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. […]
Tag Archives: self-build glazing
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
25
Jun
Jun
Mistake #1: Assuming Every Window Performs The Same Job It is easy to understand why windows are often compared primarily on price. At first glance, two quotations may appear to describe products that perform the same function. They fit the same opening, achieve similar dimensions and promise comparable levels of energy efficiency. If one quotation […]
24
Jun
Jun
Error #1: Specifying Performance Figures Instead Of Occupant Comfort Few aspects of glazing specification receive as much attention as performance figures. U-values, solar gain coefficients, energy ratings and thermal performance data are now central to most glazing discussions. These metrics are important and provide valuable information when comparing systems. However, problems can arise when specification […]
24
Jun
Jun
Why Bifold Doors Became The Default Choice There was a time when bifold doors were considered a premium architectural feature. They appeared on ambitious self-build projects, high-end extensions and television programmes showcasing contemporary design. Large glazed openings that folded neatly away felt innovative, aspirational and distinctly modern. Today, bifold doors are so common that many […]
24
Jun
Jun
Regret #1: Focusing On Products Instead Of Outcomes One of the most common regrets homeowners have after a glazing upgrade begins long before any windows or doors are ordered. It starts with the way the decision is approached. Many glazing projects begin with products. Homeowners compare frame materials, explore different manufacturers, review sightline dimensions and […]
23
Jun
Jun
Mistake #1: Assuming All Aluminium Windows Are Essentially The Same One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when choosing aluminium windows is assuming that aluminium itself determines quality. At first glance, this seems understandable. Many quotations appear remarkably similar. The windows are all described as aluminium. The frames often look broadly alike in photographs. […]
23
Jun
Jun
Why Purchase Price Dominates The Decision When homeowners compare window quotations, the purchase price is usually the first figure they notice. It is clear, immediate and easy to compare. One quotation is higher, another is lower, and the difference can feel significant, especially on a larger renovation, extension or self-build project where costs are already […]