They’re sturdy, resilient and reliable. Sure, the camel may well be the ultimate travel companion for desert adventures but, asks our featured contributor Leon McCarron, how do you even go about buying one?
A quick disclaimer: I have never bought a camel.
I am, you might say, an aspirational camel buyer. I’m in the market for one. And yet I live in London, so it probably won’t transpire any time soon. Instead I’ll continue to scheme, and dream, and wait for the day until I can legitimately call myself a camel owner.
A fair question might be: Why would someone in London think of buying a camel? Of course, I don’t want it here. It wouldn’t be particularly useful on Oxford Street on a busy Saturday—not that it would even be the oddest thing there. What I do aspire to, though, is to purchase a camel for another desert crossing at some point in the future.
To date, I’ve traveled on foot in the Gobi and the Empty Quarter, and in 2016, I spent a couple of weeks in the Southern Sinai desert. There, I walked with two Bedouin and a wonderful, friendly and sturdy camel called Harboush. Harboush carried all the kit for our team of four, as well as food for over a week and up to three days’ worth of water. He walked over cracked, hardened earth, through soft and rippled sand, and over sharp, fractured granite rock.
Never once did he complain, and our only falling-out was on the first evening when he got his nose into the box of cucumbers. In hindsight, it was a small tiff, and all was soon forgiven.
Choosing Windows for your home
When it comes to the windows of your home, you want something that will fit in with its aesthetics and give good value for money. Window choice can be difficult but luckily we’re here for you at Camel Glass and can advise what suits everyone’s needs.
Windows are not just about looking good! They have a lot of important functions too. You need windows that provide security, ventilation and so much more for your home or business to be comfortable inside all year long.
The first step when selecting your windows and glazing is to identify the overall look you’re after heritage or new construction? If it’s an older house, then traditional styles can work best – with the possible exception of adding contemporary extensions.
Windows are often the first thing people notice about your home. They can also be seen as an opportunity for you to bring in some character and colour that might not otherwise exist with other materials or styles of architecture. For instance, if it’s a more modern building then maybe leaded lights would be perfect!
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard deciding what style will work best for your home.
The Georgian six-over-six pane arrangement or larger glass panels that are reminiscent of Victorian and Edwardian designs?
Upon choosing both styles the basics are set in stone but you’re not limited at all with materials like windowpanes which would include either solid wooden frames covered by leaded lights (which make them seem more elegant) or aluminium framed double Hung sashes alongside windows feature
A few decorative details including ironmongery.
If your home is contemporary, you’ll want to consider the window frame material and opening configuration.
You may be looking for products that deliver maximum glass with minimal framing so you can enjoy views out while letting in natural light as well.
A design that is well thought-out and planned at the initial stage can produce a more cohesive final product.
With any such project, it’s important to start developing this outline information into something resembling an actual spec as soon as possible – you’ll thank yourself later for doing so!
We’re eager to work with you and your architect early on. This way, they can help identify details such as maximum panel sizes, performance criteria for energy efficiency, or daylighting needs (ex: is a south orientation preferable), threshold details which will be determined by what has been budgeted already in terms of materials costs etc.; how far the units should be set back into walls before mounting panels internally; mission-critical sightlines between different floors’ framing matchups (ceiling height must meet code).
Window frames are an important part of any project, for their durability and sustainability. Here’s what you need to know about some great options:
Timber windows are a natural choice for those who want to make their home feel like it’s been around forever.
These durable products offer bags of character and warmth with the added benefit that they’re energy-efficient too!
Made out of engineered timber, most timbers look good both inside and out in terms of design aesthetic;
The use of tree-sourced materials can boost your eco credentials while also ensuring a long service life. Plus, these units are easily repaired!
Aluminium windows are the best-known metal option, with their strength and stability making them popular for contemporary homes. They also enable super-thin sightlines to maximize views while maximizing natural light in your house.
The frames can be powder coated in any colour, so you’re not limited to the noughties’ favourite of anthracite grey. Modern metal windows have an insulated thermal break that achieves low U-values for comfort all year round!
The benefits of aluminium frames are many, from their long lifespan to corrosion-resistant properties. They also make for a durable and affordable option when compared with other materials such as steel or timber!
PVCu plastic windows have been transformed from a poor example in the 80s and 90s, with modern products almost unrecognizable.
Today’s plastic windows provide the best of both worlds: affordable price tags combined with attractive features such as good U-values, impressive colourfast finishes, and slim frames. They’re even great for period properties!
But don’t just pick any old window, look for market leaders who offer robust and secure PVCu options with decent guarantees so you can feel assured in your purchase.
Aluminium-clad composite windows are a classy and cost-efficient alternative to timber-framed homes. The thermal performance of these products means they can keep your home cosy in harsh winter conditions while their sleek finish makes them perfect for summertime viewing!
