Do you want to know more about our Free Timber Joints upgrade this month? We thought you might be interested to learn about our FREE timber joint upgrade this month when you improve your home with our timber alternative windows and front doors. Have you ever seen close up a beautifully designed and handcrafted Timber alternative window? Why not visit our showroom…
When contacting Thames Valley Windows for a Living Space this Winter, please quote reference: Winter Warmer Winter Warmer Free Solar Glass Upgrade Have you thought about extending your home this Winter? Are you considering creating more space for entertaining your family and friends over the festive season? As we all know, sunlight is good for us as it produces vitamin D. So have…
Thames Valley Windows in Berkshire shout from the roof tops! Every now and then Thames Valley Windows in Berkshire shout from the roof tops and share our successes with our customers. Architecture is as diverse as the people who live in it. The style of house, whether planning a new-build or not, is mainly shaped by the design, however, the windows…
Extending your home can significantly improve it and can add substantial value to your property. Plus, if you love where you live, extending can breathe new life into the home you love. There comes a time when your home becomes a bit of a squeeze. Maybe growing children are filling the house with their friends, toys and noise and making the…
Here at Thames Valley Window Company, we pride ourselves on the success of each and every project ensuring we advise, design and deliver the best solutions, and that’s why we can shout from the roof tops and celebrate the amazing reviews from our customers. We know our industry only too well, having specialised in double glazing windows and architectural design…
You’d be forgiven for having a look at the title of this article and having a little chuckle to yourself, thinking we’ve completely lost the plot! Surely softwood is soft and hardwood is hard, no? It can’t be much simpler than that, you might think. But no, the terms softwood and hardwood timber don’t refer to the density or hardness…
A lot of people associate the idea of a Conservatory with a cheap looking, over-fussy extension that is out of date, too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. If designed correctly, a Conservatory doesn’t need to be any of these things. A Conservatory can be very current, either in a traditional or contemporary design, and can…
Very simply put, if you look after timber, or wood, it will last for centuries. One only has to visit some of the stately homes, listed buildings and old houses to find the evidence! So why has timber and timber windows come in for such bad press, and what is the reality today? Before we look at this directly, let’s…
At this time of year, we see an increase in the number of calls regarding condensation. Many people find that with their new windows, comes condensation, and this is often an unwelcome surprise. Although it may not be welcome, do be assured that condensation on the inside and/or outside of your windows is proof that your new windows are doing…
What are some of the things people are looking for when they decide to replace their windows? We take a look at the trends we’re seeing on people’s wish lists; the top 3 window trends for 2018. Trend #1: Maximising Light The primary reason for installing windows in our homes is to let in light. It’s the very reason windows…
Most of us inherit our windows from the previous home owner and if we’re lucky, the windows are perfectly fine. However, if the windows are more than 10 years old, are damaged, ill-fitting, or just not looking their best, it may be time to think about replacing them. Other than the functional purpose of letting in light, your windows should…
Often referred to as concertina doors, sliding doors and even zig-zag doors, doors that fold back along a track to create a room that is fully opened on at least one side are now very well known, even if their name isn’t. The term ‘bi-fold door’ relates to the fact that there will be a minimum of two panels that…
A window is a window, until you come to purchase new windows and suddenly you’re hearing terms that can mean very little, but can make all the difference to the aesthetics and workings of your windows. Here’s a handy double glazing windows glossary of the industry terms. Casement: Another name for the sash. Concealed Drainage: Drains water underneath the window out…
This is a question we are often asked. Both are extensions of your living space, both have a mix of brick and glazed areas and both have glass roofs. So, what is the difference between a Conservatory and an Orangery? The simplest explanation is that a Conservatory has a roof that is all glass whereas an Orangery has a roof…
The good old British weather; anybody who has lived near the coast, or in an exposed location, has probably seen the worst of it! These areas tend to get even wetter and windier and our homes – including the windows and doors – bear the brunt if it! Having a marine grade finish on your windows and doors is therefore…
If you’re looking to add a conservatory to your home, you may not need planning permission. Conservatories are usually exempt from building regulations when: They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area The conservatory is separated from the house by external walls, doors or windows There is an independent heating system with…
Timber has long been associated with windows and front doors but not necessarily bi-folding doors. Timber bi-folds are as versatile as the more well-known aluminium bi-folds when it comes to colour and double and triple glazing options, and can suit both a contemporary and traditional setting. Timber bi-fold doors are typically available in Spruce (softwood) or Meranti (hardwood) but also…
If you’re looking for new windows, either in a new build project or to replace your existing windows, you may not consider a seemingly insignificant part of the window. You’ll deliberate over uPVC windows versus timber windows versus aluminium windows, colour options, grains, opening configurations, glazing, but the joint? What difference does the joint make? It’s all in the detail….
Metal windows have been used for centuries, way back in Tudor times in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Georgian period saw timber take over as the most popular option and this carried on through the Victorian and Edwardian times. In the 1920s and 30s, steel windows took centre stage once again, most notably through the Art Deco period with…
The double glazing boom began in the 1970s with the introduction of aluminium windows, sliding patio doors and secondary glazing. By the 1980s, property prices were starting to increase, uPVC windows were introduced to the UK from Germany and replacement windows were all the rage. Aluminium was a cold material and the thermal break systems weren’t effective, causing the frames…