You’ve bought Christmas presents for all of the relatives, and maybe even the cat.
Don’t leave your home out! Here are 10 home improvement ideas for the new year that will last for years to come – remember, a home is for life and not just for Christmas…
1. Replicate tradition with uPVC sash windows
Sash windows are a key part of the UK’s history, having been popularised in Georgian and Edwardian architecture – they even feature on famous buildings such as Buckingham Palace.
Today, modern sash designs can add a touch of elegance to any property. Whether you want to replace wooden sashes or install brand new ones, uPVC sash windows are a cost-effective home improvement alternative.
Benefits: look almost identical to traditional sashes, easier to maintain and are thermally efficient
Suits: traditional properties that want maintenance free sashes, or new houses that want a touch of elegance
2. Make life easier with uPVC casement windows
Casement windows are the UK’s best selling style, thanks to their simple but stylish design. They can be finished in a range of colours, making it easy to create home improvement updates.
uPVC tilt and turn options make it easy to clean windows in hard to reach areas/high storey properties as tilt and turn technology means glass can be cleaned from the inside. They also increase ventilation in damp-prone areas as can be opened inwardly at the top.
Benefits: quick to install, easy to clean, thermally efficient, colour options
Suits: any property – tilt and turn particularly useful for high-rise flats or damp prone areas
3. Secure your property with a Composite door
The first thing you probably notice when you return home is your doorway. If you’re bored of it looking dreary or dated, give it a new lease of life with a newly installed composite doors. They come in a variety of styles and can incorporate decorative glass and bespoke hardware (such as handles, letterboxes and spyholes).
Their composite base of timber and uPVC gives them fantastic insulation and strength, helping to retain heat in your property and keep it secure, even in Winter – what more could you want from a front door. Composite doors are a simple home improvement to make this Winter.
Benefits: high-performing composite materials retain heat and add strength, security and durability
Suits: any property as can be made bespokely, featuring different glass, hardware and colours
4. Weatherproof your home’s entrances and add style with a Porch
If you want to be proud to point out your front door to friends or neighbours, then opt for a porch. Not only do they add a sense of grandeur to any property, they have functional benefits too – they help to weatherproof your entrance and therefore you when you are rummaging around for your keys. Good installers will match the brick or uPVC frame and tiled or glass roof to the style of the rest of your house, helping to create a seamless line.
Benefits: can incorporate lighting for added security, help to weatherproof property, adds extra space
Suits: custom made to suit properties, particularly beneficial for susceptible to heavy wind and rain
5. Bring the outside in with a bifold door
A versatile home improvement, bifold doors are a simple way to make your living spaces lighter and feel more spacious. Nowadays most good installers will offer energy efficient glazing as standard, meaning rooms bring the views of the outside in, whilst maintaining the interior temperature.
Designs mean you can customise the door – choose which side it opens from, how many panes of glass are used and how many openings you would like.
Benefits: slimline, elegant, make the most of living spaces with natural influx of light
Suits: properties that want to optimise their living room, kitchen or conservatory spaces.
6. Spread your wings (or your living space) with a conservatory
Dated conservatories are often unused and unloved. Whether you want to make the most of an existing conservatory, or gain some much needed extra living space, a modern conservatory installation could be just what you need.
Modern conservatories can be used all year round thanks to their thermal efficiency (or insulated replacement tiles for existing frames). This means that you and your family can enjoy a new living space in Winter and throughout the rest of the year, without having to worry about draughts or deafening noise from the rain.
Benefits: brand new living space (or updated extension with replacement roof) – does not experience temperature fluctuations like dated designs, so can be used all year round
Suits: various styles available and easy to match rest of property – for example, if space is restricted, opt for a lean-to style, and if a home is dominated by gables, a conservatory can reflect this. For south facing extensions, glazing with a UV filter will help to reduce stuffiness in summer.
7. Get the best of both worlds with an orange(ry) in your stocking
Orangeries make an elegant home improvement and combine the benefits of an extension and conservatory – they are made from brick pillars and glazed roof panels, creating a cosy living space that can still optimise the influx of natural light.
For seamless lines between existing living spaces and the extension, choose an installer who combines an eye for detail with the requirements of modern construction.
Benefits: versatile new living space, elegant design, more private than a conservatory
Suits: properties with room for an extension
8. Optimise your double glazing
If you have double glazing installed but it needs repairing, choose a company who have at least a decade of experience and a good reputation (otherwise your double glazing will need repairing again!) Effectively repaired double glazing can help to retain heat in your house and keep out weather, noise and thieves.
It is a quick update to your home than can make a huge difference, especially in Winter months when the thermostat stays up and weather conditions become harsher.
Benefits: quick to repair, lasting benefits of thermal insulation and weatherproofing
Suits: any property that has damaged or low-quality double glazing already installed
9. Add an extra layer of protection this Winter with triple glazing
Triple glazing does what it says on the tin – it adds another layer of glass to your windows. This can significantly insulate against the cold and noise, which is particularly useful in Winter when temperatures drop and carol singers stop by!
More insulation means reduced heating bills over a longer period of time, meaning there’s more money to spend on next year’s Christmas (or on a holiday somewhere slightly sunnier!)
Benefits: weatherproof, thermal and noise insulation, more security
Suits: any property, particularly useful for homes on hills, in coastal areas or noisy town centres
10. Don’t forget the fine details – fix your roof line!
Fascias, soffits and guttering may be the last thing on your mind this festive season. But it’s amazing how quality rooflines can positively impact the overall look of your home. Save yourself hours of hassle by treating your house to new guttering or updated roofline products.
Just think, would you rather be eating chocolate in front of the fire or unclogging leafy gutters and painting bargeboards? This is a simple home improvement to make, and can save you hours of hassle.
Benefits: last for years, no maintenance, improve aesthetic of home
Suits: any property – roofline products can be installed individually or as part of a system
Live in South Wales? Falcon Installations can install any of these home improvements!
Falcon Installations have been installing quality home improvements across South Wales since 1990, meaning they have a lot of experience of the industry and knowledge of the region, whether you live in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea or anywhere in between.
Our dedicated team know which products are best suited to different types of property – we make it easy to update your home (whether your priorities be thermal efficiency, individuality, security, style or all of these factors combined).
We have a range of products available, including all of those mentioned above – upVC windows, composite doors, bifold doors, conservatories, porches and glazing options. Whatever the product, Planitherm energy saving glass and Yale locks come as standard, meaning our products are some of the most high-performing on the market.
So if one of your resolutions is to make the most of your South Wales home, look no further than Falcon – it’s easy to visualise any home improvement or ask further questions at our double glazing showroom in Bridgend.
Benefits: family-run business, 25 years experience, varied range of products, Network Veka approved, quality products and service guaranteed
Suits: any property in South Wales, whether traditional or more contemporary
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