The quality of windows is now greatly improved with a high percentage being supplied fully factory-glazed, pre-finished, and sealed. This provides the reassurance that you will have units that perform at their best for years to come
The overwhelming majority (95%) are coming from factories where they’ve undergone rigorous testing before leaving to go on sale so there’s no need to worry about whether your new purchase can stand up against harsh weather conditions or not because it’ll already be prepared!
Double glazing has been the standard for decades, but triple-glazed windows are now becoming more popular. Triple glass is stronger than double and can offer better insulation to keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round!
As an example of its benefits over double panes: The increased thermal efficiency means less power will be consumed by air conditioners or heat pumps in summer; lower energy bills combined with improved performance makes them worth considering even if you’re not especially sensitive about energy costs – they may not seem money well spent on first glance, but after installation, their cost goes way down because there’s no need to replace old inefficient units anymore.
The benefits of triple glazing are undeniable, but some argue that this type of construction is unnecessary in the UK. The thickness and material make it difficult for heritage projects to incorporate these windows into their building plans.
All of these elements, and more–like the type of insulation you need for your home or how much profit there is with triple glazing over single pane glass-are crucial to consider early on in order to establish whether it’s worth investing 10-15% more than an uninsulated roof would likely cost.
The thermal efficiency of windows is measured by their U-value, with lower numbers indicating better heat retention. As a rough guide (and it’s important to note that the values will vary depending on climate conditions), the single glassed window might achieve around 5 W/m2K while most modern double glazing can be anywhere from 1.4 -1 . 2 W/ m squared K
Window replacement is a complicated process. It takes more than just installing windows to get the job done right and ensure they operate at maximum efficiency for years of reliable use, which is why you should work with an experienced company like ours—we offer supply-and-install services so there’s always someone on site who knows what he or she needs to do!
One area of window specification that has come to light in recent years is security. The government implemented Document Q, the Building Regulations 2015 which calls for all windows and doors being considered “secure” or fastened with screws on both sides when it comes down to protection from intruders who may want access at night time.
In today’s world, it is important to have a home that can protect you from intruders. Doors should be strong enough so they don’t lead the burglar into your house and windows must also resist attacks by these criminals who want nothing more than an easy target for their plunderings!
A new home’s windows must be designed, manufactured, and installed to meet the British Standard PAS 24 (or an equivalent accepted standard). That includes glass as well as frame size; it also requires that a window is fixed into place securely with locks or latches.
There are a number of ways for manufacturers to demonstrate their products comply with security standards. One way is by gaining police-approved Secured by Design accreditation – although other certifications still apply, too! If you’re concerned about the safety of your project and want it done right from start then make sure that this approval applies specifically to what will be installed onsite.
In response to new regulations, some suppliers have upgraded all of their products. In particular those who sell windows and doors are now required by law to be PAS 24-compliant regardless if they’re installed in a building or external facade. Upgrades for these firms include laminated glass which is more difficult than toughened variety; this can reduce breakage rates considerably!
Fenestration is one of the most important features when it comes to historic homes. If you live in an old building, then there’s a good chance that at some point Fenestrated played an integral part in why someone would want their home so badly! Original window panes can also help maintain and preserve character while still staying true with its original design appeal – which makes retaining these older styles all worth it.
The secret to finding value in old windows is knowing when they should be considered salvageable. Even seemingly rotted units can often be cost-effectively repaired by an expert joiner, who will also provide you with advice on how best to maintain them
Older buildings may have high-quality slow-grown timbers that are more durable than modern wood and don’t always show signs of decay until it’s too late!
If the original windows are beyond repair, it’s best to go for like-for-like replacements that will be as accurate and true. You’ll need specific consent from your property or home if you live in a conservation area so make sure you get all necessary permissions before starting any work on this important project!
When it comes to developing and placing a major order, you’ll need to work alongside your architect/designer as well as window company(s) in order to draw up an accurate schedule. This should detail elements such size of each opening planned performance targets frame material if known so that everything can go smoothly from start to finish without any problems or delays!
This schedule needs to be a full description of the works. There are questions about glazing specifications, opening configurations, and ironmongery styles that you will need to be answered for your project’s specific details of how it’s built as well as frame finishes (do they want a dual-color design or something else?).
This basic template includes the basics like dimensions and materials required but we highly recommend filling it up with all relevant information before sending over any rough sketches later – this way there won’t be any confusion on what goes where when things start getting designed!
Windows are a major investment, and will likely represent the largest expense in your project budget – so you should always see products firsthand before ordering.
So, get down to your supplier’s showroom and find out more about the units you’re considering. This is an opportunity for a comprehensive demonstration of what they have in store!
For over 35 years, Camel Glass has been in the business of helping people find what’s best for them. We can provide you with all your needs- from installing new windows right up until they’re ready to be taken out!
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