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How to bring more outside in when planning kitchen extension

In this age of open-plan living kitchens and living rooms are being combined together. If you’re embarking on a similar project consider enhancing your living space and adding some extra value by blurring the borders between your kitchen and the garden with our clever design tips!

EMBRACE AN OPEN-PLAN SCHEME THAT INCORPORATES THE GARDEN

Get rid of those small kitchen windows and a thick and heavy back door. Adding expanses of glazing, bi-folding or sliding door, cleverly placed roof glazing, incorporating natural materials and carefully landscaping the garden to draw the eye to outside will help to create a well connected indoor-outdoor living filled with plenty of natural light and an easily accessible outdoor that feels like the extension of your living-room.

THINK OF THE VIEW

The view itself will be crucial when the time comes to sell. Magnificent views and large uninterrupted glazed surfaces will not only let more natural light in but also create a stunning architectural feature – so consider your dining and food prep area. Where will the cook stand? How will it enhance your lifestyle, dining experience? How will the eye wander through each of these zones?

When it comes to designing a garden imagine it to be an open-plan room – the extension of your home. Consider the layouts and creating a clear walkway between the kitchen and your patio area – handy when entertaining!

 

CHOOSE YOUR GLAZING

Large bi-folding or sliding door, oversized picture windows and clever use of skylights brings in the extra sunlight, provides stunning views and opens up your living space. When it comes to glazing the less frame – the better. All depends on your aperture, clever architectural designs and your imagination. It’s worth to push the boundaries and invest in quality solutions that deliver on providing the most of natural light and functionality. A stunning full length glazed wall can help breathe new life into your home and increase the value of your property.

So think of the way they fit your lifestyle, as sliding and lift and slide systems are often more practical and easier in operation that bulky bifolds. Going for large sliding doors, or even larger lift and slide, you can minimise the amount of door panels and at the same time frames, and create magnificent floor-to-ceiling panoramic views.

If sliding or bi-folding door are not the way to go forward – don’t forget you can always opt in for a large picture window, where frames merge with the facade of the building and you have no bulky frames that block the sunlight.

If your kitchen is positioned in a single storey extension consider glazed roofs or skylights to draw more natural light in.

 

 

MERGE COLOURS AND MATERIALS

Creating a continuous floor that flows from the kitchen into the garden will make the space seem much larger, as if your room continues outside.

Using the same materials in two areas helps to create that look of unified space and blur the borders between them. Think of using large stone or porcelain tiles (with an anti-slip surfaces applied to the outside). Alternatively for the look that draws the eye into a garden – timber decking and wooden flooring. Natural substances, as stone and wood, are perfect for connecting those two spaces and bring some of the outdoors in.

When going for even more unified look try matching your cabinetry and decking or introducing some of the nature’s palette into your interior design deco.

 

 

PRACTICALITY

To further the connection between the open-plan interior and the garden you should consider raising the patio area, so it becomes levelled with the kitchen. It’s not only practical because it creates an easy an trip-free access, but helps unite the spaces and draws attention away from the divisions between both areas. So when your doors are opened there is very little distinction between both zones.

If raising the entire patio area is not an option consider creating full width steps leading down to the garden.

 

OUR TOP TIPS FOR YOU:

1) Access to sunlight is a must when merging both spaces

2) Use the same flooring in the kitchen and patio area – it will help blur the lines.

3) Floor-to-ceiling glazed door give the illusion of added space

4) Incorporate plenty of glazing – roof glazing, large picture windows

5) Go for the flush floor finish for easy and user friendly access

6) Use natural colours and materials to better connect the spaces – mirror outside in inside

7) Light up your garden at night!

 

Did you find this article helpful? Leave us your comments below and share your feedback with us.

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Our guide to glass types, part 1

What are the different types of glass used in window and doors that you should know about?

It all depends on what the glass will be used for.

Therefore, we advise that you always speak to one of our team members to make sure you are getting the right product for your needs.

Let’s start with a very practical, so called “Self-cleaning Glass”.

