uPVC windows and uPVC doors will make the world of difference when added to your home and will transform its appearance. Guests will immediately notice the changes made when they visit your home as uPVC will gleam in all weathers as they are weather resistant and will stand up no matter if it is rain or shine. By changing your windows you will also benefit from greater views from the inside as the glass used provides a bright outlook on everything going on outside. When combined together they really will give you a new up to date look.

New windows and doors are also unaffected by rotting or fading, so you do not need to worry about constantly maintaining them. The cost of replacements may be more than what you paid for your original windows, but you will find that they have a longer lifespan and may never need to be changed again. They will also make your home energy efficient, as they are good conductors of heat and allow virtually nothing to pass through the glass or frames.

Another way of transforming the exterior of your home is by looking into conservatories. A conservatory will stand proudly in your back garden and make it a much nicer place to live and spend your home life all year round.

Conservatory Outlet have always considered itself to be forward thinking, innovative and ahead of the game when it comes to conservatory designs and orangery extensions. This approach has never changed as Conservatory Outlet continue to bring you the very latest in home improvements to make your home totally unique when compared to others in your neighbourhood. Our very latest product is the Glass Extension, which will bring both added value and the extra room you have always wanted.

The best time of the year to enjoy your garden is without doubt during the summer time and there is no better way of making use of it than having a Glass Extension built on your home. We have designed them so that you have a Veranda area outside of a conservatory which is still covered by the glass roof – allowing you to sit outside and admire your garden all year round. You can access the veranda on the front of your Glass Extension via a set of bi-folding doors or patio doors, so you can flit in and out as often as you like and with the minimum of fuss required – perfect for children’s parties or family barbeque.

The looks of a Glass Extension really are something to behold and you will be hard pushed to find anyone who has something similar in your neighbourhood. Like conventional conservatories or orangeries, not only will they add value to your home, but there are so many different ways in which you could utilise the space offered by it.

Having introduced the Orangery design throughout the UK – a Conservatory Outlet Glass Extension will be a delightful addition to any style of home.

To find out more about the very latest Glass Extensions or the more traditional conservatory or orangery – contact Conservatory Outlet online to arrange an appointment with one of their expert design consultants or call us for free on 0800 915 8844.

One such product is our range of patio doors. When placed in a home they will provide you with the very best and elegant entrance into your back garden, while also bringing in an enormous amount of outdoor light. They will slide open so that you can let in the outside air on those days when the temperature is too warm inside. You also need not worry about your children gaining access to the back garden when you want them to stay indoors. This is because the doors come fitted with a locking mechanism that can be locked and which is extremely difficult to force open.

We construct our patio doors using uPVC material, so that maintenance is kept to a minimum, leaving you with plenty of spare time to complete other tasks you may have in the home. They will not rot or flake paint, so you do not need to repaint them at any time. Just give them a wipe down every so often and you will notice that they will continue to look as good as when they were first installed.

We have several dealerships across the country, so pay a visit to your local showroom where you can see all our windows, conservatories and French doors in the flesh.

The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme aims to offer protection for double glazing and conservatory consumers and double glazing and conservatory installers in a £4.65bn double glazing and conservatory industry. The double glazing and conservatory industry was responsible for 22,000 complaints to trading standards last year.

The DGCOS has already signed up 126 double glazing installers. It is claimed that the new scheme is different from existing consumer protection schemes because installers who sign up for it are legally bound by its decisions.

The DGCOS Compensation Fund will pay out all bona fide claims to compensate homeowners using DGCOS Accredited Installers where traders fail to live up to their promises and the ombudsman has found in their favour. Traders will also have some protection against customers who withhold payment or make unfounded complaints. The double glazing installers also have to pay into a bond scheme to cover compensation if they cease trading.

Nick Ross said: “Consumer agencies champion ombudsman schemes because they give customers real protection. DGCOS is based on similar schemes which have been successful in other industries and are strongly recommended by consumer groups.

“Rogue traders have done serious harm to the reputation of the industry, so restoring confidence is important not just for consumers but for all good contractors. DGCOS can help rebuild trust and mark out the good guys from the cowboys.”

Planet Conservatories, Windows & Doors specialises in the design and installation of a wide variety of products including:

• Windows
• Doors
• Conservatories
• Orangeries

Planet Conservatories, Windows & Doors operate throughout Cumbria and even as far as Lancaster and Morecambe. Planet have two offices based in Kendal and Lancaster and can work throughout Cumbria and parts of Lancashire. Planet understand that it can be hard to find the right supplier of double glazing, that’s why Planet will always offer you the best prices and the highest quality of workmanship, no matter how big or small the job may be.

Over 10 Years of Experience
Whether you’re looking for stunning patio doors or some energy efficient PVC windows, you can find them here at Planet Conservatories, Windows & Doors. As one of the region’s top suppliers of uPVC windows, doors and conservatories, there is no better home improvement company to call.

