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The Government has now launched a new scheme to improve the energy efficiency in domestic homes, but what does it mean for your glazing.

If you are upgrading your home and thinking about installing double or triple glazing then you may be disappointed with the Green Homes Grant Scheme, because to upgrade you need to have single glazing already in place. If your windows are double glazed then you will not qualify for an upgrade under the new scheme.

Here’s the information on the scheme as well as the best advice for your glazing home improvement.

What does the Green Home Grant Scheme Cover?

A maximum grant of £5,000 covers up to two-thirds of the cost of some of the energy-efficient improvements you can make in your home. The improvements you can make using the grant are split into two categories – primary measures and secondary measures.

The primary measures cover loft, wall and floor insulation as well as thermal systems and ground or air source heat pumps.

If you already have these features, you can apply for grant money to improve them and if you do this, you can then claim funding for secondary measures which means you can upgrade your single glazing with double or triple glazing, or secondary glazing.

Worth noting that you cannot get more money for secondary features than you can for primary. For example, if you got £1,000 for insulating a loft and installing a solar thermal system, you could not get more than £1,000 for putting in double glazing to replace your single glazing.  

Are you eligible?

The scheme is expected to help 600,000 homeowners to make properties more energy efficient.

If you live in a home you own, the scheme includes long-leaseholders and homes with shared ownership.

If you are a landlord and rent out privately or for social rent you are also eligible, while park homeowners, including traveller sites, also qualify for the scheme, though new-build homes are not eligible.

If you own your own home and are on Government benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance you could be eligible for a bigger grant of up to £10,000 for the improvements – covering the entire cost of the refurbishments.

How to apply?

The Government will later in August provide advice to homeowners on how to apply from the Simple Energy Advice (SEA) website which will tell you in greater detail what areas of your property may be eligible for funding.

A list of government-accredited builders and tradespeople will also be available to choose from when the scheme is launched. Once the work is agreed, the Government will issue vouchers from the end of September.

Best Advice

Replacing Double Glazing

• If you are planning on replacing or are replacing your existing double glazing, then don’t delay the job and use a GGF Member (listed in the MyGlazing.com installer search directory), to undertake the work. Only single glazing is available under the scheme.

• If you have leaky or pre-2002 inefficient double glazing but you do qualify for the primary measures under the scheme and are installing insulation (primary measures), then it is worth considering replacing your double glazing over and above the scheme to complete your upgrade and make your home truly energy efficient. Remember up to 24% of heat energy can leave a house through inefficient windows.

Replacing Doors

• The Government has yet to issue full details of door replacement and what will qualify under the scheme. However it will be a secondary measure.

Installing a conservatory or orangery

• Conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms are not include under the scheme.

The Scheme is launched in September, but it is estimated that vouchers will be issued at the earliest at the end of September. Replacing single glazing with double/triple or secondary glazing is a secondary measure and not guaranteed unless you install or upgrade other measures. It’s also worth getting your home improvement done before the winter sets in, so our advice is, don’t rely on the Green Homes Grant Scheme but if you feel it’s worth the wait and you are sure you can upgrade your single glazing then it may be worth getting your application in when the scheme is launched in September.

From regular handwashing to reduced physical contact, people are adopting more and more ways to ensure they stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. But, did you know there are changes you can make to your home to help with this that go beyond basic hygiene and social distancing.

In our latest #StaySafeWithMyGlazing article, we’re going to look at how you can make your home as healthy as possible – helping to safeguard you, your family, friends and anyone that enters your property.

Health and wellbeing in the home are of increasing importance to homeowners now, yet despite this, some may still be surprised by the direct impact windows and doors and conservatories can have on their quality of life. For example, access to natural light and air quality are all affected by your glazing, especially if your windows, doors or conservatories are more than twenty years old.

The impact of natural light on personal wellbeing

During lockdown, 12% of people have made changes to their property to increase the amount of natural light in the home. This is largely due to its proven benefits for our mental health and wellbeing. Increased exposure to natural lighting can also reduce symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The body releases serotonin – the ‘happy hormone’ – during prolonged periods in natural light. Just 30 minutes a day is enough to meet the average daily requirements.

With this in mind, it is important to include sources of natural light into your home’s interior design. Choosing skylight, lightwell or fanlight windows for your will allow natural light to flood your loft or extension living spaces, as well as in difficult to light spaces such as hallways and staircases. Similarly, large windows that face the sun during daylight hours, bifold doors, conservatories and orangeries can help you to reap the benefits of natural light within your home.

Help establish a routine

Natural light is also one of the most effective tools for regulating the body’s internal clock. Allowing the sun to wake you up in the morning is one of the least disruptive ways of starting a new day. Having windows within the bedroom that face the direction the sun rises can help with this.

Of course, with early starts for work and darker mornings during the winter months, this isn’t always possible. Nevertheless, spending just one hour a day in natural sunlight can improve sleep quality and make your morning routine that much easier.