 

WHAT IS SELF-CLEANING GLASS?

Self-cleaning glass is exactly as the name suggests – glass that keeps itself clean. It uses an organic process whereby dirt is broken down by daylight and is then washed away by rain.

In the first stage, after the installation, within 5-7 days, the coating gets activated. It reacts with daylight to break down organic dirt.

This process is best explained below:

 

 

 

BENEFITS OF SELF-CLEANING GLASS

Glass technology allows to combine different products with different features like Thermal Insulation, Safety, Solar Control and Noise Control. The self-cleaning glass not only brings you a fantastic low maintenance glass cleaning method but also allows you to combine various products for the ultimate in glass solutions. So, for example, when you’re looking for a perfect finish for your skylight you can have self-cleaning glass and also benefit from the solar control technology.

Self-cleaning Glass is best used for windows and skylights.

 

WHAT IS LOW-E GLASS?

Low-emissivity or Low-E glass, is glass that has a special coating that reflects the infrared portions of light, while letting the visible light spectrum through. This is beneficial because the infrared heat from the sun is reflected away from the building in the summer and during the winter the infrared heat that is already inside a building is reflected back into the space.

By placing low-e glass into a double glazed unit, the individual glass pane temperatures change.  As more heat is retained, the outer pane of glass is not heated as much by escaping energy and the inner pane is keeping more heat in and becomes warmer.  This has two effects.  There are less cold draughts from convection near the windows and the risk of condensation on the glass is reduced.  In this way, low-e glazing not only prevents heat loss, but also encourages warmth during the colder months of the year.

There are two general types of Low-E coating, tin or silver. Tin oxide is applied to the glass at high temperatures to create a very hard and durable Low-E coating. The alternative is a silver coating, which must be enclosed in an IGU so that the silver doesn’t degrade over time due of oxidation.

Low-E coatings often have a slight blue-green tint, so review product samples at varying angles in the daylight to fully understand what the aesthetics will be when installed.

 

BENEFITS OF LOW-E GLASS

Installing windows containing Low-e glass in energy-efficient double or triple glazed units provides you with many benefits:

☞ Improves the energy-efficiency of your home

☞ Reduces the amount of energy you use

☞ Saves you money on your heating bills

☞ More effective than single glazing or standard double glazing

☞ Provides you with the quality and reassurance you would expect from a leading brand

☞ Manufactured to the highest European quality standards

TOUGHENED OR LAMINATED GLASS? WHAT IS SAFETY GLASS?

Laminated glass is made by fusing two or more layers of glass with inter-layers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) through the use of heat and pressure. This process creates a safety glass.

If the laminated glass is made using sheets of heat strengthened glass, then the sheet of glass will break into large pieces, but it will be held in the frame by the PVB inter-layer. This provides safety, but also adds a level of security since the glass remains in place and prevents a person or object from passing through.

If the laminated glass is made using sheets of tempered glass, then the sheet will fall out of the frame, but will mostly stay together due to the PVB inter-layer. The glass looks a lot like a wet blanket when shattered.

Laminated glass is best used as a safety glass where the glazing must remain intact if it is broken – either for safety or security. Various levels of laminated security glazing are available. For instance, the windshield of a car is laminated heat-strengthened glass so that if an object hits it, the object won’t pass through and injure an occupant nor will the glass shatter into the faces of the occupants.

Toughened glass, on the other hand, is up to five times as strong as ordinary glass which means that it has to be hit much harder in order to break. Also, when it does break, it breaks into lots of small pieces which are much less dangerous.

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7 Benefits of Glass Balustrades

Used in many buildings, internally and externally balustrades support staircases, balconies, and provide safety and security. While various materials can be used to design a striking and functional balustrade, the glass balustrade has become extremely popular over the recent years, because of its countless benefits.

The frameless glass balustrade is particularly popular in modern architecture and interior design.

Here is a closer look at the excellent benefits a glass balustrade has to offer.

