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A bit of fun after a recent photoshoot - the amazing dancing door of Brackenwood in Basingstoke:
The video was made up from some clever use of photos put to a piece of music. Can you remember the tune and the amazing muscle man on Opportunity Knocks?
One of Brackenwood’s most established and innovative suppliers, Pilkington has recently illustrated the energy-saving benefits of their energiKare™ product line in the clearest form yet - by using advanced, thermal imaging technology.
This amazing image shows how money and energy can literally go out of the window through inefficient glazing.
Thermal images, such as the one above, show the shocking amount of heat lost from single-glazed windows compared to those fitted with Pilkington energiKare™. They also revealed the much higher temperatures on the external surface of the single glazed windows compared to the windows incorporating Pilkington energiKare™.
A Pilkington spokesman said: “The temperature ranges shown by these images is a real eye-opener. They offer emphatic proof that Pilkington energiKare™ keeps heat inside the home to reduce the amount householders need to spend on their ever-increasing fuel bills”.
How does energiKare™ work?
Pilkington energiKare™ is made up of Pilkington K Glass™, the UK’s best selling low-e glass and ‘extra clear’ glass Pilkington Optiwhite™. It works in two ways; reducing the amount of net heat lost through windows by up to 90 per cent, and allowing more heat (energy) in from the sun.
How much would you save?
Assuming a conservative 10 per cent annual rate of cost of fuel inflation on an average, three-bed, semi-detached home upgrading from single-glazing to Pilkington energiKare™. The saving would work out to approx. £170 per year - or around £10,000 over 20 years.
Energy Saving Scheme accredited
Windows that incorporate Pilkington energiKare™ have a Window Energy Rating of at least a ‘C’ which means they are eligible for the Energy Saving Trust’s ‘Energy Saving Recommended Scheme‘.
If you want to find out how much money Brackenwood can save you with Pilkington energiKare™, contact us today or telephone FREEPHONE 0800 25 35 45.
As concerns deepen over the ‘credit crunch’ and its effects on the UK housing market, home owners are turning in increasing numbers to home improvements rather than face trying to sell their homes.
According to the results of a recent survey commissioned by Home insurer LV=, “almost one million British households are ‘doing up’ their homes because the effects of the credit crunch are preventing them from moving.”
And of all the different types of home improvements either undertaken or planned in the next 12 months, a whopping 2.3 million (16%) of home owners are planning to install new windows.
The survey also showed that despite purse strings tightening in other areas, over half (57%) of all Brits have undertaken home improvements in the last 12 months or plan to complete them in the next six months.
With the average spend on home improvements estimated at over £5,000, the total cost of these renovations is projected to be over £4 billion.
A spokesperson for LV= Home Insurance, Emma Holyer said: “Despite the challenging housing market and lack of affordable mortgages, we are still a nation obsessed with our homes and what money we can make on them.”
She added, “Many homeowners told us they were spending this money so they could profit more on their homes when they do come to sell them after the market has stabilised. This shows that although people are concerned about the short term housing market there does appear to be optimism in the long term.”
If you’re one of the growing number of householders looking to invest in their property during these uncertain times, contact Brackenwood today on Freephone 0800 25 35 45 for friendly advice on the many benefits that replacing your windows and doors can bring.
And with the looming possibility of increased energy bills causing concern too, don’t forget to ask about our energy efficient windows and doors.
Figures obtained from a nationally representative online poll by www.opinium.co.uk.
SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY and help SAVE THE PLANET with Brackenwood as we sign up to PVCAware
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a strong, versatile, lightweight, low maintenance and fully recyclable material.
It’s found virtually everywhere due to it’s suitability to a wide range of products including replacement windows and doors such as those provided by Brackenwood.
When used in such products as window and door frames, it can be continuously recycled into new ones as well as other home improvement and building products.
Brackenwood signs up to PVCAware
Nowadays, more than ever, we all have to play our part to recycle as much consumer waste as possible.
PVCAware is an industry-driven campaign committed to “promoting and driving the sustainable values of PVC as a material for use in the manufacture of window frames and other building applications.”
Brackenwood has recently signed up to the PVCAware campaign as part of our on-going commitment to helping the environment.
And that’s not all. We’ve taken steps to prove it.
We recycle for you… and we pay you too!
Right now, Brackenwood is offering a tremendous deal to any of our customers who buy new windows and doors from us. Not only will we take your old windows and doors away to be recycled - we’ll even give you cash back for them!
That’s right. We’re offering part exchange for all new windows and doors as a move designed to actively demonstrate how we are taking a responsible approach to reducing the impact our industry has on the environment.
Contact Brackenwood today on Freephone 0800 25 35 45 for more information on how we can work together to contribute to a more sustainable future as well as details on how to claim your cash back bonus.
