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Template - Front page: The essential checklist for timber windows and doors

Whether you have a period home or a character conversion, timber windows offer an unmistakable, timeless appeal that is hard to beat.

Traditionally this beauty meant high maintenance, but chosen carefully, today’s timber windows and doors can combine classic looks with minimal maintenance and modern energy efficiency.

To make the right choice, it’s important to understand the design features that make the difference between a sound investment and a high maintenance liability.

It starts with the timber. To prevent any warping or swelling, timber windows and doors must be made from best quality, FSC-sourced, sustainable, engineered timber.

Don’t like painting? Opt for weather-treated timber and there will be no need to re-paint for at least eight years.

When it comes to glass, thermally insulating, argon-filed, double-glazing offers 80 per cent better energy efficiency than single glazed units and a 45 per cent improvement on normal double-glazing.

Best of all, this kind of glazing will maximize the natural light into your home – essential for period cottages and conversions.

To further improve energy efficiency, opt for windows that offer low conductivity spacer bars, which have the added benefit of reducing condensation levels on the inner pane.

Finally, whether your home is old or new, security is vitally important, so look for internal beading to show that the glass is fitted from the inside.

To find out more about Securahome’s range of timber windows and doors, visit our showroom or call 0800 808 3224.

Template - Front page: When is the best time to replace fascia boards and soffits?

Once fitted, PVC-U roofline products such as fascia boards and soffits need no maintenance, giving them a huge advantage over timber.

At Securahome, a costly mistake we see homeowners make is to leave it too late to install PVC fascias and soffits.

If your timber roofline is basically in good shape, you can save money by opting for an over cap. This involves fitting a 9mm fascia board on top of the original timbers.

Once the PVC overlays the wood, the existing timbers are shielded from the elements. As the board is only over capped on the front and bottom, any damp can still escape through the top and back.

However, if you’ve left it a little longer and the timbers are rotten, then the only option is a full replacement. This involves removing all of the old fascia boards and soffits and replacing them with PVC-U ones that are usually 16-25mm thick.

Replacement is also likely to mean taking the bottom few layers of tiles or slates off in order to fit the boards, as the fascias butt the roof under the eaves.

As you can imagine replacement is more time consuming and, as a consequence, the costs of labour and materials increase. The advantage of a full installation is that it is thorough. The simple act of lifting the tiles, for example, can help uncover rotten batons or roofing felt.

Before carrying out any installation, a Securahome estimator will carry out a full inspection of the existing timbers and assess the best option to offer lasting value for you and your home.

As Kestrel Registered Installers, at Securahome we can offer extended guarantees of up to 35 years on roofline products.

Template - Front page: It’s all in the design

Securahome has been recognised as one of the leading suppliers of PVCu doors, windows and conservatories for the last 20 years.

Times, styles and designs have all changed in the past two decades, but Securahome’s reputation for excellence remains.

Managing Director Jason Jenkins explained: “In those days our work involved installing secure, double-glazed, PVC-U windows, in any colour – as long as it was white!

“Times have changed, and so have we. Security and low maintenance are now a given, today’s homeowners expect products that enhance their home in terms of design as well as practicality.

“In recognition of that change we have created a new brand identity that expresses more about what we do, here and now in 2014. It’s more colourful, more contemporary and even better designed – a bit like our products!”

Those products include windows and doors in just about any RAL colour, double or triple glazed and available in PVC-U, wood grain effect, modern aluminium or solid engineered timber.

For an entrance with the ‘wow’ factor Securahome has sturdy composite doors and sleek aluminium bi-folds that create a ‘fold-away’ glass wall.

There are a wide range of orangeries, conservatories and solid roof extensions, which have become a specialised part of Securahome’s business, each one designed with the customer, each one bespoke.

All of which can be built with industry-leading Ambient Glazing to keep the heat in during the winter months and the room cooler in summer.

Mr Jenkins added: “We hope you like the new look. Be assured that while our products and skills have moved on over the past two decades, our attention to detail and determination to offer customers the best possible service has stayed the same.”

