Security Benefits of Double Glazing

Security Benefits of Double Glazing

By now, most people are well aware of the fact that double glazing provides your home with a range of benefits. From the fantastic aesthetics, to reduced noise and possibly the most important, increased energy efficiency. Modern double glazing can enhance your home in many different ways.

However, not many people have realised until recently, the huge addition of security that is added to your home by getting double glazed windows. This mean you can sleep easy knowing that with your double glazed windows it is almost impossible for someone to break into a home through the windows. Most of us go to great lengths to make our homes as secure as possible, investing in everything from costly security alarms to CCTV. Quality double glazed units are guaranteed to add an additional and vital layer of security.

How double glazing can enhance the security of your home

There are numerous ways in which double glazed units help enhance the security of your home. It's well known now that your windows and doors are the main entry points for burglars/ intruders so it goes without saying that you should opt for units of the highest quality in order to enjoy the maximum security benefits double glazing offers.

Security benefits of double glazing

• Secure locks: Most high quality double glazed units now come with sturdy locks to help keep intruders out of your home. These locking systems are accompanied with a key, from there it's your responsibility to ensure the windows are locked to provide optimum security. It's best to hide the key in a place that's nearby but also only somewhere you know where to find it. Knowing a burglar won't be able to break into your home at night should provide plenty of peace of mind for you.

• Tougher glass: While some intruders may attempt the more  subtle methods of breaking and entering, others won't bother with that due to the time involved, they will go for the option they feel is most effective, that option is smashing the glass. Vandals also cause damage in this way, even if they have no desire to gain entry to your home. If you get toughened glass units that are double glazed, the burglar will have a tough time breaking and entering! After realising their efforts don't make any real progress they tend to rethink their objectives and leave the property in fear if they stay too long they might be spotted. If a burglar/vandal does infact break through one of the glass panes, they will still have to break through the other side of the glazed unit. 

• Tougher frames: If you have chosen a uPVC frame as the window profile, you can benefit from the increased strength and durability compared to older, wooden framed windows that tend to deteriorate at a much faster speed that uPVC. For a thief, an old wooden window or door frame is a real treat, as it can be easily forced to gain entry. Tougher material such as uPVC makes life more difficult for the average thief or vandal, which in turn makes your property more secure.
• Internally Glazed: Most windows and doors are now internally glazed for the additional security it adds. Intruders until this change was made, were able to take the bead out of the window, pop the double glazed glass unit out and gain easy access. Now, this is no longer an option for the intruder. With the bead now being on the internal side, glass removal is only capable from being inside the property. 

It is also worth remembering that high quality double glazed units will not only improve security levels in your home but can also help to reduce overall household costs, (not only heating bills). 
This is due to the enhanced security that comes with double glazing can reduce the risk of break-ins and vandalism, many insurance companies now take into consideration the windows and door the home has before pricing the insurance as they know just how seldom a break-in can occur while double glazed windows and a composite door are being used by the homeowners. This decreased risk can therefore be reflected in the premiums you pay for your home insurance coverage, enabling you to the cut the cost of protecting your home as well as increasing security.

Check out our latest offers on uPVC windows at > Offers

Check out a gallery of uPVC windows we've fit accompanied by testimonials at > Gallery

Where Can You Find Us?

Where Can You Find Us?

Having been founded in 2012, Harvest Energy have been working tirelessly towards gaining a strong and recognizable company name and brand image. This brand image has been developing in traditional and digital methods for the past 3 years.

Traditional Branding

Vehicles: 

Many people have shown admiration when recognizing our vehicles on the road. As I'm sure the locals will tell you, we pride ourselves on the attractiveness and vibrancy of our vehicles. All of our vehicles show the lists of works we provide, company logo and a contact number. All credit goes to Retink Graphics for the awesome job! 

Showroom:

In March 2015 we officially opened up our first showroom. Located at 4, Church Street, Skerries, Co.Dublin (opposite AIB Bank). 

Our showroom has a range of:

• Composite Doors, 
• Internal Doors, 
• A-Rated uPVC Windows
• Laminate Flooring. 
• Leaflets and Brochures for all our products.
• Second to none customer service that ensures all your questions and queries are answered. 

