an obvious benefit for us but because it makes sense. Insulation - we need to use less energy and we can achieve this easily by insulating our homes as best we can. Elsewhere on this website we have given details of the savings that can be made and those numbers are only going to get bigger as energy costs rise. Below I have listed our 6 point plan to conserving heat without turning the thermostat down!We appreciate that not everyone is in a position to do all of this together but bit by bit they can all be seen as a genuine investment in saving long term money on fuel bills. They will also assist in gaining your home a better overall energy rating if you decide to sell up, a fact that will become ever more desirable.1. Update your boiler to an 'A' rated energy efficient model - the latest versions are considerably more efficient than those produced even 5 years ago. Radiator thermostats are also very useful in controlling energy usage.   2. Insulate your loft - and double up that insulation wherever you can.3. If you have cavity walls get them insulated too - whilst we are not the greatest fans of cavity wall insulation every effort helps.4. If you have a conservatory with a polycarbonate roof don't bother even trying to heat it in the winter, you will just be wasting money - shut the doors until springtime.5. If you have a large flat roof within your home, the next time it needs recovering ensure you beef up the insulation between your ceiling and the roof boards - you would be surprised how many flat roofs contain no insulation whatsoever and the heat from below just wafts through them.6. And finally of course install 'A' rated windows, the square meterage of windows in our homes is massive and the heat savings very impressive when energy rated products are used. Although officially doors and patio's etc have yet to be rated they can be glazed with the same specification of glass to achieve very similar results.  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Rising_Energy_Bills--post--15.html Health and Safety At August Windows we take the health and safety of both our employees and customers seriously. To verify this we are a CHAS accredited contractor, the government backed assessment scheme. http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Health_and_Safety--post--14.html Re-Cyling PVC-u Windows If you are contemplating changing your existing PVC-u windows, doors or conservatory you need to ask yourself a very important question - what happens to my old frames that have been taken away?Nobody wants them to go into landfill sites as they simply will not biodegrade.Reputable suppliers will take care to ensure that the old frames are fully re cycled and the PVC is used again in items such as underground pipe work.At August Windows we go one better than that, not only are the old frames we remove from customers homes recycled but they are done so in partnership with Elixir Foundations who use the funds they raise from doing so to invest into community based projects for underprivileged people in the UK.   http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/ReCyling_PVCu_Windows--post--13.html Constructionline August Windows are pleased to have been approved for the Constructionline register of pre qualified contractors for the construction industry. http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Constructionline--post--12.html THE AUGUST INVITATION  Have you been confused by conflicting information when looking for windows? Or do you just want a straight answer to a straight question?Then use our latest news page here at August. Simply ask your question via our enquiry / contact page ( you need not leave any personal contact details ) and we will post a response on the news page for you. Furthermore, as and where we can, we will also provide an independent source for you to verify the answer we have given you. So fire away on windows, doors, conservatories, fascia, flat roofs whether in PVC-u, Aluminium or Timber - just note on your enquiry - news page response required! http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/THE_AUGUST_INVITATION--post--11.html Credit Cards - PCI DSS Compliant August Windows and our sister business Nevermo Artificial Lawns are both now registered with the Trustkeeper scheme. As we are PCI DSS compliant this ensures our customers that when they pay by either debit or credit card the information they provide to us is handled correctly and can never be misused by others.All businesses accepting card payments must be compliant by December of this year. We all glibly hand over our card details without really thinking about what could happen to them so it may well be worth checking before you purchase anything again by card, is your supplier compliant and registered?  http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Credit_Cards__PCI_DSS_Compliant--post--10.html Welcome Don and Tim We would like to introduce two new members of the August Windows team.Looking after customers in Northampton and surrounding area's is Mr Don Mason and in Nottingham and surrounding area's will be Mr Tim Kaye.Both have extensive industry experience and are valued additions here. So if you are located in and around those parts of the country please feel free to get in touch and have a chat with Don or Tim.   http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Welcome_Don_and_Tim--post--9.html Age Concern and August Windows help out Being in your eighties and looking to get a range of home improvement work done when you have not done so before is a daunting prospect.So Mrs Samson of South Birmingham turned to Age Concern who in turn recommended August Windows as the start of the process for her. We provided all the advice and guidance she needed before she made her decision. We replaced all her old timber single glazed windows with energy rated PVC-u frames and replaced all her fascia, soffit and guttering as well.Furthermore August helped recommend and obtain quotes for her, from reputable local tradesmen for rendering and plaster work she needed as well the new bathroom, kitchen and central heating she is seeking to improve.   http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Age_Concern_and_August_Windows_help_out--post--8.html Thank you Thank you for your kind words Mr Stimson. http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Thank_you--post--7.html Nevermo on new build Mr Vaughan and Miss Cocking of Gloucester recently purchased a brand new home. Like so many people who move into new homes they found the front and rear lawns just looked awful as the turf laid by the builder had virtually died off before they had chance to move in!They turned to our sister company Nevermo Artificial Lawns to replace the turf they had left with our fantastic Vision product. Made from fully recycled materials not only have they helped the environment ( no more electricity or fuel required mowing their lawn ) they now have the perfect lawns that are the envy of all their new neighbours.Why not take a look at our website <a href="http://www.nevermo.co.uk">www.nevermo.co.uk</a> to see what we could do for your garden.   http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Nevermo_on_new_build--post--6.html Trustmark - Government Endorsed Standards Lets be honest the double glazing industry has not got the best of reputations has it? We are right up there with estate agents and timeshare salesmen in the mistrust league. Most of us are often too frightened to mention what we do for fear of sending people running for the hills! However, as often happens in life, it is a few bad apples that tarnish everyone else with their brush and leave the genuine businesses the hard task of trying to regain that consumer trust.That is why at August Windows we are proud to have been awarded Trustmark status this year. The Government backed initiative which is endorsed by Trading Standards and Citizens Advice takes all the uncertainty away for the customer. Any prospective customer knows that the company they are dealing with has been thoroughly vetted for standards of work and customer care.For more information please visit <a href="http://www.trustmark.org.uk">www.trustmark.org.uk</a>Supported by our rock solid deposit protection and insurance backed guarantee scheme August Windows customers are ensured that there purchase could not be better protected.  Whilst they are an ever increasing number of window and door industry instigated schemes that are similar to Trustmark the independence of Trustmark guarantees that any prospective customer avoids one of those rotten apples we all detest so much.    http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/Trustmark__Government_Endorsed_Standards--post--5.html News page goes live  Follow our updates here http://www.augustwindows.co.uk/News_page_goes_live--post--1.html