Monday 10 July 2017

Maintain Your Windows Timely For Safety and Proper Insulation

If you need window or door repairing service, you should call an expert who knows what he is doing. The same can be said about residential glass replacement service as well. It is better to replace the old, decayed windows with a new one if you want to avoid future expenses. The inside would stay cool in summer and warm in winter because there will be no leakage. However, if your budget doesn't allow complete replacement of the existing window, you can always go for glass replacement which offers somewhat decent comfort. Windows and doors are the major leakage of room heat for most homes.

There are a few ways how you can improve the heat efficiency of the existing windows. First of all, you should start by checking the frames and the seals of the windows to know if there are any gaps or holes which leaks the cool or warm air out. You can place the back of your palm of the frame to see if you feel differently heated air. If you feel a gentle breeze on the back of your palm, there is a high chance that the window or door is not properly sealed.

However, this is not a big problem because you can apply caulk or weather stripping on the crack and it will be sealed. You can also use window films on the glasses to reflect the harsh sunlight out. Think plastic or polyester made films are glued to the inside of the window by a professional window repair expert. As you can guess, window repair is a job for the experts. You will be assured of getting quality work done.

Older windows which fail to open or close properly are mostly the result of lack of maintenance and not poor workmanship. Moreover, handling the harsh weather outside leads to chips and cracks on them. This is when you need professional glass replacement service. Depending on your problem, you can always call a window repair specialist or a residential glass replacement agency. There are many agencies who provide professional and affordable glass replacement in London. Safety of your home is another consideration. An unkept window is easier to break down for a burglar.

IF you have decided on the service you need, you can check around for the agencies who do such work. If you don't find local agencies, you can check on the internet as well.

Saturday 1 July 2017

History and Features of Revolving Doors

When designing a commercial, public or educational building, there are many door types to choose from, for a builder or contractor. There are automatic doors, manual doors and hybrid doors but the need behind a door is always the same. We want a door to control access to the inside, keep the inside safe and make it user friendly. Revolving doors are older than you think. Way back in 1899, a New York restaurant patented it and installed it but the patent application shows that more than 10 years earlier, a Philadelphia resident actually first conceived the design. More than 100 years later, these doors are still popular and are widely in use.

Revolving doors have 3 or 4 vertical panels which are called wings or leaves. These panels are attached to a central shaft which can rotate, carrying the leaves with it.  The whole structure is kept inside a cylindrical structure and the panels are kept in such a fashion that the door is never really open, in the traditional sense. It means, at no point of time and for no positioning of the wings, there is a straight opening between the inside and the outside. The wings and the cylindrical structure are all made up of glasses mostly, for safety purposes as well as aesthetics. The glass allows the users to see other people around the door and operate the door accordingly.

There are automatic versions where the central shaft is powered and has sensors to jam the door when a potentially unsafe situation is at hand. There is a speed control feature and the wings can be folded to create an unobstructed open space between the inside and outside to move faster and move larger objects through, during emergency situation. However, the door needs to be in prime condition for easy access or emergency access and only a professional agency can do that for you. They can do the timely repair, change the decayed parts and even oil the hinges for better and smoother movement. Handing over the revolving door maintenance to a professional agency would really be a great idea.

Revolving doors don't allow quick movement which means there should be a secondary door. In some countries, a secondary door, just beside the revolving door, has been made mandatory. Revolving doors can't be used by the disabled people either so the secondary hinged door is essential.

Glazed Window Repair and Refurbishment

No matter how well maintained and how durable something might be, there is a shelf life. Double glazing is no different. You will finally need the glazing either repaired or replaced. Luckily, there are several options when it comes to repairing or refurbishing your glazed windows. Moreover, glazing refurbishment items are not costly, except for a few.

Frames come at the top of the list, along with the sashes for hinged, movable or sliding windows. Replacement parts are easily available for these but only an expert can separate the frame and the sash from the glass pane and install a new one. The frame is tightly attached to the glass and thus, it is difficult to pull them apart without ruining the seal. Thus, putting the assembly back in shape can often be a tricky job. You should trust a contractor or window repair agency who can do the job for you.

When it comes to frames, dented aluminium frames or PVC frames cannot be repaired and they should be replaced. This is because the these frames are sold as-is and there is no room to tweak them. If the frame is made of wood, then the repair is possible although the cost associated would be high. Commonly, the experts either caulk the seal, use putty on wood so that the splinters don't come out, repaint the frame to give it a new look and apply treatments which keep away the insects and the moulds.

Replacement handles are certainly easier to install if the frame is in excellent condition. The modern models have dual features. Apart from giving a good grip, some handles also have a push button lock for extra protection.

For security reasons, the manufacturers are bound to follow the British Standards BS-7412. Theoretically, if a door or window is BS-7412 certified, it is very difficult to break from outside. This is achieved using multi-locks or bolts. There are systems where multi-bolts are placed along the frame. Another variation employs keys and locks to lock the door.

Though it is not needed according to the modern building restrictions, there is a limit of the maximum opening size of the hinged, movable or sliding glazing windows. A window restrictor is a good choice when you want to let the fresh air come in without jeopardising the security of the home. With restrictors, your valuables and your family remains safe.