Types Of Double Glazing Windows

Types Of Double Glazing Windows

One great way to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible is to have double glazing installed, and there are many types of double glazing windows to choose from!

You really should also consider upgrading your windows when you get solar panels. This can help you to make the most of your energy. There are a wide range of frames and styles from which you can choose. Styles like bay windows and casement windows are often popular choices – and can increase your energy efficiency.

Read all about the types of double glazing windows below.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are a type of window that often has its hinges at the side, which allows them to swing open.

You will often find that these windows open towards you. This makes them easily accessible when cleaning or performing other maintenance.

They are a popular choice of window, and can offer numerous benefits. They are secure, aesthetically pleasing, and great at keeping energy in your home.

Casement windows are also one of the cheaper styles of window, with a price range of: £250 – £750. This does not mean that the quality is lower, however. These windows offer many great benefits for you, your home, and your bills.

Bay Windows

These windows are another very popular choice of window in the United Kingdom. This is because they look great, and provide lots of benefits for your home.

Bay Window - Type Of Double Glazing Window

Bay windows are very distinct. They protrude from the external walls of your house, and are often made up of three or four attached windows.

This particular style of window is designed to allow lots of natural light into your home, which can help you to save on your electricity bills.

Sash Windows

Another popular type of double glazing window in the UK.

Sash windows are often made up of separate panels that can be slid up and down to create an opening. Modern designs of these windows have allowed for fantastic energy efficiency, and they can really help you to save on your energy bills.


Get in touch today to receive a quote for solar panels or double glazing!

Do Solar Panels Affect Climate Change?

Do Solar Panels Affect Climate Change?

Climate change is a growing problem around the globe, and it brings into focus the question: Can solar panels stop climate change?

Reducing climate change is a goal that we should all be heading towards soon, and scientists have found many ways to reduce it that everyone can do to improve the situation in our atmosphere. One common way to help the environment is switching to solar energy!

What Are Solar Panels And How Do They Work?

Solar panels are a type of energy generator that harnesses power from the sun. When daylight hits a solar panel (note that we said ‘daylight’ – not just sun) it creates a reaction that causes the solar energy to be converted into electrical energy.

Solar Panels and Climate Change

Solar panels are very commonplace, and can be found on an industrial scale in large power plants, or in homes, or on calculators! Each solar panel helps towards combatting climate change.

Each cell on a solar panel contains a number of pieces of silicone, which is what converts the energy from the sun into electricity. This DC (direct current) electrical current is then send out of the solar panel. However, most electrical appliances that we use in our homes require an AC (alternating current). Therefore, the electricity is run through an inverter, converting the current into the correct type.

Solar Panels And Climate Change

The question still stands: Can solar panels help to stop climate change?

The short answer is: yes, yes they can!

Solar panels are a source of renewable energy, meaning that we will never be able to use it all up. Fossil fuels (such as oil and coal) are non-renewable sources of energy, and directly release harmful gasses into the environment. Solar panels can help to reduce the amount of gasses being emitted into the atmosphere, and provide a clean, green, energy source!


Solar PV panels can help with more than just climate change. They can also reduce your reliance on the National Grid, and can noticeably reduce your energy bills!

For more information, visit our post on Solar PV panels!

How much does it cost to pigeon proof solar panels?

How much does it cost to pigeon proof solar panels?

If you’ve installed your PV system and want to know how to pigeon proof solar panels then keep reading. Investing in solar panels for your home has so many benefits including the ability to dramatically reduce your energy bills, add value to your home and reduce your property’s carbon emissions.

That being said, they do require a certain amount of maintenance and ongoing care to ensure that they work as efficiently as possible for your home, with one of the most common problems being the nesting of pigeons.

Pigeons simply love nesting underneath solar panels because it is warm, secure and there is plenty of space for them to live there.

Sounds sweet, doesn’t it?

pigeons walking on solar panels

Unfortunately, though, pigeons can create a lot of mess which is time-consuming to clear up, plus bird guano can be problematic for people who suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma or those who have weak immune systems.