Template - Front page: A window to the best of all worlds

For those who live in a conservation area, have a period property or simply prefer the look of traditional windows, timber is no longer the only option.

For many years, foiled UPVC windows were clearly distinguishable from those made of wood.

However, thanks to advancements in design and technology there are now products available that offer the appearance of timber with the advantage of being low maintenance.

Created using the hallmarks of traditional joinery, the Heritage range of flush, sash windows are designed with 19^th century detailing but made from modern, composite materials.

The authentic appearance of the Heritage range has been created considering Article 4 Conservation regulations to conform to historical design guidelines. Details include traditional putty lines, butt joints and ironmongery.

The foil that helps create the textured appearance of timber is continued throughout the window, including the reveal at the edge of the frame.

To maintain the period appearance it’s important to choose the correct colour and finish. The Heritage range comes in a number of classic shades as well as natural finishes including English and Silvered Oak.

It’s this attention to detail that has helped the Heritage range win the approval of planning officers.

Remember that conservation guidelines vary between local authorities, so it is advisable to check for your specific area.

Template - Front page: Creating the perfect orangery is all in the design

When it comes to adding flexible living space to your home, there can be little doubt that an orangery truly offers the ‘wow’ factor.

Offering more natural light than an extension, greater versatility than a conservatory, orangeries have become the epitome of modern living

Today’s orangeries come in a multitude of options. Whether it’s a family room, an addition to the kitchen, or simply a space to relax at the end of a busy day and gaze at the stars, orangeries can be whatever you want them to be.

From the sleek ‘grand design’ of modern aluminium, to hassle free PVC-U or the timeless looks of timber, there is something to suit every home, whether it is modern, period or a characterful conversion.

However, aesthetics aren’t the only consideration. To build a room that you will love all year round, technical design is crucial.

At Securahome our experts take the time to discover exactly how you will use your orangery before creating a 3D design to help bring your vision to life.

Orangery expert Nigel Hocking explains: “We start the process by asking ‘how do you want to use the room?’

“Once the ideas flow, the exciting part of creating something completely bespoke begins.

“Over the years those ideas have included wood burners vented through a pillar, fold away ‘glass walls’ created using bi-folding doors and ultra-modern floor to ceiling glass. Just about anything is possible.”

As each room is created around your home and lifestyle, every orangery is bespoke.

Once the designer has a better idea of how the room will be used, the design process can begin.

To ensure that your new orangery is as comfortable at Christmas as it is at Easter, we use A-rated thermally efficient glass, as standard, then we build in insulated floors, ceilings and walls to lower your carbon footprint – and heating bills.

When it comes to the roof, we can build it in slate or tiles, add in a glass lantern, skylights, or even create full, glass roof for a spectacular view of the stars.

To ensure that view stays uninterrupted, you can even request self-cleaning glass.

For a modern style statement, sleek, aluminium bi-folding doors offer a cosy ‘glass wall’ to admire the view in the winter and can folded open in summer for indoor/outdoor living at its best.

From the initial design, through to planning, building, electrics, plumbing and finishing Securahome project manages every aspect to ensure the process is as relaxing and comfortable as the orangery itself.

Securahome offers a wide range of timber, UPVC and aluminium orangeries, to find out more about this range, visit or call our Swansea showroom.

Template - Front page: Extend your home for greater light and space

Are you looking to enhance your home? Then a luxurious orangery doesn’t come more affordable than this.

Loggia Prestige Orangeries give you the ability to create a stunning, and thermally efficient, home extension

Inspired by Renaissance architecture the Loggia fuses the best of modern technology with classic Italian design.

Twice as energy efficient as a traditional conservatory, the Loggia styled living room offers much of the versatility of a traditional extension but with a greater sense of light and space.

Outside it exudes elegance and solidity, while inside there’s a flexible, modern living space that can be used, comfortably, all year round.

The extraordinary energy efficiency of the Loggia comes in part from the innovative, super-insulated, columns, which are up to five times more thermally efficient than brick.