Energy savings in the home

Installing modern glazing can not only allow natural light into a room, it can also reduce your energy costs and provide many wellbeing benefits. Did you know that up to 24% of heat energy can leave a house through inefficient glazing? This means having energy-efficient windows and doors in a property significantly contributes to the warmth and comfort of a home further improving the health and lifestyle.

As well as preventing heat loss in your home, modern energy efficient glazing can also assist with heating your home. This is known as Solar gain and is an effective form of passive heating as heat rays from the sun is are able to pass through the glass in a window or door and heat the building itself, further contributing to energy savings in the home.

Ventilation

It’s important that your home has access to proper ventilation and a stream of fresh air during the pandemic. Whilst the summer months are great for opening up a window, when winter descends, temperatures drop and we experience more rainy days, cracking open a window just doesn’t seem neither appropriate or appealing.

That’s why ensuring your windows have trickle vents can see you reap the benefits of fresh air and good ventilation. Trickle vents are small openings in a window that allow a small amount of air to pass from one side of the window to the other, enabling an easy air flow without having to open your window or door. They can also reduce condensation and moisture in the air which can lead to mould further impacting health and in particular respiratory illnesses.

If you are improving your home to make your home healthier, we’d love to see it, so make sure you tag us on Instagram and Twitter using @MyGlazing. And if you do need to hire a home improvement company, read our Safe Guide to ensure you keep you, your family, friends and your tradespeople safe during these unusual times.

COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways. The loosening of some elements, like restrictions on seeing family, were much anticipated but some changes seem to be  here to stay, like working from home. In fact, in our recent survey more than one in 10 UK homeowners admitted to wanting to make changes to their property to allow them to work from home more efficiently.

A lot of businesses have reaped the benefits of people working from home with reports of employees being more productive and having greater focus and commitment. With clear advantages from home working, many companies are choosing to continue these practices even as lockdown restrictions are lifted.  If you have benefitted from working remotely and want to carry on, keep reading to find out ways you can make changes to your home to accommodate this without the need for a house move.

Do you have a garden?

If the answer is yes, then a garden room might be the perfect solution for you. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main house, garden rooms are the perfect way to separate your work and home life. Simply walking a few yards to a different space can allow you to turn off at the end of the working day – something we’re sure you’re aware is very important if you’ve been both working and relaxing from your living room!

In the great outdoors and often surrounded by nature garden rooms are also an ideal solution for jobs that require relaxation and headspace – such as a yoga teacher or if you are in a creative industry such as art, copywriting or design. If you’re hosting lessons at home, or via an online streaming service, a garden room is a great way to bring a further element of relaxation and aesthetic appeal to your classes.

Garden rooms also don’t require planning permission as long as they fall within permitted development guidelines, so they can’t have sleeping accommodation and must be single-storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m.

Maybe you already have the space indoors?

If your loft is only used for storage, it might be worth seeing if you can free up the space, because a loft conversion is a great way to add an extra room to your property and allow you to work more comfortably from home. For some loft spaces, the room’s ceiling isn’t high enough to accommodate an active job that requires you to be standing for extended periods of time, but it’s an ideal solution for an office-based job.

Using rooflights or windows in a loft conversion is a great way to increase the natural light and ventilation in a room, which can help improve mood, productivity and reduce stress whilst working.

Considered a conservatory?

A less intrusive way of creating extra space in your home is by installing a conservatory or orangery. In most instances, planning permission isn’t required for a conservatory so it’s a quicker and often less stressful solution when compared to a traditional extension.

If you’re concerned about conservatories being boiling hot in summer and sub-zero in winter then you needn’t worry. Modern conservatories and orangeries have fantastic climate control, meaning they are a great option all year round. Progression in design also means conservatories now integrate seamlessly into even the most modern homes. With clean lines and a range of colours and materials, gone are the traditional white, clunky conservatories of yesteryear.

Make use of your garage

Some people used lockdown and furlough time as an opportunity to set up their own business. Whether you’re now a self-employed beauty therapist, or you make jewellery from home, you’ll need a dedicated space to grow your business. Converting your garage is an easy and cost-effective way to do this, especially if you aren’t using it effectively already. Simply hire a professional to remove the door, build up a wall and install a window. If you want to increase the use of natural light in the room, or even provide an entry point that does not require access from the main house, consider installing bi-fold doors or roof windows/rooflights. When opened, they can make a smaller garage seem much more spacious.  

If you do have work carried out on your home to create a new workspace, we’d love to see it, so make sure you tag us on Instagram using @MyGlazing.

And if you do need to hire a home improvement company, read our Safe Guide to ensure you keep you and your tradespeople safe during the ongoing pandemic

Making glazing home improvements outside the home is clearly safer than inside during this pandemic, but it is still worth ensuring that the company you employ operate safely and are following the Government guidance.

The UK is enjoying (so far) a summer of fine weather and after months of restriction and now with the easing of the lockdown it’s tempting to spend more time outdoors, with conservatories, bi-folding doors, balconies, porches and garden rooms you can enjoy the best of both the indoor and outdoor lifestyle.

A new conservatory, orangery or garden room can also give you the essential additional space you might need if working from home or if you want to create good recreational or entertainments space.

