Most homeowners add a ground floor extension to their property and usually expand or relocate their kitchen into it. However, the cost of an extension can become extortionate quickly. Hence, we have some budget extension ideas to help you keep costs down whilst creating an extended space you will love. 

Materials For Your Budget Extension

Extensions usually consist of brick walls, concrete slabs to the floor, a timber or a flat roof, and concrete foundations. Using these materials can help to keep the cost down and allow you to achieve your budget extension whilst maintaining a high standard. 

It can be tempting to add other materials to the extension, like timber cladding. However, this can increase the price considerably.

Extension Shape

Whilst it can be tempting to add unusual angles and shapes to your home to increase modernity, keeping your extension simple can help to reduce costs. Your budget extension will also be easier and faster to install when it takes a rectangular shape. Don’t overcomplicate the structural shape – let the interior do the talking.

Once you have prioritised the shell of the building, light fittings and furniture can be considered. However, expensive adaptations to the interior should be avoided. 

What Layout Will Your Budget Extension Take?

Less is more. Simple is effective. Making the layout of the interior of your extension simple can be more cost-effective than trying to overcomplicate things. 

Draw out a plan of your extension and map out where your furniture or appliances will go to give you a better idea of the space you’re working with. Orientate the furniture to make clear walkways through the room. However, avoid making corridors with the furniture or particularly narrow spaces to keep the room looking bright and airy. 

The post Budget Extension Ideas appeared first on Windows Manchester.

It is a piece of government legislation that protects homeowners who have a property that is adjoined to another. These properties include terraced houses, semi-detached homes, flats or apartments. 

The Party Wall Act can help to resolve any disputes between neighbours that involve boundary walls and fences, structures and excavation work. 

Hence, if you intend on carrying out any work on or near a wall that adjoins to another, a Party Wall Notice should be drawn up and presented to the neighbour. 

Once the notice is served, the neighbour has the chance to permit or reject the work. Only when consent is given can an Agreement be drawn up. 

Types Of Work

• Work on garden walls and fences
• Any repairs to adjoining walls
• Demolishing an adjoining wall or rebuilding it
• Excavation work
• Loft or basement conversions
• Garage conversions
• Damp proof courses
• Building a second-storey extension to a party wall

The likes of replastering, drilling and cutting in or channelling out walls are often considered too minor to consult the neighbour about. 

Issuing A Party Wall Notice

The homeowner should discuss the planned works with the affected neighbours. Hence, doing so will prevent misunderstandings and disputes.

Once they are aware of the plans, a Notice can be issued alongside the Agreement. Including a copy of the Party Wall Act 1996 may also be beneficial. 

Within the documents, the homeowner’s contact information, a detailed report of the planned works, the date for commencement and any access requirements should be included. 

The Notice should be served between two months and one year of the work being carried out. Moreover, the Notice is valid for one year from the date it is served too. Otherwise, a new Notice will need to be issued. 

Receiving A Party Wall Notice

The adjoining homeowner can provide consent in writing, serve a counter-notice requesting some changes, refuse to consent or do nothing. 

When Can Work Begin?

Once consent has been given from the adjoining homeowner or an agreement has been made, work can begin. 

However, if the Notice is rejected then a dispute resolution needs to be actioned.

The post What Is The Party Wall Act? appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Garden Weeds

A gardener’s bugbear is usually weeds. Weeds are relentless and can take over plant pots, flower beds, cracks in the pavement, the whole garden. 

If you stay on top of them, and de-weed regularly, they won’t become a problem further down the line. The sooner you remove the weed, the less chance they have of spreading – as, like most plants, the sun and rain help them to grow.

Spraying vinegar or pouring boiling water on weeds can stop them from growing but may also damage surrounding plants. 

Wilting Plants

Overwatering your plants can damage the roots. Underwatering them can cause wilting. Each plant needs a different amount of water too. So finding the optimal amount of water for each plant can be difficult. 

When you’re in the garden, check the soil to see if it’s moist or dry. Ensure that the plants are watered if the soil feels too dry. 

Similar to watering the plants, they also need sunlight. Too much can dry the plants out, whereas too little can prevent growth. 

Garden Pests And Pets

Another bugbear of gardeners is pests. Slugs, snails, worms and ants are the main culprits in the garden. Flies, bees and wasps can also be a nuisance for your plants – but are usually more beneficial. 

Soapy water or insect repellent can help to keep the pests at bay. Some plants are also insect-repelling too, so do your research. 

If you live near the countryside, you may find that your garden becomes home to rabbits, deers and other wild animals. Fencing is usually the best and safest way to keep the animals out of your garden.

Birds love gardens. They enjoy eating the seeds and plants, so be wary of their intentions when they swoop into your garden. 

The post Challenges In The Garden appeared first on Windows Manchester.

It’s the slot in your front door that allows the postman to post your letters and parcels through. Some people have a mailbox attached to the brick or their front wall instead. Other people have a parcel box outside their front door. But what’s best? Check out our article below for ideas on where to place your letterbox. 

Postman’s Preference For The Letterbox

If you ask your postman or postwoman where the ideal place for the letterbox to be on the front door, they will probably say around the mid-rail of the door. 

