Month: December 2020

The Benefits of Composite Windows and Doors

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When having a garden room constructed, the consideration of windows and doors may not have occurred to you. They are, however, definitely worth thinking about. The windows and doors you select will need to be secure and be energy-efficient.

The technology involved in glazing has come a long way in the last few decades. Continually evolving to improve energy efficiency and security. With double and triple glazing options available, there is also a selection of frame materials to choose from.

When installing windows and doors, you should be considering several things.

  • What is the average lifespan of the windows and doors?
  • How much will the windows and doors cost?
  • How energy efficient are they?
  • Are they secure?
  • Will they keep sound out?
  • Will they complement the design of the building?

For many year’s uPVC was the material of choice. Today, however, there’s a new, more sustainable kid on the block. Composite Windows, constructed of aluminium and timber provides greater energy efficiency, have a longer life span and are more sustainable than their uPVC counterparts.

We spoke to experts, Okohaus to find out more about sustainable composite windows and doors.

How Environmentally Friendly are Composite Windows and Doors?

We are all having to be more conscious about our individual carbon footprint; the products we buy should demonstrate responsibility. UPVC windows are derived from oil production; this means they are bad for the environment, requiring a significant emission of CO2 for their production. They are also difficult to recycle and once they reach the end of their lifespan, they are usually sent to landfill.

Composite windows are a far more sustainable product. This is because they use a combination of natural timber and long-lasting, robust aluminium external cladding. By utilising sustainable timber in the supply chain, manufacturers can achieve a much lower carbon footprint.  Okohaus ensure all of their products are FSC Chain of Custody certified. This means that the forests used for timber production are sustainably managed and for every tree cut down to produce a window or door, at least two more are planted.

These fresh, new trees grow quickly and therefore absorb more CO2 than older trees. CO2 is captured in the timber during the window’s lifespan, which is at least twice as long as the lifespan of a UPVC window, so they are actually carbon negative!

How Long Do Composite Windows and Doors Last

Composite windows and doors have a much longer life expectancy than uPVC frames. If maintained well uPVC windows and doors are usable for a maximum of 35 years, in most cases, they don’t reach this. Composite alternatives have a life expectancy of 56-83 years!

How Efficient are Composite Windows and Doors?

In terms of performance, composite windows also have the upper hand over both uPVC and aluminium alone. The U values (thermal performance) in Okohaus’ double glazed systems are comparable to triple glazing in aluminium or UPVC!

How Secure are Composite Windows and Doors?

When it comes to security, they tick all the boxes. Okohaus’ windows and doors are secured by design certified, meaning they are as standard, some of the most secure products on the market.  Usually, UPVC windows would have to have steel reinforcement added to achieve the same levels of security, which would also make them much poorer thermally.

Acoustically very high sound reduction levels are standard, even the busiest central London sites, for example, notice a difference.

When it comes to price, you may expect to pay more for this high-level product.  Composite windows and doors actually often work out cheaper than aluminium alternatives, especially when you compare like for like in terms of performance. They do come in a bit more expensive than uPVC. But the benefits far outweigh the price difference. Not to mention they last at least double the time of uPVC windows.

Windows and doors are as you see, an important consideration. It pays to do your research.

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Can I Work From Home?

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Running a small business has its challenges, the biggest of which is usually profitability. Whether you’re a freelancer, or run a small outfit with a handful of staff, the ultimate goal is to keep profits maximised.

So, how can you cut costs, save money and increase productivity? One of the ways to consider doing this, is by working from home.

Working from home, is of course an obvious solution, but it can present a few obstacles of its own. So, what should you consider before making the leap?

1.    Do you have the space to work from home?

The first consideration is whether or not you have the space to work from home. Do you have a spare room, a spare corner or a garden?

How much space to you ideally need? Consider the below to decide.

2.    What facilities would be required to work from home effectively?

What type of business do you run? Do you work from a computer, do you make things, are you an artist? Whatever you do, certain pieces of equipment will be required and need to be factored into your costings. For example, if you work online you need a computer and a reliable internet connection. You will need to be near a power point to power the computer and have good wifi signal or access to a telephone socket. If you create wooden items you will need specific tools, perhaps a lathe, again you will need access to power.

Take all of these things into consideration so you can factor in the costs and create the ideal work environment, rather than running into problems that need to be overcome after the fact.

