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5 Tricks You Hadn’t Thought of to Keep Cool at Home This Summer

As the temperatures are set to soar even higher across the country in the coming weeks, people are preparing for what could be a sweltering heatwave.

One of the best places to find some refuge from the summer heat is your home. However, most UK homes aren’t equipped to deal with excessively warm weather. This has led to many of us wondering how to keep a house cool in summer. To help, here’s our guide on how to cool a house down.

Close the Windows

Should you have windows open or closed when it’s hot? If your house feels too warm, it’s tempting to open the windows to try and cool things down. This works in the colder months, but in summer you’re just letting that warm air into the home. Keeping windows closed in the daytime helps maintain the cooler temperature in the house. At night, the weather often dips in temperature – this is the time to open up the windows and let some cooler air in.

If you do want to get some fresh air in the house, open your windows wisely. By opening windows on opposing sides of the house, you’re creating the ideal pathway for air to flow through. This helps provide a breeze and freshen air circulation throughout the home.

Stop Sunlight Entering the Home

Think about how you can limit the ways the sun can enter your home. In the UK, we generally favour having south-facing gardens and homes. This is where the sun shines most, and many of us want to take advantage of those (often rare) warm, sunny days. Plenty of homeowners actually install the biggest windows, doors, and even conservatories on these south-facing walls, to maximise the amount of sunlight that can enter the home. In colder months, this can be beneficial.

In the summer, however, our tendency to optimise the amount of sunlight in the home is almost a design flaw. The hot sunlight filters into the home through the windows, heating up entire rooms.

To minimise this effect, close the curtains or pull the blinds on your south-facing windows. You might also want to think about whether it’s worth replacing your glass with solar control glass.

Strategically Place Bowls of Cold Water

This one sounds strange, but it works. Placing bowls of ice cold water around the home helps to absorb heat. The warm air will move towards the cold air, cooling as the two balance one another out.

Placing the bowl of cold water in front of a fan is even better for cooling the home. This leads to an air conditioning effect, as the fan circulates the colder air. The ice will melt, so keep replacing it to maintain the effect.

Remember: If it’s really hot outside and you’re feeling the heat, you might be tempted to have a drink of ice cold water yourself. This could be dangerous. If your body is too hot, the freezing water may send you into shock.

Instead, take small sips of cold (not ice cold) water. Room temperature water can actually rehydrate you faster, so if you’re feeling very dehydrated, sipping on some room temperature water is your best option.

Turn Off Appliances

It’s easy to overlook how household appliances can have such an impact on our home environment. They’re everywhere in the home – from toasters and kettles, to smart speakers and computers. The issue is, leaving these on can contribute to how warm your house is. Any electrical equipment emits small amounts of heat, as the electrons move rapidly when devices and appliances are plugged in.

If you’re not using them, turn off any appliances to minimise the amount of heat generated. Think about your TV left on standby, phone chargers, lights, dishwashers, washing machines… Each one of these will be generating some degree of heat if they’re not turned off. Unplugging these appliances is even better. Making this a habit whenever things aren’t in use can also reduce your electricity bills over time.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows

Energy efficient windows are ideal for sustaining comfortable temperatures in the home. In the UK, many people install them to keep warmth inside during the cold winter months. But – they do work the other way around, too.

Energy efficient windows such as solar control glass or low-e glass work by reflecting heat to help balance the temperature. In winter, the glass reflects the warmer air back into the home. In summer, it will reflect hot air away from the home.

Double glazing can also keep heat out, so it’s considered an energy efficient form of window.

Dine Al Fresco

Using the oven and managing a stuffy kitchen when it’s too hot doesn’t sound very tempting. Instead of turning on heating appliances and adding to the rising temperature, why not make the most of the weather and eat outside?

Eating fresh, colder foods tends to feel more appealing in the summer anyway. Set up the garden for a summer of al fresco dining. This is the ideal time to get creative with making salads – mix things up with grilled halloumi or fish. Lay out a spread of picnic foods instead of cooking a Sunday dinner. Set up a charcuterie board, or sandwiches, pastries, hummus, and dips – appetisers you can graze on rather than indulging in a heavy meal. Have a barbeque while the weather is cooperating!

