If you are renewing or updating your property, what can your Windows directly to its value - and the impact on your direct line home insurance policy thinking. It can also seriously compromise your security. Here is how to avoid some of the most common mistakes and make your windows work for you ...
Protect your assets


Real estate experts agree that what you can do to improve your Windows or seriously depreciate the value of your home. While improving the care of their Windows is for keeping your house weatherproof, soundproof and secure installation of the wrong style of the window can be devastating - in the case of listed and protected property vital, it can also be costly legal implications. In any case, before you decide to restore or upgrade of Windows design is the key.
Practical Do's and Don'ts of the new glazing


Expert advice from the online site can help you with the technical and aesthetic impact of installing new windows to overcome. What do you consider before you buy:

Style matters
No compromise on style, looking for a cheap deal. Looking to sell similar properties to compare effects of replacement window types. Some features of a period - if you live in a listed building or Conservation Area, for example - have certain legal requirements. For more information on listing building permit and building permit, contact your local planning department.

Safety first
For the health and safety reasons, you must also ensure that a sufficient number of open windows, including specifically "Easy Escape" or "fire ladder" attributes.

Safe
Always install the type of locks and security features are to inquire. Many modern double glazing replaces Windows feature multi-point locking type, the "lock" can partially open in a "night-vent" position. As an added incentive to get the proper window locks, remember, it can be installed to your home insurance mandatory for certain types of fasteners without such coverage will not be provided.

Think long-term
PVC windows is asking a good idea, your supplier, ask if the windows are sealed completely or if there are parts of the windows mechanically fastened to the ends, although cheaper and cleaner for the wood grain, you tend to split due to wear, an weakening the frames and reducing performance. In most cases, fully welded construction with a better investment in the long term. Plus try and get your vendor to "do good" to your windows as part of the deal to cut costs and extra work.

Sound matters
If you reduce your primary motivation for fitting double glazing noise, the double glazing where you fit a new single disc under the existing or the first frame, usually better - the higher the 'air deficit', the better the sound.

Calculate
Double glazing can reduce heat loss through the window with an estimated 10-12%, which would save in heating costs and your exposure to pollution. However, it can take a long time before you have enough money to "the window" do not fit double glazing to save to pay for that reason alone.

Look around
Research also shows that it wise to at least two or three bids if you have time, look at all the alternatives in terms of product and style - where possible, to visit an exhibition space to other work of the experiments carried out company or talk to other customers on the phone. Try an unbiased view.

Maintenance and Repair
While modern plastic and aluminum frames are practically maintenance free, hinges and mechanical parts such as seals, lubricated and cleaned regularly. For wood frame you have to paint every 3-5 years or when needed with solid wood, oil or varnish. In both cases, experts recommend an annual spring cleaning.

Cover yourself
Check out the warranty and what it covers - a letter of guarantee always helps when you make a claim with Direct Line need file. Your Direct Line Home buildings insurance cover your windows in case of accident, fire, theft or vandalism, but not if you are not to stick to Windows in a good condition. If something breaks, Direct Line Home Repair Network of Emergency Response Systems in 1924, you can help a certified installer 24 hours a day, through its emergency hotline. Plus any change in the value of your property by the addition of Windows may have the premium of your policy, you know Direct Line.

A special case for the period properties


Protect the aesthetics of your period property is essential to preserve the value of your home. When the renovation is carried out well and carefully, the value of your property. However, the time properties of a substantial part of the historical heritage of the United Kingdom and therefore apply certain rules and regulations. Planning (listed buildings and natural areas) Act 1990 requires the owner to ask for permission before the work is carried out on a listed building - and that includes Windows. Your local planning department can have their own Conservation Officer dealing with applications and can be an early indication of whether your proposal is probably acceptable.

can not you forget to apply for planning permission if the building is listed or not - if you are an extension of your listed property fund, which contains Windows, then both holdings planning permission and planning permission is required before changes begin to keep. Organizations such as English Heritage, the Association for protected buildings (SPAB), construction and maintenance Directory Online sites below can help with practical advice and design of the restoration and improvement period of property, including listed Victorian, Georgian and Tudor windows.