More choice… more options… more value!
Brackenwood is delighted to announce the re-opening of its conservatory showroom concession located within its head office in Kimbell Road, Basingstoke.
In partnership with conservatory furniture specialists 2furnish, the new display area boasts the latest, eye-catching designs in both classic and modern styles. And each design is also available in a choice of 32 luxurious fabrics - so you can be sure you’ll find the right conservatory furniture to match your conservatory.
Five great reasons to choose 2furnish conservatory furniture:
And if that wasn’t reason enough, 2furnish also promise the following:
So why not come along and see for yourself the full range of furniture at the Brackenwood conservatory village?
There are also 2furnish representatives on site* during normal opening hours which is open to the public 7 days a week:
For more details on Brackenwood’s range of conservatory furniture, please contact us or telephone 01256 843 988.
*2furnish staff are currently only present on Saturday and Sunday.
Brackenwood did not miss a trick with the huge success of their open day held at their Basingstoke showroom on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of March. The king of the green baize, Dennis Taylor, charmed visitors with his combination of trick shots; humour and top-class snooker, which proved to be a fun- filled family day out for local residents.
Brackenwood designed and manufactured for Dennis Taylor his very own tailor made double-glazed UPVC fames. Dennis commented,
I was impressed, they were the largest frames I have ever seen.
He continued by commenting on the event,
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, it was a smashing event and if I was to come out of retirement and needed my glasses re-glazed, I would call upon Brackenwood.
Remembered most for his 1985 Embassy World Championship victory against Steve Davis, he took on a new opponent, the local Basingstoke snooker champion Martin Charlton. Martin has a wealth of snooker experience winning the UK Royal British Legion singles and pairs competitions and has represented Basingstoke and the South West at National and local level.
An entertaining match proved that Dennis still had the skill and style as he went on to beat Martin 4-0, achieving both a break of 70 and 80. When asked how Martin felt about the contest against Dennis, he commented,
I will settle for runner up when playing against a true gentleman and legend like Dennis Taylor. It helps to cushion the blow!
Dennis’ interaction with the local residents revealed a surprise opponent from his past that he had not seen in over forty years. David Burgess approached Dennis commenting,
You may not remember me, but we share the same birthday and a room once.
To Dennis’s amazement, David was his opponent when wining his first billiard match back in 1968.
Brackenwood’s showroom was transformed to host their very own, ‘Red Hot’, Big Break competition. Contestants of all ages and ability had to pot as many balls as they could in two minutes to make their big break. Local Basingstoke resident Roger Prebble, stole the competition by potting nine balls within two minutes winning a personalised signed snooker cue from Dennis Taylor.
Whilst the event provided a display of great frames played by snooker champions, it gave visitors the opportunity to view Breackenwoods’s exclusive window frames with their extensive colour matching service. Also on display were Pilkington’s innovative self-cleaning glass and a comprehensive range of windows and conservatories.
David Medcraft, Brackenwood’s Managing Director commented on the day,
Like Dennis Taylor, Brackenwood has one of the most recognisable faces of success within the window and conservatory industry. We wanted to demonstrate that we can design and manufacture frames for any individual requirements, whilst providing an entertaining day, for all the family.
If you would like more information about any individual frames, doors or conservatories, please call Brackenwood on 0800 253545 or alternatively visit our website at Brackenwood.
You will find us at Brackenwood House, Kimbell Road, in Basingstoke (just opposite B&Q).
This is your cue to visit Brackenwood Window and Conservatories, who are proud to welcome the king of the green baize, one of the most recognised faces within snooker, Dennis Taylor, who will be making his first break at Brackenwoods showroom on Saturday the 29th of March 2008.
Dennis Taylor has won 11 titles in his career and will be remembered most for his 1985 Embassy World Champion victory when a record 18.5 million people tuned into watch his memorable final with Steve Davis. Brackenwood are inviting you to tune into their very own unforgettable match where this world-class champion takes on top Basingstoke local amateur Martin Charlton. Martin has a wealth of snooker experience winning the UK Royal British Legion singles and pairs competitions and has represented Basingstoke and the South West at National and local level. The match promises to be one not to miss.
Best known for his Taylor made, over-sized glasses and large frames, Dennis would like to personally fill in your frames by signing your new window contract. All you need to do is bring down your window measurements and we will ensure you are not left feeling cold and snookered come next winter.
Residents across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire will have the opportunity to view his spectacular exhibition of trick shots, humour and top-class snooker. Enter the Big Break knock out competition, where the winner will win a signed snooker cue from Dennis Taylor himself.
