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March is here, the weather is still miserable but spring is very much on the horizon.

Over the winter months, with the heating turned up, energy bills rising and cold in the air, you may have felt less inclined to open windows and let fresh air circulate your home. You’re not alone.

It’s perhaps not surprising that, that over the winter, we tend to see an increase in the number of calls and emails concerning condensation. This usually starts in October when we can advise how to deal with the issue of condensation. However, now we’re in March, we have the repercussions of not dealing with this condensation earlier.

What is it?

Condensation refers to the drops of moisture which collect on cold surfaces. This occurs when the warm air in your home, collides with these cooler surfaces. Where this collects, this can then cause issues with rot or mould which presents potential health risks.

We’re all told we need to make our homes more thermally efficient by adding insulation and double glazing. What we’re not told is the impact this has with regards to condensation. Homes that are less thermally efficient allow air to flow in and out of the property with ease. Therefore the condensation can escape. With thermally efficient homes, this moisture in the air cannot escape, and therefore collects in the coldest parts of the room.

So what can you do about it?

• Poor ventilation is a key cause of condensation so it’s important to open windows where you can. It may also be of benefit and to add window vents to the top of frames which can really help. However, you do need to balance that against the loss of heat from your home.
• Bathroom and kitchen extractor fans will also reduce moisture, as will a dehumidifier, especially if you dry clothes indoors. Ideally your tumble dryer should have an external vent.
• In the winter months, it’s important to keep your home sufficiently heated. Changes in temperature can worsen condensation issues.
• Consistent insulation, such as that provided by cavity wall and loft insulation, or having specialist materials fitted outside your house (cladding), can help, too.
• Single glazing will mean your home will be colder inside, which doesn’t help issues with condensation. It may be time to consider double glazing instead.

Prevention is better than cure

Preventing condensation is preferable to trying to cure it. One of the best ways of doing this is with replacement windows.

The average UK home loses 25%-30% of its heat through its windows, so installing energy-efficient windows really helps bring your energy bills down, while also making your home a more comfortable place to live in.

Give the idea some serious thought, especially if the issue is with condensation between the two panes of glass on double-glazed windows.

At R&M Windows, we have a wide variety of replacement windows to suit all styles of property, and with double and triple-glazing options. Get in touch today for an initial, hassle-free and no-obligation consultation.

It’s now two years on from the first Covid-19 lockdown and our lives have changed in numerous ways; among them is our choice of living arrangements.

It’s true that the long months of lockdown sparked huge interest in moving house, especially initially. However, now that the stamp duty ‘holiday’ is long gone, the amount of houses hitting the market has reduced dramatically, forcing prices even higher due to low availability vs. high demand.

If you’re becoming increasingly aware of the need to revaluate and enhance where you live, and enjoy more room without the upheaval and expense of moving home, you’re not alone. The ‘improving not moving’ trend was initially sparked by historically low mortgage rates and an increase in household savings while the pandemic halted spending on socialising and holidays. Now, due to the uncertainty in costs of living and the possible rise in interest rates, we’re seeing further continuation of the ‘improving not moving’ trend.

One consulting firm reported this summer that there was no significant rise in numbers returning to offices since lockdown eased with ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19. So it seems that many are still looking to base themselves from home, and want to do so comfortably, with enough dedicated working space.

Industry websites are also reporting a home improvement boom, with one portal claiming over 50% more jobs had already been posted this year compared with 2019. At the same time, mortgage brokers are seeing increased applications for re-mortgages to fund projects.

Mark Page, who runs the sales side of R&M Windows, says: “We’ve seen a massive change in people’s requirements over the last year or so. We know that many customers want to improve the space and lighting in their homes by adding bi-folding doors, extensions with lantern roofs and replacement conservatories to create home offices or better living spaces.”

Talk to us

One consumer advisor told a national newspaper: “Because builders are in such high demand, they’re now in a far stronger position to make what might previously have seemed like unreasonable demands on price or the terms and conditions of the contract. There is some protection against unreasonable terms, but upping prices isn’t one.”

Meanwhile the Federation of Master Builders has said that some small, local builders are struggling to find skilled tradespeople.

­But at R& M Windows, we’re different. We’re a locally based, family-focused firm with access to all the skills and materials we need to do an impeccable job, every time. And we’re not increasing our prices just because our services are in high demand at the moment – we offer consistently great value for money.

Whether you want top-of-the-range doors or windows, or a replacement or new conservatory, make us your first port of call. And if now isn’t the right time for you to move, you’ll be adding value to your property for if and when you do want to sell.

What’s more, we don’t pressurise people into agreeing to a sale. (Frankly, we never need to, since numerous personal recommendations keep us busy). We’re simply here to help as and when people need us. So get in touch and book your initial consultation today – with no charge and no obligation to proceed.