 

1. GLASS CREATES THE ILLUSION OF MORE SPACE

One of the main reasons that glass elements are so popular in home design today is that they help to create the illusion of more space in the building. This is especially true if the balustrade is made with clear, see through glass. The illusion of more space makes the area appear even larger than it really is, which is something that cannot be achieved by using metal, chrome, or iron options.

With a glass balustrade for stairs or elevated areas, just as with a glass shower screen or glass door, you get to enjoy a transparent border, creating an open, fresh, and more expansive atmosphere.

2. GLASS WILL NOT BLOCK THE LIGHT

Glass balustrades are very popular because they have the benefit of not blocking the light in a building. Glass railings also allow for light to shine through, enhancing the presence of sunlight and also serving to create a more open, airy feel while indoors.

A glass balustrade installed in line with windows creates a very modern, almost ethereal interior, as natural light is allowed to flow freely within the space, unlike with traditional railings and borders that block light.

 

3. GLASS IS IDEAL FOR MODERN INTERIORS

One major benefit of installing glass balustrades is its ability to add a touch of modern sophistication to any building that it is fitted in. This will also be useful for you when you plan to sell your house as you will get a good amount of money during resale. This type of house beautification will attract too many buyers also.

4. GLASS IS EASY TO KEEP CLEAN

Not only do glass balustrades look fabulous, they are also easy to keep clean. Commercial glass cleaning products along with a lint-free cloth are all you need to keep your new installation in tip-top condition and wipe down the balustrade in just a few minutes. Maintaining that just-installed look really is a piece of cake. If you end up dealing with scratches or other damage, polishing can restore the glass to the original beauty, which is a major advantage when compared to metal or wood balustrades.

5. GLASS BALUSTRADES ARE STRONG AND DURABLE

As well as looking wonderful, a glass balustrade is exceptionally robust. Your new installation will last for many years, and will require little or no maintenance.

Many individuals think that glass is delicate, but glass is actually an extremely durable construction material. In fact, glass is more durable than wood, which is often prone to pest infestation or corrosion after a few years. Over time, glass will continue to maintain its durability and quality. Glass ages slowly, so the changes over time are barely noticeable to the naked eye. The excellent durability of glass makes it well worth your investment, since glass balustrades have the ability to last for decades.

6. PERFECTLY COMPLEMENTS OTHER MATERIALS

Glass balustrades provide great design versatility and the perfect accompaniment to any other materials which are included in your new installation. Wood, metal and stone may be used for the risers, handrails or banisters, and the addition of sizeable expanses of glass will complement the overall look. There’s also the option to use opaque or patterned glass or many colours, textures, and framing options.

 

7. GLASS IS SAFE AND SECURE

Today’s technology makes it possible to make glass that is strong and safe. In fact, thick, tempered glass, which is use to make glass balustrades, rarely breaks. It takes extreme structural pressure to break these strong balustrades since they are often as strong as steel. Even if the tempered glass did break, the shards of glass are not sharp, which means that glass is a great choice for any area, even in homes where children may be present.

GLAZING SPECIALISTS IN LONDON

The functional and visual benefits of a glass balustrade make it a wonderful choice for any building. While you may pay a bit more for glass, you will be making an investment that will last for generations. Whether you’re considering remodelling your home or you’re developing a new building, consider all the benefits that a frameless glass balustrade has to offer.

From upgrading your windows and doors to balustrades and specialist glazing, we are the best choice. We have a dedicated team of experts that know everything there is to know about glass.

Contact us today to find out more about the frameless glass balustrades we offer.

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Benefits of timber windows

Whether you’re renovating your home, in the process of a self-build or just looking to the future, you want to source the very best – not least when it comes to products that will help protect your home from the elements.

At Perfect Crystal Windows we’re working with one of nature’s most amazing products, a product that can outlive uPVC by almost double, a product that not only looks beautiful but performs to a standard that far exceeds British building standards. Timber.

So why should you choose timber windows?

