These Two Terms Describe Different Things The comparison between architectural glazing and standard double glazing is a common one, but it begins with a misunderstanding. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they do not describe equivalent things. One refers to a particular type of insulated glazing unit, while the other describes an approach to […]
Tag Archives: glazing specification
03
Aug
Aug
Start With the Home, Not the Windows One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when approaching a glazing supplier is beginning the conversation with products rather than the project itself. Questions such as “Do you supply slim sliding doors?” or “Which aluminium windows do you recommend?” are understandable, but they encourage discussion about solutions […]
03
Aug
Aug
What Is the Building Trying to Achieve? When homeowners begin choosing new windows and doors, the conversation often starts with products, colours or quotations. Architects approach the process from an entirely different perspective. Before considering frame systems or glazing specifications, they first ask what the building is trying to achieve. Every subsequent decision is then […]
03
Aug
Aug
A Site Survey Is About More Than Measurements Many homeowners assume that a site survey is simply the stage at which someone visits the property to measure window openings before manufacturing begins. While accurate dimensions are certainly an important part of the process, architects and experienced glazing professionals understand that a proper site survey serves […]
31
Jul
Jul
What Does Supply-Only Actually Mean? The term supply only is frequently used within the glazing industry, yet it is often misunderstood by homeowners comparing quotations for windows and doors. While it may appear to describe a simpler or more affordable purchasing option, it actually refers to a distinct procurement route in which the supplier provides […]
31
Jul
Jul
Why Price Is Only One Part of the Decision When homeowners receive several glazing quotations, it is entirely understandable that the first comparison is often the final figure at the bottom of the page. Price provides an immediate and measurable point of reference, particularly when the quotations appear to describe similar products. However, architects rarely […]
30
Jul
Jul
Why Two Quotes Rarely Cover the Same Thing Receiving several quotations for a window project is often recommended as a sensible way to compare options and understand the market. Yet many homeowners quickly discover that the proposals they receive differ considerably, not only in price but also in the products, terminology and levels of detail […]
30
Jul
Jul
Why Every Window Project Costs Something Different One of the most common questions homeowners ask at the beginning of a renovation or self-build project is, “How much will my new windows cost?” It is an entirely reasonable question, yet one that rarely has a simple or meaningful answer. Unlike many household purchases, architectural glazing is […]
29
Jul
Jul
Why Every Building Site Is Different No two building sites are exactly alike, and neither are the environmental conditions that shape the performance of a building over time. While it is easy to think of glazing as a standard element that can be selected from a catalogue, architects approach specification from a very different perspective. […]
29
Jul
Jul
What a Window Seal Actually Does When people think about windows, their attention naturally focuses on the visible elements: the glass, the frame or the overall design. Yet one of the most important components is almost entirely hidden from view. The perimeter seal around an insulated glazing unit performs a critical role in maintaining the […]
29
Jul
Jul
Understanding How Modern Glazing Is Constructed To understand why moisture can appear between the panes of a window, it is helpful to first understand how modern glazing is constructed. Although double and triple glazing may appear to be simple assemblies of glass, they are in fact carefully engineered insulated glazing units designed to improve thermal […]
29
Jul
Jul
Why Good Glazing Is Difficult to Judge at First Glance One of the most persistent misconceptions in residential architecture is that high-quality glazing can be recognised simply by looking at it. Modern manufacturing has made it possible for products at very different levels of engineering and performance to share remarkably similar visual characteristics. Slim sightlines, […]
28
Jul
Jul
Not Every Draught Comes Through the Window Feeling a movement of air near a window can understandably lead homeowners to conclude that the window itself is letting cold air inside. In many cases, however, the source of that sensation is more complex. Buildings are constantly responding to differences in temperature, air pressure and ventilation, creating […]
28
Jul
Jul
Comfort Is About More Than Temperature When homeowners think about improving the comfort of their home, attention often centres on insulation, heating efficiency and reducing energy bills. While these are all important considerations, comfort is shaped by far more than temperature alone. The sounds that enter a home throughout the day—from passing traffic and aircraft […]
27
Jul
Jul
Protection Starts Before Anything Is Ordered When homeowners invest in premium glazing, it is natural to assume that protecting it begins on installation day. Frames are carefully handled, glass is lifted into place and protective coverings are applied while construction continues. Although these steps are important, architects understand that the real protection begins much earlier. […]
27
Jul
Jul
Matching Doesn’t Mean Copying When planning a new-build wing alongside an older property, many homeowners assume the safest approach is to make every window and door identical. If the original house has traditional timber casements, should the extension copy them exactly? If the existing façade follows a particular pattern, should the new addition simply repeat […]
27
Jul
Jul
Great Architecture Starts With Light, Not Windows When homeowners begin thinking about glazing, their attention naturally turns to windows. They compare frame materials, opening styles, sightlines and product ranges, assuming these choices are where good design begins. Architects approach the process from an entirely different direction. Before they think about windows, they think about light. […]
27
Jul
Jul
Windows Influence the Design From Day One Many homeowners begin a renovation believing that windows are one of the final decisions to make. The assumption is understandable. After all, windows are installed relatively late in the construction process, so it seems logical to choose them once the structure is taking shape. Architects approach renovations very […]
24
Jul
Jul
Window Planning Starts Before Planning Permission One of the most common misconceptions in self-build projects is that windows can be chosen once the structure has been designed or, worse still, once construction is already underway. Architects rarely work this way. Long before planning permission is submitted, glazing is already helping to shape the architecture. Decisions […]
24
Jul
Jul
The Biggest Glazing Decision Is Where It Goes When homeowners begin planning an extension, the conversation about glazing often starts with products. Should the project include sliding doors, bifold doors or fixed glass? Which frame material is best? How large can the panes be? While these are important questions, architects rarely begin there. They know […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: The Frame Material Is Only One Part of the Cost When homeowners first begin researching aluminium windows, one assumption appears again and again: “They’re expensive because aluminium is expensive.” It seems like a logical conclusion. After all, if the frame is made from metal rather than uPVC, surely the material itself must account […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Aluminium Doesn’t Rot, Warp or Rust Like Many People Assume When homeowners ask how long aluminium windows last, they are often looking for a simple number. Twenty years? Thirty years? Forty years? While those figures can provide a useful indication, they do not explain why aluminium has become one of the most trusted […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: Performance Starts Long Before Energy Ratings When homeowners begin comparing aluminium and uPVC windows, one specification often dominates the conversation: the U-value. Energy ratings have become one of the most familiar ways of judging modern glazing, leading many people to assume that the window with the lowest published figure must automatically be the […]
02
Jul
Jul
Section 1: What Are Window Sightlines? When homeowners begin comparing aluminium windows, conversations usually focus on frame colours, glazing performance, security or energy efficiency. Sightlines are rarely the first topic discussed, yet architects often notice them almost immediately. In fact, the width and proportion of a window’s visible frame can have a greater influence on […]