Check Your Windows and Doors

At Cloudy2Clear, we’re specialists in repairing failed double glazing throughout the home. If your windows and doors aren’t in top working condition, they might be letting the hot summer air into your house – even if your windows are closed.

Checking your windows regularly to see if there are any signs of damage to the seal, condensation, damp, and air flow, will enable you to keep your house cool this summer. If you do notice any signs suggesting your double glazing has failed, we can help.

We repair failed double glazing, worn out seals, chipped windows and everything in between. In doing this, we do our best to keep costs down. This is why we replace only the faulty or damaged section, so there’s no unnecessary waste – and no unnecessary costs. To discuss how we could help keep your home cool this summer, get in touch via our contact page. You can also call our team on 0800 61 21 119 for a free quote.

4 Ways to Secure Your Home Against Burglars

We all like to think we live in a safe neighbourhood, but burglaries do happen. Often, houses are targeted due to bad luck. Other times, criminals scope out homes beforehand as they look for security weaknesses to exploit.

No matter how a burglary has happened, it’s happened because the perpetrator has somehow been able to enter your home. Ramping up your security measures might not make it 100% impossible to break in, but it can considerably slow down the process. This helps deter burglars – research shows the longer it takes to get into your house, the more likely they are to give up. 4 – 5 minutes is generally the cut-off point, after which they decide it’s not worth it.

Remember that security measures aren’t just the physical things you ‘add on’ to your home, like alarm systems. You might have the most state-of-the-art security system there is – but this means nothing if you forget to activate it. Some of the best security measures don’t cost the earth – they simply involve learning new habits, while avoiding those that make your home an easy target. The doormat is not a good place to hide your house key!

Here’s our guide on how to protect your house and keep your family and belongings safe.

Check Your Locks, Hinges, and Door Handles

Security weaknesses can happen almost anywhere in and around the home. The first step we’d recommend is to check your locks are in full working order. Make a habit of doing this every couple of months. Your locks might work now, but with time they can wear down.

Be sure to check locks around windows too – these often go overlooked, yet they can be just as easy to get through as a door. You might want to add additional safety features to other areas around your house, like the garden. Padlocks and combination locks are a great option for securing sheds, gates, storage tubs, and gardening equipment.

Of course, locks will only work as a deterrent if you actually remember to lock up every time you leave the house. This comes as a natural habit to many of us, but when we’re in a rush it can be all too easy to run out of the house – forgetting you’ve left the back door unlocked.

Remember, don’t focus on just the lock itself when looking for any faults. You should also check the area around your locks. If the windowpane around the handle feels weak, it’s easier for a burglar to break the pane entirely – rendering the lock useless at protecting your home anyway. If you do need your locks, hinges, or handles repairing, Cloudy2Clear can help.

Keep The Lights On

Burglars are looking for the easiest target. Most will want to break in as quickly and discreetly as possible, avoiding any additional or unexpected obstacles. They don’t want to break in, only to find the house is full of people – and therefore risk being caught or hurt.

A classic trick is to make your home appear occupied when you’re out. Keep a couple of lights on or play music to make it seem like there’s somebody home. You could go one step further and control your sound system and lighting via a smart home system. These can be connected to your smartphone apps, meaning you can easily adjust what’s going on in your house with the tap of a finger.

As well as this, try to make sure your gardens and any walkways are lit up at night. Burglaries at night are common, since it’s harder for neighbours to notice any unusual events in the dark. Outdoor motion sensor lights are relatively cheap and make effective deterrents, as burglars will likely choose the house in darkness over one that’s well-lit and exposed. These don’t require any high-tech equipment, and if you opt for solar powered lights you won’t need to worry about energy.

Upgrade Your Windows for Security

Certain types of glass and styles of windows can be almost impossible to open from the outside. If you do feel it’s time for a bit of an upgrade, getting your windows replaced can be a great place to start uplifting your home security.

There are hundreds of possible window combinations, each with their own redeeming qualities. But there are just three key things to consider when optimising your windows for security purposes.

Window Design & Frame

Casement windows are known to be the most secure type of frame, since there’s no way to adjust the handle from outside. There’s also no way to force them open with a crowbar. You just need to make sure the window is closed and locked. Unable to enter by manipulating the frame, the only other option is to try to break the glass.