Added to this, ultra-thermally efficient glass is used throughout, designed to retain heat during winter and reflect it outwards in the summer months. For even more heat efficiency, there is even an option to choose a solid roof.

Inside, the Loggia delivers a combination of crisp, plastered walls, striking columns, cleverly concealed heaters, glazing and modern lighting, creating a clean and contemporary space that really is made for modern living.

Best of all, this is an extension that can be quick to construct, taking far less time than a traditional orangery. In fact you could be opening the doors of your Loggia before barbecue season is in full swing.

Securahome offers a wide range of timber, UPVC and aluminium orangeries, to find out more about this range, visit or call our Swansea showroom.

Template - Front page: Raising the roof to upgrade conservatories

Thinking of upgrading your conservatory? Look no further!

Originally conservatories were used by the wealthy who wanted to cultivate exotic species of flora. Today on the other hand, we estimate that around one in five UK homes have a conservatory.

Offering additional light, with relatively fast construction times, up to 200,000 conservatories were built per year during the height of their popularity.

However, some homeowners find the full glare of the sun in summer and chilly temperatures in winter make older conservatories uncomfortable. People naively still think the only solution to this is a costly rebuild.

Well, Securahome has good news, building technology for conservatories is constantly moving with the times. As with glazing, thermally efficient roof options are now available. These can easily be added to existing conservatory structure to create a modern living space.

‘Activ’ glass roof

‘Activ’ glass roofs offers a straightforward upgrade for those who want to keep an uninterrupted view of the blue skies above. Our suggestion in this case is to opt for a modern, low emissivity (low-e) ‘Activ’, energy efficient glass roof.

This solution helps to reduce the variations in temperature associated with older, traditional glass or polycarbonate roofs. ‘Activ’ low-e glass cuts solar glare, protects furniture from fading and keeps heat in during the winter months.

For even greater insulation, Securahome can offer two extra solid roof options which can be retrofitted to existing conservatories. This is achievable without significant structural modifications.

Tiled roof

This new, lightweight, tiled roof takes its design cues from the slates and tiles which are on most UK houses. The result works really well on most properties and its advantage is it comes in a range of finishes to match existing architecture.

Using aluminium panels, with Kingspan insulation, the tiled conservatory roofs achieves a u value of just 0.18, similar to that of a normally constructed, modern roof.

With this option, the interior of the conservatory can include a plastered ceiling with down-lighters or roof windows in order to keep the view of the sky and stars.

LivinRoof

For a more contemporary feel, there is a third option, the LivinRoof. This modern roof combines the sleek lines of a glass roof with the shade and thermal efficiency of a solid conservatory roof. The final result is something very contemporary in look and feel.

When building a LivinRoof, entire panels can be glass to create a hybrid solid and glass roof. This means the homeowner chooses exactly where to have shaded areas and where to have more light.

Once again there is the option to plaster the interior ceiling and to add down-lighters creating that extra room feel. Additionally, the LivinRoof comes with the option of adding orangery features. This level of detailing enhances the interior and exterior styling of the conservatory.

Do you have an older conservatory? why not find out more about these modern retrofits? Pop into our Swansea showroom to discuss our products and see some of these options in more detail.

Template - Front page: How to choose the perfect orangery

South Wales orangery specialist Securahome offers a multitude of options when it comes to adding that extra special extension to your home.

From the sleek ‘grand design’ of modern aluminium to hassle-free PVC-U or the timeless looks of timber, there is something to suit every home, whether it is modern, period or a characterful conversion.

However, aesthetics aren’t the only consideration. To build an orangery that you will love all year round, technical design is crucial.

At Swansea-based Securahome our experts take the time to discover exactly how you will use your orangery before creating a 3D design to help bring your vision to life.

As each room is created around your home and lifestyle, every orangery is bespoke.

Once the designer has a better idea of how the room will be used, the design process can begin.