As someone who delivers hundreds of letters and parcels each day, they probably don’t want to be bending down to the bottom of every door. 

Security Purposes

Positioning the letterbox away from the door handle and the lock is ideal. Moreover, doing so means that people can’t put their hand through the flap to reach the handle. 

If you’re away for a few days, your post will start to build up. If passersby can see your post through glass panels, people will know you aren’t home.

Aesthetic Of The Letterbox

The aesthetic aspect of letterboxes is down to personal preference. You may like the look of it at the bottom of the door, across the mid-rail, or off-centre. 

Furthermore, it may look best on a side panel. Or you may prefer a completely separate mailbox. These can be attached to brickwork and front walls. By choosing a separate mailbox, the post can drop into a secure locked area like the garage or porch. Moreover, standalone mailboxes are also available from some stores. 

Summary

When considering where to place your letterbox, think about how secure your post will be and the style you’re looking to achieve. 

The post Where Should The Letterbox Be On Your Front Door? appeared first on Windows Manchester.

They are usually a pair of doors that have large panes of glass. Moreover, they allow plenty of natural light to flood the room in which they lead. They typically open outwards but can sometimes open inwards or slide. 

Furthermore, they are a great addition to homes due to their benefits. For more information, read below.

French Doors Increase The Value Of Homes

The popularity of these kinds of doors is massive. Hence, French doors are desirable to buyers and can enhance the value of the seller’s home. 

Buyers are willing to spend more on a home that has contemporary, practical amenities. French doors are always on-trend, meaning they are making a worthy investment too. 

Versatile And Multi-Use

Double doors are versatile and can be used for almost any home and in any room. 

Internally, they are ideal for kitchens leading into dining rooms or living rooms. Moreover, they both connect and separate two adjoining rooms. Or they can be used leading out into the garden or entering in through the porch. 

Secure and Durable

Despite French doors mainly consisting of double-glazed or triple-glazed glass, they are both secure and durable. 

Furthermore, they have high-security locking mechanisms and hinge systems. Moreover, the glass is toughened, making them even more secure. 

Stylish French Doors

Above all, one of the main benefits of doors like these is that they are aesthetically pleasing and available in various styles.

Their frames can be wooden, uPVC or, in some instances, aluminium. Moreover, they are customisable so can be matched to each homeowners specifications and requirements. 

Furthermore, they are modern and contemporary but can suit farmhouses and traditional homes too. They provide a luxurious feel to any home. Moreover, they are an ideal investment.

The post Why French Doors Are Ideal For Your Home appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Moreover, it’s the entrance to your home and can make your property look more appealing as well as keeping you and your belongings safe and secure. 

Picking A Material

There is now a wide range of choices when choosing a material for your modern front door. uPVC, wood, aluminium and composite are the most common. 

Wood is considered a classic choice and looks most traditional. It offers warmth and durability as well as being sturdy and appealing. Moreover, you can repaint them and freshen them up if maintained correctly. 

On the other hand, uPVC is one of the most popular choices due to its low maintenance. However, composite is becoming more popular as it looks much more modern and contemporary and is available in a wide range of styles and colours.

Modern Front Door Colours

When you have chosen your material, you next want to consider colour options. 

White is favoured for uPVC doors, whereas wood and composite are more common in various colours. 

You can choose from black, browns, anthracite grey or other shades, as well as brighter colours. Furthermore, yellows, reds, blues and pinks are popular amongst some homeowners. Your front door can reflect your personality as well as looking contemporary. 

Door Accessories

Once your door is installed or freshened up, you can consider other ways to make your home more modern. 

Wreaths are a popular way of creating a more modern front door all year round. In summer, pinks and greens can lighten up your home. Furthermore, in winter, a traditional style Christmas wreath can do the trick. 

The decorative addition is seen as a fashion statement and makes the home look warm and welcoming, modern and chic. 

Furthermore, video technology doorbells can make for a modern front door. Large house numbers, on-trend mailboxes and fancy door handles or letterboxes capture peoples focus too. Adding spotlights outside is another way of sprucing up your front door.

Doormats are an affordable addition that impacts your entrance and convey the personality of your home. Moreover, large plants beside the doorstep can also enhance the modern front door. 

The post Modern Front Door Ideas appeared first on Windows Manchester.

By doing so, you can make your property as smooth or as textured as you require on the outside. On the other hand, applying a coat of cement to internal walls is known as plastering. But why should you render your home? 

Render To Improve The Appearance Of Your Home

First impressions make a huge difference. Moreover, rendering can make a home look more appealing and modern. It can enhance the curb appeal of your home and add a sense of luxury. 

Furthermore, if you are considering selling your home in the future, render will attract potential buyers. There is a wide range of colours, textures and finishes available for the render, meaning you can customise the style of your home. 

Poor brickwork or a mixture of masonry can be hidden with rendering. Moreover, render can tie in new additions of the home to the old structure – making newer extensions blend in. 

The home’s appearance can therefore be transformed to look more fresh and crisp. Rendering can prevent cracking of walls too and prevents the need for painting externally! 

