As energy efficiency works its way to the front of everyones mind, the marketplace has literally become awash with ‘energy saving’ products.

From  doing your laundry at 30 degrees to government schemes and initiatives encouraging us to make improvements to our home to be more energy efficient it seems that every company selling every product out there has a new ’green message’.

In the UPVC window industry alone there are companies promoting  Ecogain, Planitherm Glass, energyKare, A Rated windows – you name it, you can buy it.

But which product is truly the most energy efficient product on the market and which product is best suited to our Scottish climate?

Here is our top five things to consider when choosing your UPVC windows in Scotland:

1. Know your glass:

It’s all very well talking about the heat retaining aspects of certain types of glass but does this actually work in Scotland? The glass in question allows the sunlight to travel through thus heating your home (and bleaching your furniture) however, when the sun is at it’s warmest in order to make this a benefit it is summer time hence we don’t need our homes heated as much as we do in the winter when there is no sun! Furthermore, this glass does NOT stop the heat we create inside our homes from travelling back out the window.

2. Ask about the gas:

The best and most efficient windows on the market will all utilise inert gases in the spaces between the glass units. The more inert gas the more dense the space becomes that heat has to escape through. Advanced triple glazing employ a three air gap system, each gap filled with argon and krypton gas.

3.  What is the spacer bar made of?

Choose your spacer bar wisely. All our customer have a choice of spacer bar from standard aluminium to the latest warm edge carbon technology. The carbon spacer actually slows down the conduction of heat.

4. Is the triple glazing your being sold REALLY triple glazing?

Unfortunately not all triple glazing is real triple glazing! Our unique 44mm triple glazing utilises a multi-chamber profile, which is fully steel reinforced. It is the 44m that makes the difference, it is these air gaps that make the triple glazing truly energy efficient. Beware of companies who simply offer you three panes of glass.

5. Ask questions about the company:

Every company out there will offer you a guarantee on your window installation but how long have that company been in operation? Don’t be shy to ask. Also, what do their previous customers have to say about them? Ask for testimonials, or do some online research. It will be worth it in the end.

Contact us now for more information on any of our unique triple glazing products.

0500 388 488

It’s official, it must be because the experts from www.glazine.com agree.

As we trawled our industry magazines this week we came across a very encouraging article in the Glazine Magazine. It seems that word has spread regarding triple glazing.

The article sets out how only last year industry experts were discussing the unkliehood of triple glazing becoming popular and widespread owing to some of the common misconceptions surrounding the product (a lot of these are covered in our FAQ’s).

However, it seems they now concur ‘triple glazing has to be the next logical step to double glazing’. They go on to say that ‘if people want energy efficient windows, then they will prefer three panes of glass to two’

In fact there is only part of the article that we have to disagree on – they seem to think that in reality triple glazing’s widepsread manufacturing has been nothing more than  a pipedream up until now. This may well be the case south of the border but if you are looking for a triple glazing manufacturer and installer  in Scotland that has been in business for over 23 years,  then look no further.

We have been manufacturing and installing triple glazing windows, doors and conservatories all over Scotland as standard for over two years. We simply won’t even consider recommending double glazing! That is not a pipedream this is a reality.

You can read the whole article here.

Quick one today…

Check out the latest celebrity endorser of the solar panel here

Being in the  home improvements market we do try to keep up to date with the latest trends in the housing market, it gives us the foresight to know whether customers are generally thinking about moving or improving. That is to say are they thinking about moving house to gain an extra public room or staying put and investing in a conservatory to create the space and value to their home.

Not an easy decision as any home owner will confess.

We came across a news item in the Scotsman recently about current house prices in Scotland that definitely raised the question: is it time to move? or time to improve?

With an average increase in Scottish house prices at a low of £77 last year it does seem that the road to recovery is a long and uncertain one. It occurs to us that perhaps staying put and investing in home improvements is the way forward.  Then when the time comes to sell  will give your property the edge or unique selling point over your neighbours.

Triple Glazing and Solar Panels are two of the best examples of home improvements products that can not only set your house apart from other houses on the market but actually offer the new homeowner a massive benefit and you a huge selling point.

Firstly, both these energy efficient products will give you a higher score on your home report meaning that the likliehood is that your house will increase in value and additionally the new owner would not only be able to save on heating bills through the triple glazing but also be able to generate income through the solar panels.

If the time comes and you don’t move then the benefit stays the same, it will be you saving on your gas bills and making money on your clean renewable electricity. Win, win situation.

Times are tough and uncertain, there is no denying that but in actual fact if you are looking to invest your money the best way is still to invest in your property, make your home work for you, with the right investements your home can save you money and make you money! Let’s face it -  it’s a safer bet than the interest rates we are getting from our banks!?

I know we have mentioned how important our previous customer recommendations are to us but as our industry becomes more and more competitive i really think that the personal reviews on a company are going to be the deciding factor on a purchase.

With this is in mind here are a few of our most recent testimonials:

Mr Kerwot of Cumbernauld said:

‘Thank you and all your team for installing the solar panels and inverter at our house. Betty and I are thoroughly delighted with everything. I noticed that the system reached 4.07kW this afternoon for a few seconds and considering that this is still April, it is brilliant.’

Mr McCallum of Forth said:

‘It is with pleasure we have recommended you to our friends and family for your wonderful customer relations and your very efficient way of conducting business. We wish you continued success – you deserve it.’

Mrs Caldwell of Cambuslang said:

‘ Solar panels is one of the best investments we have ever made in our home, I don’t doubt that we will make our money back on it and it was much easier to organise with my electricity company than I thought it was going to be.’

Thanks again to those customer who continue to support us and recommend us to friends and family.

Scottish Parliament Election 2011 – set to be green?

