Many people tend to want to buy a new build or a period home that the hard work has already been completed at. However, have you considered the benefits of buying a renovation project instead? Our article discusses why you should look to buy a fixer-upper instead of something ready done. 

Renovation Projects Tend To Be Cheaper To Buy

If you’re currently looking at the housing market, you will notice that prices are incredibly high. However, dependent on your budget, you might be able to bag a bargain – if you’re willing to put the work in. 

If your budget is £150,000, you could buy a house that’s ready to be moved in to for that price, or you could look for something that requires some work for considerably less. Moreover, this way, you can spend your money on getting your house to look exactly how you want it. 

Financing A Renovation Project

Houses are expensive investments, but worthy ones too. If you are a first-time buyer, you can ask for an additional amount from the bank for any renovation work you plan on carrying out. If you have sold a house to buy another, you can use some of the equity from the sale to fund the renovation instead. 

Get On The Housing Ladder

As house prices are increasing rapidly, there is no time like the present to get on the housing ladder. As renovation projects are typically cheaper, you won’t have to put as big of a deposit down. Hence, you will be able to get on the housing ladder sooner. Moreover, every day you own a property, every day it could be increasing in value too. 

Make It Your Own

As we have already mentioned, buying a renovation project means you can make your home completely your own. It provides you with a blank canvas. You can rip up carpets, pull out bathrooms and kitchens, scrape off wallpaper and start from scratch. 

The post Why Buy A Renovation Project? appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Living in a building site is taken quite literally during the process of a renovation as the house can end up in chaos. If preparation has not been carried out, even the smallest of renovations can result in dust and damage to the rest of the home. However, it’s easy to lessen the disruption and keep the dust at bay.

Isolate The Work

When renovating, try to focus on one room at a time. By doing so, you will isolate the work and the chaos to one area at a time. Hence, the dust, the noise and the disruption will be kept to a minimum meaning keeping a clean and tidy home will be more manageable.

If possible, carry out some of the work outside on dry days as this will keep the mess at bay and paint and chemicals out of your home.

Wear Protective Clothing During House Renovation

Dust collects anywhere and everywhere. So, if you’re walking through the home during the renovation, the dust will cling to you. Moreover, just like it does to the floors and furniture. 

Disposal overalls and protective shoe covers can help in preventing the dust from sticking to your clothes and shoes, and it being walked into other rooms. Moreover, these are cheap and easy to buy from DIY stores. 

Protect The Home Too

Not only does dust and dirt cling to you, but it will cling to your furniture and flooring too. In some circumstances, new carpet may be put down before the walls have had a fresh lick of paint. Hence, putting down protective carpet film or dust sheets is a must to ensure the flooring is protected. Dust sheets can also cover any furniture that is staying in the room too. 

The post How To Minimise Disruption In A House Renovation 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.

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.

Are you looking to replace your current windows or purchase new windows? The great news is homeowners nowadays are no longer limited to one style of window. There are multiple profile styles available on the market today. However, having new windows installed can sometimes be a daunting task for most homeowners. But, thanks to modern technologies and up to date window styles, it is now easy and less stressful to install a set of windows.

Here is our list of popular windows styles that you might want to consider purchasing.

Are Casement Windows Better?

Casement windows are the most common windows of all styles. The casement windows hinge on the top of the frame and the side. These windows remain a popular window choice because they are versatile, secure and very energy-efficient. Casement windows today are available in a wide range of materials such as uPVC and aluminium and a wide range of RAL colours.

How Do Sash Windows Work?

Sliding sash windows consist of two panels that slide vertically to open. Sash windows are a classic design and style used mostly in Georgian and Victorian houses. Homeowners who wish to keep the look of their properties choose to replace timber sash windows with uPVC double glazing options. Furthermore, sash windows are also available in a wide range of RAL colours. Did you know that the oldest sash window was installed in England in 1670 and is still there to this date?

What Is A Tilt And Turn Window?

Tilt and turn windows provide the maximum ventilation and allow fresh air to enter your home. Furthermore, tilt and turn windows are not only stylish but also durable and secure. The window opens from the top and can tilt inwards from the bottom of the window. Also, there are options to have the window swing open from the inside.

What Is A Cottage Style Window?

Cottage style windows come in an Astragal or Georgian style. These are popular because the appearance of smaller panes of glass gives a stunning appearance that works perfectly for cottage-style homes. Modern versions of the traditional cottage windows are now casement windows with added Astragal or Georgian bars to make them look like vintage cottage windows. These windows are available in a wide range of materials like uPVC and aluminium. Both materials are great for saving money on energy bills and help to keep the heat in during the winter months. 

The post What Are The Most Popular and Common Window Styles? appeared first on Windows Manchester.