No matter what home improvement you make outdoors, please ensure you use the simple Stay Safe checklist (below) provided by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) the glazing industry’s main trade body.

The GGF/MyGlazing Stay Safe Checklist

NOTE:

1. You can check the company you are using is following GGF and Government Safe Guidance by referring to the GGF Safe Guide for Homeowners.
2. Also ensure you ask the company you are using, to show you their Risk Assessment for the work they are proposing to do in or around your home. See an example of a Risk Assessment Form here

According to MyGlazing.com’s online research, there appears to be a significant increase this year with 28% more homeowners searching online for conservatories, orangeries and garden (summer) houses. 

If you are considering a new conservatory or similar, it is worth checking out the new Consumer Guide to Conservatories produced by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF). It’s free to download and includes expert independent advice on practical issues such as the best use of living space, foundations, materials selection and types of structures. In addition, there is also a list of general designs and styles of conservatories and orangeries and roof types.

It’s a good time to improve your home by maximising the use of your outdoor space and also adding more to the value of your property.

If you are planning a home improvement such as a conservatory or orangery use the MyGlazing.com quick and easy guide:

Safety: Check out the GGF Safe Guide for Homeowners and also the Stay Safe Checklist(as above)

Ideas: View MyGlazing.com’s “Be Inspired” section for Conservatories here or for Orangeries here  

Information: Check the GGF Consumer Guide for Conservatories and Orangeries here

Companies: To find a company for a quote and more product ranges, use the MyGlazing.com directory which is at the top of every MyGlazing.com page.

MyGlazing.com recommends to always use a company that is a Member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) – the main trade organisation for glazing home improvement companies.

When you use a GGF Member you are guaranteed to be using a reputable company that:

• Has financial stability and has been trading for a minimum of 3 years – there are no phoenix companies in the GGF
• Has been vetted by the GGF and has premises, products and employees fit for purpose
• Employs trained and qualified professionals that work to the highest technical standards as outlined by the GGF Glazing Manual written by the industry’s leading experts
• Follows the GGF Consumer Code of Good Practice, the most comprehensive Consumer Code in the UK glazing sector

For more advice on employing the right glazing company please see our Top Tips when making a glazing home improvement.

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When you have decided to go ahead with your home improvement, you should discuss and agree with the company you are employing, how and when you are going to pay for the work.

The following advice should help and protect you through the payment process.

Deposits  

Many companies ask for a deposit before they start a job, mainly because they have to pay for materials and labour to produce the glazing products you have ordered. So be prepared to pay an average 20% of the full payment upfront as a deposit. You should always ask if a Deposit Indemnity Scheme is available to cover your deposit.

Before paying a deposit, you should ensure it is protected.

The home improvement and in particular the window and door industry used to have numerous Deposit Indemnity Schemes to cover deposits, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a number of insurance providers have now suspended or withdrawn deposit protection cover. So it could be extremely difficult to find any deposit protection for windows, doors, conservatories or any glazing related home improvements.

Protecting your deposit payment

In the absence of Deposit Indemnity Cover and to protect your deposit it is best to pay by credit which protects payments under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

If you pay by credit, you may be able to get your money back through your bank if something goes wrong, e.g. the contractor doesn’t turn up or goes bust and refuses to pay back your deposit. If this happens and you have paid over £100 via credit you can contact your bank and say you want to use the ‘chargeback’ scheme and you want to ‘make a section 75 claim’. The rules surrounding payments made by Debit Card are different and such mechanisms do not often provide recourse via Section 75. We would therefore always recommend speaking to your card issuer to establish what protection is available prior to making any advance payment on a contract.

Always ask for a receipt for any deposit paid and do not pay cash as your deposit will not be protected.

Deposits and Competent Persons Schemes

Whoever you employ to replace your windows and doors, if your property is in England and/or Wales you will have to register the installation through a company who is in a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) such as FENSA or through your local authority building control. Make sure you ask the company about your windows or doors being legally registered and at the end of the job make sure the company provides your FENSA certificate.

Historically Competent Person Schemes have had deposit warranty cover as a requirement of being a member of their scheme.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic and with given the current situation around deposit warranty cover, Competent Person Schemes have suspended this requirement.

Payment Plan

Prior to signing the contract for your home improvement, it is advisable to have in writing, the payment plan and the timeframe and conditions around the payment. Most companies should have the payment conditions and timings in their Terms and Conditions of Contract. However, please check you are agreeable to them prior to signing. If there is anything in the contract that asks for cash payments then it is advisable not to sign it.

Pay in Stages

This is a good idea, particularly if it’s a big job because it means problems can be put right before you make the final payment. Be clear that you are satisfied with the work or if there are any problems when payments are due.

Next steps

The above advice is aimed to help you protect your payments when you are making improvements to your home. MyGlazing.com recommends you use companies who are members of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), the industry’s leading trade body. GGF Member companies operate to the highest professional standards and to the GGF Consumer Code of Practice which has been approved by Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

To find your nearest GGF Members Company simply use the MyGlazing.com Find a Company Directory at the top of this page.

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