In no way are we about to become political but with the Scottish Parliament Election about to take place on May 5th 2011 it does make us think what changes may be afoot for Scotland.

Reading up on the kind of issues that are going to be raised during the campaigning time we came across an interesting news story:

Lib Dem Leader pledges green energy investment

It’s promising that these ‘green energy’ issues are being taken seriously. It’s one thing to say that “ ”We recognise the impact of rising energy bills on homes across Scotland.” and quite another thing to get local authorirties on board to do anything about it.

It is time that the average homeowner did get some sort of assistance in order to finance the installation of green, energy efficient products like triple glazing and solar panels and as much as the moves they are talking about will go someway to help those owners of new build homes… what about the rest of us?

Until the parliament get there act together you can rely on Advanced supplying the best quality and value for money energy efficient windows, doors, conservatories and solar panels on the market.

That is a promise not a policy!

Contact us for more information.

The War On ‘Leakiness’

Firstly, I need to thank and attribute my blog topic to our friend the Renegade Conservatory Guy who has brought the concept of the ‘War on Leakiness’ to our attention.

I think it is safe to say that everyone in Scotland is eager to eliminate the loss of heat from their homes and this is where the war on leakiness begins and the search for energy efficient products comes into play.

Unfortunately, since August 2008 the average consumer has suffered a price increase of 43% (source Uswitch.com). PowerGen has recently announced a further 40% increase between now and 2012 not to mention the other large players on the energy market.

It seems with these increases afoot the best way to tackle the energy crisis is to invest in retaining the heat that we are using in our own homes and look towards products that will enable us to generate our own renewable energy.

This is where our energy efficiency products cannot be beaten.

Our 44mm triple glazed windows, doors and conservatories WILL help you improve the thermal performance of your home and our Photovoltaic Solar Panels will help you work towards completley eliminating your electricity bills by harnessing your own clean, renewable energy.

What’s more an independant carbon footprint audit conducted by the Renegade Conservatory Guy,  suggests that you get carbon payback in just two years when you replace standard double glazing with triple glazing. From an environmental point of view this is really important.

Advanced Goes Green!

No you’re not seeing things and no we’re not abandoning our trademark red and white! Actually we have decided to follow suit with our customers and go green, quite literally!

We know that the average consumer in Scotland is becoming more and more environmentally aware and more and more likely to want to be as energy efficient as possible.

Well, here at Advanced we feel exactly the same which is why we have added an additional line of products to our energy efficient triple glazed Upvc doors, windows and conservatories.

We have diversified into not only an energy efficient product but also an energy creating one. Of course I am talking about Solar Panels.

Harnessing energy from the sun by way of Solar Panels may not be the first method that comes to mind when you think about Scotland, however, you would be surprised at just how sophisticated modern day solar panels are. In fact Solar Panels now harness energy from the sun as a light source as opposed to its relative heat.

The main advantages of installing Advanced Solar Panels are:

You really could have electricity for free of charge (depending on the size of system installed and your current usage)

Feed in Tariffs pay 43.3p for every unit of energy you produce so there is an excellent return on investment.

The Advanced Solar Panel system has a guaranteed operating life of 25 years.

When you come to sell your home the solar panels will increase the value of your property.

You will be reducing your carbon footprint by harnessing your own clean, renewable energy

The Advanced Solar Panel system is designed to operate in the UK. Remember the panel harnesses energy all through the daylight and so will continue to work even on overcast days.

The Advanced Group are an accredited supplier and installer of Solar Panels and have been industry leaders in the home improvements market for over 23 years.

Read more about our Solar Panels and the benefits here or contact us for a free no obligation quote here

Is it not time that customers in Scotland got all year round use of their conservatories?

How many times have you heard people complain about the fact that their beautiful brand new conservatory, their pride and joy, is too hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter? Unfortunately, it is all to common a complaint.

Advanced decided to look into their conservatory manufacturing to see if they could alleviate this problem through new conservatory technology.

Welcome the new Triple Glazed Utopia Roof Conservatory from the Advanced Group and Ultraframe.

This unique consrvatory roof has many addtional benefits to a traditional polycarbonate roof available elsewhere:

* The roof itself is stronger and more durable as it it 3 times stronger than a standard conservatory roof

* It has much better sound proofing capabilities making the conservatory a more relaxing room even in heavy rain

* The 3 layered  roof system coupled with the triple glazed units ensures that it has the best U Value of any conservatory on the market   today.

* This unrivaled U Value means that your conservatory really can be used all year round. In the winter the conservatory will actually retain heat better than some houses , keeping you nice and warm. In the summer the performance of the roof and units will actually be able to keep your conservatory cool and useable throughout the warm weather.

This is the way all conservatories should have been from the beginning.

Watch our video to find out more details:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXlr7qGKP1c

‘Double Glazing’ – is it time to drop the ‘Double’?

Firslty, i need to credit our friend the Double Glazing Blogger for my topic today, it was in fact some of his follwers that suggested that he dropped the ‘double’ from his name.

Food for thought though. The industry is no longer only about double glazing, it is so much more. Our somewhat unpredictable Scottish weather and plummeting temperatures over the past two or three years coupled with the never ending hike in energy prices  has driven Advanced to look at a more efficient alternative to Upvc double glazing.

Also the industry standard now demands as high performing and low U-value window as possible and we are fast approaching the time where double glazing will no longer adhere to regulations.

This is why Triple Glazing is becoming the most popular choice with Scotland following in the soot steps of Poland and Canada. Advanced are the triple glazing specialists and are the only company in Scotland to manufacture, install and guarantee the original 44mm Upvs triple glazded unit. The only alternative to double glazing.

So i guess in conclusion i agree with the ‘Glazing Blogger’ follwers. It’s time to drop the double and go triple.