Furthermore, pigeons can cause long term damage to your panels as well as dislodge wiring and stopping your panels from working altogether.

Fortunately, there are ways in which you can deter pigeons, as well as companies who can pigeon proof your solar panels for you.

What does a solar panel pigeon proofing service include?

Most pigeon proofing services include three main elements:

  • The removal of existing nesting pigeons and the cleaning of the area itself.
  • The application of a biocide underneath to get rid of any bird mites and to break down any hardened pigeon guano that may have become stuck to your solar panels.
  • The installation of pigeon proofing around the outer sides of the panels using galvanised steel.

How much does solar panel pigeon proofing cost?

The cost of pigeon proofing your solar panels can vary depending on a number of factors. Firstly, how easily your solar panels can be accessed; if they can reach your panels using ladders, it will be significantly cheaper than if scaffolding is needed.

It can be a good idea to send pictures of your home and your solar panels before you commit to a pigeon proofing service so that they can effectively evaluate the scale of the job and give you an accurate quote.

The initial cost of removing pigeons from underneath your panels can cost around £100, whereas the installation of netting and spikes can cost up to £500.

How can I deter pigeons from my solar panels?

As well as investing in a solar panel pigeon proofing service, there are also steps that you can take yourself to prevent pigeons from nesting underneath your panels.

These include:

  • Ensuring that your garden is clean and that no food has been left out or pulled out of your bins by other animals such as cats or foxes.
  • Making sure that your rubbish bins are secure so that pigeons cannot gain access to them.
  • Cleaning up any pet food immediately.
  • Removing any potential nesting materials from outside your property such as twigs, leaves and other debris.

Do not let the possibility of pigeons put you off the idea of having solar panels installed in your home. The benefits of solar panel energy far outweigh the inconvenience of a few pesky pigeons that can be removed and dealt with for a small, one-time fee and can sometimes be included for free in your installation.

UK Solar PV

UK Solar PV

If you’re thinking of installing PV solar panels in the United Kingdom, you may be wondering what exactly it is they do and what the process is for installing them.

PV solar panels, or photovoltaic panels, convert photons from the sunlight and turn them into electricity. It’s important not to confuse these with thermal solar panels, which use the sun’s energy to heat up water.

These are only useful if you want your solar panels to heat up an immersion tank to keep your showers, baths, and taps warm.

Pricing

Solar Panel cost calculation

The price of installing solar panels really does depend on how many you will need, according to your roof space.

If you have a small home, with a limited amount of roof space, you can expect to pay far less than someone who has a sprawling home with a larger roof to cover.

For example, for 8 metres squared, you should expect to pay in the region of £640. Stretching to 28m2, however, could see you pay just under £7,000.

Are solar panels effective in the UK?

Of course! So long as the sun emits light, solar panels will work. This, in turn, means that solar panels do not work in the night time. What could prevent your solar panels from working is trees or towering chimney stacks.

Essentially, anything that casts a shadow onto the panels themselves, and this will change during the day as the sun rises and sets.

If you have tall trees surrounding your home, you may need to consider whether solar panels will be effective.

It’s also worth knowing that solar panels are less effective on cloudy days, although they do not stop working.

It’s always important to note that you will not be able to run your entire home off of solar panels. Rather, it is more a case of booting your energy supply and cutting your electricity bills.

Using PV solar panels will soothe your conscience knowing that at least part of your home is running off the sun’s rays and not the electricity grid.

Will my home be a building site?

Solar Panel Installation

Truthfully, the answer to this is yes and no. The interior of your home will require little engineering work; however, it is extremely likely that scaffolding will need to be constructed to get the installation carried out.

The installers will mark out where the frame to hold the panels needs to go and then they will secure this to your roof. Then, they can successfully attach the panels themselves.

Once they are in place it is a relatively simple process of wiring them to your DC inverter. This will then be connected to the rest of your home’s electricity supply, so you can start to benefit from your brand new solar panels!

The costs vary for PV solar panels, and most of that cost will depend on just how large your roof is.

To make the most of your new panels, it is important to check that they will actually be able to absorb the sun’s energy or whether you have too many obstructions in place.