Fresh food and drinks will be available on the day and the chance to leisurely browse the extensive range of windows and conservatories Brackenwood have to offer. There may only be eight coloured balls on offer on the snooker table, but rest assure that Brackenwood has an innovative range of colour frames to suit any individual requirements.
David Medcraft, Managing Director of Brackenwood welcomes local families to the event commenting,
Like Dennis Taylor, Brackenwood has one of the most recognisable faces of success within the window and conservatory industry. We guarantee you and your family the maximum break, providing expert advice and guidance combined with quality entertainment.
Brackenwood’s comprehensive showroom will provide visitors with the chance to view their wide selection of doors, windows and conservatories. Brackenwood offers a variety of glazing options including energy efficient and self-cleaning windows that are individually designed and crafted to suite the desires of your home.
For more information please call Brackenwood on 0800 253545 or alternatively visit the Brackenood Windows website You will find us at Brackenwood House, Kimbell Road, in Basingstoke (just opposite B&Q).
As Home Information Packs become the norm, the performance of your home, especially when selling, has never been more important.
In fact, as of May 1st, as part of the Governments drive to make all new homes carbon neutral by 2016, all new homes will receive an energy rating.
New builds will be ranked according to the Code for Sustainable Homes, which measures nine categories and the most energy-efficient homes will receive the full six stars. New homes that are not assessed against the code will automatically receive nil.
Speaking at the Eco Build 2008 conference, housing minister Caroline Flint said the ratings would give buyers valuable information about their homes, allowing them to make an informed choice and take action to reduce carbon emissions.
We need to tackle climate change by improving how green and energy-efficient our homes are. New build housing will play an important part in this, and we are already committed to all new housing being zero carbon from 2016. These measures are essential in tackling climate change.
By requiring a rating for all new homes against the Code for Sustainable Homes in the run-up to 2016, we are making the standards that different homes reach more transparent and are creating an important incentive for housebuilders to provide greener, more sustainable homes.”
In years to come, as new builds come up for re-sell, making your own home energy efficient has never been so important, especially if you ever look to sell your home.
PropertyFinder.Com offer Eight great tips on improving the energy efficiency of your home, which includes a tip about windows:
Around 20% of the heat lost from an average home is through the windows. Consider double glazing your windows or secondary double-glazing if you live in a period property. Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could significantly reduce your heating bill.
If you would like more details about our energy efficient UPVC windows, please visit our website.
Innovation in glass manufacturing is not something you may automatically think about, but over the years we have seen a number of new products that have improved the quality of products, the same as any industry. One such innovation we are introducing in Spring 2008 at Brackenwood is a new product called Pilkington energiKare™.
Pilkington energiKare is different to standard double glazing, working to provide two massive benefits. The glazing not only reduces the amount of heat lost through your windows, it also allows more heat (energy) from the sun in through the window.
This effect, known as solar gain, comes from the sun -so it’s free of charge. And, with more emphasis being put on energy efficient homes, Pilkington energiKare can achieve the EST’s Energy Saving Recommended status.
The benefits for installing Pilkington energiKare glass in your windows are:
It’s also gaining recognition in the industry and has been recognised by the Construction Products Association in Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA) 2007.
Visit our website for more information about our range of quality double-glazed windows.
The well-publicised slowdown of UK house prices is putting greater pressure on Basingstoke residents looking to sell their homes to address the needs and desires of buyers. This is compounded by the fact that although at £275,000 the average house price in the area is £45,000 more than the national average, it is significantly cheaper than neighbouring Berkshire and Surrey, which both appear in the top 10 most expensive areas in the country.
A survey by estate agency group Spicerhaart suggests that one of the top three most sought-after features in a potential home is natural light - something that is even more acute as we reach the shortest daylight hours in December. Insulation is a key issue for wintertime, but the need to conserve heat and energy needn’t be at the expense of better use of natural lighting.
Brackenwood Windows and Conservatories are keen to highlight that double-glazed windows and conservatories can make the most of the precious winter sunshine, adding brightness and warmth to your home without increasing heating bills and the negative affects on the environment.
Innovations such as Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass, as well as the obvious benefits of double-glazing, make it easier and more practical than ever before to add greater natural light to homes. A conservatory is an excellent focal point for family and friends to get together, to enjoy the benefits of winter sunshine without the cold temperatures. Natural light also makes living space appear larger, a real bonus at Christmas with extra guests visiting.
It’s not just the glass that can brighten up a home, as Brackenwood’s Managing Director David Medcraft explains:
Old, drab and tatty window frames and doors can really age a property, making it look unwelcoming and unloved. A fresh set of windows and doors can transform the look of a house, both inside and out and the benefits to energy saving and heat retention are well publicised. We offer a wide range of styles and designs and can also match specific colours (for frames and doors, from thousands of possible shades) to perfectly compliment the décor of the house both inside and out.