Double Glazing

To strengthen the glass so this can’t happen, make sure your windows are double glazed. Double glazing is added as standard on new modern homes, as it insulates so well and can save money on energy bills. With double glazed windows the burglar would have to break through two sheets of glass rather than one – taking even more time and effort.

Type of Glass

The type of glass in your double glazed windows does make a difference. Tempered glass is specially heat treated to resist more force than normal glass. This process involves subjecting the glass to intense heat before quickly cooling it down. This heat vs. cooling action compresses the external surfaces of the glass, making the entire structure tougher to break. As a result, it’s around 4 times stronger than usual glass.

Considering the above, double glazed tempered casement windows make the best combination for a secure home. Impossible to enter from the outside, with double glazed tempered glass that’s highly resistant to breaking.

Keep Valuables Out of Sight

Let’s address the reason a burglar might target your home in the first place. Many burglaries happen due to perceived opportunity. That is, the burglar thinks – or knows – there is something in your home that is worth stealing.

Keeping your home a bit more private can reduce your chance of being targeted. Hide valuables so they can’t be seen through windows. This is more difficult with larger items like TVs and computers, though you can draw the curtains to keep them out of sight. You could also cover some windows with privacy-enhancing screens or stickers. These are a popular choice for those with street-facing windows or no front garden, as they still let light in while the semi-opaque screen obscures the contents of your home.

You might want to take extra steps to avoid your car getting burgled too. A car can be the most expensive item many people own, yet we regularly leave them out on display. Avoid parking your car in the street and stick to parking in your garage – or on your driveway – if you have one.

Secure Your Home Against Burglars with Cloudy2Clear

Keeping your home safe and secure involves checking everything is working properly. If you take the above steps we’ve mentioned, watch any habits that might make your house a target, and ensure your windows, doors and locks are in top condition – a burglary is much less likely to happen.

At Cloudy2Clear, we’re experts in repairing and replacing door and window mechanisms, double glazing, and more. All our repairs involve replacing only the faulty or worn down elements. That is, we won’t charge you for an entire window frame if only the glass needs replacing.

If you’re looking to boost the security of your home, start with us. Get in touch via our online contact form for a free, no obligation quote. You can also call our team now on 0800 61 21 119.

 

 

Do My Windows Need Resealing?

As Autumn inches closer, there’s no better time to ensure your windows are in peak condition. The last thing you want as the weather cools down is to realise your windows need resealing. Worn-out window seals are common – and can mean your double glazing isn’t working. Leaving the problem to fix later can lead to further damage, to both your windows and the surrounding areas. If you have windows that need resealing, it’s worth tackling the issue now, before issues build up.

How Do I Check if My Windows Need Resealing?

Not resealing your double glazing once it’s failed is essentially a downgrade, as the double glazing fails. When this seal ‘fails’ – cracks, loosens, or becomes damaged; this allows air from outside to enter the home as it can penetrate the gap between your double-glazed windows. Avoiding this can be as simple as just giving your windows the occasional once over to look for any visual signs of wear and tear that could indicate your windows need resealing.

Things to look out for include visible signs of wear and tear, moisture intrusion causing mould, or in the worst-case scenario, rot around your window frame. Other earlier indicators may also be signs of condensation, indicating a possible failure of the seal; or as mentioned earlier, a draught creeping in. Not only can windows that need resealing make your home less comfortable as draughts creep in, but with energy prices continuing to rise it could cost you more in the long run through heating bills and damp and mold repairs. Our guide to figuring out if your windows need resealing should help you.

Why Do Window Seals Fail?

Window seals have an expected lifespan of 10 – 20 years, so they do last quite a while. Once a window seal is broken however, double glazing can become completely ineffective.

There are several reasons window seals can fail, including:

  • Shrinkage from cold weather – ’solar pumping’.

A key reason window seals wear down over time is through a process called ‘solar pumping’. This is where the sun shining on your windows causes the glass to expand, putting pressure on the seals. As this happens repeatedly over the years, and the glass cools down and shrinks again each night, wear occurs from the repeated pressure and can eventually cause the seal to fail. The effects of solar pumping are more prevalent in south and west facing windows, as they receive more sunlight and are therefore more likely to expand.