 

STRENGTH & DURABILITY OF THE ENGINEERED TIMBER

Our wooden windows and frames are constructed from engineered timber. This innovative product retains the true beauty of real wood but with the benefits of rigidity and moisture combating properties. Multiple layers are laminated to form a real wood product that is stronger solitary wood sections.The layers are arranged specifically with the grain opposing that of it’s neighbour. If any moisture gets into the wood, movement occurs along the grain. With the neighbouring layer resisting movement in that direction the result is a timber that will not warp or twist, perfect for windows and doors battling against the elements.

Multi-layered timber is produced by joining wood sections together to create one piece of timber which is strong and very durable. This use of wood sections means that just the knots can be cut out whilst the remainder of the wood is used. The knot free multi-layered timber that is left is a fantastically strong material, more of the wood is used and waste is reduced even further.

 

WEATHER PROTECTION

We apply a water-based microporous paint or wood stain that creates an impervious barrier against any moisture gaining access to the wood. Such a thorough protective layer is  applied that only a clean is required before a single coat of paint is required to renew the protection, and this only needs to be done after 8 years, as as long as minimal maintenance is performed every once in a while to ensure the paintwork has not been compromised.

We build our windows to ensure that any weak points such as joins between the glass and the frames are fully protected with modern materials and clever manufacture techniques. Available in a wide variety of colours to create a classic look or one that is unique – our standard colour palette reflects the shades chosen by our customers, with different shades on the interior and exterior for a personal touch.

 

 

THERMAL EFFICIENCY

Timber is a natural insulator. On top of that we achieve a high performing double glazing rating with the use of top glass products and warm spacer bars to keep the insulation levels high and costly heating inside during the cold months. Draughts are eliminated and heating bills are drastically reduced.

Long, long time ago wooden sash windows were notorious for rattling and being draughty as well as for being a weak point in a home’s security. Modern sash windows, on the other hand, offer the original charm and beauty of timber sashes with all the beautiful modern advances in windows design and performance. No rattles, no draughts, exceptionally secure and yet graceful and hard wearing – our timber sash windows really offer the best of both worlds with no compromise.

 

HIGH PERFORMANCE TIMBER WINDOWS AND DOORS

Timber is one of nature’s masterpieces. Strong, renewable and a natural insulator, timber offers superb performance and comfort for you and your home.

Designed to meet the demands of 21st century living and manufactured from the highest quality hardwood, our energy efficient windows and eco-friendly timber doors are easy to maintain and offer the highest levels of security and performance.

Perfect Crystal Windows products will:

☞ enhance the appearance of your property

☞ reduce your energy costs

☞ add value to your home for years to come

Of course the glazing solution also plays a major role in the efficiency of your windows and glazed doors – which is why we offer a range of options to suit your requirements. All of our solutions surpass current UK Building Regulations and have U-values (a measurement of heat loss) well in excess of present requirements.

As well as our standard energy efficient window units we can provide triple-glazed and argon filled units to fit a more demanding environmental criteria.

 

TIMBER OR UPVC WINDOWS?

Many homeowners are facing this decision when looking to update their home or start a self-build project. Weighing up the pros and cons is not always easy, though recent studies proved that timber window products manufactured to Wood Window Alliance (WWA) standards against uPVC windows in mild, moderate and severe conditions.

There are obviously multiple clear environmental benefit of choosing timber windows, but choosing timber over uPVC comes also with the financial benefit:

☞ All timber-based window frames are more environmentally-friendly than uPVC

☞ Timber window products actually have a negative global warming potential (GWP) meaning that over their 60+ year service life they actually reduce the amount of C02e in the atmosphere

☞ In all tests timber windows had a service life of at least twice that of uPVC windows

☞ All timber window frames offer better long-term value than uPVC The full report can be downloaded from the Wood Window Alliance website.

 

At PCW we have been manufacturing and supplying high-performance timber windows and doors for many years. Our high quality timber range includes, traditional sash windows on weights, flush casement windows, practical timber tilt and turn windows, Bi-folding doors in timber and French and Entrance door – all manufactured in our Park Royal factory in West London, factory that is linked with our showroom.

Ready to transform your house into the home of your dreams?

