One of the UK’s leading home improvements companies Anglian Home Improvements, has launched a ground-breaking way to help consumers understand and choose the best energy efficient windows for their home.

Anglian’s ‘EcoGain’ windows are designed principally to decrease energy usage, while their ‘EcoRetain’ windows keep heat loss to a minimum.

The difference between the two is how ‘EcoGain’ lets in more sunlight, which importantly acts as free heat.
Both of these products have been planned to throw light on the complex conventional windows energy rating system that baffles consumers.

Traditionally window energy ratings have been calculated based on the BFRC rating equation, concentrating on thermal transmittance, solar factor and air leakage, to calculate the energy efficiency of a window on a scale of A to G.

Anglian Home Improvements and YouGov research reveals that half of those surveyed (47%) did not fully understand the A-G rating scale on the windows energy rating label, and only 19% of people (one in every five) were able to correctly state that an A-Rated window gains energy and also keeps in heat making it the most efficient.

As a result of this research, Anglian Home Improvements have launched ‘EcoGain’ windows (A-Rated on the traditional scale) to demonstrate clearly to consumers that this type of window ‘gains’ energy making it the highest performing window due to its extremely efficient solar factor.

EcoRetain’, (Anglian’s best-selling B-rated windows on the traditional scale) provide zero effective air leakage, meaning they are completely draught-free when closed and ensure minimum heat loss through the window.

Martin Troughton, Marketing Director at Anglian Home Improvements explains:
“There are three key performance factors that affect a window’s energy efficiency: Thermal Transmittance, which measures how good a window is at preventing heat escaping from inside the building; Solar Factor, which measures the amount of heat gained from sunlight passing through the glass; and Air Leakage, which measures how air-tight the window is.

“Our research shows that consumers find these energy rating factors confusing.
“By taking away the complexities of the A-G BFRC rating equation, Anglian Home Improvements hope homeowners will be able to identify the most energy efficient products for their home and quickly and simply understand that EcoGain gains energy and keeps heat, which should mean more to a UK consumer than simply labelling a window A-Rated.”

For more detailed information about Anglian Home Improvements’ EcoGain and EcoRetain windows, please visit the website.
Tel: 0800 500600

The New England Shutter Company is totally unique. The only company which designs and makes genuinely bespoke solid timber shutters.

The company has an international reputation with top interior designers, leading architects and private customers.

Every project is tailor-made to order:

• The sophisticated Garden House interior shown here, was designed as an inside/outside space, opening right up onto the garden.

• Working in conjunction with the project architects, The New England Shutter Company was commissioned to make bespoke shutters in a specially sourced Western Red Cedar, to match the rest of the building.

• The shutters operate in conjunction with sliding internal doors. Mounted on concertina sliding tracks, they fold back out of the way, freeing the views onto the deck and landscaped garden beyond.

• The client specified the rail and stile profiles of each shutter; all were over-sized and non-standard.

• The blades are The New England Shutter Company’s ‘Soho’ rebated range, utilising the hidden internal tilting mechanism.

Shutters can be made from a huge variety of timbers and individually finished to create an original for your home- be it painted, stained, lacquered, oiled, natural, or dressed in stitched faux leather, faux suede, leather or fabric.

Bespoke shutters are priced from £375 per square metre inc VAT.

For further information and to browse the portfolio of shutters, visit The New England Shutter Company’s website.

Tel: +44 (020) 8675 1099

American Shutters is a long established name in tailor-made wooden shutters.

The owners, Simon and Sophie Eadie have tried to create a “one stop” shutter company, with as many types of beautiful shutter designs and finishes as possible; many of their shutters are unique to American Shutters.

For uncluttered, contemporary living, American Shutters are a great way to screen French windows:

• Doing away with bulky curtains or sagging blinds, the infinite adjustability of the solid wooden blades allows precision control of light and privacy; day and night.

• When not needed, the shutters can be folded back neatly to the wall, leaving the full expanse of the glass clear for maximum effect.

• Manufactured in both the UK and the US, American Shutters offers a wide range of classic and contemporary bespoke timber shutters.

All of the company’s products are bespoke, with a full measuring and installation service available throughout the UK.

The American Shutters user-friendly website greatly assists customers to put their own shutter ideas into production.

Alternatively, their complete collection can be seen at the company’s Maidenhead showroom at 1 Cordwallis Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Tel: (01628) 586986

Finding the right windows and doors for any period property can be a bit of a nightmare and also very expensive. Happily Ayrton Bespoke offers the perfect solution and can reproduce any style you need at a price you can afford.