So, if you’re looking for window fitters in Cumbria or anywhere in Lancaster and Morecambe, call Planet Conservatories, Windows & Doors today on 0800 612 2255 or visit Planet’s Website

Today local authorities do not require planning permission for installing a conservatory or orangery to your home in the UK. There are certain conditions that do apply, however overall conservatories & orangeries do not need planning permission if you plan that your conservatory or orangery does not cover more than fifty percent of the land that the home occupies.

• You do not intend to build the conservatory or orangery on the same side of the house that fronts a highway. This rule applies to conservatories on the front back and side, you cannot build one on a side of the house that is parallel to a road.
• You cannot build any part of the conservatory or orangery higher than the existing highest point on your roof – this regulation regarding the height of the conservatory can only be important on a bungalow.
• If you are building a conservatory or orangery solely on the rear of the house than it can only extend beyond the outer wall by three meters if the house is attached to another. However if you have a detached house then the conservatory can be four meters.
• Side conservatory or orangeries can be built up to four meters high and a width of no more than half the width of the original house width. Unless of course the side fronts a highway and then you cannot build one at all.
• The roof height can only be to the first storey if you have more than one story.
• The conservatory or orangery must be closed in it cannot have any other extraneous extensions such as a conservatory balcony or a conservatory verandah. Simply put your conservatory can only be one structure with no conservatory extensions.
• Finally designated land cannot have a rear conservatory or orangery of more than one storey. Cladding cannot be used and side conservatories are forbidden. Designated land means areas of natural beauty such as the Norfolk broads, conservation areas, national parks and world heritage sites.

For the very latest Planet Conservatories or Orangeries visit www.planetsouthlakes.com and view a fabulous range in their Kendal or Lancaster showrooms.

While I wholeheartedly agree with free speech and debate, sometimes forums of this nature can cross the line into a more defamatory nature as the piece that was removed did and it can become damaging and unfair. I reserve the right to fight our corner and protect the integrity of DGCOS if I think this is happening.

Firstly, we have never said to any journalists that this industry is full of rogues or incompetents. It isn’t, and we’ve said several times that a few rogues and cowboys damage the reputations of the many. We have only ever said factual information and given a potential solution to the 22,000+ complaints received about this industry last year. We do not have editorial control over anything that is not published by DGCOS – as is witnessed by this blog.

Also, we do not seek to represent the industry. DGCOS is an Ombudsman scheme with judicial powers and extensive powers of investigation. It is a consumer protection organisation. Installers and the industry will benefit from its existence.

I welcome Nigel’s attempt to put some organisations into perspective. As he says, “Fensa ….was never designed as a consumer protection organisation. The Glass and Glazing Federation is a Trade Federation, whose main driver is promote technical and ethical standards”

However, he is incorrect when he says DGCOS is ‘ultimately a lead generator’. DGCOS provides the consumer protection the industry needs to help its reputation. The fact that DGCOS is aware of the needs of the people who drive the industry, the installers, and the things they need to ‘buy into’ the scheme is testament to our research and ability to deliver a great scheme.

DGCOS does not pretend to cover the whole double glazing industry. We cannot. Many companies will just not make the grade. 23% of applications so far have failed. DGCOS covers only installation businesses who have taken the trouble to become accredited members – our website makes this clear.

DGCOS is different because it is a robust Ombudsman Scheme. Bona fide complaints will be investigated thoroughly. Wrongs will be addressed and put right. Investigations of complaints are mandatory whereas many trade bodies provide an optional ‘conciliation’ service which members may or may not abide by. DGCOS also provides a free independent inspection service on disputed installations. The Ombudsman’s decisions are legally binding and enforceable. Members contribute to a Compensation Fund to ensure awards are honoured. No other organisation offers all of this for the industry.

The Ombudsman, Dr Ronald Barham, is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has been operating as an Ombudsman since 1996. He has extensive knowledge of the construction industry and is a member of the arbitration panels of several professional and government bodies. He is independent of all member organisations, is not funded by members, and is not on the management team or board of directors of DGCOS so that any judgment he makes could not be considered biased.

In regards to the costs, wildly inaccurate figures have been mentioned on this blog. The cost of ongoing membership is affordable by all professional installers. The ongoing cost is in the region of 1.2% of their retail turnover. For the overall benefits on offer this is a bargain. The marketing materials are excellent and proving very successful for installers.

To dispel another rumour, DGCOS does not sell IBGs, and we make no money from them. We have investigated the provision of IBGs to consumers and found that there are many loopholes. This is unacceptable to DGCOS. Therefore, we have negotiated a policy for members with our approved supplier, IWA, to ensure everyone is covered. The Compensation Fund also enables any customer of a member who is not registered to have a fallback position.

