8 things you need to know when buying windows

16th April 2015 |

8 things you should know when buying windows

Buying windows can be a challenging process if you aren’t prepared. Thankfully, any good window company will be able to guide you through all the options available to you and help you choose the ideal windows for your property. Don’t know where to start looking? Here are 8 important things to consider when looking for new double glazing.

1. Window styles

Windows come in an array of different styles. These designs reflect the particular needs of a property: they could be aesthetic (related to the appearance of a property) or practical (relating to how the window functions).

For example, if you need a window with an authentic heritage appearance, a sash window will probably be perfect for your home. On the other hand, you might need a window with added safety and security, in which case a tilt and turn window could be for you. Knowing what you want from a new window before you buy it will help you make the right choice in the long term.

A good window installer will be able to offer you a range of options to choose from. At Majestic, we offer a broad range of traditional and modern window styles, made to measure and designed with your property in mind. Our range includes both traditional and modern window styles, such as sash windows, Leaded and Georgian windows, and bay and bow designs.

2. Frame colour

In the 1990s there was a joke in the home improvement industry that you could have a window in any colour ‘as long as it was white’. Thankfully, the industry has moved on over the last decade, and there are now a variety of colours to choose from when it comes to picking a window colour.

Nowadays, you can choose from a range of heritage colours and woodgrain finishes, for modern windows that look just like wood. You can even get coloured windows that are white on the inside, to match your interior décor.

3. Material

Modern windows are generally made from three materials: uPVC, timber or aluminium. Each of these materials has its respective benefits and each is suited to a particular purpose. uPVC is great value, thermally efficient and easy to maintain, making it a great choice for long lasting and hassle free windows.

The uPVC window manufacturing process has improved substantially over the past decade – meaning uPVC windows can achieve better energy and sound-cancelling performance than ever before.

4. Opening options

How you want to operate your window is probably a thought that is far from being one of your main concerns when buying a window, but it really is an important one. Modern windows are available in a range of opening actions to suit particular properties or purposes. An excellent window installer will be able to give you a broad range of opening options to choose from.

At Majestic, we offer a windows with traditional opening options, such as casement windows and sash windows, and windows with modern opening actions, such as tilt and turn windows so that you can find the perfect opening action for your needs.

5. Window glazing

The type of glazing you choose for your new window will have a noticeable effect on its thermal and acoustic performance. This means that you need to think carefully about the type of glazing you want your new window to have. A reputable home improvement company will be able to offer you high performance glazing with your window: many don’t.

Here at Majestic, we offer high quality double glazing as standard with all of our new windows that achieves A+14 energy ratings as standard. Double glazing provides excellent levels of thermal and acoustic insulation, making it perfect for both modern and traditional homes.

6. Decorative window features

Adding a personal touch is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying parts of buying a new window. Most good home improvement companies will be able to provide a variety of different decorative features that you could add to your window to give it an extra piece of individuality. Here at Majestic for instance, we offer coloured and textured glazing, as well leaded glass or Georgian bars so that you can customise your window to your heart’s desire!

7. Window furniture

Window furniture includes everything from hinges to locking systems. At Majestic we offer a full range of Yale locking systems, as well as traditional and modern style window accessories so that you can customise your windows to suit your home.

Window installers often offer a bewilderingly extensive range of hardware. A dedicated company will be able to offer you advice about what type of hardware is best suited to your window, making the process a lot easier. At Majestic for instance, our team of skilled window experts will be able to show you all the available options and give you advice about the best to choose for you.

8. Window energy ratings (WER)

Paying attention to the energy rating of the window you’re buying can have a drastic impact on the cost of your heating bills in the long term. All windows used in the UK home improvement industry have an energy rating from the BFRC – the British Fenestration Ratings Council. Known as the WER (window energy rating) rating, this shows how well your window insulates thermal and acoustic energy.

The WER rating system places windows on an alphabetical scale of energy efficiency from the best performing, energy efficient windows rated A+, to the lowest performing, inefficient windows, rated G. By choosing a window that has a good WER rating, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and potentially save money on your heating bills.

All of the windows we offer at Majestic are rated A+14 for energy efficiency, making them among the best performing currently available on the market. If you’re looking for windows with exceptional energy efficiency, Majestic is the best company to choose.