Digital: 

You can find us online at various addresses:

• PickaPro
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Harvest Energy.ie
• Google +
• Blogger
• Tradesman.ie
• National Guild of Master Craftsmen

Click any of the above links to see our latest offers, gallery of projects, testimonials and contact details.

How does Double Glazing Block out Noise

Blocking Out Noise

People regularly use double/triple glazing as a way to block out noise from their homes as well as increasing the energy efficiency at the same time. However, before we get into the more technical aspects of this blog, there are a couple things you must keep in mind if you want your double/triple glazing to be an effective sound barrier. Firstly, using the wrong material or having windows that don't fit the space correctly will provide a lesser chance of acquiring your desired effect on the noise reduction of your home. Make sure to find a company that create windows custom to your home. As we manufacture all of our Windows, Doors and Glass Units we can ensure that the fitting will be snug and air passages that may be one of your main concerns is a non-issue.

Before any efforts are made to reduce noise pollution from the outside, we must understand how noise travels. With a greater understanding, you can create a more effective barrier.
Sound and Light both travel in waves. However, Light travels at over 650 million miles an hour, whereas Sound travels at 750 miles per hour (speed depends on air pressure and composition). It is easier to block out the faster waves of light than the slower sound waves.

The noise you hear is created by sound waves due to the vibrations in the air and other materials sound travels true. Eventually, sound reaches our ear drums and from there the sound travels to our brains. As i'm sure you have noticed by now, the efforts made to stop the sound waves reaching our brains is more difficult that first thought. Waves of light can be stopped by most solid materials, whereas sound actually travels better through some materials (e.g steel) than through air. Long sound waves can flex and wean their way through tiny gaps and corners.

Sound travels through solid objects by making them vibrate and in turn making the air on the other side of them vibrate, passing the sound on. Sound waves pass through a pane of glass quite easily, but with a double glazed unit they also have to also navigate through a pocket of gas (Argon) which slows down the sound waves meaning that less get to the second pane of glass, creating fewer vibrations and less noise. Triple Glazed Glass Units create a larger area for the noise waves to travel through and will have a greater noise reducing effect.

Double/ Triple glazing can be a really effective way to reduce the outside noise getting into your home, but it is important to remember, noise will find the path of least resistance. So follow these steps to ensure maximum efficiency. 

• Noise will find the path of least resistance.
• Make sure the windows fit so no air gap is there for noise to pass through.
• Channels for wiring/cabling to get into the house which tend to be cut through window frames need to be properly sealed.
• The seals where the windows fit into their frames need to be as airtight as possible.
• Even ventilators need to be tightly shut for the best results.

Basically if air can get in, sound can too so as we are unlikely to live in a completely air tight house there is little chance every bit of outside noise can be filtered out, but a well fitted double glazing unit can make a big difference to adding a bit peace and quiet at home.

What is a Composite Door?

What is a Composite Door?

A composite door is an exterior door made from a composition of materials, instead of a singular material such as wood or uPVC. Our doors are made using a 70mm high density polyurethane foam with a steel reinforcement. 

This structure then has a Fiberglass GRP skin is applied to the surface. Each item has been carefully selected to maximize the doors structural and aesthetic properties.

Apeer70

Our composite doors are 70mm of high density polyurethane foam with a steel reinforced uPVC inner frame, double dog bolts, and extra insulation and security form a double rebate uPVC system. The glass is triple glazed and comes in a range of decorative designs. With the double seal from door frame and door panel, our composite doors will not only look fantastic but will perform well in the most stringent weathers. 

Security:

Elements of a Composite Door

The best designs always provide a practical but elegant solution to a serious problem. 

Using a unique combination of some of the strongest and most robust materials in the world including steel, GRP, toughened triple or double glazed units and high density polyurethane, every Apeer70 has security at its very core and It means the entire unit is made from one material, effectively eliminating any possibility of movement or distortion.

Energy Efficiency Composite Doors:

Did you know that much like your washing machine or your fridge freezer, your front door can be energy rated too? So, when we created our Composite Door product- Apeer70, we used the very latest in design and materials to help keep the heat in and the cold out; creating one of the most energy efficient doors available. 