  • Wear and tear from time and moisture.

Naturally things do wear down over time through use, and your window seals are exposed to some harsh external conditions. The seals must cope through varying weather conditions, high winds, rain, heat, and cold over the years. Considering this, it’s natural this will eventually wear them down. Furthermore, if a small amount of damage does come to them and moisture somehow finds its way into your home, the mold and damp could increase this degradation.

  • Poorly fitted windowpanes.

Whether it’s been caused by unprofessionally done handiwork, or your windows dropping over time; a poorly fitted windowpane isn’t going to sit right and can cause added unnecessary pressure to your sealing.

  • Accidents and unexpected damage.

Accidents can happen, and they can happen to your windows. These accidents and unexpected damages can happen for a range of reasons – from the harsh chemicals used in painting or redecorating wearing your seals down over time, to burglaries and break-ins, or even things hitting your windows. The unexpected can happen, and that’s where we’re here to help. Read on to find out how you can have your window seals repaired or replaced.

If you’d like to find out more about how double glazing can fail, take a look at our article on the most common faults with double glazing.

What If My Windows Need Replacing?

If it’s just the window seal that has failed, it’s unlikely you will need to have the entire window replaced. If you have noticed any of the tell-tale signs your windows need resealing, it’s time to get things fixed. Failed double glazing can end up costing you more in the long run, as it’s no longer effective if your window seal has failed.

You’ll lose money on energy bills. 20% of heat in the home is lost through windows and doors. Once your window seal has failed, cold air from outside is free to enter the home. This increases the amount you’ll be spending on energy bills – even unknowingly.

Your home will become less environmentally friendly. Many opt for double glazed windows not only for their heat retention qualities, but because they want to do their bit in optimising their homes to be more eco-friendly. With broken seals – as we mentioned above – you’re more likely to overspend on energy bills, using more fuel than you would otherwise.

Condensation clouds up your windows. Windows are there so you can enjoy the views around your home. Once window seals fail, condensation is likely to cloud up your windows. This obscures your view and can have a negative impact on the appearance of your house.

Broken seals allow noise in from outside. Just like how air can enter the home through broken window seals, any noises from outside can enter too. Whether you’re located near a busy road, a school, or even just noisy neighbours, double glazing is effective in reducing noise pollution. Once these external sounds can enter the home, this can have a negative impact on any work you might do from home, and how well you can unwind and relax.

Moisture can enter the home, causing damp and mold. Damp and mold don’t only cause damage to your home such as rotting walls, floors, or ceilings, leading to a whole host of problems themselves; but can also affect your health. Molds can produce allergens, irritants and even toxic substances that can affect your respiratory health, especially for those suffering with asthma, as well as cause allergic reactions.

Tip: We recommend checking your window seals regularly to avoid suffering the effects of failed double glazing and seals. Check you’re not wasting money on heating your home – and that your home isn’t susceptible to damage caused by damp.

Get Your Windows Resealed with Cloudy2Clear

If you do need your windows resealing, we can help. At Cloudy2Clear, we offer a simple, quick repair service for windowpanes and seals, taking just 20 minutes to carry out a survey of the damage. We price every element of your repair or replacement individually, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Many window specialists will replace entire windows if the seal has failed. We do things a bit differently. We’re committed to reducing costs by replacing only the defective parts of the windowpane – not the entire frame. This means window repairs are much more affordable, and materials aren’t being wasted by replacing things unnecessarily.

For more information about how Cloudy2Clear can repair your window seals, get in touch with our specialists in replacing steamed up double glazing. Call our team now on 0800 61 21 119. You can also ask any questions you may have on our online contact form, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

 

 

How to Improve Airflow Through Your Home This Summer

In the UK, we aren’t often best equipped to deal with the more extreme temperatures we’ve been noticing the past few years. This summer, we’re set to experience a number of heatwaves – some of which will last a bit longer than many of us can cope with. As July rolls in, we’re forecast a 32 degree heatwave that might last around a week.

As the hotter weather comes in, we’ve been thinking of some ways we can cool down. Air conditioning and fans are an obvious answer, but with energy costs on the up – we’re looking for more inventive ways to get through the summer months.