Ayrton Bespoke has gained a reputation for creating period designed, high quality timber windows and doors for the homeowner and trade markets.

This reputation is based on three principles: professional design, outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional value.

Because their factories are based in Lithuania and staffed with expert and highly skilled woodsmiths, they are able to provide consistant and reliable products everytime.

Using the latest construction methods, Ayrton’s windows and doors are supplied fully finished including final paint finish, warm edge double glazed units, lockable ironmongery all of which are included in the price, making life a lot simpler.
The company also provides a fitting service.

Ayrton cares for the environment; the company manufactures in timber, principally sourcing FSC certified slow growing North European redwoods, and offers comparible alternatives to hardwoods such as AccoyaÓ if required.

The company is a member of the Wooden Window Alliance (part of the British Woodworking Federation), whose members must meet independently audited quality standards and come with durability, performance and sustainability guarantees.

For further information, please visit the Ayrton Bespoke website.

Tel: (0208) 877 8920

The enthusiasm of pensioners Elisabeth and Peter Hey, when you ask them about secondary glazing is based on recent experiences, and the knowledge that their monthly fuel bills have dropped significantly.

Elisabeth said: “We noticed our energy bills go through the roof, when our energy provider disbanded a tariff that was introduced specifically for older people and put us on a standard rate.

“It more than tripled overnight from around £80 per month and we decided we had to look at ways of reducing these hefty bills,”

Peter looked into ways of cutting their energy usage and explained: “As we live in a listed property we can’t install double glazing, and I came across EcoGlaze secondary glazing from Access Plastics, based in West Yorkshire.

“We initially ordered their acrylic glazing for two windows and it was so easy to fit going up in just minutes; all we needed to do was provide measurements and they arrived in days and fitted perfectly.”

“We eventually had all our 17 windows done and the total cost came in at under £500! It would have cost us that to get just one window double glazed!” exclaimed Peter.

Elisabeth added “We now have no condensation and the sound of passing traffic has all but disappeared, but most importantly, we now rarely put heating on because we don’t need to, so our energy bills have fallen dramatically!

ABOUT ECOGLAZE
Ecoglaze Secondary Glazing is made from premium quality, UV stabilised acrylic sheet and high performance plastics; all materials are fully recyclable.

Ecoglaze is fitted to the inside of the existing window using a magnetic system; this system traps a layer of still air between the pane of glass and the Ecoglaze Secondary Glazing.

This airspace reduces the rate of heat loss and also acts as a baffle to reduce sound transmission.

Ecoglaze can be fitted to your existing windows for a fraction of the cost, when compared with double glazed windows, and will still provide you with the benefits of standard double glazing.

For more information please visit the EcoGlaze website.

Tel: (01535) 656983

A choice of 4 slat widths in over 100 colours and a new Child Safety cord connector, are key features in the new made-to-measure Metal Venetian blind collection from Sunway Blinds.

The new Cord Connector, available on 16mm and 25mm slat blinds, addresses the current issue of Child Safety in window blinds head on, by making the blind cords completely safe for children and pets, as downward pressure on the cord, breaks open the connector, thus releasing the cord and preventing dreadful accidents.

The Sunway metal Venetian range also offers a wide range of pale and natural colours and metallics, as well as the funky modern on-trend colours and stunning perforated slats, which give an interesting play on light.

There is also a new entry level slat range of 13 colours available in 25mm slat size, for those looking for a made to measure blind at an economical price.

Retail prices start from just £45 for a made to measure blind measuring 60cm x 60cm.

For further information and stockists visit the website at:

Web: http://www.sunwayblinds.co.uk.
Tel: (0161) 442 9500

Kelly Hoppen has designed a new range of striking wooden plantation shutters.

Adding Kelly’s signature colours and textures to the world of window treatments, has brought a stunning new range of shutters guaranteed to transform any home.

A range of grey’s, taupe’s and blacks is available in an eggshell paint or striking high gloss lacquer.

Complimenting these are 5 hand crafted ‘overwashed’ stains, which blend rich deep colours with subtle whites, thus enhancing the grain of the wood.

Colour Names:

• 5 sensational ‘overwashed’ stains:  Picket-fence White; Nantucket Taupe; Silver Pepper; Driftwood and Stonewashed Clay.

• 5 signature Kelly Hoppen Colours available in High Gloss Laquer and Eggshell; Pure White; Elephant Grey; Linen; Mink and Jet.

Kelly has designed a unique ‘flat slat’, which gives the overall appearance of the shutter, a much more architectural style than the traditional ellipsoid profile shutter slat.
Key Facts:

• All shutters are made using FSC certified hardwoods, Poplar and Elm.

