Extending Your Home

Extending your Home

When you make the decision to extend your home, it's not always easy to cover all your bases. We're here to help you get an idea of what you want before you bring your plan to the building contractor/ architect.

The first thing you'll need to cover before deciding whether or not you want to extend your home is, do you need planning permission? If you click the link here you'll be re-directed to the Citizens Information page that tells you everything you need to know

Why are you Extending

Consider firstly the purpose you want your extension to be built for. Of course, it sounds like an obvious question to be asking but there is a genuine reason behind it. You will need to take into consideration the effect the extension will have on the existing property.

 

What type of Extension?

If you decide to extend onto the side of your home or even convert the garage into part of the home, there won't be any real difficulties in allowing natural light to flow through the rooms. However, if you make the decision to extend onto the back of the house you will need to be careful of creating dark spaces between where the old room ends and the extension begins. To counteract this issue, we recommend inserting a velux window nearby or even turning your extension into a sunroom. With these two options there will be no limit on the light that can enter your home and certainly no dead spaces. Along with the help of your architect or building surveyor, you can design and create openings specifically for your home. If you decide to discuss the sunroom idea with your surveyor, choose a combination of windows and doors that you feel will be practical but also fit into the feel of your home.

Trends:

In the current market, open plan living is very popular. Requests to knock down internal walls and open up two rooms into one are a standard renovation when it comes to home remodelling and if you take a look at the picture to the right, you can see why! However, if you don't like the idea of spaciousness and would prefer each room to do its own thing, there is an option of introducing internal french doors or a sliding door to keep the divide. By introducing this concept to your home, you have the option of open plan for entertaining guests but also you can close the doors over and close a room off from the whole house when you're in search of a little "me" time.

Before asking for a consultation with your surveyor or architect, ensure you have a solid idea of what you're looking for. The meeting with the surveyor can be used to enhance ideas and provide a wider range of possibilities for you. A well constructed and engineered extension will add value to your property and will provide for all your needs that you were in the beginning of the process.

If you're thinking about extending or renovating your home, why not contact us on (01) 8021800 or email us as info@harvestenergy.ie to arrange a meeting

D.I.Y Window Replacement

D.I.Y Window Replacement

Consider yourself a dabbler in the fine art of D.I.Y? Of course it's possible to complete the window replacement for your home yourself. Pay close attention to the following tips to get you on your way to saving on having a tradesman doing the job for you. Before prepping yourself for the task ahead, don't have the mindset that it's going to be a "walk in the park". Unless you're proficient, highly competent and have all the necessary and correct tools, undertaking this job can turn out to be a disaster and overall cost more than the initial price you've been quoted by a tradesman. 

The Supplier

First thing on the list is to find a potential supplier who will come out to your site and take measurements and jot down all the specifics you are looking (e.g frame colour, glass design, handles and colour etc.) Many surveyors offer this as a free service these days and don't require any confirmation that you are going to choose them as the supplier. The surveyor is there to advise you on what will look appropriate in your property and also answer any questions you may have about the products you wish to purchase.  The surveyor should also direct your attention to the issue of safety glass in certain openings and also the issue of ventilation and fire escapes.

The Little Things
A very necessary part of window fitting is the use of trims, packers, drips, sealants, filler, expanding foam, pvc cleaner etc. The supplier of your windows should have an abundance of these products stored in their warehouse and when purchasing the windows, it doesn't hurt to ask for a price on everything inclusive. Your supplier buys these products in at trade price and should save you marginally on each additional product you purchase from the supplier rather than a hardware store. When agreeing on all these extras, make no mistake in agreeing your price and ensure both parties understand what was agreed to.
*it helps to have the purchased products on a signed document.*

Things to consider when choosing a supplier:

• Don't buy from a supplier solely based on the price.
• Ensure a product guarantee/ after-sales service is an option before purchasing.
• Check if suppliers deliver to the address.
• Research into whether or not telephone support/ on-line support is available for if/when you encounter a problem.

Other points to consider when installing D.I.Y double glazing:

• Bay windows are tricky and should only be attempted by someone who has had previous experience fitting such a product. 
• Start your D.I.Y replacement by fitting a small window first, have confidence in what you're doing and ensure the window is level to the base. 
• When de-glazing glass units, never rest them on their edge or on a hard surface as they can crack easily
• If you do however crack a glass unit, don't make the decision to go ahead and glaze the window. Once a seal is broken on a glass unit, the energy efficiency of the glass unit is dramatically reduced and condensation will occur. 
• If you are fitting a window from the outside and need the use of a ladder, ensure it's secured firmly or even get someone to hold it for you.
• Always assess the work required in fitting each window before commencing work, analyse each decision you are about to make before doing anything. This will ensure no unnecessary work is involved and also minimizes the risk of damaging the window.