3.    The running costs.

Whilst working from home eliminates the cost of additional premises, it does of course, incur its own costs such as utilities. Some charges are tax deductible. You can find out a bit more about that here.

It is good practice to do some projections. Do this in advance for the tax year ahead. If it is already close to the end of the current financial year then also consider next years. Add in your costings for utilities, equipment, any monthly charges for subscriptions you may require ie accounting software etc and any projected earnings. This gives you some idea of the minimum amount you need to be earning to cover all of your costs and eliminates most of the nasty surprises.

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4.    What distractions are there in the area you will be working from?

While working from home, may seem like an ideal solution you need to remember that it is more distracting than going to a physical place of work each day. If you work from home close to a television for example you need to consider the distraction that may be posed by this.

Do other people live in the property with you? Will they be there during your working hours? Could they distract you? Consider all of these points when deciding the are you should be working.

5.    What equipment will be required?

Do you need to purchase physical equipment such as technology, furniture, machinery, stationary, tools etc to conduct your day to day business activities?

Do you have the space to accommodate all of this equipment? Consider the area you have to work with and how you can make it work for you.

6.    Do you have to meet customers or clients face to face?

One of the biggest considerations is whether or not you need to meet customers face to face. Are you comfortable inviting clients or customers into your home?

The great news is that there is a solution available that can help you overcome many of the difficulties, If you have a garden or outside space available to you.

Garden rooms, cabins, pods etc come in many shapes and sizes. They can provide the ideal working environment, taking you away from distractions, while keeping you close to home. They provide a dedicated working area, one in which you can plan to have built around your needs and requirements. Whether you need a small office or a home workshop, meeting customers is safer and you can still feel like you are going to work everyday!

Here at Rooms 2u you have the ability to search through many portable rooms to compare and find the ideal solution to meet your every need! Watch this space for more info about the launch of our new marketplace!

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10 Great Gift Ideas For Garden Room Owners

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With less than two weeks to the big day, are you struggling to think of gifts for everyone? Panic not, we have come up with ten great gift ideas for garden room owners to give you some ideas.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Portable Mini Air Conditioner

Being winter now is the time to bag a bargain on a portable air conditioning unit. This is the perfect addition to a garden room, keeping it cool on those hot summer days. This one is currently less than half price and comes in a choice of three colours. This particular unit has the added benefit of integrated lighting and has speed adjustment to suit the owner’s needs

Faux Fur Rug

To achieve that warm and cosy Hygge look, how about a faux fur sheepskin style rug? Available in a range of sizes and colours this rug has the benefit of being included under Amazon Prime, meaning you can get fast, free delivery for a last-minute gift. This rug can be placed on the floor or over a chair for that warm fuzzy feeling this winter.

Portable Heater

Unlike the air conditioner, which is a present for the forward thinker, a portable heater is a perfect present for the moment. Keep warm on those chilly winter days. This DFGOTOP heater is ideal for those using their garden room as a home office. It even has a remote control to change the heat or switch on and off from the comfort of your desk. It also features overheat protection for home offices.

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Portable Radio

This cute little Bush Portable Mono DAB Radio is perfect for listening to your favourite radio station. This battery-powered unit can also be plugged into the mains if the garden room has electrical sockets. There are 60 pre-sets to save time scanning for stations and an alarm clock. There’s even a headphone socket if you need to keep the noise down.

Chunky Knit Blanket

 

These chunky knit blankets are the perfect addition to a garden room. They look great and are super cosy. You can also support small businesses by purchasing one from Etsy, so its an all-round winner. These blankets come in a range of colours and sizes, giving you plenty of choices.

Vacuum Cleaner

 

How about a compact hoover to keep the space clean? This 2-in1 stick vacuum is ideal. You don’t need to bend over and hurt your back when cleaning the main floor, but you can also use it as a handheld to clean computer keyboards etc. This one comes in at only £20, making it very reasonable indeed.

amazong echo Gift Ideas For Garden Room Owners

Amazon Echo Dot

 

Now in the 4th generation, the restyled Amazon Echo Dot is very attractive. This handy device can answer questions, play music from a selection of streaming services such as Amazon Music or Spotify, add things to your shopping list and more. It’s the perfect little companion and comes in a selection of colours. It’s also reduced at the moment, so bag a bargain quickly.

Wax Melts & Melter

 

Keep the garden room smelling divine with an electric warmer and wax melts. Check out some of the beautiful warmers available here and add a selection of wax melts with a vast array of scents to complement this gift. The recipient will just love sitting in their garden room with a gift from Devon Wick.