Improve Thermal Performance

Rendering can act as an external insulation system if your home is draughty or if you can’t insulate internally. Hence, render can improve the thermal performance of your home’s solid walls and enhance energy efficiency. 

Moreover, rendering keeps your walls weather-resistant against the elements. It protects the walls against water ingress and prevents damp penetration. Furthermore, render can let your walls breathe. 

Summary

Rendering your home can be costly, but the benefits of doing so are worth it. It is durable and provides longevity as well as weatherproofing your property. It’s also fire resistant in some cases and improves the overall aesthetic of your home. 

The post Should I Render My Home? appeared first on Windows Manchester.

But you don’t need to neglect your front door when it comes to decorating. Looking for Christmas door ideas? Look no further!

Traditional Christmas Door Wreath

Spruce up your front door with a traditional and festive wreath. Moreover, this traditional decoration is back in fashion and doesn’t have to be green and red. 

Tie the wreath in with your interior colour scheme to make your home look contemporary. 

Christmas Door Garland

Door garlands are becoming more popular year after year. These can be shop-bought, custom-made or you can have a go at making one yourself. 

Decorate a garland with some tinsel, baubles and pinecones. You could even use candy canes and lights for a modern twist. 

Christmas Lights

As the nights draw in, the streets light up. Especially by Christmas lights throughout December. Dangle some icicle style lights above your canopy or over your windows. 

Alternatively, place some fairy-style lights around the door frame for a more subtle touch. 

Bells On Your Christmas Door

When you think of Christmas, you’ll think of Christmas carols and bells ringing. Why not add a festive bell to your door, and let the bells ring out for Christmas? 

Christmas Trees

Adding some potted Christmas trees to your front garden or doorstep can spread the festive spirit. You can decorate your mini Christmas trees the same as you would your main tree. 

Santa Stop Here Signs

If you’re working to a budget but still want to get into the Christmas spirit – why not invest in a simple Santa Stop Here sign from the supermarket? Moreover, these can be stood in the grass in your front garden or placed in a plant pot. 

The post Christmas Door Ideas appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Once installed, bi-folding doors need very little maintaining. Other than cleaning them, bi-folds need to be kept free of debris in their tracks. If they are timber-clad, they will also need treating as per other wooden furniture.

Bi-Folds Are Long-Lasting

Furthermore, aluminium bi-folds are hardwearing and can last for around 45 years. Their longevity is a benefit and makes bi-folds a worthy investment. 

The investment is also worthy as if you decide to sell your home, bi-folds can boost the value of your home. 

Bi-Folding Doors Are Aesthetically Pleasing

Bi-folds are modern and contemporary and add elegance to any home. Furthermore, they can sit at the back of an extension or on the corner. Moreover, they can be installed in your kitchen, overlooking your garden. These doors look seamless and open up the room to the outdoors.

Bi-Folds Are Energy-Efficient

Not only are they pleasing to the eye, but bi-folding doors allow large amounts of natural light into a room. Their large panes of glass let the sunlight shine through all day long.

As bi-folding doors are mainly glass, they will capture the maximum amount of sunlight. Moreover, this will make your home feel warm and bright – even in the winter months with the winter sunshine. 

Bi-Folding Doors Are Space Saving

One of the main selling points of a bi-folding door is that they don’t swing inwards or outwards. They fold onto themselves instead and are compact. Furthermore, this is ideal for smaller rooms as no space is needed to accommodate the door.

Bi-Folds Offer High Levels Of Security

Another benefit of a bi-folding door is that they offer high levels of security. There are multiple points on the door that can lock. Bi-folds are unlike French and sliding doors, which usually only have one locking mechanism. 

Moreover, some bi-folds have panel-catch technology. Therefore, the door cannot blow shut or accidentally close.

Summary

Bi-folding doors have countless benefits and are one of the most versatile options currently on the market. 

The post What Are The Benefits Of Bi-Folding Doors? appeared first on Windows Manchester.

The front door not only introduces the style of your home but protects your house too. Hence, choosing a new door is a difficult decision to make.

The usual advice is to choose something that will complement the property. A composite door may not suit a Victorian-style terrace as much as it would a new build. 

Not only do you need to choose a material (usually from wood, uPVC and composite), but sometimes you need to select glazing, handles, hinges, colours and other accessories too. 

Before you get down to the nitty-gritty of customising your door, you need to select the best style door for you. You probably want your front door to be energy-efficient, cost-effective and long-lasting. 

Energy-efficient doors will contribute to the heat retention of your home. Furthermore, thermally efficient doors will keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer. Thus, saving on your energy bills no matter what the weather. A new front door can also reduce noise, which may be handy if you live on the main road or near traffic.

Moreover, a high-quality door is an investment. Longer-lasting, durable doors don’t come cheap. Energy-efficient doors might be costly but will be worth it in the long run. You get what you pay for, so don’t let the price tag put you off.

There has never been so much choice when it comes to choosing a new door. So when making the decision, take your time, ask for advice and explore the possibilities in front of you. 

Check out our handy guide to choosing the best style front door below! 

The post How To Choose A New Front Door appeared first on Windows Manchester.