If you live in an old property, it is worth upgrading your windows and doors. Fitting energy-efficient windows in your property can reduce energy costs by up to 15% annually. Upgrading doors to doors that let light and air in a room also can reduce energy costs.

A conservatory will add value to any property as well as give your family an extra room to use as a dining room, living room, or even a play area for the children. You can be as creative as you like when it comes to using the extra space.

What does a windows, doors and conservatory fitter do?

If you are planning to build your dream house or upgrading your property, and in need of someone who specialises in installing windows, doors, conservatories and glazed curtain walls, then you will need the skills of a window fitter.

A window fitter will;

• Remove old windows, doors and conservatories
• Measure the space needed for new doors and windows
• Build conservatories, glasshouses or orangeries
• Fit new doors and windows, making sure they are weathertight and improve the homes overall energy efficiency 

A window fitter will work with different types of window and door material, like wood, metal, uPVC and aluminium fittings.

Which is better; wood, metal, uPVC or aluminium windows?

For those wanting a house with a reduced carbon footprint, aluminium is far more environmentally friendly than uPVC. Although uPVC windows have a better energy efficiency rating than the older aluminium window frames. New aluminium frames have improved their thermal insulation.  When it comes to which material will last longer without needing to be replaced soonest, again aluminium beats uPVC with 50 years lifespan rather than uPVC 30 years. If this is your forever home, then the longer lifespan of the window frames and door frames make up for the higher cost of aluminium versus uPVC. A regular casement aluminium window starts from £500 as opposed to the same window in uPVC starting from £200. 

Aluminium suits a more contemporary home. Out of the different materials, the least characteristic is uPVC. Wood offers more character appeal and looks better in older homes, especially a Victorian or Edwardian home, but has more maintenance requirements needing to be treated, weatherproofed and painted every few years to avoid wood rot. uPVC plastic frames and aluminium frames at least only require a wipe down now and then, when washing windows and doors, to keep them looking like new.

uPVC windows do block out more sound than aluminium so if you live on a busy street, it may be worth your while to go for uPVC for a quieter home experience. Both uPVC and aluminium or stronger and more durable than wood, so if you are not certain about your neighbourhood, go for a more secure frame and of course a frame that allows window locks.

How much will it cost to fit windows and doors?

Fitting a new external door can take a window and door fitter about two hours of labour as they need to first remove the old door, inspect the overall health of the frame and then hang the new door. 

If replacing the frame or casing as well as the door, this will be another two hours of labour. The door fitter will need to cut around the casing and then pull it out of the wall. A touch up of plaster and paint might need to be added to the wall, the fitter will usually be able to do this for you to avoid you having to still get a painter afterwards.

If the window fitter is just installing a new window without having to remove an old window, this usually takes about 30 minutes. Allow an hour per window to remove an old window, replacing it with a new window. Upgrading frames from rotten wood frames and replacing it with uPVC is completely do-able and the window fitter will just need a few more hours labour, as after cutting out the frames from the walls, there might need to be some work repairing the walls making the walls sturdy and ready for the new frames to be fitted.

What to consider when getting a new external door?

If replacing your external door and the size of the door is the same as your previous door, a door fitter will examine the condition of the door frame and most likely be able to fit the door to the existing frame. The door frame might need a repair to ensure it is in the best condition, thermal and secure wise. This might be a hole that needs to be filled in or a bit of wood rot that needs to be treated.

Most doorways are set sizes but it is not the case that one door fits all. The door fitter will need to correctly measure and size up the door. Hardwood doors can be shaved to allow for the perfect fit whereas uPVC doors cannot be cut to size.

When choosing a new front door, consider the style of the door and ensure it suits the overall look of the property. If the front door opens to a dark hallway, you might want to choose a door that allows light through with one or two windows.

You will want a door that is rust and rot resistant and does not require too much on-going maintenance. A wipe down of the door is better than having to constantly repaint it year on year.

The biggest issue when fitting a new door is that it is not well fitted to the frame therefore not well insulated or waterproof, a professional door fitter should hang the door correctly.

If you are thinking of upgrading outside French patio doors, one of the best face-lifts to a property is to replace old-fashioned patio doors with modern bi-folding doors. This is a relatively easy upgrade for the door fitter to accomplish.

How much will it cost to fit a conservatory?

Having a conservatory fitter fit a conservatory for you is a lot cheaper than getting involved in a house extension. The conservatory will need a foundation and if the conservatory is a replacement, the existing foundation may need to be strengthened or maintained before the new conservatory is built. Once you have chosen your style and shape of a conservatory, having the parts built off site can take about 2 months and then once the conservatory is ready to install, the installation fitting process can be 3-4 weeks of labour time.

The different stages of labour needed during building a conservatory is;

• Building the base
• Building the walls
• Building the roof
• Fitting conservatory windows
• Fitting conservatory doors
• Fitting conservatory lights and wiring up the electrics
• Fitting conservatory radiators and piping it to the main central heating or electrics

Different types of conservatories require different time scales adding or reducing the overall labour cost;

What to consider when getting a conservatory?

If you are looking for a conservatory fitter to build an extension on your home of a conservatory (a mostly glass extension with a pitched roof) or an orangery (brick structure with large windows similar to a conservatory but often with a flat roof) consider the reason for wanting one built. Will it be a new office, living room or dining room? Having the pre-thought of what the use will be, will help determine the size and layout of the conservatory.

Before finding the perfect conservatory fitter for your home, also consider the position of the property and where would be the best location of the conservatory. As it is mostly glass, you will want it to look out, maximising on views, and not to be north facing where it will be freezing and unpleasant to be in during the winter months, and not fully facing south as it may be too hot to enjoy in the summer months. 

The structure of the conservatory needs to compliment the property, so a more ornate style home with a steep roof might suit a more gothic style conservatory and a contemporary modern home will want a conservatory mirroring the style. The builder can discuss which material (aluminium, hardwood or uPVC) will best suit the style home to compliment the character of your house as well as meet your needs with thermal insulation and security.