Here’s our guide on how to improve airflow through your home this summer, without ending up with huge energy bills. There are plenty of ways you can implement these techniques at home, improving airflow through your house so you have a cooler respite to seek some shade in.

Opening Windows & Doors

It seems like an obvious idea to open a window or door to cool down if you’re inside. However, opening just one window won’t do much. The warm air needs somewhere to flow towards. The most effective way to keep hot air out is to aim for a natural cross flow effect.

This is achieved by opening windows and doors on opposite sides of each room or house. You want the air to be able to pass through the entire house, so keep any doors to rooms open with a doorstop. This improves indoor air circulation, cooling down the temperature throughout your rooms as the air flows freely through them.

This method of ventilating and cooling the home will work best if you can create a direct cross flow, where air has a free, straight path to flow through. However, many homes are built in ways that mean this isn’t possible. You can still cool the house by opening opposite windows and doors. But there are more ways to achieve an effective, natural cooling system.

Achieve the ‘Chimney Effect’

This chimney effect technique improves ventilation in your home, which has the added bonus of expelling virus particles out of your house. This technique uses windows, stairways, doors, and ceiling vents in your home to allow warm air to filter up and out through the roof vent. Hot air rises, so this is a natural way to redirect warmer air out of the house.

Stay cool (and safe) by following these steps:

  1. Consider the layout of your home and how you can influence the flow of warm air upwards and out.
  2. Find the coolest, lowest side of your house and open the nearest window.
  3. Look for the hottest, highest side of the house and open a window there.
  4. You can also place a fan (pointing outwards) in front of the window, drawing warm air out of the house.

This technique has been effectively used in hotter climates throughout history – as a natural cooling method, it still works!

Consider the Design of Your Windows

If your home is unbearably hot this summer, you might want to think about how your windows are limiting these cooling effects. Different window designs work to impact the flow of air in various ways, so consider this if you’re struggling to cool your home.

With casement windows, you can adjust the direction the breeze flows through your home. Bay windows mean you can optimise the flow of the incoming air, by allowing it to enter the home from both directions.

Velux windows make a great replacement ‘chimney’ to help you achieve the chimney effect. Since they’re placed high up in the home, they’re ideal for exploiting the fact that hot air rises. Open your Velux window as wide as possible, and the hotter air will naturally flow through this highest point.

Our Tips:

  • To improve how fast the air moves through your home, you can close the lower windows so a little so that the opening is smaller.
  • You might need to figure out the best way to do this over time. The optimal method for the chimney effect will change throughout the day as the direction of the wind and the weather shift.
  • Also note that you shouldn’t just haphazardly open all windows and doors at once, and hope for the best. The chimney effect requires a dedicated flow of air from the lower areas of the house to the highest, warmest areas.
  • Try to make air flow through the whole house if you’re looking to cool down. Getting the chimney effect to work in one room is not as effective as flowing the air throughout the entire house.

Keep Your Home Cool with Cloudy2Clear

Another thing to keep in mind is the quality of your windows. If you have any windows or doors that need repairing, you’ll struggle to optimise the airflow through your home to get that cooling effect. Any gaps in the sealing around your double glazed fixtures means air can enter (and leave) the house, meaning there won’t be a clear flow of air to cool down.

As the weather heats up, we’d recommend checking your double glazing is in perfect working order. Note that if you do find any issues, having your double glazing repaired as soon as possible important. Failed double glazing can lead to a whole wealth of other issues like condensation and damp. In the long run, these can end up being more costly than a simple repair.

Let us help insulate your home and keep your family cool this summer. At Cloudy2Clear, we offer free consultations and zero-obligation quotes, so everything is clear regarding exactly how much our services will cost. Fill out our online contact form with any issues or concerns you have about your windows and doors, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also get in touch with our team now by calling 0800 61 21 119.

 

 

Things to Consider When Buying Double Glazed Windows

If you’re looking to equip your home with new windows, double glazing is a cost-effective option that can save you money in the long run. You’ve probably already considered the advantages to installing double glazed windows – but there are a few other things to consider before you make your final decision.

As double glazed window repair specialists at Cloudy2Clear, we’ve got a great deal of experience regarding what to look out for when thinking about your new installation. Here’s our guide on what you should consider when buying double glazed windows.