Made from fibreglass (GRP) and high-density polyurethane materials and with the extremely efficient draft excluding double rebate, all Apeer70 doors can be specified to achieve the maximum A rating. Even if you want to include glazing in your door* we can use toughened, triple insulated, low E, gas filled glass units meaning you can benefit from extra light without having to compromise greatly on your door’s thermal performance. These units also come complete with the Q Seal warm edge Super Spacer® system. This non-conductive double-sealed spacing inside the panes of glass significantly improves the thermal performance and durability of the glazing.

Why is double rebate important?

Apeer70’s double rebate system adds additional draft protection by creating an internal secondary rebated seal. 

For better insulation every Apeer70 is equipped with toughened triple glazed units. Glazed units are also available with Low E glass and can be gas filled to offer improved thermal performance.

As you would expect, large areas of glass in the door and surrounding sidelights and top-lights can reduce the energy performance of your front door. By specifying low E, gas filled glazed units, you can improve this.

Finishing Touches:

In an Apeer door, every last detail is carefully designed to make a real difference. So when we apply the finishing touches, we put as much consideration and effort into things like glazing, trims and moldings, as we do the overall door finish. Details like our timber-effect raised moldings and handmade, triple or double insulated decorative glass units might be harder to create, but they are what makes an Apeer door look so unique. 

• Timber-effect Raised Moldings
• Realistic Wood-grain Finish
• Colored Weather Deflector
• Triple Glazed Decorative Glass Units

Glazing:

Integrating glass into your Apeer door is a simple way to add personality and light to your living space. All of our beveled glass, fused tile and sandblasted designs are hand crafted by our decorative glass experts. Each design is then integrated into our unique triple or double-glazed units and then presented in the door framed by a matching timber-effect, raised internal molding trim. We have ensured that these glazed units can only be accessed from the inside, which both further enhances the security features of your door and facilitates re-decorations or replacements. 

Color Choice:

Our low-maintenance, highly robust colour finish is designed to stay looking good year after year, both on the outside and on the inside. Choose the perfect colour for the exterior of your home and match it with the perfect colour for the inside. Plus, for absolute consistency even when the door is open, we carefully colour match every edge. 

Our Composite Doors can be ordered as;

• supply and fit (this includes removal of old door and rubbish)
• supply only.

Click here to see our latest offers on Composite doors. > Sales

Click here to view a gallery of doors we have Manufactured and Fit >  Gallery

Click here to see what our customers have had to say about us > Testimonials

What Energy Rating Do Our Windows Hold?

In one of our earlier blogs we showed you How We Make our A-Rated units.
Now we're going to show you what ratings our uPVC windows carry. 

So firstly;

What is an energy rating? 

An Energy Rating is a rating of overall efficiency in the building. If you look at the image to the right of this text you will see an example of an Energy Rating Chart. It has a range of different levels from A-G. A being the most energy efficient and G being the least energy efficient 

U-Value

What is U-Value? U-Value measures the heat loss through your glass unit and is expressed in watts per kelvin meter square or W/KM². The lower the U-Value the better the insulation)

Our windows range from:
1.5 in our Double Glazed Units to 
0.6 in our Triple Glazed Units.

G-Value

What is G- Value? G-Value is the Solar Gain is the natural heat gain from the suns rays and it passes through your glass two ways;

(A) Directly through the glass {having Low E Extra Clear Glass allows easier passage for the natural light}

(B) Heat is also absorbed by the glass which is subsequently radiated inwards. 

The G-Value is the co-efficient that is used to measure this and ranges from 0-1.) 

Our G-Value in our Triple Glazed Unit is 0.55
and in our Double Glazed Unit is 0.74

Light Transmission

Light Transmission (the percentage of visible light transmitted through the glass) ranges from 0-100.

In our Triple Glazed Unit is 74%
in our Double Glazed unit is 75%

How to Choose your Glass:

The best combination is high thermal insulation, which means a low U Value combined with a G Value that is not too high and excellent optical clarity.