The purpose of our marketing, PR and advertising is to communicate strongly to people so they take notice of the scheme as many consumers, consumer support groups and the media are already doing. This is only the beginning. However, Nick Ross does not put his name to ‘mere marketing gimmicks’. Nick has been personally involved in ensuring that what the scheme offers is sound, robust and will serve the industry well.

Our credit score may be low. This is because we are new and have not turned a surplus yet. We won’t do for 2-3 years dependent on the take up rate from installers. Our aim is to attract 1,800 of the best installers into accreditation over the next 3-4 years. That will be approx 14% of installers in the UK. As I said, not everyone will make it.

I’d like to thank the organisers of GlassTalk for their ‘on the couch’ invitation. However, DGCOS cannot adequately be explained in a few minutes and I am going to graciously decline this invitation.

However, I do intend to attend Glasstalk, along with 5 of our senior people.

We will soon be organising a series of seminars around the country and will be extending invitations to any interested party who would like to attend their nearest seminar and participate in the Q&A sessions at the end.

DGCOS isn’t for everyone, and I am not out to convert everyone. If people are happy as members of the GGF or other bodies that’s fine by me, but I do believe DGCOS is by far and away the best consumer protection scheme in the industry, because it was designed to be.

Read the latest discussions on DGCOS at www.glasstalk.co.uk or visit: www.dgcos.org.uk

What’s more, by updating your tired and rotten windows, you’ll be helping to do your bit for the environment.

Windows and doors might only consist of 20 per cent of the wall area of your home but they can lose huge amounts of heat.

By replacing your old windows with modern double glazing, the typical UK home could save as much as pounds £150 a year.

So what exactly are energy efficient double glazing windows?

One thing, they help to conserve heat within the home but also allow the natural warmth of the sun to travel through the glass. They are less likely to suffer from condensation and can be made from any frame material – from modern pvc to aluminium

The glass used in double glazing windows has been specially treated to help reduce the amount of heat loss that naturally occurs through windows and doors. Treated with invisible coatings and even filled with inert gases, the glass helps to keep the heat in the heart of your home.

Energy efficient window carry the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) label. This means that the glass has an energy efficiency rating. Just like modern household appliances such as fridges, ovens, dishwashers, the most efficient are awarded an ‘A’ grade and the lowest a ‘G’ grade.

In orangeries and conservatories, installing the latest double glazing can make a dramatic difference. In the summer months, it’s easy to enjoy the warmth and sunlight that only a conservatory or orangery can bring, during a cold winter your new room will stay warm and comfortable with Planet Windows & Doors latest energy efficient glazing.

For the latest offers at Planet Windows & Doors for energy efficient double glazing visit: www.planetsouthlakes.com or freephone 0800 915 8844 for directions to their Kendal or Lancaster showrooms showcasing a range of double glazing designs guaranteed to suit every home and budget.

Installers who become members of the DGCOS will be able to offer their customers a range of policies, including deposit protection, work in progress insurance and an insurance-backed guarantee. Homeowners, meanwhile, will be offered access to professional mediators, independent inspectors and a dispute resolution and arbitration service conducted by the Ombudsman. The DGCOS scheme will offer installers protection against unfair complaints from customers and companies who withhold payment for completed work.

The DGCOS scheme, which has been trialled for over two years, will be promoted by national TV and radio advertising campaigns fronted by Nick Ross, the former presenter of the BBC’s Crimewatch and Watchdog programmes.

In brief, DGCOS is offering consumers safeguards and protection including:
1 – Accredited Installers
2 – Deposit Protection
3 – 10 Year Guarantee
4 – Insurance Backed Guarantee
5 – Free Advice Line
6 – Ombudsman Protection

To protect homeowners further DGCOS provide access to professional mediators, independent inspectors and a Compensation Fund to honour awards made by the Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme.

Glasstalk is the new Double Glazing & Conservatory Forum website creating debate on all issue within the industry. To find out what people are discussing – visit www.glasstalk.co.uk today!

Orangeries in the North West are believed by many to be a new and growing type of construction, a kind of beefed up version of the traditional conservatory. But, orangeries have actually been around for years and were previously used more as an area for growing plants and flowers. Like conservatories in the North West, many people have woken up to the usefulness of the orangery and are increasingly having them installed in their homes as a way of extending the size of their property.

They are also made up of less glass than a conservatory, so if you are worried that it will get too hot in the summer, then think again as the double glazing that is put inside an orangery is energy efficient and will keep it cool when necessary. In the unlikely event that it does get too warm, then you could install some blinds onto the windows which will keep out the glare and heat of the sun. If you fancy keeping your feet warm during the winter, heated flooring can be put down.

If you are currently considering buying Carnforth windows, then you are also urged to look into an orangery as there is no finer way of extending your home.

Contact Planet Conservatories in Kendal or Lancaster for the latest Conservatory Designs, Orangeries and energy saving Double Glazing.