DIY does save you money, but if you do no have the confidence or skill set required to replace and install new windows, it's advised that you get help from the professionals.

To get a free consultation you can call us on (01) 8021800 or email us at info@harvestenergy.ie.

Double Glazing Repairs

Double Glazing Repairs

A couple years may have passed since your windows have been fitted, and now you're starting to notice that although your window frames are looking as well as the day they were fitted, the double glazed units and hinges aren't looking quite the same. Faults and problems do occur, and unfortunately these issues not only effect the look of your home but also there is a reduction in the effectiveness of your windows. Often, there is not much that can be done to prevent this unwelcome fault from occurring, however, if you do wish to maintain all the benefits of your A-Rated windows, you should repair any faults that occur as soon as possible.

Most suppliers provide a guarantee after the fitting for these sort of faults and will repair the fault free of charge. Harvest Energy's policy is a minimum of 1 Year on any product we supply and fit for our customers. Check out our website for all the details: www.harvestenergy.ie 

Common Faults In Double Glazed Units

Condensation
One of the most common faults that occurs with double glazed units is misting/condensation. This is when water breaks the air tight seal between the two panes of glass and as a result of moisture that gets inside the glass unit reacts to the heat of the home and the temperature on the outside pane of glass.
As you may have seen in our video- How to make an A-Rated Glass Unit, you will have seen that all of our glass units are filled with Argon Gas and sealed air-tight before being inserted into the window frame. However, over time the rubber seal that's purpose is to keep water entering into the frame breaks down and the water finds its way into the glass unit.

Packing

A Broken Packer

Condensation can also occur when the framework of your window moves or when a special packing (packers) that holds the glass unit in place becomes worn down. As the seals age they become more open to deterioration. Similarly, over time the special packer that cushions the glass and stops it from moving becomes compacted. This allows one or both of the panes to move slightly, when one pane drops lower than the other the unit becomes "stepped" and when this occurs, moisture finds it much easier to get into the unit.  

Frame Drops
Another fault that occurs in double glazed windows is "the drop". when this occurs, it will become difficult to open and close the window until the fault is repaired. This problem can be repaired by changing the hinges. However, in some instances it occurs when the frame warps due to the fluctuation in weather (e.g change of season that shows major temperature changes). Warping or swelling is an unusual issue with windows and is more of a problem for homeowners with Timber/ PVC doors.

Rusty Hinge

Other Faults that may occur:

• Hinges begin to rust
• Handles break 

Double glazing repairs

Almost all problems that are associated with windows can be repaired, condensation is a problem that every home owner will have to deal with eventually and you'll be glad to know that even if you aren't a past customer of Harvest Energy, you can still get a quote for the repairs Absolutely Free.  Repairs and replacements are done very efficiently and generally don't take any longer than a couple hours to complete the job. 

Can you Repair It Yourself?
If you have a person in the house that likes to dabble in D.I.Y, of course it's possible to get all the supplies necessary and have a crack at it yourself but 9 times out of 10 it is often less stressful and less time consuming to hire a professional to complete the job for you. Following the repair by the professional, you should be handed a guarantee to ease any worry of this being a problem again anytime soon.

How Costly Are The Repairs?

The disadvantage of being part of a market where all of our products are made to custom fit is that there is no set price list to provide customers with. When seeking a repair, one of our repair men will have to come visit to take an exact measurement of the glass replacement/ see how many hinges need to be replaced. As we have mentioned above, our consultations and call outs are free of charge so feel free to call anytime, our repair men and reps are very flexible and are happy to work around your schedule.

For more info, contact us at info@harvestenergy.ie or (01) 8021800

Check out our website at www.harvestenergy.ie

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.

Online Quotes

Get Your Quote Online Today!

Gone is the selling technique trend of the pushy sales rep and the hard sell tactics, many companies tried and tested these tactics only to figure the eventual conclusion - the customer needs time to reflect on a final decision. It's common in our industry that people from the domestic market and commercial market respectively may well just be looking a price for a future plan of buying. However, the unfortunate reality with this was that after getting the quote, you would have to repeatedly hear the words "sign up today to get.......". 