Our range of Glass as you can see tick all the boxes. The huge improvements that have been made through the advantages in glass and glazing components, allows us to bring this to you. Achieving U Value as low as 0.6 while retaining excellent light transmission in addition it is using natural light of the sun to your advantage. 

These advancements can reduce costs on your energy bills and create a comfortable living/ working environment for you. Harvest Energy use the latest designs in manufacturing,

all you have to do is enjoy the view, then enjoy your savings.

Click the link to get re-directed to our website >                   harevstenergy.ie

Our Energy Ratings

About Harvest Energy.ie

About Harvest Energy.ie

Our Showroom 

Harvest Energy specialize in windows, doors, flooring and construction. Harvest Energy are a family run company with our manufacturing facilities located in Baldungan, Lusk, Co. Dublin and our showroom at 4 Church Street, Skerries, Co. Dublin. 
We serve throughout the Dublin Region and cater to both the domestic and commercial market. We provide a turn-key solution to suit a wide range of building requirements and budgets. Directed by Jason Peters, a carpenter by trade, with over 25 years of building experience, Harvest Energy have worked on everything from small projects such as supplying and fitting of windows, doors, flooring and kitchens to larger projects like new builds, complete home renovations and extensions.
With such a wide range of services and products, the struggle of managing multiple contractors is a non-issue for us as we provide for everything you need. 

Our Manufacturing Facility

5 Reasons to Choose Harvest Energy: 

1) We provide a 10 year guarantee against colour fading & 1 year guarantee on all working parts associated with our A-Rated uPVC Windows and Doors. 
We know that alterations and maintenance to your acquisition can be costly, so we have introduced an after sales service to put all your worries aside.

2) Our Products will be delivered and fitted on time as promised. As we manufacture and fit all of our pvc products, you can be guaranteed our service is not only competitive in pricing but also highly efficient. 

3) We use the latest designs and technology in every aspect of our business, ensuring you the highest possible quality control and the greatest energy saving materials. 

4) High standard Quality Control reduces the risk of any error. We double check every aspect of our a-rated windows and doors from manufacturing to the installation. There will be a project manager assigned to be on site for the duration of the construction/ renovation projects to ease any worries and answer any queries you may have. 

5) Finally, Some companies charge for this service but we feel that it's a customer’s right to get their home back as they left it. Our team will clean up after the project and will ensure your home is left in the manor they entered it in.

If you would like to talk to us about any future plans you may have, you can contact us on (01) 8021800 or email us at: info@harvestenergy.ie

Click this link to view our website: www.harvestenergy.ie

How to Make a Glass Unit

Glass Unit Manufacturing

For our second blog we have chosen the process of creating an A-Rated Unit.

Many people claim to know what an A-Rated unit is and the benefits it holds in comparison to a single glazed unit. However, upon receiving inquiries for either windows or doors the customer becomes interested in more "technical" information regarding what exactly is used in the manufacturing process.

To answer this question we have created this post to guide you through the process involved in creating our A-Rated Unit.

The process involves;

• Glass Cutting (Cut to the specified measurements, we use Low-E glass to ensure minimal heat loss)
• Cleaning of Glass
• Checking of Energy Rating (This is to ensure that the quality of glass we use matches our Expectations and Quality Standards)
• Warm-Edge Spacer Bar (This bar is used to separate the two glass units, the bar is then filled with a molecular sieve window absorbent called desiccant, this desiccant is used to absorb liquid that may come into contact with the glass unit itself. Desiccant can absorb up to 22% of its own weight allowing you to sleep easy knowing your glass units will be there for a Long time before any breakdown occurs.
• Sealing the Units (The sheets of glass with spacer bar are then sealed with a sealant called Isomelt. This seal adds stability to the Double/Triple glazed unit and heat insulates the glass unit.
• Argon Gas: The gas is then injected into the glass unit, the gas fills up the area of space between the two glass cuts. The air pocket is filled with this gas and then the unit is given one last seal to cover the area where the Argon Gas was inserted. 

The Glass Unit is now ready to be inserted into one of our uPVC Windows or Doors

If you would like to click onto the video below, it shows the process that we have just described. Enjoy!