Dunster House have not always sold Garden Buildings, in fact we started as a uPVC Windows and Doors manufacturer.
Did you know…
Our Company founder Christopher Murphy, along with his sons Andrew and Alex, have hands-on experience. The family have literally built the products by hand and then passed this knowledge onto the team they employ. Meaning you can trust us when we say we know our uPVC windows and doors inside and out!
Did you know you can buy our DIY uPVC windows and doors for your home?
What is uPVC?
uPVC – or as it is otherwise known as unplasticised polyvinyl chloride – is a commonly used material. It is often used in window frames and doors due to its many advantages. One of the top ranking benefits is that uPVC is an extremely durable and low maintenance material – it is virtually maintenance free. uPVC will last for years without deterioration due to weathering, and often requires little more than soapy water to keep clean from dirt and grime.
We use 100% virgin material in our range of uPVC windows, not reused melted plastic. By using new plastic instead of melting it down, in a similar way to refusing to use offcuts and finger joins on our Log Cabins, we can assure your window will come out with a pristine white uPVC finish (unless, of course, you choose from one of our colours).
The decision:
When looking at a range of windows and doors, a large element of your decision will be down to the energy efficiency. On average, 15% of heat loss is through doors, whilst 10% is through windows. We have designed our units to comply with part ‘L’ of building regulations.
Section L sets the standards for the energy performance, energy rating and and carbon emissions in terms of new and existing buildings. To ensure we comply, we coat our glass with a thin metal coating. This coating allows for the sun to be reflected back into the room rather than escaping.
According to Ovo energy one of the best ways to help prevent heat loss is through double glazed windows. Our uPVC windows feature 28mm double glazing as standard meaning there are no hidden costs. These consist of two panes of 4mm toughened glass separated by a 20mm gap with a warm spacer bar. Our units are more energy efficient than other aluminum bars – the efficiency of aluminium in conducting hot and cold can actually make the sealed unit breakdown, rendering it useless.
The glass in our windows is fitted into a five chamber framework, rather than the standard three chambers some competitors use. These five different ‘sections’ act like an air trap, boosting your thermal efficiency by 16%.
We design the doors in a slightly different way to our windows as they have a three chamber framework. The multiple door chambers work to reduce cold transfer and prevent any excessive condensation build up – allowing your door to look as good in five years as the day you bought it.
Security
This is the main difference between our windows and doors, the vast majority of the features of the windows and doors are the same. Security is one of the most important things to us. Both our windows and doors are internally beaded, to keep you safe! By internally beading our windows and doors, rather than externally, it creates a much safer environment as they can not be removed from the outside.
In terms of our windows, the main security feature is the mushroom-head espagnolettes. These slide in different directions before being secured in place and locked. To stop the doors being opened from the outside, our windows feature anti jimmy blocks which are positioned in the opposite direction to the espagnolettes. This helps secure your safety and stop people from knocking the locks out of place and entering your property.
The same level of care has been applied to our doors too. Each of our doors feature a nine point locking system; 3 hook bolts, 3 roller cams, 2 deadbolts and a latch. We don’t want you to have to worry about the contents of your house when you are out. We have our French doors that are even more secure with an eleven point security system. Perhaps, you might like our stylish composite doors for a more retro look – whichever one you choose, we have got you covered.
Ordering your windows and doors
Whether you are buying our DIY uPVC windows and doors with a design in mind, or approaching it as a blank canvas, our website is simple. You can choose from a variety of designs and customisations, with a visual example for each choice. This allows you to see exactly what your chosen design will look like.
For those of you who have never measured uPVC windows or doors before, you can find a step by step instruction guide on how to measure accurately* on our website.
Once you have chosen your design, and are sure it is the correct size and layout. You can then choose between six different window colours other than our standard white: rose wood, rose wood on white, golden oak, golden oak on white, anthracite grey and anthracite grey on white.
If you are looking for something a little different, why not check out our range of sliding sash windows. These uPVC windows open in an up and down style rather than outwardly. As they all have the same fantastic features, it is down to your personal style and budget.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you. Which is why you can order our uPVC windows online, or via a quick telephone call to our sales team. The process is so quick and simple, you can even do it during your lunch break. Or, if it’s easier for you, fill in one of our ‘contact us’ forms and we will call you back when it is convenient for you.
*We can not accept liability for any mis-measurements resulting in the wrong size window or door being ordered. We would advise, if you are unsure, to get an experienced tradesperson to help.
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