Visit our showroom or REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE

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7 Signs it’s Time to Replace your Windows

Not sure if you need new windows? A total replacement of all your windows can be a big investment, so it’s sensible to wait until you need them. However, don’t fall into the trap of waiting for an emergency before you replace your windows.

If your windows are more than couple of decades old, listen carefully to what they’re telling you, so you’ll know when they need to be replaced.

Here’s what to look for.

1. YOU STILL HAVE SINGLE PANE WINDOWS.

There is a very good chance if your house was built before 1970 and still has its original windows that they are made of single pane glass. Today’s windows are made from double or triple pane glass. Single pane glass windows are sub-standard, draughty, and occasionally unsafe. On top of that single pane glass does the worst job at keeping out the UV rays that enter through your windows and can fade colours. Low E glass reduces most of the UVB light and helps minimise heating and cooling costs. Laminated and tinted glass will help block UVA rays.

 

2. YOUR WINDOWS ARE DAMAGED, WARPED, OR BROKEN

It’s sometimes possible to repair a window instead of replacing it. If your window’s problem is minor, such as needing new weatherstripping or hardware, a repair might be the best option. But replacing a damaged, warped, or broken window frame is almost always preferred to attempting a repair. “Even if your windows are still operable, they can develop problems. Do you find that condensation forms on the inside of your window? Are they draughty?

 

3. IT’S TIME TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS

Windows provide some heat in the winter by letting in sunlight. But draughty windows can cause your energy bills to be about 10% to 25% higher. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient ones can reduce your heating and cooling bills. Bonus: If you’re considering listing your home for sale, those new windows — and the resulting energy cost savings — can be a big selling point.

But don’t just assume all windows are the same. It’s important to consider your specific needs, and your location, type and style of your property.

 

4. HEARING OUTSIDE NOISE?

There are two main ways your windows can be considered noisy. One is when they they make a lot of noise while they’re opening. Another way is when they let in a lot of noise from outside. Your windows serve a lot of purposes, and one of them is certainly to keep all noise out of your home. If you are hearing outside noise when your windows are closed, chances are they aren’t providing enough acoustic insulation.

 

5. YOU’RE RENOVATING A HISTORIC HOME

Maybe you moved into a historic home that suffers from uPVC replacement windows that detract from the home’s historic charm. The wrong window can dramatically change the overall look of a historic home and can even interfere with its integrity and value. If your goal is to install historically accurate replacement windows, a company that can handle custom requests should be your go-to. At PCW we can create customised windows to match your existing ones, and preserve the historical features of your home.

6.THE WINDOW IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND/OR CLOSE

You shouldn’t have to put up a fight with your window when you want to open it on a sunny summer day or close it when the skies darken before a storm. To avoid increasing any back or joint problems you may have, and to avoid such a struggle that would cause you to fall through the screen, get your window replaced. The inability to lock a window poses multiple threats. It makes your home easier to enter for intruders, putting your prized possessions and family at risk; and although the window is closed, if the lock is not secured, cool air will escape in the summer and warm air in the winter. Just like the first example, this will negatively affect your electric and/or heating bill. If the lock is broken, consider repairing your window. If repairing doesn’t work, you need to get the window replaced.

Do you find yourself propping open the window, sticking something in it to ensure it doesn’t slide shut? This is an incredibly dangerous safety hazard, especially if your home has curious little ones running around. Don’t put your children in danger. Replace that dysfunctional window before someone gets rushed to the emergency room for broken fingers or a concussion.

 

7. YOUR WINDOWS DON’T HAVE THE LATEST SAFETY FEATURES

There are many safety regulations covering the window industry that weren’t in place decades ago. For example, today’s glass doesn’t shatter into a billion shards like it once did. Imagine if your child were to accidently drop something through a window. Do you want a window that shatters or one that has safety break? This is just one example of how windows are safer today than they used to be.

These are just seven signs that you might need new windows. If any of them apply to you, or if you’re consider new windows for another reason, feel free to reach out to Perfect Crystal Windows team.

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