Companies have came to realize, people like to shop around! That's where our new software comes into play. No sales reps, no hard sells and no visitors overstaying their welcome. The only thing that's standing in the way of you and your quote is 7 Simple Steps.

**Please remember colour and designs are for pricing purposes only, there is a larger quantity of colours and designs in our brochures.**

Step 1

• Click onto our webpage www.harvestenergy.ie and click into the tab "online quotes". 
• After clicking the tab, you will get redirected to a page that looks exactly like this screenshot image below. 
• Feel free to watch the video tutorial for motioned step by step guide on how to get a quote online.

Step 2

• As you can see below, there are a variety of frame styles to choose from here.
• Select a frame you wish to get a quote for, then select the colour you wish your frame to be. As we have mentioned above, the colour and design range is larger in our brochure and this software is for pricing purposes only. 
• The door slab design will be chosen in the next step.

Step 3

• Select a Door Slab Design you would like to get a quotation for.
• Select your desired door slab colour.
• If you would like your door slab to be bi-coloured, (by this we mean one colour on the outside and one colour on the inside), see to the range of colours listed rosewood/white,oak/white, black/white.
• The bi-colour slab design will be slightly more expensive than a full colour door design due to higher production costs.

Step 4 

• Here you will chose your glass design. 
• Your glass design you choose for the door does not have to be the same in the sidelight if you do not wish for this. You can mention this in the comments section at the end. 

Step 5

• Incorporate the accessories you wish to have included in your door.
• Choose the colour of the handle, letterbox and knocker you would like.
• Depending on slab design, some accessories may not be possible e.g spyhole on a slab design similar to the slab image below.

Step 6

• Enter Height and Width, (measurement options are cm,mm and inch.)
• Select the door material you wish for, (Composite or uPVC Panel)
• If you would like the door to be supply only or supply and fit
• If you would like the door to open in or open outward (open out will mean that your door will open out from your home towards the drive way/ porch.)
• Enter any comments you would like to add
• Click the finalize button

Step 7

• This is a screenshot of the page you will be directed to after clicking the finalize button.
• Enter your details so as we can contact you with your quotation.
• Click the submit button.
• You should receive the quotation within 2 working days.

If you wish for to get your free quotations with absolutly no service fee or sign up requests, click the link provided

online quote

Replacement Windows

So, you’re thinking about replacement windows?

There are many reasons for changing your windows and/or doors and, unless you go for something completely out of left field, by choosing a style that doesn't blend in with the vibe of the property or you have went for a cheaper quote and have ended up with a product that lacks the quality and finesse you were after, you will improve the look and increase the value of your property by installing replacement windows.

To repair or to replace?

When old windows are suffering from rot,rust or general deterioration it is often the case where the most cost effective option in the long run would be to replace the whole window, including the frame rather than paying a call-out charge along with additional charges for works such as; replacing of hinges & locks, glass unit replacement due to seals breaking down over time and condensation then being an issue.

The improvement on your home appearance that come with a new supply and fitting of new A-Rated windows is incomparable. Replacing old fashioned, worn down windows with new styles, shapes, designs and colours really adds a fresh and attractive look to your home, not to mention the improvement in energy savings from your new A-Rated windows.

Other Benefits of Replacements

Improved Security

Burglary is becoming a larger issue nowadays with windows and doors being one of the most common break-in points. Many modern uPVC window systems incorporate extra security features including specially designed locks, toughened glass in the glass unit and steel reinforced frames to protect your home from any form of break-in.

Protection from Elements

If your windows suffer from one or more of these issues, it may be time to make the change.

• Curtains swaying from an external breeze getting through the window
• There's a cold air chill from a drafty window.
• Rain droplets on the inside of the window, commonly found on the window board.
• Condensation forming on the inside of glass units.

Reduce Noise Pollution

If you live on a busy road where traffic noise is an irritation, the installation of double-glazed windows will significantly decrease the amount of noise transmitted through your windows.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency in windows saw a notable change when old single glazed windows were replaced for double glazed windows. Now, energy efficiency windows have made more improvements. All of our double glazed units are Argon Gas filled, use K glass and Warm Edge Spacer Bar to ensure an A-Rated grade. This helps to retain heat so you can turn down the heating a degree or two and save on fuel bills without compromising your comfort. 

Click the link to find out how we make our A-Rated Double Glazed Units > Here

Click the link to contact us about replacing your windows > Here

Click the link to see our latest offers on Energy Saving Windows > Here

Come see our showroom at 4, Church Street, Skerries, Co.Dublin or contact us on info@harvestenergy.ie

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