Desk Organiser

 

For those with a garden offer a desk organiser is a perfect gift. This one being timber blends nicely with most cabins. With a range of slots and cubby holes, a pen pot, tray and room for books, this is the complete organiser. It’s also available with Amazon Prime for free next day delivery.

Bar Optics

 

Why not create a bar in the back garden with this Reclaimed wooden drinks optics plaque. You’re doing your bit for the environment as it utilises reclaimed wood, helping a small business on Etsy and giving the gift of fun and socialising, which will be even better when all this social distancing ends.

We hope you got some good gift ideas for garden room owners from the list, if you have any of your own thoughts, be sure to share them with us on our Facebook page.

 

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How to Create an Eco-Friendly Garden Room

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The image above is The Yorvick Pod by Smart Eco Living 

If you’re thinking of having a garden room installed, you may also want to consider the environmental impact of the building. Both in terms of its impact on the surrounding area and how it can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

The good news is, that there are many ways your garden room can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. We take a look at how to create an eco-friendly garden room below.

Solar Panels

One way of making your garden room more eco-friendly is to install solar panels which can be used to power the room in part, or full. Before installing solar panels it helps to understand your needs and requirements. This will enable you to find the right solar panel solution for your needs. How much power will you use, is it just lights, or plug sockets too? This can help you establish how much power you will need.

Modulog can offer solar power options with their buildings for the full off-grid experience.

Living Roofs

A living roof is a way to offset your emissions and keep the heat in. Installing a green roof onto your garden room has a number of benefits. They look beautiful, reduce maintenance costs, prevent airborne pollutants from entering your room, keep your room warm in winter and cool in summer and help you do your bit for the environment.

The Little Garden Office Co. can cater for Sedum living roofs so if you fancy seeing what this could look like, be sure to check them out.

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Sustainable Materials

By utilising sustainable or reclaimed materials you can reduce the carbon footprint of your garden building. Sustainable timber some from managed forests. This means the forest is managed to ensure the eco-system is undamaged. Softwoods such as pine are more sustainable than hardwoods like Oak because they take less time to grow. This means they can be replaced faster. Reclaimed materials are another option, by repurposing wood or other materials you are recycling them and giving them a new lease of life.

GPod is one creator of garden rooms that always use FSC certified timber sourcing from sustainable forest programmes. They also send no waste to landfill, EVERYTHING is all recycled.

Insulation

Modern buildings are far more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. This is because insulation and the understanding of energy use have increased over time. There are plenty of schemes such as loft insulation and cavity wall insulation offered to owners of older buildings, but these are never going to be as efficient as a building constructed today. The same goes for garden buildings, you can retrofit insulation solutions, but it makes more sense to ensure the building you install has great insulation already. This means less air warm air escapes and less cold air gets in.

The Passivhaus standard was developed in Germany and is quickly becoming the go-to standard for energy efficiency. Rigorous design and construction combine to create a building with little need for heating or cooling.  Some sellers implement this standard in their garden rooms. It’s always worth investigating the insulation options.

Urbanpods are committed to reducing carbon footprints. By incorporating the best performing insulation and building materials their buildings have virtually no heat loss, thus reducing the amount of power used to heat your urbanpod.

LED Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting in the form of LED lights can reduce your lighting electricity consumption by around 90%. Not only is less power required, but LED bulbs can also often far outlast regular bulbs, which means they are much more economical. LED lighting technology is always advancing ensuring a nice lighting level.

Oakston Solutions are one seller who provides LED lighting options with their garden rooms such as The Marley Eternity Cedral Lap Cladded Garden Building.

Glazing

We are all aware of the benefits of good glazing in our doors and windows. Double glazing provides good insulation. Triple glazing increases energy efficiency, but it also makes your garden room more secure, reduces noise and can help to reduce condensation.

Nordic Garden Buildings double glazing units are 28mm thick, the panes (tongue and Groove OR plain) are also 28mm. Their PVCu panels offer higher thermal values compared to the double glazing units.

 

 

As you can see there are numerous ways to create a more eco-friendly garden room. By doing your researching you can find the right supplier for your needs. Remember if you intend to add weight to the roof with a living roof or solar panels, you should discuss it with the seller to ensure the building can withstand the additional weight. Other than that research and asking the right questions can help you create the perfect spare room.

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