To ensure that your new orangery is as comfortable at Christmas as it is at Easter, Securahome use A-rated thermally efficient glass as standard, then build in insulated floors, ceilings and walls to lower your carbon footprint – and heating bills.

When it comes to the roof, Securahome can build it in slate or tiles, add in a glass lantern, skylights, or even create full, glass roof for a spectacular view of the stars above South Wales!

To make sure that view stays uninterrupted, you can even request self-cleaning glass.

For a modern style statement, sleek, aluminium bi-folding doors offer a cosy ‘glass wall’ to admire the view of the South Wales landscape in the winter and fold open in summer for indoor/outdoor living at its best.

Securahome offers a wide range of timber, UPVC and aluminium orangeries, to find out more about this range, visit or call our Swansea showroom.

Template - Front page: Window ratings explained

Securahome fits ‘A’ rated windows as standard to homes across South Wales – but do you know what that rating really means?

Window Energy Ratings were created to offer a more reliable and relevant measure of the total performance of windows than the traditional measure of U- value.

The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) window energy rating scheme checks all the components to ensure the final window achieves the energy efficient standard claimed.

That includes:

The heat loss through the frame material
The surface coatings on the glass to reflect or trap energy
The air leakage between the moving opening parts of windows
The solar gain it can expect during the year

With this system, A is best and G is the lowest performing window. The higher the energy rating, the more energy efficient it is.

To put this into context, latest Building Regulations require all new homes in England and Wales to have windows with a minimum ‘C’ WER rating.

Securahome’s ‘A’ rated windows are manufactured and rigorously tested to withstand the European climate, keeping you warm, safe and comfortable in your home, whatever our Welsh weather throws at us!

Along with their wide range of windows, Swansea-based Securahome also offers timber, UPVC, aluminium and composite doors along with orangeries, conservatories, solid roof extensions, canopies, porches, roofline and many other home improvement products.

Template - Front page: The stunning South Wales castle with a haunting past

Whether an avid walker who enjoys the lush Welsh landscape, a ghost hunter, or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy a relaxing meal, Craig y Nos Castle is fascinating landmark.

Situated between the upper Swansea valley and the beautiful National Park of Brecon, Craig y Nos is a haunting mid Victorian landmark with a colourful past, notably as the home of once ‘Queen of Song’ Madam Adelina Patti.

Walkers will find it is central to a host of enthralling trails, rural lanes and off-road tracks in the stunning hillsides and vales. There’s also a restaurant and bar for some well-earned refreshment.

For anyone with a ghoulish or ghostly disposition, this is regarded as one of the most haunted castles in Wales and provides a perfect visitors’ destination with guided walks at the witching hour!

This neo-gothic castle was built in 1843 by High Sheriff of Brecknock, Captain Powell, the family’s tragedies began soon after, with the loss of his young son of cholera, followed by his wife and daughter within just a few years.

In 1878 the castle and its setting captivated the world’s leading opera star of the day, Spanish-born Madam Adelina Juana Maria Patti who bought the entire estate for £3,500.

It was a small price compared to the fortune earned by the acclaimed singer as she demanded fees of £5,000 paid in gold before every concert – almost £1milllion in today’s terms, which is even more than Madonna!

The prima donna spent more than £100,000 renovating and enlarging the estate, complete with a miniature “La Scala” theatre that could house 150 people. It was a designed as a private auditorium where she would entertain her guests.

Such was her extravagance that Patti even funded a railway station so her glitterati guests could enjoy an easy mode of transport to her home. Craig y Nos was the first private house in Wales to be wired for electricity.

Since her death stories have been told of her presence being seen or felt, gliding through rooms and drifting around the courtyard.

From 1921 to 1986 it became a hospital for those suffering with tuberculosis. The Welsh Office maintained Craig-y-nos Castle and its unique theatre until it was sold into private ownership.

For further details visit www.craigynoscastle.com

This article first appeared in South Wales windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries specialist Securahome’s newsletter Ffordd o fyw. To subscribe to Ffordd o fyw contact us here: https://www.securahome.co.uk/contact/