Find the Ideal Type of Glass for Your Windows

There’s much more to double glazed windows than just the double glazing feature itself. The type of glass you choose for your double glazed windows can have a significant impact on the performance of your windows. Different types of glass are best suited to different environments, and can offer additional features that you might not have previously considered.

Here’s an overview on the various types of glass you can use for double glazed windows and their properties.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

Double glazed windows are allocated energy ratings that demonstrate how energy efficient your new windows will be. Grade A is the higher rating with the better performance in terms of energy efficiency, while C is on the lower end of the scale.

·       Grade A

Grade A and A+ windows offer the highest levels of energy efficiency available on the market. They insulate the home impressively well, retaining any heat stored in the home for longer periods of time. While this rating will help you to save money on heating bills in the long run, it’s a more expensive option to buy. If you have no concerns about your budget and are willing to invest in a long-term double glazing solution, Grade A windows might work for you.

·       Grade B

Grade B windows are energy-efficient, though they’re not as high performance as Grade A. If you’re working with a mid-level budget and looking to keep your homes well insulated, Grade B is an ideal option.

·       Grade C

For those with a limited budget, Grade C windows still offer energy-efficiency advantages, albeit on a lower scale. Grade C double glazed windows still help save money on heating with their heat retention properties, but they’re not as efficient as Grade A windows.

Types of Glass

As well as choosing the right level of energy efficiency that works for your home and your budget, you can opt for different types of glass in your windows.

·       Self-Cleaning Glass

Self-cleaning double glazed window glass helps keep your windows looking fresh without the need for all the extra cleaning effort on your behalf. Self-cleaning glass is treated with chemical coatings that either dispel rainwater away from the window or allow dirt to dissolve away in sunlight. Self-cleaning glass is perfect if you’re fitting double glazed windows into spaces with lots of windows that would otherwise require lots of manual cleaning, such as conservatories.

·       Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is toughened glass that’s been thermally treated to improve durability and strength. Ordinary glass, when broken, can shatter into dangerous jagged shapes that can cause more harm if we come into contact with them. Due to its careful chemical or thermally treated properties, tempered glass shatters into small pieces that are not as likely to cause so much damage. Tempered glass is therefore ideal for situations where human safety should be considered. For window applications, it’s recommended if you live in an area with high burglary or crime rates.

·       Noise Reduction Glass

If you live in an area prone to noise pollution, consider noise reduction glass. This type of glass insulates your home from external noises by minimising the sound waves that can penetrate through the glass and into your building. Noise reduction glass is ideal if you have an office in the home where you need to be able to concentrate. It can help if you have trouble sleeping at night due to outside noise, or if you live close to a main road and can hear the traffic from inside your home.

Think About Upgrades and Extras

Double glazed window companies each offer different advantages when you shop with them. From warranties to extra security features, it’s important to check what’s on offer before you buy so you can compare the benefits effectively.

Check how long the window’s warranty or length of guarantee lasts before you commit to a purchase. With Cloudy2Clear, all our work is guaranteed for 25 years. This means whatever happens, we’re always on hand to replace your double glazed windows within that time – free of charge.

Look for Quality Customer Service

Many service providers seem to offer great quality customer service on the surface – it’s what they do best. But for some, when you dig a little deeper, you can find negative reviews concerning both the quality of the work and the long-term quality of their customer service. Always check the reviews of companies by using reliable review websites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews.

The double glazing service you choose should impress you with quality interactions right from the very first enquiry you make with them. The company you go with should value you as a customer, providing the best possible customer care that really makes you feel looked after. They should be willing to listen to and answer any enquiries, no matter how small. If they fail to provide adequate service from the beginning, you can trust that any potential disputes further down the road will be tricky to navigate and resolve.

Double Glazed Windows with Cloudy2Clear

When you’re investing any amount of money into your home, you want to look for that quality reassurance that helps you put your trust in your choice of specialist. At Cloudy2Clear, our customer-service focused team are dedicated to ensuring each of our clients is 100% satisfied with our work. Our 25-year guarantee shows our dedication to our craft, so you know you’re getting the best for your money.

For a free, no obligation double glazed windows quote, fill out our contact form. You can also call our team on 0800 61 21 119 and we’ll discuss exactly how we can help you.