• Each shutter is completely hand crafted, with the stain process taking approximately 15 man hours per square metre of shutter panel.

• Can be ordered for self install or full measure and install.

• Installed price from: £310 per square metre.

• Lead time 6-7 weeks.

• Unique colours and finishes.

• Metallic push rod (to be launched late Sept).

Thoughtfully designed, and completely bespoke, Kelly Hoppen shutters provide a whole new dimension to window treatments.

A website is being launched soon, to feature Kelly’s shutter style, including a design guide.

The Shutters are available from:  http://www.diy.com/shutters from July 2009.

And http://www.kellyhoppenshutters.com from Sept 2009

TimberWindows.com has introduced an exciting new contemporary timber door and window collection named URBANE.

The new range – comprising a selection of door styles, a flush casement window and a storm proof window – is available made to measure in a wide choice of colours and stains.

British designed and manufactured in the UK, URBANE meets the demand for clean, modern but stylish products from end-users and architects that complement both modern and more traditional properties.

URBANE provides a range of products perfect not only for the contemporary market, but also for period or established properties, where there is a juxtaposition of the old and new.

Urbane is distinct among contemporary products, because it features square and uncomplicated internal beading, slim sightlines and modern architectural ironmongery.

Every item in the range is manufactured using multi-layered timber sections (engineered timber), in selected quality Larch from sustainable sources.

Pictured here are doors in the unique URBANE grey; in addition, any standard RAL colour is available and it’s even possible to finish items with a different shade internally to externally.

Unlike some other products on the market, URBANE contemporary products are supplied fully factory finished and glazed, with 24mm argon gas-filled double-glazed units, featuring soft-coat energy saving glass.

In keeping with the modern look, only stainless steel finish furniture is available for the URBANE collection. Doors are supplied hung within a matching timber outer-frame with fully fitted door furniture.

The range also features high-security multi-point locking mechanisms, approved by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), as well as concealed stainless steel hinges.

The satin anodised silver thresholds, weather bar and cill are all factory fitted as standard; anti-jemmy theft claws are fitted to all opening sashes, while the contemporary windows, also have a dual locking position for night ventilation and easy clean hinges.

For further information visit:

Web: http://www.timberwindows.com
Tel: (0845) 652 7300

Cantifix the leading specialists in structural glazing and complex glass structures, has incorporated the ‘intelligent’ Blink Glass technology into their comprehensive range.

The unique glass laminate contains liquid crystal polymers, inserted between two panes of glass, which is connected to an electric current.

The glass is clear when the current is activated, but when the current is switched off, by simply pushing a button, it reacts with the liquid
crystal and creates an opaque glass effect instantly.

Blink Glass provides a unique and effective solution to privacy and security issues in an instant.

Blink panes are available in clear, blue, green or bronze, to combine style with function for a contemporary look.

These glass panes can be custom made to a maximum size of 1400mm X 2800mm and can be positioned together as structural glazing, to build a sheer façade for larger areas, in both the vertical and horizontal plane.

For further information visit:

Web: http://www.cantifix.com
Tel: (020) 8203 6203

Further to our article on Pilkington’s new energiKare glass on 10/12/07:

There follows a ten-step guide, to help you make some simple changes to your home and implement more energy efficient practices, to reduce your CO2 output. (Courtesy of the Energy Savings Trust and Pilkington Glass)

1. When replacing windows, look for those carrying the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Recommended logo along with the Pilkington energiKare™ branding ; assuring you of high levels of energy efficiency, with a quality name you know and trust.

2. Install cavity wall insulation. It’s clean, cheap and easy to do and could reduce CO2 emissions by 750kg and slash 15% off heating bills.

3. Install 270mm thick loft insulation. A home with no current insulation could save up to £110 a year on heating bills and 1 tonne of CO2 per year.

4. Turning the thermostat down by 1°C, could cut heating bills by up to 10 percent and save around £40 per year.

5. Use energy saving light bulbs; just one can save £100 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last around 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

6. Upgrade to a new energy efficient condensing boiler, which could convert up to 90% of its fuel into heat.

7. Washing at 300C rather than 400C can save approximately 40% on energy consumption.

8. Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.

9. Always wait for a full load and use the economy programme on appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers.

10. In the winter close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

Pilkington energiKareTM is suitable for use in any external windows of a house and is widely available from local and national window companies.

Web: http://www.pilkington.co.uk/energikare

Tel: (01744) 692 000